Since the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, the human uptake of cannabidiol (CBD) usage as a therapeutic has skyrocketed [1]. However, current research suggests CBD products may offer equally as many benefits to your pets. If you’ve recently started looking into how CBD can help your four-legged friend, you probably have several questions about its safety and effectiveness for domestic animals, such as cats and dogs.
While studies remain limited, the early veterinarian research findings on the subject of CBD and animals don’t differ much from the studies conducted on humans. Surveys of veterinarians suggest that cannabidiol may help pets with many of the same conditions, such as anxiety, chronic pain, and seizures [2].
While the ostensibly positive health benefits of CBD consumption in humans are becoming more defined, it’s worth pointing out that hemp-derived CBD might be just as beneficial to pets. In this article, we’ll provide a brief overview of CBD and how our pet-based hemp products may help alleviate symptoms of chronic anxiety and pain in your furry friend.
CBD For Pets
What is cannabidiol, and can I give CBD to my pet?
Tested CBD products are safe for pet consumption in the appropriate dosages, and, indeed, many pet owners have already started using it as a natural solution for mitigating symptoms of pain, anxiety, and even depression in their animals [3]. CBD may help your pet regularize its sleeping habits while relieving physical and emotional pain [4].
Many pet owners believe CBD is an effective option for overactive dogs, but cannabidiol fomulated specifically for pets can be used for any mammal you share your home with, including smaller pets like cats, ferrets, rabbits, and domesticated rats. Anecdotal evidence also suggests life-altering results after routine use in both humans and animals.
So, if you haven’t tried CBD yourself, you may be wondering what it is, where it comes from, and how it can help your struggling pet. CBD is the scientific abbreviation for cannabidiol, one of an array of hemp-derived products occurring naturally in the Cannabis sativa plant.
Most people are familiar with marijuana, the THC-rich compound in cannabis that produces the euphoric sensation of being high. However, its lesser-known counterpart, hemp or industrial hemp contains only a trace amount of THC, less than 0.3%, if the extract contains any THC at all.
It’s possible to extract CBD from hemp or marijuana, as the compound is present in both varieties of the cannabis plant. Generally speaking, CBD products engineered for dogs and other domestic animals come from hemp products. You won’t need to worry about your dogs and cats getting high from a CBD supplement.
You might also be wondering if cannabidiol is legal. The answer is yes: CBD is completely legal in all 50 states. If your vet recommends it, however, it’s important to avoid untested products that contain harmful ingredients, like artificial coloring and sweeteners, and opt for a well-tested, natural product, such as calming CBD dog treats from Sugar Bottom Hemp.
How does CBD work for my pet?
Like humans, your pet has an endocannabinoid system. In fact, all animals, including both vertebrates and invertebrates have one. Essentially, the endocannabinoid system regulates all natural bodily functions and is particularly crucial when it comes to the immune and central nervous systems.
Medical researchers have concluded that an imbalanced endocannabinoid system leads to various forms of the disease, especially chronic disease. Like THC, CBD is also a cannabinoid that can help mimic healthy endocannabinoids within the body to help remedy any imbalances that may contribute to physiological ailments such as poor sleep, mood disorders, loss of appetite, and chronic pain.
The process of maintaining a balanced endocannabinoid system is called homeostasis. Animals need homeostasis to maintain optimal bodily function. In other words, homeostasis represents the steady equilibrium required to sustain a normal state of health.
How might CBD products help my pet find relief?
Recent studies show that your pet, like humans, may benefit from CBD in a variety of ways. For instance, it is not uncommon for pets, as they grow older, to begin struggling with mobility. When pet owners discover this, it’s disheartening, to say the least, since your pet can no longer enjoy its typical quality of life.
This is a situation where CBD may help. Research suggests that CBD may support healthy joints and flexibility while relieving the pain associated with damaged tissue [5]. If you have a senior pet, consider one of our safe calming treats for dogs or the full-spectrum CBD Pet Tincture from Sugar Bottom Hemp.
CBD has become widely popular for helping pets overcome anxiety, especially dogs and cats that have undergone a significant life change or have previously endured prolonged or substantial trauma.
Some animals struggle with events as basic as riding a car or being left alone. Droves of pet owners with animals suffering an anxiety condition report seeing dramatic reductions in their pets’ stress levels after introducing a pet-based CBD into their diets [6].
If you’re on the hunt for the best natural dog calming products, Sugar Bottom Hemp has invested significantly in the testing and development of our CBD-calming treats for dogs. We are confident we’ve engineered one of the best products on the market of its kind.
There’s little doubt that our hemp-derived calming treats for dogs will help you find incredible success in helping your pet get through those stressful moments. As your pet ages, in addition to joint pain, general inflammation also becomes an issue and can present itself in several ways.
CBD has been shown to potentially help mitigate both pain and inflammation in pets and humans, which is why so many have been turning to our certified organic hemp products in increasing numbers.
Treating chronic pain and inflammation with traditional medications has always been difficult. What’s more, prescription-based remedies often come with negative side effects that just aren’t manageable over the long term.
While studies concerning the effectiveness of CBD in pets are limited, the most important point to remember is that you should always introduce an organic lab-tested product when you decide to use CBD as a therapeutic for your animals. Following the recommended dosages is equally vital. Remember for every 10 pounds of body weight, your animal only needs 1 to 5 milligrams of CBD to render the desired effects.
Getting your pet started with CBD
Whether it’s a calming pet tincture or our hemp-derived dog treats, all of the CBD products at Sugar Bottom Hemp are organically harvested and professionally tested in a lab for safety.
Learn more about our veterinary-formulated tinctures and treats for pets by visiting our website for details. Or, complete a request for contact form online, and we’ll get back to you right away.
CBD For Pets
Resources
- Abernethy, A. (2019, July 25). Hemp Production and the 2018 Farm Bill. U.S. Food And Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/congressional-testimony/hemp-production-and-2018-farm-bill-07252019
- Kogan, L., Schoenfeld-Tacher, R., Hellyer, P., & Rishniw, M. (2019). US Veterinarians’ Knowledge, Experience, and Perception Regarding the Use of Cannabidiol for Canine Medical Conditions. Frontiers in veterinary science, 5, 338. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2018.00338
- CBD: What you need to know about its uses and efficacy. (2022, December 1). Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/health-info/cbd-what-you-need-know-about-its-uses-and-efficacy
- Shannon, S., Lewis, N., Lee, H., & Hughes, S. (2019). Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series. The Permanente journal, 23, 18–041. https://doi.org/10.7812/TPP/18-041
- Frane, N., Stapleton, E., Iturriaga, C., Ganz, M., Rasquinha, V., & Duarte, R. (2022). Cannabidiol as a treatment for arthritis and joint pain: an exploratory cross-sectional study. Journal of cannabis research, 4(1), 47. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-022-00154-9
- Morris, E. M., Kitts-Morgan, S. E., Spangler, D. M., McLeod, K. R., Costa, J. H. C., & Harmon, D. L. (2020). The Impact of Feeding Cannabidiol (CBD) Containing Treats on Canine Response to a Noise-Induced Fear Response Test. Frontiers in veterinary science, 7, 569565. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2020.569565
