Our pets adore us without reservation. The kind of information we received from these friends is unparalleled in the world. This is why, when they are in pain, we can feel it more intensely than they do.
If your pet hasn't been feeling well recently, or you believe he hasn't been themselves for a few months or longer, you must be willing to try anything to make him feel better. CBD for pets is one of the newer treatment options you may have seen advertised.
However, it is natural to be skeptical of any new treatment options for a companion as close as a pet. This is especially true given the widespread misconception that CBD is toxic. As a result, it is critical that you educate yourself before administering any therapeutic remedy to your pet. The most important factor you should be concerned about is:
Is CBD Safe for Pets?
One of the most common misconceptions regarding CBD for humans and pets is that it produces a high. While this is partially correct, the truth is that CBD alone, without the addition of other cannabinoids, does not produce a high.
When utilizing a full-spectrum CBD product, traces of chemicals such as THC may be present to varying degrees. THC can be hazardous to your pet and can cause a high. This, however, is heavily dependent on the source of CBD. THC and a number of other related chemicals are abundant in the marijuana plant. However, CBD is no longer derived from marijuana. Because of its high THC level, this cannabis plant is actually illegal in many parts of the world.
CBD is primarily extracted from the hemp plant, which is a species of the cannabis genus. THC is found in trace amounts in hemp. As a result, CBD extracted from hemp does not contain psychoactive compounds.
As a result, CBD extracted from hemp is completely safe for your pet because it is not psychoactive. That being said, you must be wondering how CBD works for your pet and whether it is as beneficial to pets as it is to humans.
How CBD Works for Pets
Because both humans and pets have an endocannabinoid system, or ECS, CBD is beneficial to both. The same principles apply to fish and the majority of birds in addition to humans and other mammals. A large number of cannabinoid receptors that are dispersed throughout the body enable this system to function. These receptors are used by the endocannabinoid system, which also releases endocannabinoids, which activate the receptors. The body's biological balance is preserved by this system. Regardless of how external stimuli change, it supports the continued healthy operation of the body's systems like the immune system, cardiovascular system, digestive system, and others.
This system can become agitated at times, causing you to feel ill. Because it regulates so many functions in the body, such as mood, anxiety level, digestion, cell growth, sleep, and memory, when it is upset, a lot can go wrong.
When plant-based cannabinoids like CBD are introduced into the body, they stimulate the ECS and cause it to produce its own endocannabinoids. This, in turn, aids in the restoration of balance within the body.
Let's take a look at how CBD can help your pet get back to being themselves again.
Benefits of CBD for Pets
CBD Helps Against Seizures
CBD is widely used as a natural anticonvulsant, which is one of its most well-known applications. A number of animal and human studies support the beneficial effects of CBD on those suffering from epilepsy. It also aids in the control of seizures caused by some rare forms of epilepsy.
When used to treat seizures, CBD outperforms commonly used anticonvulsants. Traditional anti-epileptic medications have a number of negative side effects. They can cause organ damage in pets and even endanger their lives. Furthermore, they may not work at all for some pets.
CBD, on the other hand, has been shown in studies to be effective in the treatment of epilepsy. Continuous CBD use for 4 or 5 months shows significant improvement and reduction in seizures. Charlotte's Web is the name of one of the most popular CBD-based tinctures for spasms. It is named after Charlotte Figi, a young girl who was apparently the first to be treated with CBD for seizures as frequent as 300 per week.
CBD for Treating Chronic Pain and Inflammation
CBD-based medicines are widely used to treat pain and inflammation in pets today. It reduces the absorption of anandamide, which stops the sensation of pain. This chemical is in charge of transmitting pain signals to the brain. The pain is not felt when it is prevented from being absorbed.
Furthermore, CBD has been shown to be extremely effective in reducing inflammation. For example, it relieves arthritis-related inflammation. This, in turn, reduces inflammation symptoms and pain.
The best thing about CBD's anti-inflammatory properties is that it stimulates the body's own immune system to fight inflammation effectively. CBD interacts with CB2 receptors in the immune system of a pet, causing the immune system to become more active in the fight against inflammation.
Because CBD is so effective against inflammation, it can help with a variety of conditions that cause inflammation and pain. It can help with inflammation caused by irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis, MS, and other conditions.
Furthermore, it is effective against autoimmunity, a condition in which the immune system attacks its own cells. Furthermore, it addresses issues related to immune system hypersensitivity. Furthermore, it acts as an antioxidant, a very powerful one, and is thus capable of hastening the healing process if your pet is injured.
CBD Reduces Stress and Anxiety
If your dog has been barking for no apparent reason, acting aggressively, biting on household items, urinating unusually inside the house, or exhibiting tremors recently, he is likely suffering from anxiety and stress. Pets, like humans, can experience anxiety. They, like humans, can experience phobias.
Anxiety can be caused by anything from a loud noise to separation, travel, another new pet in the house, or anything else. Most of the time, only the owner understands that the pet is experiencing emotional distress. And only the owner can possibly determine what is causing it because the cause varies greatly from pet to pet.
Fortunately, CBD can be used to treat both physiological and psychological issues. However, the precise mechanism by which CBD reduces anxiety and treats stress remains unknown. More research is required. But what is certain is that it DOES reduce anxiety significantly. One widely held belief is that CBD works by influencing a serotonin receptor in the body. It raises serotonin levels in the body, making us and our pets feel better. This is how traditional medicines work. The difference is that, unlike traditional medicine, CBD is not as addictive as an antidepressant.
CBD Improves Appetite
Loss of appetite is a common problem in pets, and it could be the result of a serious underlying condition. It is also possible to experience nausea and vomiting. It can make your pet tired most of the time. The pet may become dehydrated and lose weight. Other medications, anxiety, or treatments such as chemotherapy may be the underlying causes.
Aminopentamide, chlorpromazine, acepromazine, and other medications are commonly used to treat vomiting and nausea in pets. These medications, while effective against nausea and vomiting, do not improve appetite. And these have numerous side effects. They can make your pet drowsy, cause diarrhea, sedation, and hypotension.
CBD, on the other hand, increases appetite while also treating nausea and vomiting. Above all, it does not have the side effects that conventional medicine does. As a result, it actually works better than other medications in terms of improving appetite in pets and reducing symptoms such as nausea.
Controlling Cancer through CBD https://www.projectcbd.org/hub/cancer
Tumor growth has become very common. Unfortunately, there are no comprehensive cancer treatments for pets. All that modern medicine can do is slow tumor growth with chemotherapy and help with pain management.
It does, however, cause a number of serious side effects such as fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.
On the other hand, preliminary research into the use of CBD to treat cancer has yielded some promising results. We now know that CBD can not only slow but also stop the growth of tumors and even reduce their size.
CBD was found to be effective against colon cancer in rats in a study conducted at the University of Naples in Italy. It aids in the slowing, stopping, and fighting of tumors. When combined with chemotherapy, it can even improve its efficacy. It aids in the effective discontinuation of chemotherapy agents in the targeted cells. Furthermore, it protects healthy cells from the agents at the same time. However, more research is required and is currently being conducted to fully understand how effective CBD can be against cancer in pets.
It Improves the Overall Health of Nervous System
The degeneration of nerve cells is a common problem in pets as they age; this degeneration is also common in humans and is a cause of Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. CBD has been shown to be effective against nerve cell degeneration in both humans and other mammals. It accomplishes this by stimulating CB1 neurons in the nervous system and CB2 receptor cells in the immune system. It has proven to be especially beneficial for dogs suffering from degenerative myelopathy and a variety of other spinal and nerve issues. The use of CBD-based pet medicines can also prevent the death of nerve cells caused by free radicals and toxins.
CBD Improves Cardiovascular Health in Pets https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2936031/
According to Dr. Bassingthwaighte's research, CBD can miraculously help restore your pet's cardiovascular health. CBD has been shown in studies to help heal damaged blood vessels as a result of an injury. Furthermore, it fortifies the blood vessels against further damage and injury. CBD has also been found to be effective against hypertension due to its ability to lower blood pressure by dilating blood vessels.
CBD, as a Supplement, Helps Improve Your Pet’s Health
CBD is more than just a treatment for various illnesses in pets. It is more of a supplement for improving and maintaining overall health. It is a preventative measure rather than a treatment. CBD has been shown to be effective in maintaining homeostasis in the body. In other words, it aids in the maintenance of internal balance. It promotes optimal metabolism in our bodies. This is because the ECS controls so many functions in our bodies, and by improving it, our overall health will improve.
As a result, if you care about your pet and don't want him to get sick in the first place, CBD-based pet products are your best bet.
Hunting for the Most Appropriate CBD Pet Products
Despite the myriad of benefits offered by CBD to the pets’ health, if the product isn’t chosen carefully, it can end up in great frustration. It is important that you choose the best product for the best results. While hunting for the most appropriate CBD medicine or supplement for your pet, there are a few universal rules to follow;
- Never go for the CBD products which do not mention the ingredients in detail. These might contain toxic amounts of THC or other cannabinoids which aren’t good for a pet’s health.
- Always try to go for those CBD products which are meant specifically for pets. These are tailored to pets’ needs and are obviously more useful than the ones tailored to the needs of humans.
- You should always read the potency of the medicine mentioned on its label. It is always advisable to start with a low potency dose and slowly move towards higher potency.
- Depending upon how your pet feels comfortable, you need to pick the appropriate way of administering the dose. For example, you have the options of CBD oil directly given through an oil dropper, infused into pets’ biscuits and crackers, or other pet food, or in the form of capsules. Or it can also be applied to the pet’s skin, depending upon the intended outcome of the medicine.
- Always try to go for those pet CBD products which are devoid of harmful sweets and chocolates.
- While reading the label, make sure you look for the THC content carefully. It should be the lowest possible. High concentrations of THC can cause a pet to be confused besides other side effects.
Deciding the Appropriate Dosage for Your Pet
Never start with a high potency medicine, especially when your pet is being exposed to it for the first time. It is always recommended to start with a smaller dose and slowly increase it until your pet becomes healthy again. Moreover, it is also a good idea to wait for a day or two after the first dose has been given. This will help you find out about any adverse effects of the medicine in the particular case of your pet. If your pet feels irritation in the skin or feels nausea, and drowsiness, it is good to see a veterinarian.
To start with, it is often recommended that in the case of dogs and cats, you should be giving around 1 to 5 mg of CBD medicine for every ten pounds of body weight.
In most cases, the effects of the medicine will be evident in around half an hour though it varies with the form in which the medicine is administered.
References
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7028792/
