CBD for Your Pets: Yay or Nay?

Written by Craig Hauser, M.D., CEO & Medical Director – Hauser Health and Clinical Director – Kannavis

Do you have a dog who’s beginning to exhibit signs of arthritis—wobbly paws, needs a boost to get into the car, hates the stairs and hasn’t jumped in a few months? Or do you have an anxious cat peeing in the house and meowing outside your bedroom door at night?

The good news is that compassionate, well-informed pet owners like you can also use CBD to address health issues like arthritis and anxiety among pets.

Your beloved pets can actually benefit from using CBD.

How CBD Works for Pets

Like humans, your pets have an endocannabinoid system which can also be stimulated by external cannabinoids like cannabidiol (CBD) – the non-psychoactive compound in the cannabis sativa plant.

New research findings from a preliminary study by the Colorado State University in Fort Collins revealed that cannabis could significantly reduce the frequency of seizures in epileptic dogs. Currently, the researchers are recruiting for a larger epilepsy study as well another study on CBD as osteoarthritis treatment for dogs.

CBD has been shown to benefit your furry friends through the following:

Relieve pain
Control or reduce episodes of epilepsy or seizures
Improve appetite and reduce nausea
Relieve gastrointestinal issues
Anxiety relief
Reduce chronic inflammation and autoimmune disorders
Possibly stopping cancer cells from growing (THC + CBD are both important for cancer)
Protect the nervous system from degeneration

Overall, CBD can potentially improve your pets’ quality of life, particularly if they’re already in the later stage of life.

What’s the Best Way to Give CBD to Pets?

CBD for pets usually comes in capsules, pills, treats, and tinctures. Tinctures for under the tongue are probably the best method to give CBD to pets – it’s the most accurate way to dose, administer, and modulate if there’s a sudden need to increase or reduce the dose. A quick drop into their mouth, and they’re good to go!

CBD for Dogs and Cats: Are there Side Effects?

Based on recent evidence and findings, CBD doesn’t have side effects for humans, dogs, and cats, even when taken in large doses and extended periods of time.

However, there are two things to look out for if you’re planning to use CBD for pets:

If your dog is on medication or prescription drugs, check with your vet first before using CBD. In some cases, CBD can reduce the activity of liver enzymes used to metabolize prescription medications among dogs.
Check CBD products for large doses of THC. The higher concentration of cannabinoid receptors in dogs’ brains can make them react badly to THC. A THC overdose can lead to static ataxia or an inability to preserve equilibrium while the dog’s standing. The good news is that the majority of CBD oil for pets comes from hemp oil. CBD hemp oil is non-psychoactive because it contains zero or negligible traces of THC.

Interested where to find CBD to your dog or cat?

Stop by Hauser Health or Kannavis Trading Company for options for your pet.

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