CBD For Pets

As pet parents look for remedies to keep their furry friends healthy and well, they are starting to consider alternative options previously not known or used by western medicine. Among these alternatives, CBD oil has emerged as one of the promising wellness compounds for humans and pets alike.

It is not surprising to know that more and more people are trying hemp derived products as treatment for health concerns as research is continuously indicating its therapeutic potential. However, compared to humans, there are not many detailed studies on the effects of CBD on pets.  So, the question becomes -  can pet owners use CBD for their cats and dogs and will it provide benefits? Let’s take a detailed look at all you need to know about CBD, its benefits, and concerns for pets.

Is it legal for animals?

After the legalization of hemp in 2018, CBD became federally legal for human use but is silent to the use of CBD for pets.   Moreover, according to FDA it is illegal to produce any type of human or pet food using CBD as an active ingredient. Which means that using CBD oil, tinctures or topical are the best options for pets.

Veterinarians practicing in the United States are not legally authorized to prescribe CBD for pets or even recommend it. It doesn't mean that they cannot give guidance to a pet owner. According to a report from Washington Post, if the pet owner brings up the topic first veterinarians can guide them and talk about CBD.

The first and foremost thing that we need to know is that any product of Cannabis or CBD containing over .3 THC is very dangerous for cats or dogs. THC is toxic for pets so pet owners need to ensure that they use hemp derived CBD with minimal traces THC.  Few studies that are done on effect of CBD on animal health show that it is relatively safe for consumption. Unfortunately,  there is a lack of definite studies regarding its safety for pets, so it's recommended that pet parents exercise caution before starting CBD regimen for their pets.

Benefits

CBD products are new in the veterinary arena. Based on both veterinary literature and human literature CBD may help pets the with following problems:

• Reduce inflammation

• Reduces pain

• Decreases seizures

• Immune support

• Reduces anxiety

• Manages gut health.

A research study indicate that CBD may help dogs suffering from osteoarthritis by decreasing pain and inflammation.

The dogs were given 2 or 8 mg/kg of body weight and 80% dogs showed improvement in mobility and pain. However, since this study was sponsored or funded by a CBD manufacturer the results could be biased.

A small study conducted in 2019 noted that administering CBD along with seizure medicine in epileptic dogs significantly reduced seizures as compared to those dogs who were only on placebo or medication. Due to mixed results the author of the study recommended further investigation before drawing any conclusion.

Another study conducted by Colorado State University in 2018 on epileptic dogs found that oral administration of CBD was more effective than capsule or cream form.

Side effects

Although FDA has not classified it as generally recognized as safe for pets yet CBD is well tolerated by pets. Some scientific studies indicate that CBD appears to be safe in dogs at certain doses with diarrhea as the common side effect. Cats may suffer from head shaking mild aching or diarrhea.

Will it get the pets high?

CBD is not intoxicating drug unlike THC. Therefore, its consumption can by no means induce sedation or euphoria. However, studies show that that in animals it imparts a feeling of calmness and relaxation in the body.

Dosage for Pets

The general rule for dosage is .25 mg (regular) to  0.5 mg (extra-strength) of CBD per pound of your pet’s weight. A regular dose is recommended for wellness and may help with conditions such as old age, digestion, and immune functions.  A strong dose is recommended for pain, inflammation, and mobility issues.

For example. if you have a 5 pound cat or dog, regular strength would be 1.25mg (.25mg x 5lbs)  per dose and extra strength would be 2.5mg or double that of a regular dose.  Looks like easy math but when you take the dropper from the bottle, you must also ascertain the potency to arrive at the correct dosage.

 Some points to remember:

·         A 1ml dropper of cold pressed CBD oil contains  about 20 drop.

·         A 30ml bottle hold 600 drops

·         Divide potency by the number of drops; a 300 mg bottle will provide .5mg per drop and 10mg per full 1ml dropper

With this in mind, Raven Rock Hemp CBD comes in 2 different strengths; 300mg for pets 20 pounds and under and a 600mg strength for pets over 20 pounds.  The following chart notes the suggested for dosage for your pet.

If you don’t want to do the math or want to double check your result you can find many pet dosage calculators online that can easily be found using a search engine.

Side Effects

A study conducted at Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine found that administering high dose of CBD resulted in diarrhea initially. After some time blood work indicated elevated alkaline phosphatase in one third of the dogs.  However, the study did not have any control group to compare the effects of stress and environmental factors and the dose used was also very high. So, we are not sure how to interpret these results.

How to choose a CBD product?

When choosing a CBD product for your pet, it is recommended to read the list of ingredients and their dose on the label. Reputable brands also provide the third-party lab certificate of analysis.  You may also consider the type of extraction process.  Cold press CBD retains all whereas tay away from products that do not have third party lab certificates of analysis. oney back guarantee for the products and tell you about the extraction process and source of the product.