Like humans, your furry best friend may live with stress, anxiety, or pain/inflammation. The team at the BWell Market, the first online CBD marketplace, want to preface these takeaways by acknowledging that CBD research for pets is ongoing to establish efficacy and safety, but treatment has shown calming effects for dogs, based on a 2017 Cornell University study. As more and more pet oils, tinctures and chew treats hit the market, here’s what we know so far.
Treating Pets with CBD
There are certain pet health concerns that can be addressed with CBD according to some veterinary experts, these can include certain types of seizures, to control pain, arthritis, inflammation, nausea, vomiting, to stimulate appetite, or to manage anxiety.
As you treat your furry friend with CBD, remember that CBD is thought to have many therapeutic properties, but unlike cannabis’s other main compound THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), it doesn’t get users high. CBD is generally safe to use on pets if you’re buying pet products from a reputable source and use them in the correct dose.
Please dose gradually. Pet parents “start low and go slow” when figuring out dosage for your pet. Using tinctures rather than a chew treat or tablet can make it easier to scale dosages up or down, and take your time.
Suitable Situations for CBD
You might be thinking – when would I give my cat, dog, or potbelly pig CBD? Dosing your pet ahead of situations that may trigger noise anxiety such as fireworks or big crowds of people, instances when separation anxiety might occur, like when you leave the house or your pet is placed in a crate, or if your pet suffers from arthritic pain, are a few examples of instances when your pet may benefit from being treated with CBD.
Wondering if you should give your pet a CBD product meant for humans? While that may be okay in certain cases, some human products have other ingredients in them, such as xyltol or grapeseed oil that could be toxic to animals. Please read product labels carefully and do your own research before giving it to your pet. And be particularly cautious about products that also contain THC. Some vets use it to treat certain conditions, but it isn’t recommended for pet parents to experiment with THC on your own.
Talking to Your Vet about CBD
In a survey conducted this year by the Veterinary Information Network, an online community of veterinarians, nearly two-thirds of survey respondents said they were asked about cannabis by their patients at least once a month. Depending on the state you live in your vet might not know much about CBD, consider going to a consulting website for help. They may offer consultations, and education to pet parents and veterinarians, and can be a resource to provide guidance about CBD products, dosing, and potential interactions.
Store Products Carefully
We want to be clear that cannabinoids are susceptible to degradation. Oils and treats should be kept at room temperature and away from bright lights or natural sunlight. Extreme temperature, whether that’s heat or cold can dramatically change the chemical composition of CBD. For example, if you have an oil or see an oil that has changed colors, it’s probably damaged and should be discarded.
