It’s no secret that pet owners are willing to go above and beyond to keep their dogs and cats healthy and happy. We’ve got boutique pet stores stocked with organic food, two-bedroom dog houses, and gold mattresses – yes, real gold – for that very reason. But if all this sounds too excessive or expensive, consider buying CBD for pets instead. It’s wallet-friendly in comparison and does a whole lot more good from the inside out.
We live in a world of trends. First came Razor scooters, then came kale, and now we have CBD. But unlike these other so-called fads, we predict CBD for pets will never die down or fade away. Now that talk of CBD’s wonderful benefits is becoming mainstream, it’s here to stay.
What Is CBD?
Marijuana plants contain lots of cannabinoids — beneficial chemical compounds — but two are most prominent: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). While they’re both naturally occurring substances, CBD primarily promotes a feeling of calm, relaxation, and serenity. CBD is not psychoactive, meaning it won’t get you (or your pets) high or create that stoned sensation. While for humans the THC vs CBD debate is a matter of preference, pets are a different story.
THC for Pets Vs. People
There’s no reason a dog, cat, bird, hamster — whatever adorable creature you have at home — should feel psychoactively altered. We’ve seen too many stupid videos of people giving their dog beer or wine “just to see what will happen.” New flash, dummy: a dog’s kidneys were not meant to filter or process the alcohol content of beer, wine, or any alcoholic beverage. It’s highly likely that THC (the psychoactive compound in marijuana) can make your pet sick the same way alcohol could. And even if it doesn’t, your pet doesn’t understand what’s happening when he’s high and will be scared.
Many human marijuana enthusiasts enjoy the effects of THC because it makes them happy, creative, uplifted, etc. It does not work the same way for pets, as there are potential health risks. “The most significant is THC toxicity, meaning, essentially, they are high,” says Dr. Gary Richter, owner and medical director of Montclair Veterinary Hospital in Oakland, California. “Depending on how significantly a pet has overdosed, the effects of that can be quite long-lasting, even days.”
What Experts Have to Say
Clearly, THC is a no-go for pets. But what about CBD? The proof is in the pudding at Cornell University, where dogs given CBD showed a “clinically significant reduction in discomfort and an increase in activity.” It’s promising, but there isn’t a lot of scientific research prior to 2018. Without that research, “the American Veterinary Medical Association can’t state that vets are allowed to even discuss cannabis as a possible recommended medication without risking their medical license,” according to Forbes.
What Pet Owners Have to Say
Despite the lack of scientific research, pet owners are all about CBD for pets, and it is becoming more widely available in dispensaries. Just read through these anecdotal reports!
- “…a senior Staffordshire Terrier had a 6 cm mammary tumor and metastasis that disappeared in three months and didn’t come back.”
- “…the bloating went down. She had more energy. After three weeks, she was down to her normal body size, and by week four she was running around the house and you’d never know she was on death’s door.”
Maybe we don’t need a veterinarian’s stamp of approval? Maybe CBD for pets is just one of those things doctors will never agree on. The same could be said for people and marijuana. Some doctors are happy to prescribe it while others are hesitant.
Possible Benefits of CBD For Pets
We could sit here all day and try to convince you that CBD is either harmful or helpful to pets. But the truth is, you’ve probably already made up your mind. There’s enough research out there on CBD for humans to draw conclusions. Considering the similarity of endocannabinoid receptors in humans and animals, it makes sense that CBD could benefit pets the same way it does us for the following conditions:
- Inflammation
- Spasms
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Anxiety
- Nausea
- Glaucoma
If you’re on board with giving your pet CBD, you don’t have to wait for the veterinary world to catch up. CBD products can be found at the grocery store, the beauty salon, and even online. Smart Hemp CBD recently launched a new batch of products meant for dogs, cats, and horses — but regular “human” CBD works just fine, too, as long as you keep the dose down. Start with a drop or two and see how your pet reacts. If it’s smooth sailing, you can gradually increase the dosage over time.
