No matter what it is, when your pet is sick, you will do whatever it takes to get your little companion back to good health. Although there are a lot of medications for pet owners to choose from, many are ineffective (as well as dangerous) and only seem to temporarily remedy the problem. When suffering from bouts of anxiety, joint pain, or digestive issues, it can be an excruciating experience for your pet to do even the simplest of tasks. It can also be difficult for pet owners to know how to act in these situations. If you’re looking for an effective, safe, and natural medicine for your pet, then CBD might be your answer.

The stigma tied to cannabis is what makes CBD a commonly misunderstood herb. And despite all of the information floating around online, you’re still likely to be pondering a few things. We know you want the best for your pet, and as with any other member of your family, their health is of the utmost importance. In this post, we will explore CBD’s promise in helping your furry friends to live life on their own terms.

WHAT EXACTLY IS CBD?

Before learning about all of the potential health-boosting benefits of CBD, there are some things we need to cover about the cannabinoid.

CBD, short for cannabidiol, derives from the cannabis plant. It’s often tied in with marijuana, but note that CBD isn’t psychoactive and won’t get you “high”. Most CBD is sourced mainly from hemp, a species of cannabis containing low levels of THC — typically lower than 0.3 percent. Because of this, hemp-derived CBD for humans and animals is legal in all 50 U.S. states, as opposed to, marijuana-derived CBD. Instead of producing a high feeling, its effects are widely known to treat a number of health conditions in humans, including but not limited to, inflammation, anxiety, diabetes, insomnia, and so much more.

Certainly, the legalization of cannabis in places around the globe has sparked interest in CBD-related products, giving scientists enough resources to take research into their own hands. The results so far? There’s a lot to like. While we are still in the preliminary stages, as in the case with humans using CBD, research has shown that your pet may be able to reap the same therapeutic benefits all thanks to the endocannabinoid system.

HOW CBD INTERACTS WITH YOUR PET’S ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM

Scientifically, cats, dogs, and other animals share nearly 70% of our biological homology and also have an endocannabinoid system that works similarly to our ECS. This system plays a vital role in the functioning of all of your pet’s biological systems such as mood, sleep, appetite, etc. and mainly consists of two types of cannabinoid receptors located in the central and peripheral nervous systems, known as CB1 and CB2 receptors.

When this system gets thrown off in your pet, disease and illness are bound to strike. Fortunately, by attaching to these receptors found in the endocannabinoid system, cannabinoids such as CBD can help promote homeostasis in the body and ensures all of your pets biological systems function to the best of their ability. Below are some of the most common health conditions that CBD can address in your pet:

• Anxiety
• Allergies
• Appetite loss
• Digestive Issues
• Energy loss
• Fatty tumors
• Glaucoma
• Inflammation
• Mobility issues
• Osteoarthritis
• Pain
• Phobias
• Seizures
• Skin issues

We should tell you, though, that CB receptors in animals are far more concentrated compared to humans. This means that your cat or dog’s endocannabinoid system will process these compounds much more intensely when in the body.

ADMINISTRATING AND DETERMINING CBD DOSAGE FOR CATS AND DOGS

CBD is a very individualized medicine, so we suggest prudent precaution. What’s promising about using CBD, is the fact that it could completely rid the use of conventional drugs for your pet. As we mentioned earlier, CBD doesn’t produce any psychoactive effects and even if it can’t fully replace those medicines, CBD could possibly lessen the dosage. The best part? There’s no evidence that shows a toxic effect from CBD, thus, it’s incapable of causing an overdose. Further, your pet won’t build up a tolerance.

Although some CBD products have dosing instructions on the label, your four-legged friends can’t actually tell you how he or she feels when taking CBD. As with everything, we recommend that you follow the guidelines of your products and start slow.

Also, consider your pet’s health conditions, as they may affect the metabolization of CBD as well as current prescriptions for any drug interactions. It’s important to understand that every animal is different, so effects may take some time before any are seen or felt. As far as side effects, it hasn’t been found in scientific data, and if any, they’re harmless and very few. Lastly, note that cannabinoids are susceptible to degradation, so store your products in a cool place away from direct sunlight to avoid any damage.

THE BOTTOM LINE

When it comes to nutrition and overall well-being, your pet deserves the very best. As we’ve learned, CBD is just as beneficial for your pet as it is for you. Certainly, as cannabis prohibition continues to lessen, we are likely to see continued research on CBD about its uses and efficacy.

Want to find out more about CBD use for your pet? Stop by one of our Kush21 locations and speak to one of our friendly budtenders or check out our menu below for pre-order today!