9 things about CBD that every pet owner must know

1. Introduction

2. What is CBD and where does it come from?

3. How does CBD work on pets?

4. What are some CBD benefits for dogs and pets?

5. Is all CBD safe for my pets?

6. Are there side effects with CBD for my dog/pet?

7. Is it safe for my pets to take CBD if they are taking any other drugs? 

8. Is CBD addictive?

9. How much CBD can I give my dog or pet?

10. How do I give CBD to my dog or pet?

11. Conclusion

Introduction

If you’re reading this article, you’re interested in CBD and how it can help your dog or other pets.  Your pets are an extension of your family and you’re always looking out for their best interest. Due to CBD and its meteoric rise in the news, you’re probably intrigued to learn about what it can do and how it can help man/woman’s best friend.  We’ll be going over some basics regarding CBD and the incredible things that it can do.

CBD can help your pet with many ailments ranging from pain, stress, inflammation and more.  We want to go over the answers to some common questions that every dog or pet owner has regarding CBD.  Keep reading and I’m sure you’ll find many of the answers that you may be searching for regarding CBD and your families’ pets.  

What is CBD and where does it come from?

For those new to CBD in general, let’s have a quick overview.  CBD stands for cannabidiol. It is the main component found in cannabis.  Cannabis and its use has been around for thousands of years, dating as far back as 5000 BC in China.

There are two types of cannabis:

1.     Marijuana: used recreationally and medically.  It contains a high amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive chemical in cannabis that creates a “high” feeling.

2.     Hemp: Found across many industries with uses in oils, fibers, food, etc.  Hemp contains less than 0.3%, or zero, amounts of THC. Hemp has been used for animal food supply for thousands of years.

Hemp was grown in large quantities in the US in the 1800s.  During that period, Kentucky was the largest state cultivator of hemp.  Many presidents including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew their own hemp.  Hemp was made illegal to grow in the US due to the Marijuana Act of 1937. Now in the 21st century, hemp is only legal to grow in the US under pilot studies and Kentucky is once again leading the way. Hemp and its products are now mostly derived from crops that are imported from other countries.

We will be focusing on hemp-based CBD since most CBD products purchased readily over the internet are hemp-based.  Federal laws prohibit the use and prescription of marijuana for veterinarians. However, hemp does not fall into this category.  This removes the need for any licenses in order to purchase it. Hemp-based products also eliminate the psychoactive component of THC and any potential for toxicity. 

How does CBD work on pets?

CBD acts on our bodies by way of the ECS or the endocannabinoid system.  It is a part of the nervous system, including the brain and special nerves.  These nerves have special receptors called CB1 and CB2. This system is important in the regulation and balancing of various systems in the body.  The ECS is found in all vertebrates, which means pretty much anything with a backbone – humans, dogs, and cats included. So, it affects dogs, cats, and other animals in the same way that it affects us. 

Check out this infographic and the different cannabinoid receptors and their effects 

Is all CBD safe for my pets

You always want to do your due diligence when researching which brands are good for you and your loved ones.  Make sure that the brand that is manufacturing your products are sourcing their hemp from a reputable source. As mentioned previously, hemp is only legally grown in a few states like Kentucky and Colorado where pilot studies allow for their growth and cultivation.  Some companies may import their hemp from overseas. Many companies have third parties test their CBD so that they know it is clean and safe from toxins and heavy metals. You can sometimes find the results of these tests publicly displayed on their company website. If you can’t find any mention of the company doing these tests, it wouldn’t hurt to email or call these companies and ask if they test their sources of CBD.  

You also want to make sure that the CBD that is extracted from hemp is extracted safely and effectively.  CO2 or carbon dioxide extraction is the best way to get the most out of the extraction process. It is widely used around the world for the creation of supplements and essential oils and is considered the gold standard.  It also allows you to get all the benefits of the hemp plant and not just CBD alone. Various components like terpenes and flavonoids found in the plant work well together with CBD to create a combined or synergistic effect.  When you have all the components working together, it creates something called the “entourage effect”. This basically means that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. It’s all the components of the plant working together in unison to create a greater benefit than just CBD alone. So you want to make sure that the CBD you are getting is created using carbon dioxide extraction to get the best possible product. 

Are there side effects with CBD for my dog/pet?

A July 2018 study in the Frontier of Veterinary Science did a research experiment regarding the use of 2 mg/kg and 8 mg/kg of CBD oil in dogs with osteoarthritis.  Dogs were given two different dosages of 2 mg/kg and 8 mg/kg twice a day for four weeks each. Our math shows that if you have a 10 lb dog, this would equal to dosages of about 9 mg and 36 mg.  After treatment, questionnaires were given to the dog owners and zero dog owners reported any side effects.  Tests performed by the dogs’ veterinarians showed drastic decreases in pain.   Tests also revealed an increase in activity level. Decreased pain levels seemingly gave the dogs increased energy to be active and live better lives. 

Is it safe for my pets to take CBD if they are taking any other drugs? 

There isn’t a large amount of science out there regarding CBD interactions with other types of medication.  However, CBD has been shown to inhibit the metabolism of certain drugs that are processed by the liver. So, if you are giving your dog or pet any type of drug, it’s best to avoid CBD until they are off the other medication.  Please consult your veterinarian if you have any concerns or questions.

Is CBD addictive?

Some of you may have questions regarding whether CBD is addictive. Since hemp-based CBD has minuscule or no amounts of THC, it isn’t mentally or physically addictive.  THC in marijuana has been shown to be mildly addictive, but you don’t have to worry about that with hemp-based CBD. Therefore, there are no risks of CBD being addictive for your pets.

How much CBD can I give my dog or pet?

As with any type of supplement, this answer will vary.  Your pet is individually unique and the correct amount will depend on them.  We recommend starting with a low dosage recommended by the manufacturer and then increasing or decreasing the amounts until you find the “sweet spot” where your pet is getting the best results.  It will be important to watch your pet carefully, in the beginning, to see how they are responding to initial servings. A good initial starting point is 0.5 - 1 mg of CBD per 10 pounds of body weight and go from there. So if your dog is 20 pounds then it would be 10-20 mg of CBD per day to start. You can be assured that it is safe and that you won’t overdose your pet.  A review in the 2011 issue of Current Drug Safety on various reports from numerous scientific journals revealed that a CBD intake of up to 1500/mg per day was well tolerated in humans.  There aren’t many products on the market that have that high a dosage.  In fact, most bottles of CBD oil are less than 1000 mg for the entire bottle, so unless you give your pet more than one bottle a day, then it can be taken safely.  For safety’s sake, we wouldn’t recommend giving your pet a whole bottle, not to mention anything of the dent it would put in your wallet!

How do I give CBD to my dog or pet?

There are various pet products available that contain CBD.  The most common products found are CBD oil or CBD dog treats.  If you use CBD oils or tinctures, you can just use an eyedropper and drop it directly into their mouths.  They may not like the taste, so if that’s the case, then you can mix some into their food. CBD treats are a simple and effective option as well. Since your pets are ingesting the CBD, it may take a few hours to take effect. 

Conclusion

Well, there you have it.  That is our complete breakdown of some of the most common questions that pet owners may be having regarding CBD and how it can help their most beloved four-legged companions.  I hope that you have found it useful on your journey for a better life for your pets as well as yourself. Leave any comments below if you’d like to share your success stories or any other helpful info.  And if you’re looking to find CBD products that can help your pets today then click here.