Did you know that animals can benefit from cannabis however, giving your pets psychoactive substances is not and will never be a good idea. I am talking about something similar yet completely different.  Giving your dog or cat CBD products made from a safe compound derived from the hemp plant is something Holistic veterinarians are for, so this is causing researchers to direct their attention towards industrial hemp and its beneficial use for animals.

Hemp defined: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemp

What Is It Exactly?

To some it may seem controversial to put animals and hemp in the same sentence. It was once also controversial to talk about humans and medical marijuana. That is, until it was found to be helpful and beneficial for health.  Discovering the advantages of this product in the treatment of certain diseases that people suffer from, has led to an increased interest in the plant. Since our pets can be affected by many of the same illnesses, it seems wise to inspect the use of the plant in regards to how it may help our companion pets. If it can be useful for us, why wouldn’t we check if it can also be useful for our little friends?

It is important to differentiate between two facts:  Hemp is not the same plant that is used in the production of marijuana and hashish!   In fact, hemp is cultivated for its edible seeds. It has a really small concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is actually in charge of producing psychoactive effect in people. Plus, that is not the compound extracted from the plant in order to be used in animal treats, creams, and oils. Furthermore, hemp is widely known for its bast fibers that are used for making fabric and rope.

If hemp oil is not made from THC, then the next question is pretty clear. What is it made of? There is another compound found in the hemp plant, known as cannabidio, it has proved to have zero psychoactive properties. What’s even more important, it has proved to have healing properties.

How Does It Work?

Are you familiar with the endocannabinoid system? Our pets also have one. As you can see, it is named after the plant that is responsible for its discovery.  The endocannabinoid system consists of receptors spread throughout the body, ours and our animal friends.  Some receptors can be found in the brain, glands and organs, while others exist in the regulatory cells of the immune system. It is crucial to keep the system working properly as a malfunction can lead to infection, the development of cancer cells, and also, auto-immune diseases.

When a problem is discovered in the endocannabinoid system of your pet, or when you want to take preventive measures, it is recommended to provide CBD supplements. As you can see at https://pethempcompany.com/, these supplements can be found in various forms.  One form is oil.

How To Administer Hemp Oil?

Hemp oil is administered in drops according to your pet’s age, weight and medical condition.  Placing the appropriate number of drops in your pet’s food or under her tongue takes little effort, while it can have a significant positive effect on the animal. Studies continue but have been showing promising results in hemp oil alleviating arthritis pain, as well as seizures, in dogs.

Naturally, before doing any of this on your own, you should consult a vet for the proper dosage. You need to know how many times a day to administer the hemp, and if you should gradually increase the dosage. Usually, an improvement in your pet’s well-being should be visible after the first week.

Does It Have Any Side Effects?

A few things are as important to the safety of your pet.   Your dog of cat, like you,  is a living being, part of the family, and you are the one responsible for his or her welfare, comfort and security.  As mentioned before, this product has no psychoactive properties, so it won’t impact animals the way THC impacts humans. Just be sure to read labels and get advice from your veterinarian.

But, what about side effects? Research hasn’t shown any significant side effects from hemp.  It is non-toxic and is considered completely safe when properly used.  Still, do your research and talk to your vet before deciding to use hemp oil as a supplement for your precious pet. When taken the wrong way, any medicine can have slightly negative impacts, so consult a professional who can provide you peace of mind, knowing that your pet is getting the best possible care.

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Cannabidiol or CBD has grown in popularity and usage due to the potential medicinal benefits in humans. The apparent success has been so promising that people are turning to the drug as a remedy for various ailments in their pets. Animals have a greater sensitivity to the THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana.  For dogs, THC can prove fatal, so absolutely steer clear of marijuana in favor of hemp.

Hemp products are held legally responsible to contain only .3% of THC, rendering them safe from the high that marijuana induces. The top portion of the cannabis plant where the flowers are, include the highest concentration of THC, which is known as the psychoactive ingredient. While the stalk, stem, seeds, roots, and lower leaves house shallow levels of THC and a more significant concentration of CBD or cannabidiol. The hemp plant’s medicinal and therapeutic properties live here.

How Is CBD Beneficial For Pets

Cannabidiol or CBD is commonly used to relieve anxiety and behavior issues in many animals. It has proven to be particularly successful in the treatment of hyperactivity in dogs in lower doses. (Follow https://thebark.com/content/cbd-oil-dogs-everything-you-need-know for information on CBD and your dog.) There are molecules in the cannabis plant, both hemp and marijuana, known as cannabinoids that interact with the nervous tissue and the brain. These can transport across the blood-brain border with ease.

Studies indicate that certain seizure disorders can be potentially relieved with the assistance of CBD with the addition of other treatments.

As it relates to pain management, there is evidence that supports using CBD for pets, e.g., cancer symptoms. Cannabinoids function differently within an animal’s system than standard narcotics or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents. Using them together is not contraindicated as a drug interaction risks. 

Giving A Pet CBD Oil

For any medication, the ideal dosage when starting treatment is always small, so as to determine the effect it will have on the pet’s system. Once you see how the animal processes the dosage, it can be gradually increased to the point where you’re reaching their specific needs. You don’t want to start with a hefty dose that you have no way to reverse once. 

Each animal is different and will respond to the treatment uniquely according to their particular make-up. Take into consideration the pet’s size, weight, age, condition, when administering the dosage as well. Read an article on pets and medical marijuana here.

PHOTO COURTESY OF Hinterland Co

When using the CBD product, there are a variety of ways to do so directly and effectively without causing stress for either of you.

• Dispense the product right into the mouth with a dropper.
• Sublingually put the oil on the gums with your finger.
• Directly massage the balm into the skin.
• Drizzle the product over the your pet’s food.

The forms of CBD products are varied.  Experiment with how you administer the oil. If you find a method is complicated or becoming stressful to dispense, try another technique. Adding additional tension when a furry friend has health issues is not the way to go. Make the process as simple and relaxing as possible using one of these methods:

• Liquid form using a tincture. Using a tincture is the optimum way to dispense CBD. For a dog, you can adjust the dosage by counting the drops used. The dropper makes dosing easy and accurate.  

• Various ointments can be massaged into the skin. These topical treatments you can be rubbed directly onto the pet’s skin, providing instant localized relief. With this option, there is a range of potency levels you have to work within, creating a balance to achieve comfort. Many of these cannabis salves or balms blend with other therapeutic elements, including various herbal extracts and essential oils, giving potentially more of a healing effect.

• Food infused with CBD. There may be more of an inclination to indulge in a treat infused with oil as opposed to having the oil drizzled over the food. The treats come with a set amount of CBD mg in each piece, combined with other ingredients that do not have an effect, but typically make the treat palatable.  This is likely the least stressful method for dispensing, because what dog doesn’t like a treat?!   Visit this page to view a variety of CBD products for pets.

Cannabidiol has shown great potential with humans for the relief of a variety of medical conditions. If CBD, in turn, translates over to the pet population, this would be a tremendous benefit for their care and well-being.

PHOTO COURTESY OF Hinterland Co

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