Cannabidiol (CBD) is an organic substance found in the hemp plant. This compound shares the same source as other cannabinoids, which means it’s a sibling of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). But, CBD may pose minimal risk of mind-altering effects that might be in THC.
This naturally-occurring compound might be useful in humans and animals. Your pet might even benefit from consuming this substance. Here are five potential benefits of using CBD for your pet's well-being.
Reduce Inflammation
Our animal companions at home may not be immune to inflammation. Perhaps, you’re a proud owner of a dog. Now, your pooch might contract ailments caused by inflammation like arthritis or colitis. So, if you find your canine companion whimpering as it tries to walk, bring it to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
Your pet may find relief from the pain brought by inflammation with the help of CBD. This hemp-derived cannabinoid may supply pets with anti-inflammatory properties.
Like humans, dogs also have CB2 receptors found in their immune systems. The components of CBD can latch onto these receptors to help awaken or improve resistance against pain and inflammation.
If your dog resists consuming CBD oil through a tincture, you can use other options. For instance, give CBD treats for your dog as a reward for performing a trick. This activity may help make CBD consumption for your pet pooch easy to manage.
Treats Anxiety
Many pets can become anxious for different reasons. For example, a dog might become anxious when its owner leaves the house. Consequently, a cat might worry if there are unknown people nearby. Other pets might feel uneasy if they think of other nearby animals as predators.
A few signs of anxiety in pets may include:
- Restlessness
- Incessant pacing
- Whimpering
- Sudden aggression
Most loving pet owners find these symptoms challenging to watch. But, CBD has anxiolytic properties, which means this compound may help calm your animal companions at home.
Use CBD at favorable moments, such as before leaving the house or when guests are about to arrive. This organic substance helps address a chemical imbalance in the brain, which may cause overthinking and overexcitement.
After your pet consumes this natural compound, you might find your pet in a relaxed state, even when stressors are nearby.
Reduce the Risks of Seizures
CBD may help treat epilepsy in humans, and it might promote similar effects in animals. Seizures may happen because of a sudden burst of activity in the brain. This event may cause the body to lose standard functionality.
Many pet owners find it a hard-to-watch experience when their animal friends suddenly have seizures. You may try to let your pet consume CBD to help lessen the risks of seizures. Also, it might provide a significant decrease in the number of epileptic attacks in a day.
Helps Increase Appetites
Your pet might be having an episode wherein it doesn’t want to eat. This event might not be a rare occurrence as there might be scenarios when your animal companion doesn’t like the food in their bowl. But, it can be a cause for concern if it has been a few days since your pet cleared its food bowl.
When this scenario happens, consider letting your pet consume CBD oil. The components in this organic substance may help increase appetite.
Also, consider mixing CBD oil in their food. For example, if you’re feeding your cat food from a can, put an appropriate amount of this hemp-derived substance in the container.
However, be patient as your pet might notice a slight change in smell and taste. Always consult your veterinarian for the right dose of CBD to give your animal friend. You might also want to separate the dosage to multiple servings in a day.
For example, if the vet requires you to give your cat 1 mg of CBD per day. But, your feline friend notices the seemingly unknown substance in its cat food if you give it 1 mg of this substance out of the bat. If the first attempt fails, consider splitting the daily consumption to two servings. So, give your cat 0.5 mg per feeding session to help avoid appetite loss.
Fights Glaucoma
Glaucoma in pets might be just as bad as it is for humans. This health condition may cause permanent blindness to both animals and humans.
One symptom to watch out is pressure in between the eyes. For humans, it’s easy for you to say that you can feel pain in between your eyes. But it might be a different story for pets.
You might see your pet cat or dog trying to cover its eyes with its paws while whining or whimpering. If you notice that something is off, don’t hesitate to consult your veterinarian about the problem.
The pet doctor might recommend CBD to help combat glaucoma. CBD's analgesic properties may help naturally reduce eye pressure. There are other medicines available for pets to help combat and relieve this condition in pets. But, these medications may come with severe adverse effects.
Are there Side Effects to Using CBD in Pets?
At the time of writing, the world might need more concrete scientific evidence about pets using CBD. But, many anecdotal reports exist that may help users discern the efficacy of this natural substance when used on their animal companions. Nonetheless, you might prepare for potential side effects such as an adverse reaction with existing medications.
If your pet is already taking other medicines, consult your veterinarian first before letting your animal friend consume CBD. Otherwise, the adverse reaction might aggravate existing health conditions.
But, you may also lessen the risks of side effects from occurring if you use high-quality CBD products. For example, use high-quality CBD for dogs to help reduce the intensity of specific adverse effects like dry mouths.
Conclusion
CBD may promote several health benefits for dogs, cats, and other animal companions in your home. But, you must consult your veterinarian first before attempting to give your pet this naturally-occurring substance. Otherwise, you might increase the risk of your pet to gain unwanted adverse effects.