5 CBD Benefits for Animals
You’ve heard about CBD use for chronically ill people, but what about pets?
The truth is that animals can reap the same benefits as humans who use CBD for medical purposes. If your pet has been suffering from a painful or debilitating condition, CBD oil can help. Here, you’ll learn about the CBD benefits for animals and what it can do for your pet.
What is CBD?
You’ve heard the term “CBD” tossed around by friends, family, and newscasters, but you’re not exactly sure what it means. Knowing what CBD is can help you understand the effect it has on your pet.
First off, CBD is short for cannabidiol, which is a compound that’s present inside of cannabis. The cannabis plant actually has over 60 compounds that are being researched for medical use.
CBD isn’t the same thing as THC. While THC can get your pets high due to its psychoactive quality, CBD doesn’t. It’s known for being non-psychoactive and safe for your furry friend.
You also don’t have to worry about an overdose with CBD either–there is virtually no toxicity level.
How Does CBD Work?
CBD acts the same way in a human’s body as it does in your pet’s. It taps into the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is inside of every mammal. It’s responsible for immune responses, memories, as well as sleep.
The body’s cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2, respond to endocannabinoids that get produced by our own brains. Plant-based cannabinoids such as CBD can also get a response from our cannabinoid receptors, which causes our body to react in different ways. These reactions are typically positive and can be a huge relief for your pet.
Why Use CBD For Pets?
CBD works to alleviate the symptoms of a wide range of conditions in both humans and animals. Our list of CBD properties and their effects can help you figure out if CBD is right for your dog, cat, or other pet.
CBD Lessens Anxiety
CBD isn’t used just for pain–mental health conditions like anxiety can also benefit from its properties. Pets commonly struggle with anxiety, stress, and certain fears. Dogs specifically can have anxiety related to noises, travel, separation, and more.
When a dog is anxious, he/she might shake, become aggressive, start chewing on household objects or bark excessively. If you notice your dog becoming nervous in some situations, CBD can ease those feelings of stress and anxiety.
CBD Works as an Anticonvulsant
Many use CBD oil for pets to treat spasms, tremors, and even seizures. CBD is shown to stop the symptoms of conditions like epilepsy, Tourette’s syndrome, and multiple sclerosis in humans, and works the same way in pets.
Dogs are commonly put on seizure medication like potassium bromide and phenobarbital. Unfortunately, these medicines can actually damage your dog’s liver, and may not even work.
If you’ve tried anticonvulsants for your dog, and you don’t see an improvement in symptoms, try CBD–it’s shown to work for humans who have a resistance to medication.
CBD Reduces Pain
When your animal is in pain and you don’t know what to do, turn to CBD. CBD prevents the body from absorbing anandamide, the chemical that stops the body from feeling pain. By increasing the body’s anandamide content, CBD can make your pet feel pain-free.
CBD Acts as an Anti-Inflammatory
CBD has anti-inflammatory properties that can treat a wide array of illnesses. CB2 receptors found inside of immune cells respond to CBD and work to reduce inflammation.
In other words, this anti-inflammatory property can be helpful in pets that suffer from acute pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis and more.
CBD Fights Cancer
A pet that’s diagnosed with cancer is usually given a poor prognosis and is put on chemotherapy in an attempt to reduce the spread of disease. Chemotherapy has many side effects that can make your pet prone to vomiting, diarrhea, appetite loss, and fatigue.
Fortunately, CBD has been shown to fight cancer, and even reduce the growth of tumors. Some studies say that CBD kills cancer cells, as well as makes chemotherapy more effective.
CBD Helps with Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting is a common issue in dogs and humans alike. Whether medication, chemotherapy, or other treatments cause this chronic problem, it can have debilitating consequences like weight loss, lack of appetite, dehydration, and tiredness.
While vets often prescribe antemetic medicines like acepromazine, or chlorpromazine, these can have unfortunate side effects. You might notice that your pet is drooling, is fatigued, or suffers from hypotension.
CBD works to lessen nausea and vomiting by interacting with the 5-HT1A receptors. Better yet, it doesn’t come with any of the side effects that typical medications have.
Where Can You Get CBD Oil for Pets?
CBD oil for pets is not only legal, but it’s also safe. You’ll want to get CBD oil from a reputable company that sells high-quality, high-purity CBD oil. It might be more expensive than typical CBD, but it’s worth it for the safety of your pet.
The best CBD oil for pets is organic, so that’s why you should ensure that the company you’re buying from offers products free of harmful solvents, pesticides, or fungicides.
You should also consider purchasing a CBD tincture. This allows you to be in control of your pet’s dosage without worrying.
The Bottom Line: CBD Benefits for Animals
Just like humans, pets can also experience the comfort given by CBD products. As research continues, the CBD benefits for animals only seems to be growing.
Your pet no longer has to suffer from a debilitating condition or side effects caused by strong medication. With CBD, your pet can become its usual, happy self again. Administering CBD is a relief for both you and your pet.
