Whether you’re continually looking for natural remedies to treat various diseases in your pet or are just an avid fan of alternative medicine, the chances are that you’ve encountered the term ‘cannabidiol.’
Commonly abbreviated as CBD, cannabidiol is one of the over 100 medically beneficial compounds in the cannabis plant. CBD contains potential analgesic, anxiolytic, antiemetic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.
But if you’re new to CBD, there’s a lot to know about this substance before using it on your pets.
Read on to uncover the five fundamental facts about CBD oil and its usage on pets.
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- Fact #1: CBD oil can help with several diseases
Cannabidiol is mostly used to treat pain in pets. When administered, CBD enhances the performance of the animal’s cell-signaling system called the endocannabinoid system. Once CBD gets into your pet’s endocannabinoid system, the substance changes the chemical structure of the animal’s pain-regulating receptors in a manner that reduces pain sensations.
Another benefit of CBD oil for pets is relief from anxiety. CBD may treat anxiety in pets by activating the levels of ‘feel-good’ hormones like serotonin while inhibiting the activity of stress hormones like cortisol. Whether your pet is suffering from transient anxiety issues like noise phobia or a full-blown anxiety disorder like separation anxiety, CBD can make a massive difference in helping him to manage the condition.
Besides pain and anxiety, you can also use cannabidiol to alleviate inflammation in your pet. CBD contains powerful anti-inflammatory properties and might help relieve various inflammatory conditions in pets, such as inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS).
Other medical conditions in pets which CBD can treat include;
- Sleep problems like insomnia
- Neurological problems like seizures
- Cancer and other tumor-related diseases
- Digestive issues like nausea and vomiting
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- Fact #2: There are various ways to administer CBD oil for pets
Another fundamental fact about CBD oil for pets is that there are numerous ways to administer the substance.
Generally, the top CBD delivery methods include;
- Vaping CBD-based products, such as e-juices, dry herbs, and wax concentrates.
- Smoking dried hemp flowers
- Topical application of CBD-enriched skin care products
- Sublingual administration of CBD oil tinctures
- CBD edible products like pet treats
Obviously, you wouldn’t subject your pet to smoking or vaping CBD products. That leaves oral tinctures, topical products, and CBD edibles as the best ways to consume CBD oil or Nuleaf Naturals.
CBD topicals like salves and balms are generally more effective for treating a localized problem, such as joint pain or hip inflammation. On the other hand, edibles and oral tinctures are ideal for treating a generalized condition, such as separation anxiety or arthritis.
If you’re dealing with skittish pets or picky eaters, you’ll have better luck offering them CBD-infused pet treats. That way, you won’t have to hold the animal down each time you want him to consume his regular CBD dose. What’s more, you can also boost edible oil by using other pet-friendly herbs to increase its potency.
- Fact #3: CBD oil won’t get your pet high
Most cannabis opponents cite the herb’s psychoactive properties as their most significant drawbacks to using the plant’s extracts. However, it’s reassuring to know that CBD doesn’t induce euphoria.
So, you can offer CBD-infused supplements to your pet without worrying about the animal getting intoxicated.
But why doesn’t CBD induce euphoria?
When CBD oil gets into an animal’s body, the compound interacts with various receptors located in the body’s peripheral tissues and organs, known as CB2 receptors.
CB2 receptors are located furthest from the brain, meaning there are no direct interactions with the animal’s state of mind. That’s in contrast to the main psychoactive cannabis compound, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which binds directly to receptors located around an animal’s brain and central nervous system.
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- Fact #4: There are side effects to watch out for
It’s undeniably true that there are numerous medical conditions in pets that you can treat using cannabidiol. And as we’ve just seen, CBD doesn’t induce euphoria.
It also turns out that CBD is associated with minimal side effects.
However, note that, like all cannabis extracts, CBD oil isn’t entirely free from side effects.
If administered with careless abandon, the substance might trigger some side effects in your pet, including nausea, fatigue, and dry mouth. To reduce the risks of these side effects, ensure you offer CBD oil to your pet in moderation.
- Fact #5: CBD might not work for your pet after all
Having already highlighted the numerous health benefits of cannabidiol for pets, it may sound counterintuitive to claim that CBD might not work for your pet.
However, certain factors may make CBD ineffective for your furry or feathery friend.
For starters, it would be unreasonable to expect cannabidiol to work for you if you administer the compound for the wrong disease. Another reason CBD may not work for your pet is if you’re reckless with the doses.
CBD oil might also prove ineffective if you choose the wrong delivery method. For instance, applying a CBD-infused salve may work in relieving joint inflammation but not nausea symptoms.
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The Bottom Line
Cannabidiol oil is just as useful for pets as it is for humans. But to make the most of CBD’s healing properties, always start with low doses. You can then observe how the animal reacts to the substance before possibly increasing the amounts.
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