The Truth About CBD Oil For Pets
Recreational use of cannabis is now legal in 11 U.S. states and Canada, while Mexico isn't very far behind. What was once the cultural territory of stoners and outlaws is now as common as a suburban cul de sac. The times are changin', and those changes have paved the way for an influx of CBD-related products across the country.
According to HuffPost, CBD stands for cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive ingredient found in hemp and cannabis which can be used to treat pain, anxiety, seizures and more. While it's popular with people, it has also become increasingly popular with pet owners who see it is a more friendly alternative to typical pet medicine and treatments. Is this actually beneficial for pets, or is CBD oil for pets just a load of smoke being blown up our tailpipes?
Know the risks of CBD
The AKC reports that there have been no known formal studies on the efficacy of CBD oil for pets, meaning we're just kind of assuming it works for everything from "anti-inflammatory properties, cardiac benefits, anti-nausea effects, appetite stimulation, anti-anxiety impact" to possible anti-cancer benefits. However, they're partnering with Colorado State University's College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences to further understand the compound and its effects on treatment-resistant epileptic dogs.
As CBD hasn't been approved by the FDA, dosage recommendations and potential health risks haven't been analyzed, so exercise caution. The AKC recommends buying high-quality, organic, liquid-based CBD which has been analyzed, so you can be sure you know what you're getting yourself and your pet into. Start with a very small dose and keep an eye out for any ill-effects. Further, it's recommended to buy a pet-specific product, which increases the likelihood that your pet will get a proper-sized dose while decreasing the chance of unwanted additives like xylitol, a common artificial sweetener which is toxic for animals.
A properly dosed CBD oil should be safe for both dogs and cats, but remember, there are variables to every scenario, so do your research if you aim to pursue herbal pet treatments. You don't want Fluffy freaking out!