As medical marijuana use rapidly grows, consumers are finding an increasing number of CBD products hit the shelves. CBD is a nonpsychoactive compound extracted from cannabis that won’t cause the user to get high. More and more pet owners are turning to CBD products as a natural cure for their pets’ ailments.
Why Use CBD on Pets?
CBD products offer many health benefits for pets ranging from medicinal treatments to everyday wellness. Because CBD does not contain THC, pets can benefit from their therapeutic side effects without experiencing a high that might cause distress.
There are a variety of ways to treat pets with CBD products, giving pet owners plenty of options depending on their pets’ needs. The negative side effects that can come with taking hard medication are nonexistent in CBD products, making them a popular choice among pet owners. Read on to learn the many benefits of CBD for your pets.
Pet Anxiety
Anxiety is common in pets, especially animals that are older or were adopted. CBD products are known to easy anxiety in pets without making furry friends sluggish. Common uses for CBD to treat pet anxiety include thunderstorms, fireworks displays, long travel and separation anxiety.
Treating Pain
CBD contains natural anti-inflammatory properties, and the list of ailments that it can be used to treat is steadily growing. Many pets suffering from arthritis or osteoarthritis also suffer from additional health issues associated with impaired movement. CBD products are commonly used to treat those conditions, allowing pets to maintain an active lifestyle.
Cancer Treatments
Although CBD should not be used to treat cancer in pets, it can be used to ease negative symptoms. CBD can improve your pet’s appetite and suppress cancer-related seizures. Administering CBD products to pets may also slow the growth of cancer cells.
Types of CBD Products for Pets
The list of CBD products for pets is steadily growing as cannabis gains more popularity. Current pet-friendly CBD products come in a range of types, textures and flavors and can be found at dispensaries.
Pet owners can find the following CBD products specified for their pets:
- Food
- Treats
- Gummies
- Tinctures (CBD extract)
- Topical creams and oils
Edible CBD products tend to have more medicinal effects, while topical CBD products act more like a cannabis massage and are used to soothe pets.
CBD Studies Regarding Pets
CBD is still in its early stages, so research on CBD for pets is minimal. Cornell University leads the charge on researching how CBD impacts pets and recently published a study on the effects of CBD on pets. Cornell’s results showed that CBD saw high success rates when used as a pain reliever for dogs, shining a positive light on the industry.
Pet Safety Concerns
There currently are no FDA-approved CBD products for pets. For this reason, many veterinarians aren’t permitted to discuss CBD treatments, meaning you may not find options specialized for your pet’s needs. CBD may also interfere with any medications taken by your pets, which may or may not be eligible for veterinary consultation depending on your state of residence.