In some families, pets are treated just like every other member of the family, or perhaps even better since they don’t really get any chores. Funny right? Well, the point I’m trying to bring out here is the fact that for some people, the man-pet, or man-beast relationship has evolved into a more intimate one. Like the type of relationship between a parent and a child.
Just like a parent will not be at ease when their child is ill or in some pain, dog owners also feel unease when their pet is ailing. For us humans, CBD has grown in popularity when it comes to relieving pain. The chemical has certain properties that enable it to produce a calming effect when consumed.
Although some people still doubt the effectiveness and safety of this treatment, several studies reveal that the chemical is effective and safe when taken in the right dosage. Until recently, CBD treatment was only enjoyed by us humans, however, it has now found its way into canine diets. Frankly, this shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone because after all, dogs are man’s best friend, aren’t they?
In this article, we’ll examine some of the benefits that dogs can enjoy from taking a healthy dose of CBD. But before we get into that, let’s quickly go over what CBD is and clear up some misunderstandings that people have about the substance.
What is CBD?
CBD is the abbreviation for cannabidiol, one of over 100 cannabinoids that can be extracted from the cannabis plant. The cannabis plant is quite a popular plant as it has many therapeutic and economical benefits. It has two well-known species that are unique in their own way. They are:
- Marijuana or weed
- Hemp
Marijuana
Marijuana or weed may be more popular among these two species as it is heavily consumed and abused. When consumed, this plant produces a feeling known as a “high”. A person who is high experiences momentary euphoria and may exhibit certain behaviors that they wouldn’t when in a sober state. Weed is able to cause such an effect because of the presence of another cannabinoid known as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Click here to learn more about THC.
THC is also an important cannabinoid and has been found to be abundant in marijuana. Like THC, cannabidiol is also contained in marijuana, howbeit, in a much smaller quantity.
Hemp
Hemp is widely used in medicine because of its many health benefits. Unlike marijuana that has little CBD, hemp has an abundant supply, which is why most commercially sold CBD is extracted from it. Hemp also contains THC but in a negligible quantity, 0.3% to be precise.
Controversies Around Cannabidiol
As we said earlier, studies have proven that this substance when consumed in the appropriate quantity is safe. It has been found to be an effective treatment for several health issues including anxiety, and arthritis. We’ll talk more about this later.
Many other pet parents also attest to the safety and effectiveness of cannabidiol treatment for pains and several other dog health issues. However, despite so much evidence, some people remain skeptical of it because of its close connection to marijuana and THC, its cousin.
But unlike THC, CBD is not psychoactive. That is, no matter how much of it you consume, you cannot get high. This is why most cannabidiol products are made from hemp and not marijuana. The Food and Drug Administration even attests to the safety. This also blows away any doubts about the legal status of cannabidiol.
Benefits of Cannabidiol
The choice of whether to include cannabidiol in your pet’s diet is yours to make. That said, a look at some of the benefits of this substance may help you see how much your pet stands to gain from it.
For one, this cannabidiol has been tested and tried by many pet parents and it has been found to work great for anxiety. As you may know, pets also suffer from anxiety and several things can be responsible for it. If you notice that your pet may be suffering from this condition, you may want to consider trying out CBD treatment. Also bear in mind that several studies back up its potency.
Another illness that CBD treatment has been found to be effective for is arthritis. As dogs age, they become more prone to several illnesses, especially arthritis. It is also used in treating other illnesses including seizures, inflammation, epilepsy, loss of appetite, and even early-stage cancer. Visit https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-diseases to find out more dog-related illness.
CBD Treats for Dogs
There are several ways by which CBD can be consumed by both humans and dogs. Gummies are quite popular these days for us humans, but so is CBD oil. For dogs, the two most popular options are oils and treats, you can find a lot about the use of cbd oil for dogs on the internet.. That said, if you’re new to this space, you’ll quickly find that your pet will appreciate CBD treats more.
This is because treats are generally tasty, and pets can’t just get enough of them. Also, the raw taste of the substance is easily lost in the flavor of the treat. This is important because some pets have been found to dislike CBD when consumed as oil. We should point out that the chemical’s taste being lost in that of the treat in no way lessens its potency.
Final Thoughts
As we mentioned earlier, both hemp and marijuana contain CBD and several products are made using cannabidiol from any one of these two plants. However, ensure you buy only those made from hemp-derived cannabidiol for your pet. Also ensure that there’s no trace of THC at all as even some hemp-derived CBD treats may have little traces of THC. Tetrahydrocannabinol has been found to be toxic for dogs, so, you’d be keeping your pet safe by avoiding it.
