Every pet owner wants the best for their pets, and it’s no surprise that many of them are catching up with the wellness trends that are happening today. One of these trends is the so-called CBD oil that can reduce inflammation, anxiety, insomnia, and lack of appetite in many canine breeds. Read more about CBD on this page here.
However, the internet has a lot of information about cannabidiol or CBD, that it can be hard to determine which ones are exaggerations and the more accurate ones. It’s understandable that as a pet parent, you’ll want to get the best for your furry friend, which can lead to you asking about “what should you know about cannabidiol?” and “is this the right supplement for your pet?”.
About CBD Oil
Cannabidiol is one of the hundreds of compounds found in hemp plants. It’s essential to distinguish CBD from marijuana early on because the former does not contain the psychoactive compound called THC.
THC or delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol is responsible for getting marijuana users to experience a “high” feeling, and it can also cause addiction. Since this compound is more than 30% in weed, it’s no surprise that the users have altered their state of mind when they are smoking this stuff.
On the other hand, legitimate manufacturers can remove THC from the CBD extracts. Some of these, like Holistapet, used CO2 extraction methods to minimize the chemicals found in the finished product and ensure that the oil is safe for pets. In many cases, the CBD products are often derived from the hemp plants and not from Cannabis indica or marijuana.
How Does the Supplement Affect your Pets?
Today, many are still waiting for in-depth studies about the exact effects of cannabidiol on a canine’s body. What is known to scientists is that the phytocannabinoids from the plants interact with the endocannabinoid system or ECS in the animal’s body.
The endocannabinoid system is responsible for maintaining balance in the body and affecting the receptors in the peripheral and central nervous systems. When there’s homeostasis or balance, the overall result is a more stable and healthier state for your canines.
Health Problems where CBD Oil can be Of Use
Although there’s still a need for published studies in peer-reviewed journals, the anecdotal reports of many owners can’t be discounted. Some of them have suggested that the oil extracts have immensely helped their canines in alleviating neuropathic pain and controlling seizures.
For seizures, there’s even an FDA-approved drug called Epidiolex that’s used to treat Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet Syndromes that are rare forms of epilepsies. According to some veterinary experts, cannabidiol is used for its anxiolytic properties, reducing anxieties in canines during fireworks and thunderstorms.
Others suggest that the wholesale CBD oil has benefits to your pet’s heart. It is used for anti-inflammatory purposes and can reduce cancer and appetite stimulation symptoms. It’s important to know that the scientific community does not have conclusive data on the claims, but clinical trials look promising.
There are foundations like the AKS Canine Health that are sponsoring studies in Biomedical Sciences about the effects of cannabidiol on epileptic dogs. This is for those who are having trouble absorbing the treatment and drug-resistant canines experiencing several seizures in a month. The Canine Health Foundation hopes that these studies will yield valuable results in getting scientific data about the effects of cannabidiol oil in dogs.
Possible Side Effects to Know About
As of the moment, scientific data about the side effects of CBD on canines is yet to be published. However, according to many anecdotal reports, cannabidiol can have side effects on pets similar to humans. To minimize this from happening, it’s crucial to administer the proper dose of cannabidiol for safety reasons. Some of the side effects are:
Dry Mouth: Some observations and studies show how cannabidiol can decrease saliva production in a mammal’s body. Due to this, your pet may experience thirst for the first few weeks that it’s taking CBD. Learn more about what to do when your pet has dry mouth in this url: https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/dry-mouth-pets-what-do-about-it.
Low Blood Pressure: Higher doses are known to result in a temporary low blood pressure phenomenon in a canine’s body. Even if this drop is negligible, it may create feelings of light-headedness that will make your pet sleep longer.
Drowsiness: CBD is well-known for its effects of decreasing anxiety, and too much of it can induce drowsiness in pets. This can be calming, especially when you have administered the supplement in higher doses.
What to Look for in the Market
If you have consulted with your vet and he had agreed that CBD could be used as a supplement, then you may start shopping for the best ones in the market today. Know that manufacturers are making different products, and you’ll want something that’s high-quality to ensure that it will give you a better chance of working. Some of the things to look for are the following:
Go for Organic: You need something that does not contain any insecticides or pesticides. These are usually hemp plants that are locally sourced in states like Colorado, California, and more.
Don’t Choose Based on Price: You need to balance the purity and the price of the products you’re getting. The high-quality and premium oil bottles don’t need to be expensive. Compare prices and read the ingredients carefully.
Get a Laboratory Analysis: It’s essential to get more information about the product through its certificate of analysis. Ensure that it doesn’t contain any THC so that it will be safe for your pet.
