Today, pets are more part of the family than ever. Owners want to care for their furry friends just like they care for themselves—which now means pets are getting a dose of wellness. From consciously-sourced pet food to anti-anxiety supplements, lifestyle products for pets are cropping up everywhere. But, it’s sometimes difficult to diagnose and treat our pet’s medical or behavioral issues. After all, our pets can’t talk to us and tell us exactly what they’re feeling. It often takes observation and trial and error to find a combination of supplements and diet that work to keep our pets happy and healthy long term.
Thankfully, we have a new option to help support our pet’s health and well-being. We are learning that CBD oil (cannabidiol) can benefit our pets in many of the same ways it benefits us, offering a new potential treatment option for many common pet health problems. Like humans, our pets have an endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system helps our body create homeostasis, optimizing our immunity, metabolism, and cellular communication. CBD is one of the compounds found in the hemp plant which interacts with the endocannabinoid system. It is non-psychoactive, meaning your pet won’t get “high” from CBD. Only hemp-derived CBD is legal at the federal level in the U.S, meaning products that contain 0.3% or less of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the cannabinoid responsible for producing a “high.”
Benefits of CBD Oil for Pets
While more research is needed, many vets are starting to recognize CBD’s potential benefits. Especially as they age, pets experience a variety of health conditions—just like humans.
Until 2018, veterinarians weren’t able to prescribe or recommend CBD for animals because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified it as a Schedule 1 controlled substance. Now, some forms of CBD are acceptable for medical use in humans, and scientists are exploring the various ways cannabidiol may improve our pets’ quality of life.
Administering CBD Oil to Pets
Pets can take CBD in many of the same ways we can, through tinctures and oils which can be mixed into food or via a treat. Pets have a different bioavailability—or ability to absorb a substance into their bloodstream—than humans. Because of genetic differences, it’s important to give pets CBD that is only high-quality. Liquid tinctures are sold in a thick oil or spray bottle and are designed to take sublingually (under the tongue). Tinctures enter a pet’s bloodstream quicker than edibles since they don’t need to digest.
Final Word
The bottom line is, CBD oil could be a healthy and beneficial supplement for your pet. More and more pet owners and holistic vets are drawn to its diverse and marked health benefits and they feel good knowing that the side effects are mild and that animals don’t appear to build up an addiction. That said, if your pet is currently undergoing any type of treatment or taking medications you should check with your veterinarian before starting them on CBD. Your pet’s health and safety is of the utmost importance.
If you would like to learn more about the potential benefits of CBD please check out the many articles we have available on our sister site, sinplicity.net.
