The FDA hasn’t ruled on therapeutic use of CBD for dogs and cats yet, largely because the scientific research on CBD for pain and other treatments in pets is still ongoing.
Here at HexaCart.org we love our animals.
My partner Emilee and I have raised Dogs, cats, farm birds, goats, and other animals like a rescue deer here in Southern Oregon. We lived in Nothern California, and wildfire came through and burnt out our farm located above Happy Camp California almost in the wilderness. We lost many of our birds and a cat to the Slater wildfire. We were chased out of the mountain by thick smoke and the fire itself. We lost our home, many animals, and all our belongings. We ended up with our rescue deer and two dogs and a Cat. Animals are our lives, besides our son who is number one, they are everything. We give our two dogs and cat regular doses of our Hemp seed oil with CBD and since we have, we have noticed a difference in their mobility! One of our two dogs gets really anxious during car rides, and this product has helped tremendously with this as well! The Deer we rescued a raised had to be released into a property that was perfect for her since we live in the city now.
CBD LOVE For ALL!
Just like us, dogs, cats and many other animals have an endocannabinoid system.
The endocannabinoid system is a network of cell-signaling receptors that is closely integrated with the nervous and peripheral nervous systems, as well as the gastrointestinal tract and immune system. CBD interacts with these receptors to impart a wealth of therapeutic benefits. Pets, such as dogs and cats, benefit from CBD the same way we humans do.
The ECS is a biological system found in all mammals and is involved in managing a wide variety of biological processes, including memory, sleep, immune response, and more.
It mainly consists of two types of cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2).
These receptors are built to interact with endocannabinoids (cannabinoids naturally produced by the brain).
However, they can also interact with plant-derived cannabinoids like CBD, which in turn cause a variety of responses throughout the body.
CBD is a naturally occurring chemical compound found in the hemp plant. CBD, or cannabidiol, is non-psychoactive, which means it won’t get you or your pet “high.”
THC is the psychoactive compound in cannabis that causes a high. While THC and CBD are both cannabinoids, these distant cousins couldn’t be more different. THC mainly exerts its effects by activating your body’s CB1 and CB2 receptors, which essentially overloads your endocannabinoid system and causes intoxication.
THC is also toxic to pets in high doses.
CBD is non-toxic and possesses no psychoactive properties, meaning that you never have to worry about it getting your pet “high.”
potent balance of fatty oils and CBD for your furry family member!
WHY DO PEOPLE GIVE PETS CBD?
From easing a new pet from the shelter to their forever home, to helping anxious dogs deal with fireworks, to soothing the aches and pains of aging, there are a number of situations where pet owners need a helping hand.
The landmark CBD study on dogs that we mentioned previously concerned the anti-epileptic effects of CBD on dogs. This study was spurred on because so many pet owners have seen drastic improvements from epileptic pets after giving them CBD. The study confirmed what pet owners had observed. Researchers saw a reduction in seizures in 89% of the canine subjects after administering CBD. The lead researcher, Dr. Stephanie McGrath, a Ph.D. in neurology, called the results “promising and exciting.” Seizures affect about 1 in 50 dogs and cats, which is no small number. Evidence is growing that CBD may provide these animals with all-natural relief and help them live long and happy lives.
Pain affects many of our pets for years without us even noticing. Moodiness and a lack of playfulness in older animals is commonly associated with age (in dogs) and personality (in cats). But the truth is, it’s not in the nature of domesticated animals to be antisocial. These issues are usually an indication that your pet is dealing with discomfort or pain. About 1 in 3 cats suffers from painful arthritis, and dogs suffer commonly from a number of conditions but will hide their pain instinctively, as it is a sign of weakness. Studies on humans and animals suggest that CBD can help to reduce pain much in the same way as pain killers, though without the negative side effects. Pet owners have been thrilled to “get their pets back” after trying CBD. This return of their pets’ young and spunky personalities is likely due to a reduction in pain and a boost in their quality of life.
Inflammation causes painful conditions like arthritis in animals, but it also causes chronic disease and terribly uncomfortable gastro-intestinal issues. The risk or inflammation-related discomfort rises exponentially in overweight pets. Because over half of all dogs and cats in the US are overweight or obese, it means that there are a lot of animals in pain due to inflammation. One of CBD’s most powerful effects is as an anti-inflammatory. In human studies, CBD has been shown to interact with endocannabinoid receptors in our bodies to stop inflammation before it starts. No studies have been done on how CBD helps inflammation in pets, but we know that all mammals have the same endocannabinoid system and receptors that humans do, so it’s not a far leap to suggest that the benefits could be similar.
While there is not enough evidence yet to know the effects of CBD on cancer, there have been some promising studies.
One 2020 study showed that CBD inhibited the growth of many types of cancer cells. This could be a game-changer for pet owners, as CBD could be a possible preventative measure for one of the deadliest diseases our pets can face. As we mentioned above, CBD is an anti-inflammatory compound, and chronic inflammation can also lead to various types of cancer. Keeping your pet’s joints and vital organs free from inflammation can also help to keep cancer away.
The 7 Most Common CBD Benefits for Dogs
- Powerful Painkiller
- Anticonvulsant
- Anti-Inflammatory
- Stress Reliever
- Antiemetic
- Anticancer Effects
- Promotes Homeostasis
IMPORTANT: Research on CBD for pets is NOT conclusive. Only one study has been conducted on dogs, and while it was promising, more research needs to be done to confirm the results. No studies have been conducted on cats or other pets. There have been no studies conducted on pets that provide any evidence that CBD can help any of the conditions on this list apart from seizures. However, animal studies on mice and rats have demonstrated promising results in all of the categories above
TIPS
- Start with a low dose. It’s best to start with a low dose of CBD oil and watch to see how your PET reacts. You can increase the dosage once you’re sure that your pet doesn’t experience any adverse side effects.
- Talk to your vet first. Mixing CBD oil with prescription medications can be dangerous. If your pet is taking medication, speak to your vet before giving your pet the oil.
- Mix the oil into dry food. CBD oil typically blends better with dry dog food than it does with wet food. The oil doesn’t mix into the wet food as readily, so your dog may notice a difference. Give the oil a few minutes to soak into the dry food before giving it to your dog.
- Mix the oil with peanut butter. CBD oil mixes extremely well with peanut butter, which is oily. If your dog likes peanut butter, that can be an easy way to give it the oil.
Buy CBD Oil for your furry friend! We have CBD isolate in stock as well!
Are There Side Effects of CBD on Pets?
There are some potential side effects of CBD on pets that have been observed by pet owners and veterinarians, though they are minor and uncommon.
Possible side effects include:
- Fatigue: CBD has a calming effect, but higher doses can cause drowsiness
- A Drop in Blood Pressure: High doses of CBD have led to a temporary drop in blood pressure in some pets
- Dry Mouth: Keep the water dish full, as CBD may cause a decrease in saliva in pets.
It’s important to note that fatigue is the most common side effect observed in pets, and that it is seen in less than 10% of animals, according to the veterinarian survey we mentioned earlier in this article. Other side effects were so rare that they were considered negligible.
What are the Risks?
CBD is considered largely risk-free for pets, as no dangerous or adverse effects have been reported. Though it is important to note that studies have not confirmed that CBD is not harmful. It is possible that CBD could have some negative effects if the dosage given is too high, so make sure to follow the dosage guidelines on our product!
