Cannabinoids are very popular today because they offer various therapeutic benefits to humans and animals. In veterinary medicine, cannabis is showing promising results in some studies, and it’s no wonder why many cat and dog owners are interested in its products like CBD oil.
Today, there are many anecdotal reports from owners claiming that CBD or cannabidiol oil is doing wonders to their furry friends. Their older dogs and cats were able to walk slowly and gradually after a bout of arthritis, and others noticed that their furry friends were not as anxious during travels, fireworks, and thunderstorms.
However, know that there’s little information about these regarding the side effects and dosage of these supplements in animals. This is why you need to do some research before giving the oil to your pets and ask your vet if you have questions. Another thing is that the market may make it difficult for you to choose the right products. There are various strains, formulations, and dosages present on multiple websites, but here’s some information that may help you out.
About CBD Oil
Marijuana is considered as a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance according to the DEA. This includes Cannabis sativa and all parts of the plant. Essentially, the resin, flowers, leaves, and stalks produce two of the most popular cannabinoids out there. They are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
In marijuana users where THC is often present at a level of 30%, the results will be a psychoactive and euphoric effect. Many humans may experience anti-emetic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects, but higher doses are often toxic to animals.
On the other hand, there’s cannabidiol that has therapeutic effects, but many researchers are still unsure about how this substance works inside the body. Cannabidiol extracts and compounds are known to interact with a dog’s endocannabinoid system, but it’s not producing intoxication and euphoric effects, unlike marijuana. In hemp plants, only about 0.3% of THC or even less is present. Instead, CBD has been known to calm a pup’s nerves and help him fall asleep in no time.
Safety for your Furry Friend
Today, hemp plants and cannabidiol extracts are still waiting for the FDA’s rules and regulations. Many haven’t undergone reviews yet about their safety and efficacy. While products are available from various platforms and shops, the uses, doses, and studies are still not available for veterinary medicine. The FDA hasn’t approved these products in any form, and you need to do research about the existing tinctures and CBD treats in the market.
While there may be a place for cannabidiol in the future, there’s still not enough evidence and research that proves that they will work on your breed. You should only buy the ones that were sourced from local hemp plants. If you would like to use the products on your furry friend to ease their back pain and anxiety, you need to discuss this with your vet for further information. There are also no studies about its long-term outcome, so you need to be vigilant.
Getting the Right Products
Source of Hemp
One of the first factors to consider is the source of hemp and the quality of the oil after it has gone through various processes. You need to have locally sourced plants to make sure that they don’t contain any pesticides, chemicals, and heavy metals. The best sources are often from California, Colorado, North Carolina, and other states in the US, and they have ideal climates where hemp plants are grown organically.
Types of Extracts
Look for full-spectrum oil extracts for your dogs and cats. These supplements are often made up of cannabidiol, terpenes, flavonoids, phytocannabinoids, vitamins, minerals, and a THC that’s less than 0.3%, producing the entourage effect. A little bit of THC is not going to create a psychoactive effect on your furry friend. Instead, it can hasten pain relief and lessen anxiety in minutes if all of the organic ingredients combine together.
If this is your dog’s first time when it comes to CBD, you also have the option to give him broad-spectrum products. These are the ones that don’t have any THC on them. This is a good balance between the isolates and the full spectrum, and you’ll find them to be the least processed of all three. More about full-spectrum in this link: https://www.healthline.com/health/full-spectrum-cbd.
Isolates
The isolates are when the components of the hemp plants are going to be stripped. This will leave just the cannabidiol to its purest form, which can be a good starter for dogs and cats. You’ll see how your furry friends will react to the products, and since the THC compound is absent, you can be sure that these won’t make your dog high.
Potency
The potency can be measured using milligrams. This will be the strength of the product, and this is the amount of CBD present. The stronger the dose, the higher milligram per volume of cannabidiol is present. This can be the same case with any other ingredients like melatonin and CBG.
For your canine and feline, it’s best to determine the dose according to the weight charts and breed requirements that can be present on the manufacturers’ website. If you have a small breed, it’s best to start with the minimum dose to see how they react. If you decide to give this supplement daily to your dog, consult the vet for more information.