CBD and Pets: Your Ultimate Guide

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According to a report published by the veterinary medicine directorate, veterinary products containing CBD has medicinal value. It is a possible treatment for pain and anxiety in humans and animals. As such, if your dog is suffering from stress, anxiety, or makes unnecessary noise, chances are you need to administer a little CBD, which will help alleviate several conditions.

Unlike THC, CBD does not produce a high, neither is it psychoactive.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol, abbreviated as CBD, is a chemical obtained from a hemp plant. It does not have a substantial impact on humans or animal’s brain activity.

CBD helps in relieving stress giving the brain a relaxation effect. For this reason, it’s used in making edibles and oils. It can be obtained from two weed species: hemp and marijuana.

A Different Way Of Administering CBD To Your Animals

CBD pet care products come in different forms, which include edibles, topical balms, and oils. Edibles are any food either in the form of capsules or chewable treats made with weed.

Oils, on the other hand, can be placed under the tongue or added to your food when cooking. Topical balms are rubbed directly on the skin; most people prefer rubbing them on the nose and inhale.

Each pet product has a different effect on the body of your animal. There are three delivery methods as listed below:

  • Using edibles
  • Oils
  • Tropical balm

Among these three methods, oils can be absorbed quickly, meaning it reaches the high concentration in the body, stays in the bloodstream for longer hours, and performs the most activities in different dogs.

The capsule is the second effective method of administration. However, it would be best if you were keen on CBD’s amount you use on your pets.

Why Is CBD Oil Effective In Animals?

Previously, scientists discovered cannabinoid receptors throughout the body. These include the immune cells, fat tissue, liver, skin, heart, skeletal muscle, and heart.

Endocannabinoids are the most versatile signaling molecules known today. They create homeostasis around the body since they participate in different processes such as immune and reproductive functions.

When the system is damaged, it causes stress, anxiety, arthritis, cancer, and epilepsy.

The chemical structures of THC and CBD have a similar body structure, which helps them relate to your cannabinoid receptors.

How CBD Works

Endocannabinoids are involved in immune modulation; according to recent studies, cannabinoid receptors are present in the skin of both healthy and unhealthy dogs.

Listed below are the three essential components:

  • Cannabinoid receptors
  • Endocannabinoids (ECS)
  • Metabolic enzymes
  1. a) Metabolic enzymes

The enzymes speed up the breakdown of Endocannabinoids and accelerate their synthesis.  ECS mechanism reduces enzymes and ends the cannabinoid action. However, hormones and neurotransmitters remain active and stored in the body.

  1. b) Endocannabinoids

Endocannabinoids are molecules produced by the animals’ bodies that interact with cannabinoid receptors and activate them.

There are two main types of cannabinoids: phytocannabinoids and Endocannabinoids. Endocannabinoids will be synthesized when the body requires balance. Later they get degraded by enzymes.

When ECS flattens, they cause clinical Endocannabinoids deficiency, which contributes to dysfunctions such as fibromyalgia and migraine. It also confuses because the ECS deactivate ineffectively.

When that happens, it is always advisable to introduce phytocannabinoids, which are obtained from plants, to help restore homeostasis. They are extracted from cannabis Sativa and contain the components listed below:

  • Cannabinol
  • Cannabicyclol
  • Cannabidiol
  • Cannabichromene
  • Tetrahydrocannabinol
  1. c) Cannabinoid receptors

We have two types of receptors; CB1 and CB2. These receptors spread throughout the body of the animal. Their functions in the body include mood, sleep, immune system, and pain perception. CB2 receptors are mainly embedded in peripheral tissues affecting inflammatory processes, while CB1 receptors are found in the animal brain and are related to the central nervous system.

CBD Uses in Animal Treatment

For a long time, CBD has been used in various ways in human beings and in animals. When used on animals, CBD has the following uses:

  1. Treatment of Various Infections

Under this, CBD is used to treat various animal infections, including:

Dog Infections

The standard type of pathogenic bacteria in dogs is E Coli, bordetella, helicobacter, salmonella, clostridia, and streptococcus.

The sources of the infections are mainly undercooked meat, contaminated water, dairy, or feces. To avoid these, ensure the environment around your dogs is clean and get a veterinary to check yours at least once a month. You do not want to lose your pet, do you?

On the other hand, dogs act as carriers of certain infections, which do not necessarily affect them. These infections are:

  • Parasitic – roundworms, hookworms, and dog tapeworms.
  • Viral- rabies.
  • Bacterial- brucellosis.

PS: CBD does not make your dog high!

Cat Infections

Although the cat’s immune system can resist infections, it can still get pathogenic infections. Pathogenic bacteria’s in cats are toxoplasmosis, clostridia, streptococcus, salmonella, bordetella, chlamydophilla, and clostridia,

You will realize that some of these bacteria are similar to those in a dog. Their causes are the same.

It is important to note that these infections are common in kittens and older cats. These happen because their immune systems are not healthy. Sick cats will vomit, have a fever, and are less playful.

Just like dogs cats are also carriers of bacteria and parasites, to avoid catching germs from them, it is always advisable to visit a veterinarian occasionally and practice hygiene when handling the cats

  1. Reduce Anxiety

Have you ever noticed your cat hides from everyone in the house, gets nervous when you leave or finds it terrified of cartoons and toys? These are clear signs of anxiety.

There are two types of anxiety: behavioral, which is triggered by past experiences, and situational, which occurs when your pet reacts to immediate triggers.

Signs of Anxiety

It is important to note that anxiety manifests itself through either destructive behavior or body language. The anxiety signals include:

  • Defecation in inappropriate places- this is evident, especially if you have trained your pet.
  • Excessive salivating.
  • Whining or barking.
  • Reluctance to leave the house.
  • Shaking and trembling.

CBD And Bacterial Infection

  • Used as an alternative to traditional medication and helps in pain management.
  • CBD oil promotes wound healing in your pets. Animals suffer from abrasion injuries, avulsion injuries, shearing injuries, incision wounds, burns, firearm injuries, and puncture.
  • Helps in the treatment of different types of animal cancer. The common types of cancer in cats include feline leukemia, squamous cell carcinoma, and Feline mammary cancer. At the same time, dogs have Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumor, Canine Osteosarcoma, and Canine Mast Cell Tumors.

CBD Dosage For Animals

Keep in mind the metrics listed below:

  • The number of milligrams in the dosage.
  • Your dog’s or cat’s weight.
  • Measure the concentration of CBD active components in the product.

Step 1– measure the pet’s weight.

Step2- multiply the product dosage amount with the weight in kilograms.

Step 3– find out how much CBD is in each milliliter.

Step 4– divide product dosage amount by the number of concentration amounts.

In a case where you witness adverse side effects, stop CBD intake, and consult a veterinarian.

Final remarks

Nothing is alarming about CBD, but on the other hand, little told about it. It would help if you used it with caution. Besides, before you use CBD on your pet, it is prudent to consult your vet.