CBD is taking the world by storm. Safe, pure, and bringing a lot of known wellness benefits, many people are turning to CBD tinctures and extracts. But did you know these benefits can apply to your pets, too?
Here’s how CBD could help your dog or cat, and how you can start them on a wholesome routine with a high-quality supplement or treat!
What Is CBD?
Cannabidiol, better known as CBD, is a non-intoxicating compound found in hemp. Even though it’s one of more than 115 known cannabinoids, CBD can be up to 40% of the plant. It is different from tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound that gives marijuana its psychoactive properties. For safety reasons, most CBD products come from industrial hemp, not marijuana, ensuring that the products do not include psychoactive elements. The extraction of CBD comes as an oil, which is made into a tincture or baked into a treat.
CBD works on the CB1 and CBD2 receptors throughout your body’s endocannabinoid system to produce potentially positive wellness outcomes. This complex cell-signalling system balances processes like communication between the cells, immune response, appetite, memory, etc. Like all mammals, your pets have an endocannabinoid system, meaning they could benefit from CBD extracts.
What Are The Known Effects Of CBD On Pets?
One of the most common uses of CBD is for treating anxiety. It has been known to help your pet stay calm when you’re not home and reduce noise-related anxiety. If your dog cowers every time there’s a thunderstorm, CBD might help!
Pet owners also use CBD as a way of treating pain, especially neuropathic pain, and for helping to control seizures. It is also known to have anti-inflammatory properties, cardiac benefits, anti-nausea effects, and appetite stimulation.
It’s worth noting that just like humans, all pets have different endocannabinoid systems. The location of the CB1 and CBD2 receptors is not uniform, so the effects on your pet can be different. This is why it’s good to follow the next instructions for a solid CBD routine that will work for your unique cat or dog!
How To Start Your Pet On A CBD Routine
The best way to get your dog or cat started on CBD is to incorporate the product into their routine. It’s best to start the new CBD supplement at a regular time: dinnertime with a bowl of their favourite food, in the form of a CBD treat after exercise, or just before bedtime. There are benefits to all three:
- With dinner, the supplement can be incorporated more readily and is less likely to be rejected.
- After a long walk, CBD has been known to help their bodies recover faster and more comfortably from the physical workout.
- A daily dose of CBD oil or tincture at night has been known to help them sleep better, just as CBD does for humans!
Regardless of when you choose, it’s recommended to start your pet with low doses and closely examine the effects the supplement has on them. For instance, begin with 1 mg of CBD per 10 lbs of your pet’s body weight two times a day, following that schedule for a couple of weeks and analyzing the effects over that period.
If you are planning to introduce CBD to your dog’s regime, let your canine sniff the product. Dogs have millions of olfactory receptors in their noses, letting them discover a lot of information about what they sniff. A few drops of CBD oil on the feeding bowl or letting them sniff the CBD treat will give you an idea of how they’ll react to the product.