CBD Oil for Pets
We’ve already covered the extensive benefits CBD oil has in treating symptoms in humans. It turns out that CBD oil may be just as beneficial for our beloved pets, too. The compound known as cannabidiol, or CBD, has opened up avenues of alternative therapy for pets suffering from any number of issues. CBD is non-psychoactive, unlike its sister compound, tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. However, due to the entourage effect, CBD works best when it is paired with small amounts of THC even in animals.
What Can CBD Oil Treat in Our Pets?
Like in humans, CBD oil for pets can treat a number of things, both in cats and in dogs. The following list is far from complete, but these are some common ailments in pets that CBD oil can help treat.
Dogs:
- Lack of appetite
- Anxiety due to separation, thunderstorms, fireworks, and other loud noises
- Nausea
- Calms for trips to the vet
- Muscles spasms and seizures
- Pain from cancer or arthritis
- Grumpiness or aggression towards other animals
Cats:
- Poor appetite
- Constant hiding
- Fear of the litter box
- Eating inappropriate objects
- Calms for vet trips
- Aggression towards other animals
- Distress from an environmental change
That sounds great for your furbaby, doesn’t it?
How Can CBD Treatments Be Administered?
It might be hard to train Fido or Fluffy to take a hit from a vaporizer, but there are definitely ways to get CBD treatments into your pet. Like in humans, pets can ingest CBD edibles, tinctures, and even use topical treatments.
Edibles
Pet edibles are generally made by infusing CBD oil into cat or dog treats that taste great. Everyone with a pet knows how hard it can be to get them to take medication. They can eat around that piece of cheese and leave the pill behind. Since CBD edible treats come in flavors both cats and dogs enjoy, there’s little hassle. Keep in mind that giving a pet an edible is exactly like consuming one yourself. It will take time to work its way through the digestive system and kick in.
Tinctures
Tinctures are prepared by infusing CBD compounds with mixtures of vegetable glycerin, oil, or alcohol. They are then placed using a dropper beneath the animal’s tongue. Tinctures are a great starting point and also great for relieving mild symptoms. Tinctures also allow for better dosage control and immediate relief.
Topicals
Like tinctures and edibles, topicals are CBD-infused oils and creams which are then applied locally to relieve pain and inflammation from conditions like arthritis. They can also be used to treat skin sensitivities due to allergies. Some of the topicals for itchiness imbue a menthol to help cool irritated skin, further calming the dog or cat’s symptoms. CBD topicals may be the best treatment for skin conditions and arthritis because it can offer immediate, localized relief.
Shampoos
CBD infused shampoo is a great way to help your pet with dry-itchy skin or life-less fur. When you massage the shampoo into the fur, make sure you leave it on for a few minutes as you rub it into the skin. FlowerChild CBD has a wonderful anti-itch CBD shampoo for Pets that is all natural. Not only does the CBD work it’s way into the skin to relieve pain and inflammation, but the natural ingredients in the shampoo help sooth irritated skin and leave your pet smelling great and feeling more comfortable.
Dosage
Dosage for your pet is an extremely important factor to consider and is based upon the pet’s weight. A general guideline is 1mg – 5mg per 10lbs of body weight. Most cats would do with a dosage of 1mg. For dogs, as they get larger and weigh more, the higher the dosage is required. Another good rule of thumb is to start with a dose on the lower end and monitor your pet for any side effects. Changes usually occur within an hour. If you see no changes, you might want to increase the dosage.
For pain relief, treatment should be given about once every eight hours. If you are trying to correct unwanted behaviors, twice per day is optimal. Keep in mind that it might take more than one treatment to begin to see improvement.
There is little to no overdose risk with pure CBD. However, if your CBD treatment contains small amounts of THC, monitor your pet for signs of THC toxicity – basically, they may act “high.” An animal suffering from THC toxicity may have problems standing, walking, or trouble eating.
We all love our pets. And when they suffer from debilitating ailments, we want to help treat those symptoms as best we can. Always talk to your vet before beginning any treatment regimen. Many vets have become familiar with the benefits CBD oil has for our animals and should be able to recommend the appropriate treatment for your pet.
Author
Michael is a marketing and creative content specialist at GotVape.com with a primary focus on customer satisfaction. Technology and fitness combined with healthy lifestyle obsession are his main talking points
