If you are curious about the many benefits of CBD for pets, you've come to the right place. Take a look at what you should know here!
In 2020, the cannabidiol (CBD) pet market reached $37.4 million. As more pet owners recognize the potential benefits of CBD for pets, it could grow. In fact, revenues could reach $399.2 million by 2027.
What exactly are the potential CBD benefits for pets? How does CBD even work? Are there any risks?
Keep reading to find out. In this guide, we’ll review everything you need to know before purchasing CBD oil for pets. Then, you can make a more informed decision for your pet before you start shopping.
Read on to learn everything you need to know before using CBD for pets today.
How CBD Works
First, let’s go over the basics. What exactly is CBD?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the active compounds found in hemp and cannabis. These compounds are called phytocannabinoids.
Mammals have an internal system called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). It’s responsible for regulating different functions, including:
- Liver function
- Stress
- Skin and nerve function
- Appetite and digestion
- Inflammation
- Metabolism
- Mood
- Learning and memory
- Sleep
- Chronic pain
- Motor control
- Immune system responses
- Muscle formation
- Reproductive system function
- Cardiovascular system function
- Bone remodeling and growth
If your pet gets hurt or sick, the ECS will kick in to return their body to a state of homeostasis. Homeostasis is a state of balance.
The ECS has three main components:
- Endocannabinoids, which the body produces as needed to make sure functions runs smoothly
- Receptors, which tell endocannabinoids what actions to take
- Enzymes, which break down endocannabinoids once the issue is resolved
Phytocannabinoids like CBD can mimic the body’s natural endocannabinoids. Phytocannabinoids are then able to help the ECS return to the body to a state of homeostasis.
Potential Risks
Before we review the potential benefits of using CBD for pets, it helps to understand the potential side effects. For the most part, CBD is safe to use.
However, your pet might experience a few side effects, including:
- Changes in weight
- Changes in appetite
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
Make sure to start with a low dose. If they experience these side effects, reduce their dose.
CBD might interact with over-the-counter drugs and prescription medications, too. Talk to your vet before giving your pet CBD for the first time. They’ll help you determine if CBD is safe for your pet.
Buying CBD
It’s important to purchase high-quality CBD oil for pets, though.
Try to look for:
- Products that have third-party lab results
- Organic products
- A low THC level (less than 0.3% THC)
- The ingredients list
Avoid products that contain pesticides, heavy metals, or herbicides. You can check the third-party lab tests to confirm the ingredients list.
Only contain products with less than 0.3% THC. THC is the psychoactive compound in cannabis. It can cause hallucinations and other side effects.
CBD, on the other hand, isn’t psychoactive.
When searching for the best CBD for pets, consider buying CBD pet treats. These products are predosed.
Otherwise, start low and go slow when giving your pet CBD oil. With CBD oil, you can control the dose.
Give them a small amount of CBD to start. Wait to see if they experience effects. If they don’t, increase the dose next time.
If your pet seems drowsy, reduce the dose.
Potential Benefits
Before giving your pet CBD, it’s important to note that not everyone reacts to CBD the same way. Try to keep an open mind when giving your pet CBD for the first time.
Here are a few potential health benefits your pet might experience while using CBD.
1. Ease Anxiety
Does your pet tend to whine or suffer from separation anxiety when you leave the house? Perhaps they panic when there are fireworks or lightning. If your pet suffers from anxiety, consider the CBD benefits for pets.
CBD might help ease your pet’s anxiety. Reducing their stress levels might help them relax.
CBD contains anti-anxiety properties that could help. These properties could increase your pet’s serotonin levels.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter. It plays an important role in our mental health.
When serotonin levels are low, it can lead to depression or anxiety. Using CBD oil for pets could increase their serotonin levels. It might help ease their anxiety as a result.
The next time you have to leave your pet at home, try giving them a few drops of CBD.
2. Soothe Seizures and Epilepsy
You might want to consider buying CBD for pets if your pet suffers from epilepsy or seizures.
Some prescription medications for seizures cause additional side effects, including liver cancer. If you’re concerned about your pet’s health, consider CBD instead. You can avoid harmful side effects and potentially ease their seizures.
About seven out of eight patients with epilepsy experienced reduced symptoms after using CBD. Many people and pets with epilepsy don’t respond to medications. CBD might help instead.
Using CBD oil could ease their seizures. It might reduce the intensity and frequency of their seizures as well. Giving your pet CBD might help them live a happier, healthier life.
3. Relieve Pain
Remember, the ECS is responsible for regulating chronic pain responses. If your pet is in pain, consider giving them CBD oil for pets.
CBD can bind to cannabinoid receptors throughout your pet’s nervous system. You could change how their endocannabinoid receptors react as a result. CBD might provide anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects.
These effects could help with pain management.
In fact, studies indicate that CBD might help with various types of pain, including:
- Fibromyalgia
- Neuropathic pain
- Cancer pain
You might consider using CBD for a pet’s joints, too. In one study, CBD helps reduce pain scores in rats with arthritis. CBD’s anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects could help your pet with arthritis, too.
4. Fight Cancer
CBD could have anti-tumor properties, too. However, we only have animal and test-tube studies to work from so far.
In animals, CBD helped prevent brain, prostate, colon, lung, and breast cancer cells from spreading.
If your pet currently has cancer, CBD might help manage the pain associated with their cancer and cancer treatment. For example, CBD might reduce pain, vomiting, and lack of appetite.
Researchers are still learning more about CBD’s effect on cancer, though.
5. Reduce Inflammation
One of the main reasons people start buying CBD (for themselves and pets) is to ease inflammation. Remember, the ECS is responsible for regulating inflammation responses
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or invaders. It’s meant to help the body heal. Too much inflammation, however, can cause pain.
Remember, CBD has an anti-inflammatory effect. Too much inflammation, however, can have a negative impact on the body. In fact, chronic inflammation is associated with:
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Arthritis and joint diseases
- Allergies
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Cancer
- Obesity
- Asthma
- Type 2 diabetes
- Neurodegenerative diseases (like Alzheimer’s)
You might consider buying CBD for pets if your pet’s inflammation levels are high. If they have one of these conditions, CBD might help relieve their symptoms.
Remember, everyone responds to CBD differently. CBD also isn’t a miracle drug. Don’t replace CBD with any medications your pet is currently taking.
Instead, talk to your pet’s vet first.
Reducing your pet’s pain symptoms could improve their quality of life.
6. Boost Appetite
Is cancer or another health issue causing a loss of appetite? You might want to consider finding the best CBD for pets. CBD might help improve your pet’s appetite.
If your pet suffers from stomach issues, they might experience a loss of appetite as a result. If they’re struggling to eat, they might not get the nutrients they need.
A number of issues can cause nausea, including gastroenteritis, low blood sugar, and motion sickness.
CBD might help regulate nausea and vomiting.
7. Help the Heart
Purchasing CBD for pets could benefit your pet’s heart health, too.
CBD might promote cardiovascular health by reducing damage caused by irregular heart rates and damaged blood vessels. It might even protect blood vessels from future damage.
According to one study, CBD helped reduce oxidative stress in mice. Reducing stress levels might prevent future heart damage, too.
CBD’s potential ability to lower high blood pressure could help your pet, too. High blood pressure is linked to stroke, heart attack, and metabolic syndrome.
8. Protect the Nervous System
Free radicals and toxins can cause brain cell death and damage over time. Finding the best CBD for pets could protect your pet. CBD might help with spine and nerve issues, including degenerative myelopathy, as a result.
CBD might even help protect your pet from neurodegenerative diseases. Remember, inflammation is connected with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Other diseases include Parkinson’s and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
Buying CBD for your pet could protect their brain cells, impacting their quality of life.
The Tail-Wagging Truth: 8 Potential Benefits of CBD for Pets
Purchasing CBD for pets could improve your pet’s health and quality of life. Make sure to find a high-quality product before giving your pet CBD for the first time. Start low and go slow when determining their dose, too!
Finding the best CBD for pets could change your pet’s life.
Ready to start shopping? Choose a full-spectrum hemp oil for your pet. Explore our shop today to get started.