As the cannabis industry evolves and we realize the healing power of cannabidiol (CBD) on humans, information is also coming to light on its positive impact on animals. CBD is quickly becoming synonymous with wellness as it provides natural relief for many significant ailments – both for humans and their pets – and lays the foundation for a healthy lifestyle.
While it’s been mostly anecdotal evidence supporting CBD use for pets, more research is emerging.
Colorado State University recently released a study focused on CBD oil for dogs who have epilepsy, which is a common condition among canines. Many pharmaceutical drugs don’t work well or have terrible side effects, so there is a strong desire to find viable healing alternatives. In the pilot study, observing 16 dog patients, nearly 90 percent of the epileptic dogs had fewer seizures when taking the CBD oil, as compared to about 20 percent on placebo. CSU has since received a substantial grant to continue that research with more dogs and publish the results.
In another study conducted again by Colorado State University and illustrated in the appendix of canine expert Caroline Coile’s book, “Cannabis and CBD Science for Dogs: Natural Supplements to Support Healthy Living and Graceful Aging” 95 percent of the 457 dog owners surveyed felt that the consumption of hemp products provided pain relief either moderately or a great deal. Eighty-three percent of dog owners in that same study reported that hemp products also helped relieve anxiety at that same level – moderately or a great deal.
So, if you’ve been on the fence about giving CBD to your pet, here are five reasons to give it a try:
CBD is safe. Hemp is the cannabis source used for CBD-rich products for dogs, according to Coile. Hemp is low in THC (below 0.3 percent), which eliminates the intoxicating effect on dogs. In other words, it won’t get your dog high, but it will provide the vast wellness benefits. Be sure to check out Coile’s book to learn about 30 years of documented research on therapeutic applications for cannabis with animals.
CBD works toward homeostasis in the body. Essentially, this means the body is in a normal and healthy state, according to veterinarian Michael Petty. CBD affects the endocannabinoid receptors, which are located in both the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. These receptors are critical as they function to maintain body homeostasis. CBD is deeply involved in those endocannabinoid neurotransmissions in that they upregulate and downregulate neural transmissions as needed to maintain that homeostasis, according to Petty. Pharmaceuticals, on the other hand, only stimulate upregulation or downregulation, making it possible to move body systems out of their homeostatic state. Because CBD works toward homeostasis, it doesn’t do this, making unwanted side effects rare and giving CBD a good safety profile.
CBD addresses a variety of pet ailments. Does Fido get anxious going to the vet? Getting a bath? Going on an airplane? Does Garfield have a regular upset stomach or have stiff joints? Just like humans, pets suffer from a variety of issues. As a result, pet owners are increasingly using CBD for medical and behavioral issues such as chronic pain, arthritis, inflammation, seizures, digestive disorders, anxiety, mood and memory. CBD can also increase appetite and support the healing process after a surgery.
CBD is easy to administer. Simply place a drop from an extract into your pet’s mouth, add it to their food or favorite treat. You can also put it on their paw or in their ear. If giving treats is your preference, make sure to try our Phyto Animal Health HempBone CBD Bacon Apple Donuts. At 4 mg of CBD per chew, these all-natural donuts promote cardiovascular function, neurological health and support healthy joints. In addition, these treats are made with non-GMO hemp grown without the use of herbicides, pesticides and chemical fertilizers. If you or your pet would prefer oil, try our Phyto Animal Health Vitality 100. This is full spectrum hemp oil that can be administered daily by placing a drop on your dog or cat’s tongue or by adding it to their food. Designed to promote cardiovascular function, support healthy joints and promote neurological health, each bottle contains 100 mg of CBD.
Hemp-derived CBD products are readily available. While it may be illegal for vets to prescribe cannabis products, it is legal for anyone to buy and use hemp products. At the Wellness Connection of Maine, you are not required to have a medical marijuana certification card to purchase pet CBD products.
Related Posts
Everything You Need to Know About CBD
The powers of CBD are changing and evolving every day. We now know that CBD, [...]
18
Jan
Jan
Get Outside: 7 Tips for Enjoying Cannabis & CBD During the Maine Winter
It may be cold outside, but as Mainers we know the beauty our winter season [...]
31
Dec
Dec
Do I need a medical card for CBD in Maine?
As Maine’s largest medical cannabis organization, the Wellness Connection fields many questions from individuals interested [...]
3 Comments
15
Oct
Oct
Do I need to have a card to come in to get CBD for my pet? And if not how much is the pet oil?
Good Afternoon Angela,
The answer is no. You can visit any one of our dispensary locations and purchase our pet CBD Products. We hope to see you soon 🙂
That’s interesting that you can use CBD for chronic pain, arthritis, inflammation, seizures, digestive disorders, anxiety, mood, and memory in pets. My American Eskimo has always been anxious and now she’s getting older and has arthritis, so I’m looking for something to help her. I’ll have to find where I can get CBD products for pets since it could help her feel better since it’ll loosen her joints and calm her down.
Does CBD oil help with symptoms of heartworm to make more comfortable in last stages?
It is possible that it may help your canine companion during the final stages.
It’s cool that CBD can help keep your pet’s body in a normal state. My sister has been telling me about how she wants to make sure that her dog is as healthy as possible so that they can be around for a long time. I’ll share this information with her so that she can look into her options for getting CBD products to help her dog.