The most essential thing in a pet’s journey with you is, by far, their health. As pet owners, it’s safe to assume you want what’s best for them no matter what the cost and the reason go far beyond just responsibility or obligation. According to American researchers (read more), a study has found that patients who survived heart attacks live significantly longer. The similarities they all share is their pet dogs, whether professionally trained or just adopted for the sake of companionship.
You can help your pet through something that has the alternative medicine and treatment community abuzz for a few years now. It’s a product derived from cannabis, called CBD. This product comes in two forms: a formula tailored for animals (with fewer ingredients, which we will discuss later) and one made for humans. Both bring health benefits that may help them with their illness, if not to live longer.
What’s In the Products?
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CBD for pets come in many forms. Some examples are CBD oil or treats. CBD—known formally as Cannabidiol—is a compound present in cannabis but more abundant in Hemp more than any other species under this genus. One of the 112 different cannabinoids, each with their own purpose, but Cannabidiol was found with more health benefits than all of them.
Hemp, along with marijuana, was illegal in the US until the Farm Bill was passed in 2018. This allowed Hemp Farms to flourish, though recreational use was still widely forbidden. Many cannabidiol companies—like Holistapet—that cater to pets all make sure to manufacture their products free from THC, a psychoactive cannabinoid. This is because canine, feline, and other mammals can be poisoned by THC and pose a complex threat to their health.
THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) is widely found in marijuana rather than Hemp. This is one reason why it isn’t the primary source (and could never be due to its toxicity to animals) for CBD-derived products. It is also considered a schedule 1 drug, which means it’s illegal in some states and can’t be used extensively. Though the human body can tolerate the presence of this compound, animal systems cannot.
Also Read: How CBD Hemp Strains Can Help With Anxiety This 2020
To identify toxicity in animals, one must be very observant for mild symptoms later on. 30 minutes upon ingestion, marijuana can still be removed from the body through induced vomiting. Afterward, THC’s anti-emetic effects will take effect, and any attempts will risk the animal for aspiration. Symptoms can be as mild as dilated pupils and excessive salivation and severe as coma and death.
3 Benefits of CBD Oil To The Body
1. Osteoarthritis and Other Joint Diseases
Pain is the most common ailment cannabidiol can help with, and osteoarthritis is one of the most common diseases in dogs and cats. Osteoarthritis happens when the cartilage between two bones touch and pain can be felt locally in the joints. Cannabidiol helps through the utilization of ECS (Endocannabinoid System) and the phytocannabinoids from the CBD product. This link: http://headsup.scholastic.com/students/endocannabinoid explains the ECS thoroughly. It includes its role in the body and how an animal’s body responds to Cannabidiol.
The ECS has CB2 receptors in charge of the peripheral system and helps with local aches and pains. The phytocannabinoids, mainly Cannabidiol, serve as inflammation suppressors, anti-WBC, and anti-cytokines. WBC and cytokines rush to the local site and sight off the supposed microorganism, worsening the inflammation. Cannabidiol prevents this from happening.
2. Canine/Feline Anxiety
Sometimes known as separation anxiety of felines/canines, this condition can happen quickly for some pets and hardly affects others. The leading cause of this is a sudden change of home, abrupt moving, a new pet, or loud and sharp sounds (like fireworks). Cannabidiol helps your pet still through the ECS, but now it makes use of the CB1 receptor.
Said receptor is in charge of the nervous system and helps reduce this Anxiety by blocking any messages being received in the amygdala (or the emotional brain). This gives something like a sedative-effect to your pet, but nothing serious. At most, they’ll nap to regain their lost sleep due to the Anxiety.
3. Appetite-stimulant
Widely used for pets that have lost their appetite, be it a cat, dog, or a horse, Cannabidiol ensures both safeties from side-effects and overdose when used for this reason. Other appetite-stimulants will either not sit well in your pet’s stomach, while cannabidiol-derived products are not only harmless but very beneficial.
Other than malnutrition, it can also help with immunosuppressed pets. It can be due to a disease or an innate condition. Cannabidiol does not have any bad records when used alongside medicine and other alternative treatment.
