It’s no doubt that the topic of Cannabidiol (CBD) is a trending one. Most people are now aware of the plethora of benefits that CBD has on them and their furry loved ones. For this reason, there is an uptrend in the number of countries that are legalizing the product worldwide. There are still many people that do not know that the same CBD can be beneficial for pets. These facts about CBD products for pets will surely help shed some light on how CBD is valuable and how it works in most animals’ systems.
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What is CBD?
Before delving deeper into the topic, let’s first understand what CBD is. CBD is an acronym of Cannabidiol, a derivative from the cannabis Sativa plant. This product is said to be less psychoactive and generally safe to use. If someone referred to CBD as psychoactive, then the chances are that they are taking another derivative of CBD known as Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. CBD is in cannabis Sativa family plants such as hemp and m********. It’s typically found in higher amounts in the hemp plant, and THC is found in higher quantities in m******** plants. This explains why m******** is still illegal in most parts of the world.
CBD for Pets
To many, it’s intriguing how CBD works for pets. But generally, it works in the same manner as in humans. Perhaps, you have heard of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This is a rather strange system, and there is much that is still unknown about it. There are further researches that are being conducted on the endocannabinoid system. Strangely, the ECS, until the 1990s, was hitherto unknown. But researchers who have been investigating more say that every animal has the systems and runs through every part of our body. And yes, our furry friends, dogs, and cats, have the endocannabinoid system. The structure of the THC and CBD is somehow similar to ECS, which makes it easy for cannabinoid products to interact with the body.
Components of the ECS
Although numerous researchers have tried to identify how the system works, there is a consensus that the ECS has three components. These are metabolic enzymes, cannabinoid receptors, and endocannabinoid.
The metabolic enzymes’ role is to accelerate the synthesis of CBD, and when later they have achieved their purposes, it breaks them down. The cannabinoid receptors are found on all parts of the body and influence many activities in the body, such as the immune system and pain perceptions. Research has revealed that there are two kinds of cannabinoid receptors- CB1 and CB2. The former is always associated with the central nervous system, while the latter is embedded in the peripheral tissues and affects the digestive systems and the immune system.
Benefits of CBD Oil for Pets
1. CBD Helps With Pet Anxiety
Just as in humans, pets like dogs always suffer from anxiety. You might notice that your pet may, at times, hide from everyone in the house. If this behavior is so typical in the pet, then it’s a clear sign of anxiety.
There are so many signs that you can discover that the pet is suffering from anxiety. These signs can be manifested through their body language on unusual behaviors. Some of the symptoms of anxiety for a pet are:
- Shaking and trembling
- Your pet does not want to go outdoors
- Defecation in inappropriate places
- Barking
- Excessive solvating
CBD products can help regulate the anxiety of your pet by balancing the ECS. Since the ECS can interact with the brain, it triggers the receptors to secrete serotonin, a hormone in the body for calming us down.
2. Helps With Infections
Pets are always exposed to many pathogenic bacteria, which can lead to infections, especially in the case of a pet with a weakened immune system. The common sources of the bacterial are contaminated water. For pets such as cats, these pathogens can cause a digestive upset and fever. Please take a closer look at the pets as cats are adept at hiding their illness. Again, be cautious as these pathogens can still spread to humans.
So how does CBD help cope with bacteria? The use of CBD to treat bacteria is something that has been tested. But initial researches show that CBD has the capability of destroying bacteria in less time as compared to antibiotics. What makes CBD a viable option is that unlike the antibiotic, the body is less likely to be resistant to it.
3. It’s A Cancer Fighter For Pets
Animals are also prone to cancer. Feline leukemia and feline mammary are the common types of cancer that affect cats. For dogs, the common type is canine osteosarcoma and canine hemangiosarcoma. Though there is no cancer treatment, CBD is integral in managing the various symptoms of cancer and may help curb the spread of cancer.
4. It Helps With Pain
CBD can be used for pain management in pets and has also been used for pain healing. Pets, too, can be affected by skin diseases. CBD has been proven to work under all these circumstances.
CBD and Its Effects on Pets
If we take something from the above section, we can know that CBD has no adverse effects on pets. It’s beneficial. According to WHO report in 2018, there are no health effects of CBD on pets. Subsequent researches have, however, associated CBD with other health problems.
A decrease in the saliva is one such condition. In dogs, to be specific, an increase in CBD doses was associated with decreased blood pressure. Another effect on dogs is that it leads to a dog feeling drowsy due to the calling effect related to CBD.
Risks in Using CBD for Pets
All pet owners wishing to buy a CBD product should note that the FDA does not regulate the CBD products. There is a high risk of purchasing products with high THC content, which could be risky for your pet. Here is a piece of advice if you want to try CBD for pets.
- Talk to your veterinary before using a CBD product for pets. Note that there are chances that CBD can affect your pet.
- If the veterinary approves, the use of CBD starts slow. Start with a small dosage, and then you can proceed to large doses.
- Take some time to look at your dog immediately after administering the drug. It is recommended to observe for at least two hours.
What Do You Think?
After reading these facts about CBD products for pets, what’s your reaction and stance towards CBD? Do you have any tips for any pet owners that are interested in CBD for their pets? Let the community know because we’d love to hear it.
