CBD For Animals: Five Do’s & Don’ts Of Giving CBD Products To Your Pet

Your pet is not only an essential part of your family; he or she is a part of your daily life that makes each day better. Pets offer companionship, friendship, emotional support, and endless loyalty.

They ride with us through all of the greatest and toughest moments, and we, in turn, reward them with delicious treats, unconditional love, and hours of petting.

Every pet owner also wants to do whatever it takes to help them live better and happier lives. As more people find relief from different physical and mental illnesses with the help of CBD oil, it is only natural that they would want to allow their pets to experience the same healing. Here we will draw attention to the main do’s and don’ts of CBD for pets.

The Do’s

Talk To Your Vet

One of the best pieces of advice is to always talk with a veterinary professional before introducing any new supplements or medications into your pet’s daily regimen.

The consultation will help you find answers to any questions you may have regarding CBD use, tell you about available methods of intake and its potential adverse reactions. 

Additionally, your vet will also check your pet’s health, review other medications or supplements they are taking and advise whether CBD is right for your pet. They will also come up with a good plan for incorporating CBD oil into your pet’s daily routine, give you an idea of the right dosage and maybe even recommend the best, lab-tested CBD products.

Look At The THC Content

Cannabidiol (CBD) can be obtained from both hemp and cannabis plants. However, cannabis-derived CBD products contain over 0.3% of THC, the psychoactive cannabinoid responsible for the ‘high’, whereas CBD products from hemp are within the legal limit, i.e. 0.3% of THC or less. 

While there is evidence that CBD from cannabis may not cause a ‘high’, it still contains small traces of THC, which can be toxic for dogs and lead to vomiting, diarrhoea or anxiety.

Unlike humans, animals are usually more sensitive and can react to even small amounts of THC, so you should consider buying the best CBD oil for sleep, anxiety, pain, or any other pet’s ailment with zero THC content for safety of your fluffy friend.

Opt For CBD Products That Are Extracted Using CO2

To purchase the most effective and safe CBD product for your pet, you also need to consider the extraction method. While there are many methods for receiving CBD oil, supercritical CO2 extraction is mostly preferred. It allows preserving the nutrients while removing chemicals, which can be toxic to your pets.

Check The Certificate of Analysis (COA)

Every CBD product’ label can include these promising phrases like ‘organic’ or ‘THC-free’, but there is no way to verify this claim. That is where lab testing comes in.

A Certificate of Analysis (COA) can provide reassurance regarding the quality of a chosen CBD product, as these laboratory tests can show you detailed information about all the substances found in the product, with the percentage of each component.

Therefore, it might be a great idea to go through the company’s website or ask your seller to provide you with test results from a third-party laboratory to ensure that the CBD product contains the claimed CBD concentrations and is free from a THC compound, heavy metals, bacteria and pesticides.

Use The Right Daily Dose Of CBD

After making sure that you are buying the right products, the next step is to identify the right dose for your pet. Although CBD is considered a safe and well-tolerated product, establishing a suitable CBD dose will help to minimise the mild side effects. 

First, you need to take into account the weight of your animal. Second, you should keep in mind the condition you are trying to relieve with CBD, as not all ailments require the same amount of cannabidiol. And finally, as we already mentioned, preliminary consultation with your vet should provide you with guidance on how much CBD you can give to your pet.

The Don’ts

Do Not Self-Prescribe

You will never know if CBD will interact with the medication your pet is currently taking or if it is suitable for his or her condition. The body’s tolerance for CBD also typically varies among pets. So it is better to avoid self-prescribing and make a decision on the right product and dosage of CBD with a certified veterinarian. Also, in case you notice unusual behaviour of your fluffy friend, like wheezing in dogs, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Do Not Trust ‘Cure-All’ Claims

As a new popular ingredient, the health benefits of CBD for pets are not yet fully understood. Nowadays, CBD is touted as a beneficial supplement for dogs as taking CBD for anxiety, nausea, allergies, arthritis and more can provide needed relief. But it is not a cure for all diseases.

Although CBD has many potential healing properties for your pet, some dishonest manufacturers and sellers exaggerate the claims to get people to purchase their products. In case the CBD company claims that their CBD products treat, prevent, or cure every disease known to man, this is a sign that you should avoid it at all costs. It is not only illegal to make such statements, but these outrageous claims are far from the truth.

Do Not Buy From Unknown Retailers

Today, the CBD market is packed with many CBD products for pets that vary in terms of potency, product format, among other factors. However, while most of them are made from the hemp plant, it doesn’t mean they are the same. Since the CBD industry is still largely unregulated, this creates room for unscrupulous manufactures and sellers.

Therefore, you need to do proper research and look for established CBD companies that concentrate on holistic pet health and are aimed to offer products of high quality. Don’t forget to scrutinise the website, check online reviews and testimonials about the chosen brand to be sure you make a fully informed decision about your future purchase.

Do Not Start With High Doses

Much like with any supplement, it is always best to start with a low dose and gradually adjust daily CBD dosage as advised by a vet. Starting slow with the lowest dosage possible gives your pet’s body time to adjust to the new supplement and prevent any unpleasant symptoms or severe reactions. Even though finding the right CBD dosage takes time and experimentation, you need to be patient and give your pet only low doses until you determine the most appropriate dosage for maximum results.

Do Not Give CBD Oil To Pets That Are Pregnant

Since whatever goes into the mother’s body also goes into the baby’s body, it is highly advised to avoid giving CBD to pregnant pets. One study showed that giving high doses of CBD to pregnant animals caused decreased growth, neurobehavioral changes and reproductive problems in male babies.

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