The marijuana plant contains two major components- THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (Cannabidiol). While the former is known to produce high sensations, the latter is believed to serve various health benefits.
CBD acts on the endocannabinoid systems (ECS) of pets, including dogs and cats. The endocannabinoid system is a unique communication system between the brain and body that affects many important functions, including how a pet feels, responds, and moves.
CBD, when infused in oils, chews, creams, etc., can help pets in several ways.
CBD topicals are any cream, lotion, balm, moisturizer, spray, ointment, or salve infused with CBD extracts. They are widely used to treat muscle pain, joint pain, itchiness, rashes, wounds, and sores.
Some laboratory tests on animals have shown encouraging results. It has been shown that animals who consumed CBD have shown a significant decrease in arthritis pain and itchiness, shrinking of cancer cells, reduced aggression, and seizure control. There are several ways you can use CBD for pets.
Pets can experience body pain due to a number of reasons like aging, sprain, fracture, excessive stretching, infection, etc. CBD has anti-pain properties, and a full spectrum of CBD oil makes pets move or run pain-free.
If your pet dog exhibits any symptoms of pain, then you can use CBD oils for dogs. You can add a drop of full-spectrum hemp oil to the dog food or simply massage it on their skin. CBD topicals can aid in muscle and joint pain.
Does your dog scratch its body too much? Then you, as pet parents, need to be extra cautious. Scratching is caused by bug bites, fleas, or parasites floating on a dog's skin, hypothyroidism, and other skin infections. Pollen in the park and the air outside too can cause severe skin allergies.
Dogs suffering from diseases or allergies may infect human health too. Imagine, what would happen if your toddler comes in contact with the mites fallen from your pet's hair?
You can use a full-spectrum CBD oil tincture to treat itchy skin and hot spots. CBD oils are diluted using various essential oils like olive oil, tea tree oil, coconut oil, and unrefined shea butter to treat pain and provide skin relief.
Topical CBD salve or CBD oil has anti-inflammatory properties and can be used to maintain fur and coat health. A CBD salve made with full-spectrum hemp extract keeps fungal infections, yeast infections, cysts, fatty tumors, skin infections, polyps, warts, hematomas, and hot spots at bay.
Your pet's fur and coat are highly sensitive. Thus you must buy a high-quality CBD oil that is organic or contains fewer chemicals. The hemp seed oil has many benefits. It penetrates deep down the cells of pets and keeps them soft, supple, and healthy.
Hair fall or dry skin is a common problem in pets. With aging, this problem becomes more severe.
Pet owners who find their pet's skin getting dry and witness hair fall can use CBD-based shampoos. Usually, such shampoos have the goodness of coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, lemongrass, aloe vera, rosemary oil, and green tea extract that maintains skin health and makes fur softer.
CBD is an antioxidant and prevents cell damage. You can set up weekly pampering sessions with hemp oil containing vitamin E to keep the fur in pristine condition.
The best CBD oils are those that have fewer or no chemicals. So before you choose any CBD oil for dogs, or shop for any shampoo, read the product ingredients label properly.
Change in weather, walking on debris, glass, or hot surface, and inflammation of paws can lead to cracks, sores, and cuts in the paws. If not treated on time, these small cracks or cuts can turn into severe infections.
All dog owners should understand the need to take care of their pup's paws. Just like you use foot cream to treat cracked heal, you can use a paw balm to treat your dog's paws.
You can use a hemp seed oil-based paw balm to create a protective barrier against rugged terrain and rough weather conditions.
Simply scoop a small amount out of the jar and massage it into the pet's affected area, like wounds and hot spots. Massage it into the area as thoroughly as you can. Your pet may try to lick off the remaining residue, but you don't have to worry. It's okay; it's safe to consume.
A well-formulated paw balm contains the goodness of shea butter, CBD oil, or coconut oil that heals their paws and keeps them hydrated and moisturized, and increases the paw's skin elasticity. If you love taking out your dog for running or walking daily, then a paw balm can prevent wear and tear.
Is your pet facing any digestion problems? Is his immunity falling with aging?
If your dog is showing any of the above symptoms, you must try your hands on protein powders. Even the Egyptians and Indian Ayurvedic texts have mentioned the usage of hemp in treating various ailments.
CBD helps your pets in the following ways:
Aids digestion
Improves heart health
Improves coat and skin conditions
Builds immunity
Joint pain relief and other pain management
Source of antioxidant
Reduces inflammation
Source of amino Acids
Easy to access plant protein
A hemp-based protein powder is extremely useful to maintain a dog's physical and digestive system health.
Remember, it may take some time for your dog's digestive system to adapt to this new superfood or dog treat. Start introducing this into their food as little as a quarter teaspoon a day. It's better to adhere to recommendations on CBD dosage before you submit such supplements to pets.
To reduce anxiety-
Several factors usually trigger dog nervousness and anxiety. These could include a change in environment, separation from a pet owner, or loud noises produced from explosions, machines, or lightning. Dogs may also experience social anxiety when they have no one to play with.
Aggressive chewing, digging or scratching, panting, trembling or shaking, excessive barking or howling, whining, and destroying property are common symptoms of anxiety in dogs.
CBD pet treats can be used to calm down dogs and reduce their anxiety or nervousness. It has been found that CBD interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system located in our pet's nervous system. Dog treats influence the peripheral nervous systems and maintains their peaceful mental state.
There are plenty of reasons why your pet may be stinking. Lack of grooming, oral infection, urinary tract infection, poor digestion, skin allergies and infections, and atopic dermatitis are some of the major reasons.
To treat bad odor, you can use a pet deodorizing spray. The goodness of lemongrass, vitamin E, lavender, and CBD make the pet feel fresh. Make sure you pick a spray that is completely eco-friendly and alcohol-free. Read the product ingredients carefully on the CBD company website.
You can also use a pet bedding spray to kill bacteria and germs and offer your pet a hygienic space to sleep.
Cancer is a common problem, even in pets. Recently, it has been found that CBD can be used to treat cancer and release the pain and nausea that can go with it.
A broad-spectrum CBD oil has cancer-fighting abilities and can reduce the growth of tumors in pets significantly. You must consult a veterinary medicine specialist before assisting your dog with any CBD product or CBD dog salve.
Seizures and epilepsy are results of the poor mental condition of pets. Abnormal electric charges of the neurons in the nervous system are the major cause of seizures. CBD reduces the frequency and severity of seizures because of how it interacts with the endocannabinoid system.
Presently, American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation is researching CBD's effectiveness in treating seizures in dogs.
CBD topicals can be easily applied to the affected area. Massage CBD dog salve or CBD oil thoroughly and gently. Even if your dog licks the surface where the CBD oil is applied, it won't make him high.
Remember, too much CBD can be dangerous for your pets. To pick the best CBD oil, look for CBD brands that provide organic CBD oil for dogs.
CBD topicals can resolve almost all skin-related problems in pets. But it's wise to consult a vet before using such products. This is because the skin and severity of the problem determine how much CBD topicals and the kind of CBD topicals will best suit the pet.
Presently, commercially available CBD products for pets are not regulated by FDA. Hence, pet owners should go only for high-quality CBD products manufactured and sold by only reputable and licensed manufacturers and retailers. Make sure you choose an excellent CBD brand.
High-quality CBD topicals undergo third-party testing by laboratories that have no affiliation with manufacturers of CBD products. These laboratories test CBD topicals to know the chemical composition. They ensure that the topicals do not contain any harmful chemicals, metals, or substances that can cause severe allergic reactions.
Read the product description, label, certification, and dosage recommended on the product before using it on your pet.
Here are some characteristics of a good CBD topical:
100% natural-
The best CBD topical is made of all-natural ingredients with no fillers, additives, or sweeteners.
Unscented-
A scented pet topical can backfire and make your pet run away. Hence, it is better to use an unscented CBD product that has a neutral smell and keeps your dog calm.
Works quickly-
A good quality CBD topical gives instant relief to pets and provides a soothing effect.
Long-lasting effect-
By long-lasting effect, we mean a CBD topical that doesn't need to be applied repeatedly throughout the day. A small amount of pet CBD stays active for a long time.
Penetrates deeper into the skin-
The deeper the CBD goes through the skin, the better it will be able to reduce inflammation, itchiness, rashes, and irritation.
Contains many therapeutic ingredients-
A CBD topical is not just made of hemp or CBD, but it contains other therapeutic ingredients like olive oil, coconut oil, aloe vera, castor oil, etc, to fight against fungal infection.
Gentle of fur and skin-
A CBD topical that is gentle on the fur and skin of the pet anddoesn'tt cause any irritation or redness is ideal to use.
CBD topicals are safe to administer to pets because it doesn't contain any psychoactive compounds. Many veterinarians have started to recommend CBD topicals, and they consider them to be safe.
CBD is safe to use. But things may turn out to be different if you use CBD topicals in excessive amounts. For instance, your pet may feel drowsy, and in some cases, it may even lower the pet's blood pressure.
But CBD-based products are the best alternative to pharmaceutical drugs as they are made with natural ingredients. However, still, if you've certain doubts in mind, there is no harm in consulting a veterinarian specialist.
Just like humans respond to a drug or medicine differently, your pets assisted with CBD topicals will also respond differently. What may work for one pet may not work for another.
Unlike human beings, pets can't speak and tell how they feel after getting a CBD dose. So you must monitor their actions and expressions.
Since there are many CBD topical manufacturers popping up, you need to be careful before you purchase any CBD-based products.
