The pet industry has seen a rise of CBD products because of their effectiveness and bioavailability. Since the products have come crashing into the veterinary industry, more users love them, and manufacturers have also seen the need to create a tidal wave of innovative merchandise infused with cannabidiol.
Nowadays, it’s not only the people who reap the benefits of using cannabidiol but also their animal counterparts. Pet parents of many canines reported that their pups found more mobility and comfort when they were given cannabidiol for dogs incorporated into their diet. They were more relaxed and less anxious because of CBD extracts.
How Does CBD Affect the Body?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is an extract found in the cannabis plant. It doesn’t get you high, unlike with marijuana, because it lacks the compound called THC. Cannabidiol is an excellent alternative for humans and animals to experience all the therapeutic effects that cannabis offers without getting high and addicted to the product.
The most common reason why pet parents get CBD-infused products is for pain relief. Aside from managing some of the pain brought by arthritis and other diseases, cannabidiol oil can also help your dog with the following:
- Reduction of anxiety, stress, and depression
- Regulation of appetite
- Helps in deeper and more relaxed sleep
- Create alertness in a smaller dose
Other than getting CBD in bottles, you can also find a lot of options like treats, creams, and other forms that can help your pet with various conditions and ailments.
The Endocannabinoid System in Pets
Many pets like dogs are classified as mammals, just like humans. It’s not surprising that they also have an endocannabinoid system similar to their pet parents.
The ECS is composed of a network of receptors that help regulate appetite, mood, sleep, pain, and stress. It is also a vital part of helping the reproductive and immune systems function more efficiently. You can read more about the ECS on this site here.
This system has three crucial parts, which are enzymes, endocannabinoids, and receptors. The receptors can be found all over your canine’s body, and they are responsible for receiving and sending signals to various organs and cells.
The second component of the ECS is called the endocannabinoids. They are in the form of molecules, and their job is to send the correct signals in many parts of the body to regulate some processes.
The last but not the least component is called the enzymes. They play an essential role in the breakdown of the endocannabinoids, and they also activate some of the chemical reactions in your pet’s body.
The dogs have a lot of endocannabinoid receptors when you compare it to humans. This means that the cannabidiol’s effect will be more pronounced and faster than that of people taking CBD supplements. However, ensure that you are getting a product made from premium hemp as dogs are more prone to chemicals and toxicity from cheap and low-quality oil extracts.
Just as cannabidiol can have different effects on the people using it, it can also have a wide range of outcomes for the animals using it. The overall health, age, weight, and breed are just some of the main factors that affect the results of CBD in dogs.
How to Choose the Right Product
Get the Organic and Full-Spectrum Kind
You need CBD combined with terpenes, flavonoids, a little THC, and a higher percentage of CBD so that your pet will get an entourage effect. These organic compounds that were not mixed with harmful chemicals and the other ingredients will boost CBD’s impact on the body.
Specially Made for Pets
There are oil extracts for humans, and the others are for animal consumption. Look for dog-specific cannabidiol treats or oil that will not overwhelm your canine’s system. These types are formulated with veterinarians’ help, and third-party laboratories usually tested them to ensure that they are safe for all breeds of dogs.
All-Natural Ingredients with no Preservatives
Choose CBD oil made from other natural ingredients that are usually the unflavored ones. These ingredients typically don’t have any molds, heavy metals, and pesticides in them, and the right company can provide you with proof through the certificate of analysis. Choose the ones that don’t have any preservatives in them so that you can ensure that your canine is still eating something healthy.
You need to consider the certifications of the manufacturers and the process of extracting CBD from hemp plants. Read more about selective extraction of cannabis here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7144126/. There’s also the factor where the product potency matters, and the overall ingredients should be pet-friendly.
Correct Serving Size
Since cannabidiol is a potent and safe product, it doesn’t take much to support your canine’s endocannabinoid system. The serving sizes or dosage can depend on some of these key factors:
- Overall weight of your pet
- The amount of CBD per milligrams contained in the product
Cannabidiol is indeed a safe compound, but you still need to set some extra precautions and check for the label before giving this to your furry friend. A legitimate manufacturer will also give you more information about the exact serving size on their websites.
You may start giving CBD oil to your dog by mixing a tincture of it into their favorite food. This method is what many owners are doing, especially if this is the first time that they are giving cannabis-related products to their dogs. They also ensure to give only the minimum dose available so that they will be able to observe and track whether the supplement is working or not.
Other products were incorporated with natural flavors. If you choose to drop a tincture of oil directly under your dog’s tongue, then it’s perfectly fine. You can start with beef-based or chicken flavors that will make your pet love the entire experience. If you prefer not to give your dogs the artificial-flavored ones, you can always get treats with carrier oils like Omega-3 as an excellent alternative.
