This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a veterinarian or personal physician.
As a pet owner, you would do anything for your furry friend to help them enjoy happy and healthy lives. Our animals bring us much joy, so it only makes sense that we want to give them the best care. Did you know that pets can not only reap the tension-easing benefits of CBD, but they can also enjoy its feel-good, relaxing effects?
CBD is gaining a lot of attention lately because of its potential health benefits, so it can be tricky to navigate the abundance of information available. You may be wondering if it is safe to use on your pets, what effects it might have, and what you should look for in CBD products. Sometimes it’s difficult to know which information you can trust.
We hope to clear up the confusion, offering what you need to know about CBD and how it pertains to, and can potentially help enhance, your beloved pet’s health and wellness.
But first:
What is CBD And Why is It So Popular?
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a naturally occurring compound in the hemp plant. CBD is often used as a therapeutic remedy for managing anxiety, insomnia and chronic pain, and many use it to help relieve tension and enhance wellness.
It is important to note that full-spectrum CBD products do not contain a noticeable amount of THC, the psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana that produces a high. CBD will not make you feel high as most CBD products are derived from hemp, and not from marijuana. It is mandated by law that the THC levels within hemp and CBD products cannot exceed 0.3%.
What Effects Can CBD Have On Your Pets?
Scientists know that cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid receptors located in the nervous system, which help the body maintain a healthy, balanced state. You and your dog or cat have something in common: you both have an endocannabinoid system, which may be one of the most important physiologic systems involved in establishing and maintaining our health.* This system affects your brain, skin, heart, eyes, stomach, and even your mood.
Our bodies make their own cannabinoids, and as the name implies, cannabinoids affect the endocannabinoid system. When we ingest CBD, or apply it topically, it activates these receptors in the body, which is what is believed to account for cannabidiol’s wide range of positive effects. This is true for humans, as well as all other mammals.
Possible Benefits of CBD For Dogs
Any pet parent knows the frustration of trying to console an anxious animal. Your beloved pet may be tense during long car rides, or have the tendency to run around the house or hide when loud noises or fireworks erupt.
Early research suggests humans and dogs are affected by CBD in similar ways, and scientists are finding that CBD may help to support the overall wellness of pets. It has been used as a natural remedy to ease pets’ tension and anxiety and can be beneficial with helping manage pets’ seizures, pain, inflammation, and even skin conditions.**
Will CBD Make Your Pets High or Experience Psychoactive Effects?
Just as in CBD intended for human consumption, CBD oil intended for animals is required by law to contain under 0.3% THC. This small amount will not cause your pet to feel high.
There are very big differences between the two strains of cannabis. Pet CBD supplements are extracted from industrial hemp (sativa) plants, which have high levels of CBD and virtually no THC. Conversely, THC with levels large enough to produce a high is found in the marijuana strain, which contains very little CBD. This difference is crucial because THC can be toxic to dogs, but CBD is safe, so always make sure you give your dog CBD made for pets with 0.3% THC or less.
Choosing the Best CBD products for Your Pets
Before administering CBD to your pet, we recommend consulting with your veterinarian and doing your own research, especially if your pet is already taking medication. Once you are comfortable with your pet’s use of CBD products, your next step is picking a product.
CBD advertising and labeling can be very confusing, and even misleading. Not all oils are the same. It is important to use only high-quality CBD oil, with full-spectrum cannabinoids. Pet owners should be aware that the hemp plant is a bio-accumulator, which means it cleans the soil in which it is grown, absorbing toxins, which then accumulate within the plant throughout its lifespan. This is why it is essential to purchase USDA organic certified products that have been third party lab tested, to avoid ingesting pesticides, fungicides, or solvents.
Remember that CBD oil and hempseed oil aren’t the same thing. If a product says it’s hemp oil, but doesn’t mention CBD, you won’t likely get the benefits of CBD. The packaging should state exactly how many milligrams of CBD, or cannabinoids, are in the bottle.
There are currently no federal standards for labeling CBD products, so be aware that product label claims are not always accurate. In the only pet product examination of its kind thus far, 30 pet products labeled as CBD were tested. Researchers found only 34% of the products were within 90–110% of the label claims regarding cannabinoid concentrations. This is typical of what has been found in human hemp products, where less than 50% were found to be within 90–110% of label claims.***
How to Give Your Pet CBD
It’s best to administer an oil or tincture, so you can adjust your dog’s dose drop by drop. You may want to mix it with food or a treat you know he likes, so you can be sure your pet is getting the full, intended dose.
Most veterinarians recommend full-spectrum CBD oil for dogs, rather than CBD isolate.
Full-spectrum CBD oil contains trace amounts of other beneficial cannabinoids, which work to boost the effect of CBD oil.
River Organics CBD Products for Pets
River Organics is committed to making the finest quality CBD products from hemp grown on our family farm. We take great care in producing our CBD products, and strive for every customer to be satisfied with their experience. We plant and harvest by hand to ensure quality. Our sustainable farming practices benefit your health and our planet. We follow the stringent standards established by the USDA, and have been certified to display the USDA Organic seal on our products.
We are also passionate about enhancing the health and wellness of your beloved pets who share your home and your hearts. We are proud and excited to introduce the launch of our new full-spectrum, organic CBD oils, created specifically for pets and are safe for their consumption. As in our CBD products intended for human use, all our products are USDA certified organic and have been produced organically, sustainably and ethically, and are third-party tested to ensure consistency and purity.
* https://draxe.com/nutrition/what-is-cbd-cannabidiol/
** https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/health/what-canine-conditions-is-cbd-proven-to-treat-successfully/
*** Wakshlag JJ, Cital S, Eaton SJ, Prussin R, Hudalla C. Cannabinoid, Terpene, and Heavy Metal Analysis of 29 Over-the-Counter Commercial Veterinary Hemp Supplements. Vet Med (Auckl). 2020;11:45-55, https://doi.org/10.2147/VMRR.S248712
