There is a lot of inaccurate information out there about using CBD oil for pets. I once read somewhere that administering cannabis oil to your pets could make them high and behave erratically. Oops! That’s not true. And I know any pet owner who read that article won’t want to use CBD oil for their dogs.
Well, there’s little research about the use of CBD oil for dogs and other pets. But one thing is sure; cannabidiol contains an insignificant amount of THC (the psychoactive substance in cannabis). That means it’s not enough to produce high and make any pet erratic.
Even if you decide to administer cannabidiol oil to your pet, try to get some of the best brands. Check healthcanal.com for some of the best CBD oil brands for pets.
However, the 2018 farm bill in the United States that legalized hemp-derived CBD oil made it more popular. And analysts predicted that at this rate, the CBD pet care market might reach $125 million in 2022.
From all indications, the CBD pet care market is growing rapidly. But there is still little information about it out there. So, before you start using CBD oil for your furry friend, here are some of the things you should know about it.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol belongs to the cannabinoid family. And when taken, it interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system and maintains homeostasis.
Even though CBD is psychoactive, it doesn’t produce high. That makes it relatively safe to use on pets. And anecdotal evidence reveals that cannabidiol can treat anxiety, arthritis, and chronic pains in dogs.
Again, you can administer CBD to pets in different ways. But researchers confirmed that it’s more effective to administer CBD to your dogs or cats as oil. It has the best pharmacokinetic profile. That means cannabidiol oil reaches the highest concentration in the blood, stays longer in the bloodstream, and you can use it across different dogs.
How Does CBD Work in Pets?
There is little research and studies about CBD vis-a-vis animals. So, there are several questions about CBD oil for pets that have no scientific answers for now.
For instance, it’s still unclear whether cannabinoids interact with dogs’ endocannabinoid systems as it does with humans. That’s why most times, pet owners rely on anecdotal evidence to administer CBD oil to their dogs and cats.
What are the Health Benefits of Administering CBD Oil to Your Pet?
Since people started showing interest in treating their pets with CBD oil, there have been a few studies on the benefits of CBD oil to animals. Here are some of them;
- According to a 2018 study by the US National Library of Medicine and National Institute of health, CBD oil can improve the condition of dogs with arthritis. It increases the comfort and activity of these dogs.
- The right dose of CBD oil is effective for reducing the number of seizures epileptic dogs experience.
There are several other benefits of administering CBD oil to your pets. But no scientific research or studies is supporting these claims. People only rely on anecdotal evidence.
However, it’s better to discuss with your veterinarian before administering CBD oil to your pets. Sometimes, veterinarians may be reluctant to discuss pet CBD treatments with you.
Even if they do, it will be off the records because some states prohibit veterinarians from discussing pet CBD treatments. They could lose their operating license for recommending CBD related treatment for pets.
Is CBD Oil Safe for Pets?
A 2017 World Health Organization’s report stated that it’s safe to administer pure and unadulterated CBD oil to pets. And your furry friends’ system can always tolerate any CBD product in its pure state.
However, veterinarian Stephanie McGrath opined that it’s not safe to give CBD to dogs or cats with a known liver issue. This is because when your pet takes CBD, it’s the liver that metabolizes it. And if your pet is already taking medication that’s metabolized by the liver, it won’t be safe to administer CBD to the same pet. It could stress the liver and degenerate into a more severe condition.
Furthermore, the CBD pet industry isn’t regulated by any authority. So, quality control is always a challenge. Some brands may contain ingredients that aren’t listed on the label. And some of these ingredients may be unhealthy for your dogs or cats.
But experts always advise pet owners to get CBD brands that come with a certificate of analysis. And ensure that the batch number on the certificate of analysis corresponds with the number on the CBD product’s label or package.
Since the CBD care pet industry isn’t regulated. The certificate of analysis (COA) is the only way to ensure that the CBD product you are buying for your pet is safe. And the COA is always issued when an independent lab test and confirms the CBD oil’s ingredients and potency. Therefore, a CBD oil manufacturer can’t influence the certificate.
