Is CBD Safe for Dogs, Cats, and other Pets?

Is CBD safe for your pets?

CBD has been rapidly gaining traction in the medical field for the treatment of cancer, chronic pain and more; and due to the low to non-existent levels of THC present, it’s starting to see use in the veterinary industry to alleviate canine woes. Seven out of ten Millenials own a dog; and of those seven, most are willing to shell out significant portions of their paychecks to keep their pets healthy and happy. From Yoda costumes on Etsy to bath bombs for dogs, there’s no end to the niches manufacturers of pet products will exploit to empty millennial pet owners’ wallets. CBD treatments for dogs are slowly getting approved for mainstream usage as they’ve been known to ease aches, anxiety, and more.

Chronic pain in dogs largely remains as much of a mystery as it does in humans. Therapy, exercise routines, diet management, and other treatments range from beneficial to inadequate on a varying basis. Currently and prior to CBD, NSAIDs have been the go-to for puppy pain management. Canine arthritis is routinely treated with drugs such as Rimadyl®, Deramaxx®, Previcox™, Metacam®, EtoGesic® Zubrin®, Quellin™, and Novox®.  Though veterinarian approved, there has been much commotion made over whether these pharmaceuticals can be safe for pet consumption. The more common side effects tend to be gastrointestinal upset, liver and kidney problems. Though these are reported to have a low rate of incidence with the usage of NSAIDs, the risk-benefit analysis for some owners leads to them seeking alternative treatments. NSAIDs also do next to nothing to ameliorate anxiety in pups; SSRIs and antidepressants are commonly prescribed but just as there are concerns for their efficacy and safety in humans, there is speculation that they may not be ideal for treating animal anxiety either.

There is a place in the pet care, treats, and luxury pet goods industries for CBD products developed for dogs. Young adults are more eager than ever to pay top dollar for their ‘fur babies and the humanization of pets continues to be a cultural trend. In a study conducted by TD Ameritrade, it was found that American pet owners spend $1,285 annually on their dogs. According to Emily Anatole, the insights director at Cassandra, a cultural trends forecasting and insight company, “Over the last year, 14% of millennials bought a luxury item in the pet-care category — not far from the 18% of millennials who made luxury purchases on children’s items”. There’s a bevy of products offered online for luxury pet items such as Halloween costumes, crocheted sweaters and boots, cologne, specialized cutlery, and more. As young adult pet owners look at pet food brands with a more critical eye than ever and watch countless Animal Planet documentaries and YouTube videos on proper pet care, the CBD treatment field could see a large niche to exploit in the future.

CBD for dog anxiety

In fact, in pet care, CBD has become one of the fastest-growing health trends that CBD oils help dogs with the treatment of anxiety. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a compound which is found in cannabis and hemp. According to research, CBD helps manage anxiety by altering the response of the brain’s receptor to serotonin.

The difference between CBD oil and hemp oil

The difference between Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most prevalent ingredients of cannabis or marijuana. While CBD is a derivative of marijuana, it directly comes from the hemp plant, which is very different from the marijuana plant. In simpler words, the hemp plant will not make your pet high. 

CBD oil comes only from the flowers, leaves, and stalks of the hemp plant, on the other hand, hemp seed oil is made from the hemp seeds only. The important factor here is that hemp seed oil does not contain CBD or THC. Whereas CBD has less than 0.3% of THC. THC is the psychoactive component of the cannabis plant. THC is the constituent which is commonly known to get one “high” or intoxicated.

Best CBD Dog treats

The best CBD oils for the treatment of anxiety for dogs in 2021 are:

1. 
   

   Honest Paws – Calm

2. 
   

   Innovet – PURCBD

3. 
   

   Charlotte’s Web – Full Spectrum Hemp Extract Drops

4. 
   

   Receptra – Pet Tincture

5. 
   

   Joy Organics – Organic Broad Spectrum CBD Oil

6. 
   

   Medterra – CBD Tincture

While the effects of CBD treats, oils, and other treatments have not been fully verified as undeniably safe for use in animals, the results so far seem promising. However,  reports have indicated that some CBD pet products may not actually contain CBD. As research continues and CBD is further tested and confirmed as safe for animal usage, it could become the norm for canine woes.