how do i know my pet needs cbd? is it safe and how do i dose it?
By: Cbd Handbook
Tags: Health, Cbd, Cannabis Medical, Cannabis, Wellbeing

I can take an educated guess that all of you reading this have one thing in common — a pet that you love and want to ensure is as happy and healthy as possible. You may have heard that CBD can be beneficial for pets but before considering it, are wondering how to know that your pet needs it and most importantly if it is safe? Look, I get it, pets become part of the family, so caution is always best. With that said, let’s get your questions answered.

Firstly, and arguably the most important question, is it safe? — The simple answer is yes. However, there is a couple of important things you should know. You should never give your pet any cannabis oil with more than 0.3% THC! THC can make pets very disorientated due to the effect on the brain’s balance centres in animals, which are more sensitive even than human brains in this respect. CBD oil from hemp, on the other hand, without measurable THC, can help pets and appears safe. It is also vital to ensure that the CBD has been transparently tested though. Look for a certificate of analysis to ensure the product contains what is stated on the label. If you’re still concerned, speak to your vet before giving your animal CBD, especially if they have any underlying health concerns.

The next thing you may be wondering is what the right dosage is? — so, let’s clear this up. When it comes to dosing a CBD product for your pet, the most important thing to remember is to use smaller doses than what’s recommended on the bottle. Finding the right dosage of CBD in treats, capsules, and tinctures for your dog or cat will involve some exploration. There are some important factors to consider, these are:

· Your pet’s size

· Your pet’s age

· The intended therapeutic effect

Consult with your vet or a holistic veterinarian who has experience recommending cannabis-derived products for pets, and always start with a low dosage before gradually adjusting the dosage upward over time based on your pet’s needs.

You now know how to dose a CBD product for your pet and that it appears safe but what is the difference between pet CBD oil and regular CBD oil? Let’s find out. So, in essence, CBD is CBD. The extraction process for both animal and human CBD is the same. So, CBD products produced for humans is essentially the same thing as CBD oil for pets — with few minor differences in potency and flavour options. Therefore, as long as you’re using THC free, hemp-derived CBD isolate, you can save yourself some money and give your pet the same CBD oil that you’re using. Result!!

So, how can CBD benefit your pet?

Animals, like humans, have an endocannabinoid system that is capable of interacting with chemical compounds found in cannabinoids like CBD and THC. Although animals may process CBD in a different way, hemp-derived CBD products do not have an intoxicating effect just like in humans, and can help dogs and cats who suffer with hyperactivity and other conditions such as:

· Anxiety

· Seizures

· Arthritis

· Inflammation

(Hemp seed oil is also a healthy oil that may help their coats!!)

For many of us, the uncertainty and lockdown periods we have seen this year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in an opportunity to spend more time with our pets, and most of our fury friends have loved having us around. However, we must plan for when restrictions relax, and we return to our normal daily routines which mean our pets are left alone more often. There are a few things you can do:

1) Allocate some time each day that they are left alone to help dogs adjust to normal life again. You can also walk them at the same time daily.

2) Keep an eye out for signs of separation anxiety. These can range from subtle signs such as panting, pacing, trembling and excessive salivation. More severe signs include howling, barking, destructive behaviour like scratching at doors and toileting in the house.

3) If your pet is showing any of the above signs, consider adding a CBD product into their daily routine to ease their worries.

More and more pet CBD products are emerging in the US and Canada, although currently CBD is not legal as a pet medicine or food ingredient in the UK (despite the fact that it’s legal for humans — something I find quite funny). As more research catches up though, perhaps this will change.