CBD is a chemical compound found in the cannabis plant that is continuing to gain traction and exposure as individuals seek to figure out practical applications for the substance and how it may benefit those who use it. While there is certainly a great push for this kind of research given the relaxation on laws pertaining to hemp and hemp-related substances, there is not much research being conducted regarding the potential application of this substance to animals as well.
Still, there are some studies being conducted and there are some theoretical statements being made about the use of CBD in certain animals. If you are curious about whether or not you could use CBD for your animal, take a look at this brief guide that delves into the topic of CBD and its use in pets.
What is CBD for Pets?
For many people who are just now hearing of CBD for pets, they may be thinking, what is CBD and what kind of form does it come in for pets? For those who are unsure of what CBD is, let’s begin there. CBD, also known by its extended name of cannabidiol, is a chemical compound that is found in the cannabis plant. CBD belongs to a group of chemical compounds found in the hemp plant known as cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are said to be responsible for a host of different reactions that your body has when you use or ingest cannabis. For example, THC is one of the most well-known cannabinoids that is responsible for the high that you experience when you smoke marijuana or any marijuana-related products.
Now, let’s tackle the next question. Is there a special type of CBD for dogs or cats? While there are special forms of CBD that are designed especially for different kinds of pets such as dog treats or simply oil that can be placed into dog food, there is no special process that regular CBD needs to undergo in order to make it pet-friendly. Therefore, almost any regular CBD product that is made for humans would also (mostly) work for pets.
How Does It Interact With Your Dog or Cat?
The first thing that comes to our mind when we think about giving something to our pets is, are they going to be safe when they take this substance? To better address this question, we first need to understand how the substance interacts with the body of your dog or cat. You may have heard of something known as the endocannabinoid system, which is something that lies not only in our own bodies but in the bodies of all mammals.
This system consists of a system of receptors (CB1 receptors, which are largely found in the brain and CB2 receptors, which are largely found in the nervous system) that are found throughout the body and are designed to achieve homeostasis or to keep all of the body’s processes balanced and regulated. In order to achieve this, the body produces chemical compounds known as endocannabinoids, which attach to the receptors so that they can produce the desired results. When the system is thrown out of balance either because a problem with the system or an introduced illness, the endocannabinoid system fails to function properly. The introduction of phytocannabinoids such as cannabidiol is said to be able to attach to these receptors and help to get the system back on track and fight against certain illnesses.
That being said, there is also the concern that comes with potential side effects. As always, there are some undesirable side effects experienced by humans that may also become an issue for pets and may be magnified depending upon the dosage given to the animal. Some of these side effects may include dry mouth, tremors, low blood pressure, lightheadedness, and drowsiness.
Make sure to keep track of how much CBD you are giving your pet and also make sure to only give them products that are organic as some CBD products may contain pesticides or other additives that could be far more dangerous to your pet than they are to human. As long as you keep an eye on them and take preventative action to keep them from dealing with a potentially dangerous reaction to CBD, you should be fine.
Benefits of Cannabidiol for Pets
A lot of the potential applications that are tested by those who use CBD for their own health issues are said to also be able to be applied to the same problems found in pets. Here are some of the ways that CBD may be able to help your pet.
There are quite a few humans who utilize CBD products to battle her seizures caused by Epilepsy. In some cases, such as that for the FDA-approved drug Epidiolex, CBD has actually been proven to be able to alleviate seizures in children who are suffering from rare forms of the condition. If your pet frequently has seizures or suffers from some of the other symptoms brought on by epilepsy, you may want to look into CBD products as a possible natural treatment method.
Those who are frequently stressed out because of work and life situations may choose to turn to CBD as a way to relieve some of that stress. CBD is said to be able to produce a calming effect that helps the user relax more and ease the mental and physical symptoms that often accompany acute or chronic stress. While it may seem silly to think that pets can be this stressed, it is true that pets experience stressful situations much like humans do. If your pet is dealing with stress, CBD may be able to help.
As we stated in the previous section, the main goal of the endocannabinoid is to achieve homeostasis. Homeostasis refers to the balance and regulation of all of the body’s internal processes. However, problems may arise that can throw this system off track and make it so that certain processes are not functioning as they are supposed to. The introduction of external cannabinoids such as cannabidiol are said to help promote homeostasis and may be something you want to give to your pet if you believe it can keep them healthy and balanced.
Whether an animal is dealing with inflammation as a result of an overactive immune system, as a result of age and use, or as a result of an injury that has caused the body to trigger its natural defense system, your animal is most likely dealing with pain caused by the inflammatory response, especially if they are dealing with the former two issues. CBD is said to be helpful for this condition and may be able to calm down the inflammation in the affected area in your animal.
Anxious humans are big fans of CBD and it is said that CBD helps them calm down their anxiety so that the impact of the mental health issue doesn’t have as much of an impact on them. If your dog is suffering from generalized anxiety or if they have certain moments where they have trouble coping with separation anxiety or anxiety that stems from loud noises and other such stimuli, CBD may be able to help them calm down so that they can function properly.
While there is certainly less research regarding CBD for animals, there is the potential that it could be used for the same reasons that a human would use the substance. If you’re curious as to this application, use the information above to learn more about CBD and how it may work for your pet.