CBD For Pets by Anna Ervin

by Anna Ervin HERBAGE MAGAZINE

With more and more people turning to CBD products to not only cure their own ailments, but also those of their pets, I thought it might be a good time to discuss the topic. I’ve actually been using CBD products to help manage my dog’s anxiety for years now. She’s a 15lb mini Australian Shepherd with the biggest heart, but an even bigger fear of loud noises.

For years, I haven’t been able to leave my house on the Fourth of July, fearful that she will literally scratch her way through the drywall, or hurt herself in the process. Thunderstorms are even worse because we rarely see them coming in time to prepare. So many nights I’ve woken at 2am to find her trying to hide in the toilet, or scratching the tile floors until her paws bleed. CBD doesn’t necessarily have a sedative effect on her, but I have noticed that it helps, especially when we’re administering it regularly.

However, anxiety is just one of many things that CBD has been known to treat in dogs. While we haven’t yet seen any formal studies on how CBD affects dogs, according to the American Kennel Club, ”What scientists do know is that cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid receptors located in the central and peripheral nervous systems, which help maintain balance in the body and keep it in a normal healthy state.”

Research and evidence are even more scarce when it comes to the efficiency of CBD for cats, but PetMD states that “Based on reports from veterinarians and pet parents, CBD itself appears, on the surface, to be very safe for cats.” So, what are some of the benefits of using CBD products for pets? Pet owners are utilizing the non-psychoactive component to treat a number of ailments concerning their furry friends, but the three that seem to be most common are anxiety, pain, and seizures.

As mentioned before, CBD has been incredibly effective in helping reduce my pup’s anxiety over the years through regular use. However, I’m extremely careful about the products I give her for ingestion due to her sensitive stomach.

With that being said, here are a few tips on seeking out CBD products for your pets: 1) Pay attention to carrier oils a. Different oils carry different benefits for your pet’s health, but there are a few that are unsafe altogether. When looking for CBD oils, look for products with a base of hemp, grapeseed, or MCT/coconut oil. 2) Keep an eye on terpenes a. Some studies have shown that trace amounts of terpenes can cause minor digestion issues in dogs, such as diarrhea. When in doubt, choose products made with CBD isolate, rather than full or broad-spectrum. 3) Get to know the companies making your pet’s medicine a. The quality and efficiency of CBD products for pets relies heavily on the way those products were manufactured. Make sure you choose a manufacturer that offers total transparency, and support for all of your questions.

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