Pet Project

Sit, Stay & CBD

There aren’t many pharmaceutical choices for family pets, particularly cats and dogs, when it comes to treating chronic discomfort. That partly explains why so many pet owners are trying CBD (cannabidiol) to bring relief from common ailments. Another part of the explanation is that CBD has proven to be so effective. Pet parents are also using CBD as a supplement, promoting the overall wellbeing of cats, dogs, humans, and other members of the animal kingdom with an endocannabinoid system (ECS). Be sure to think about the following, and your comfort level, when strategizing a CBD regimen for pets:

Considering CBD for a furry family member? Here’s a quick review of some CBD basics. CBD is non-psychoactive; THC is psychoactive. If a cannabis plant contains more than 0.3 percent THC, then it is considered marijuana. If it contains less than 0.3 percent THC, then it is classified as hemp.

Just as with humans, dosing with cannabis should start low and slow. The tricky part is to figure out how to administer CBD to a pet — tincture, topically, or with food? As most pet parents know, it’s so much easier to give dogs medicine than it is to give cats. • Accurate Dosing: How is the CBD measured? If a tincture, are milligrams lined on the dropper? How many CBD dog biscuits are a suitable treat?

• Palatability: If your notoriously picky feline doesn’t like salmon for dinner, she probably won’t like salmon-flavored CBD.

• Dispensing: Drops under the tongue? Mixed in with the food? Topical?

Cannabis works subtly, don’t expect the same kind of reaction that conventional medicines bring. However, close observation is necessary.

CBD may help your pets with:

Seizures, spasms, and tremors

Pain Anxiety & Stress

Asthma

Appetite Stimulation

Inflammation

Epilepsy

Nausea & Vomiting

Does the dosage need to be increased, decreased, or given more frequently? Look for indicators such as appetite, ease of movement, pacing, scratching, and self-soothing behavior like intense licking of chewing. You know your pet best, and are the most qualified to decide whether to increase or decrease the amount of CBD.

This article is not intended as advice. Always check with your family veterinarian. Budtenders are very helpful with information, too, and exploring the Internet on your own may be the place to begin. Due to cannabis’ previous misbegotten illegal status, research on its healing properties, among other benefits, is sorely lacking. Remember, veterinarians can’t write a prescription for CBD, they make suggestions. If your vet isn’t cannabis knowledgeable, ask for a referral to one who is. C S — Amy Marie Orozco