CBD (or cannabidiol) is a hugely popular treatment for people living with everything from anxiety and depression to seizures and even some types of cancer. But it’s not just for people. Animals can also benefit from this all-natural hemp extract, especially as they get older. It may have never occurred to you, but CBD is an increasingly attractive option for pet owners of all kinds.
First, Some Considerations…
As with anything health related, it’s important to get input from trained medical professionals before beginning a treatment. Just as you should see a doctor before taking a new medicine, it’s important to talk to a veterinarian before you begin to shop for CBD.
Another thing to keep in mind is that, while CBD is not toxic to animals or people (meaning it’s impossible to overdose on it), taking too much can still be jarring. On the other hand, taking too little defeats the purpose of taking any at all. It’s important to know exactly how much CBD is in a product, and how much is appropriate for different animals based on their weight. Once again a veterinarian can help you figure that out. Also, not all CBD products are created equal, so remember to reconsider the dosage when switching to another product or brand.
Last but not least, it’s important to remember that while CBD can help with a number of pet health issues, it can’t magically make them go away. The value of CBD is in improving your pet’s quality of life, not as a cure-all.
What Can CBD Treat?
CBD is capable of treating many maladies in animals. These include:
- joint and mobility issues (including arthritis)
- stress and anxiety
- nausea and other digestive issues
- skin issues and allergies
- general pain and inflammation
- epilepsy and seizures
- tumors and cancer
The Best Ways to Use CBD
When first introducing your pet to CBD, you should make sure to start with a low dose. In fact, you might want to give your pet less CBD than their actual recommended dose, just so you can see how they take to it and observe their behavior. After that, you can slowly begin to increase the dosage up to the recommended level.
While there are seemingly countless different CBD delivery methods for people, the number of treatments for pets is more limited. The two main ones are CBD oil and CBD treats, although ointments can also be useful for joint pain, burns, and other surface issues. All of these methods are very easy to use, though. CBD oil can be administered in a dog’s mouth using an eyedropper, with just a few drops required. CBD treats, as the name implies, can be fed to pets just like they were any other treats. And ointments can be gently rubbed into the skin surrounding your pet’s problem areas.
Whatever you choose, CBD can be a great way of making your pets healthier and happier. Isn’t that what we all want?