The use of cannabidiol (CBD) oil has crept into nearly every facet of daily life, from coffee shops to pharmacy shelves to celebrity baby showers. But humans aren’t the only ones who can benefit from the benefits of CBD! As it turns out, CBD may also improve the well-being of those other very important members of our family – our pets!
It can be hard to watch our furry best friends suffer from pain, chronic disease, anxiety, skin irritation, or other ailments. Dogs and cats are prone to many of the same diseases as humans and can become affected by anxiety, arthritis, seizures, and other things that cause pain and discomfort.
According to AKC’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Jerry Klein, CBD is often used for its anti-inflammatory properties, cardiac benefits, anti-nausea effects, appetite stimulation, and anti-anxiety impact. In case you’re worried, CBD will not get your pet “high” as it does not contain THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana that causes mind-altering effects.
The fact that CBD is therapeutically potent as well as non-intoxicating makes it an appealing treatment option for people who want to find natural, non-invasive ways to support their pets’ happiness by alleviating pain, treating ailments, and naturally support better health and wellness.
If you choose to give your dog CBD, we recommend using a pet-specific product to ensure that you are getting the correct amount of CBD that’s appropriate for your pet. For instance, while the CBD ingredient might be the same in human CBD gummies and pet CBD gummies, the treat made for humans might be flavored with an extra ingredient in it like Xylitol, with is toxic for dogs.
Another important aspect of finding the best CBD product for your pet is ensuring the quality and purity of the ingredients, especially the CBD. One way to make sure a CBD oil’s manufacturer is reputable is by purchasing a product that includes a certificate of analysis from a third-party testing lab. You can also look for a product that was manufactured in a Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP)-compliant facility, which must follow certain Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards to qualify. When reading the bottle label, make sure it also contains other information including the amount of active CBD per serving, a full ingredients list, and how to access 3rd-party testing results. Our Grain-free Chicken-flavored CBD Pet Treats and CBD Oil for Pets are both made with products grown and sourced here in the United States and have a QR code on every label to access all testing results from verified independent laboratories.
Bottom line? CBD products for pets – whether oil or in a treat – have been shown to anecdotally help with issues like pain and anxiety, but if you have any concerns or your pet currently takes any other medications, it’s best to consult with your vet about and heed their recommendations.