There is no doubt that CBD oil for pets is incredibly popular right now. It seems everyone is talking about it. If you’re thinking about using CBD oil for your four-legged friend, we’ve put together a quick-read guide covering all the basics of CBD oil for pets.
Whether you’re a pet parent that has tried CBD oil yourself or you’re looking for more natural treatment options for common conditions like pain or anxiety, this quick-read guide summarizes everything you need to know about CBD oil for pets.
But for most of us, giving anything to our pets comes with questions. We want to know what it is, how it works, and anything else that ensures a safe and positive experience.
Because CBD is relatively new to the pet world, and veterinarians are not yet really allowed to recommend its use, for many pet parents, this has created a lot of confusion.
What is CBD?
CBD is one of over 200 compounds called phytocannabinoids that are found primarily in the flowers and leaves of the hemp and cannabis plants. One reason for its popularity is that CBD doesn’t have any of the intoxicating or mind-bending effects of its more infamous cousin tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
It’s also one of the reasons CBD, in particular, is one of the most researched of all the cannabinoids, showing promise as both an effective and safe, beneficial agent in humans and animals for a variety of medical conditions.
Is CBD Legal?
The answer to this is not as easy as one might think. It depends on whether the CBD comes from industrial hemp or cannabis.
Since the introduction of the “Farm Bill,” all federal restrictions on industrial hemp have been removed. CBD oils and products made with hemp-derived CBD are federally legal as long as they produced within the regulations defined by the law and contain less than 0.3 percent THC.
On the other hand, a CBD oil or product made with a cannabis-derived CBD extract it is not federally legal, although it might be in a few states where medical and recreational cannabis is legal.
Is CBD Oil for Pets Safe?
Except for GM Pharma’s Epidiolex, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved CBD in humans. It is no wonder pet parents are concerned about the safety of using CBD oil for their dogs and cats. Add to that the fact that with any medication or supplement, there is always a potential risk of an adverse reaction, and it’s only natural to be hesitant to give our pets CBD.
Luckily though, the safety profile of CBD is well established for use in both humans as well as animals. And because CBD is neither psychotropic nor intoxicating, you can rest assured that your pet can take full advantage of all the benefits of CBD without having to worry that your dog or cat will end up feeling “high.”
However, one thing to keep in mind is that you can’t give the same CBD oil you use for yourself to your dog or cat. Often there are additives in products made for human use that are not good for your pet. It is these, rather than the CBD that could cause problems. That’s why you should always buy a product specially formulated for pets.
What Other Compounds Do You Find in CBD Oil for Pets?
CBD is not the only beneficial compound found in full-spectrum and broad-spectrum hemp extracts. Along with CBD, there is also a range of other phytocannabinoids and aromatic compounds called terpenes.
Let’s take a look.
What Are Cannabinoids?
To date, the scientific community has identified 83 different types of phytocannabinoids. Most of these are found in such small quantities, that scientists find it challenging to study them. However, in addition to CBD, there are four other abundant phytocannabinoids that are currently under investigation for their beneficial properties.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
Next to CBD, THC is probably one of the most well-known of all the phytocannabinoids. THC is responsible for cannabis’ psychotropic effects. Although THC may have powerful benefits, including analgesic, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotectant, anti-emetic, and sedative properties, it is best not to give your pet CBD products that contain THC because of the potential psychotropic effects.
Cannabigerol (CBG)
Just like CBD, CBG is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid that scientists believe has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-cancer properties. It’s now being researched extensively for its ability to promote bone growth in pets who have experienced trauma or are suffering from osteoporosis.
Cannabichromene (CBC)
CBC is also a non-psychotropic cannabinoid that scientists believe may have several benefits in both humans and animals. These include analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant, anti-cancer, and neuro-regenerative properties, as well as having the ability to promote bone growth.
Cannabichromevarin (CBN)
CBN is a mildly psychotropic cannabinoid produced from the degradation of THC. CBN is believed to have analgesic, anti-inflammatory, sedative, and anticonvulsant properties. This makes it especially useful for pets suffering from seizure disorders.
What Are Terpenes?
Terpenes are another type of compound produced by most plants. Terpenes are what give flowers, herbs, and plants their distinctive aromas and flavors. They are also what give plants their many beneficial effects. They have a long history of use in natural remedies such as aromatherapy, as well as in supplements and cosmetics.
Humulene – Has a herbal, woody aroma and is also found in hops, sage, ginseng, coriander, cloves, basil, and ginger.
Potential Benefits include:
Anti-cancer
Anti-bacterial
Anti-inflammatory
Limonene
Has a citrusy, lemony aroma, and is also found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes, rosemary, juniper, and peppermint.
Potential Benefits include:
Pain relief
Anti-cancer
Anti-anxiety
Anti-depressant
Anti-inflammatory
Pinene
Has a fresh pine aroma and is also found in pine, conifers, rosemary, basil, parsley, and dill.
Potential Benefits include:
Relieves asthma and other respiratory issues
Pain relief
Anti-cancer
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-anxiety
Protects gastrointestinal tract
Myrcene
Has a peppery, spicy, herbal aroma and is also found in mango, thyme, lemongrass, parsley, hops, and bay leaf.
Potential Benefits include:
Antiseptic
Pain Relief
Antimicrobial
Antioxidant
Anti-inflammatory
Muscle relaxant
Linalool
Has a floral, spicy or woody aroma and is also found in lavender, birch bark, some citrus, rosewood, laurels, and coriander
Potential Benefits include:
Anti-anxiety
Anti-depressant
Aids sleep
Relieves pain
Anti-inflammatory
Protects against cognitive deficits
Caryophyllene
The only terpene that acts as a cannabinoid and activates the endocannabinoid system.
Has a peppery, spicy, woody, clove aroma and is also found in black pepper, cloves, and cinnamon.
Potential Benefits include:
Pain relief
Anti-anxiety
Anti-depressant
Gastroprotectant(do we need to explain?)
What Is the Entourage Effect?
Scientists are just now catching up with herbalists and other types of holistic plant-medicine practitioners. They are realizing that when you use the whole plant, it works better than when you only use single compounds. This phenomenon is called the entourage effect.
The entourage effect centers on the idea that when all the cannabinoids, terpenes, and other plant compounds found in the hemp plant are used together, they work together synergistically. In other words, the benefits of the whole-plant are much more powerful than just the sum of its parts.
The entourage effect is essential to keep in mind when choosing a product for your pet. Many researchers and vets who use cannabinoid medicines in their practice agree that the entourage effect is real. They report that pets seem to respond better to CBD oils and products that contain broad-spectrum extracts as opposed to CBD isolates (more on this below).
Types of CBD Oils for Pets
CBD oils for pets can come in a variety of different forms types and grades. Each has its own set of qualities, benefits, and drawbacks. That’s why it’s essential to understand the differences between these when choosing a product for your pet.
Full-spectrum CBD Oils
Full-spectrum CBD oils are products containing whole-plant extracts that have all the cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids contained in the hemp plant. Full-spectrum products are considered by many as the most beneficial because of what is known as the entourage effect.
However, when it comes to THC and pets, it is not recommended that you give THC to your pets. Every species will experience different reactions to it and we don’t know enough about it. For instance, dogs are highly sensitive to its psychoactive properties, while cats seem to be less susceptible. Veterinarians who have dispensed thousands of THC-free CBD products find that THC-free CBD works remarkably well without the THC. So, with that in mind, we recommend skipping full-spectrum CBD extracts for now.
Broad-spectrum CBD Oils
Broad-spectrum CBD oil is very similar to full-spectrum in that it contains all the beneficial compounds present in the hemp plant, but unlike full-spectrum CBD, it is THC-free. Broad-spectrum CBD oil for pets is the preferred choice as you get the benefit of the entourage effect without the THC.
CBD Oils from Isolate
Because there is a misconception that other cannabinoids are potentially harmful to pets, many pet owners are advised to use a CBD oil made from isolates. As the name suggests, these products have had all other cannabinoids, terpenes, and plant compounds stripped away. As a result, they contain only a CBD Isolate that is close to 99.9% pure. Although CBD oils from isolates are safe to use, our veterinarians believe that broad-spectrum CBD oils for pets work better than isolates because of the entourage effect.
Hemp Seed Oil
Technically not a CBD oil, hemp seed oil is extracted from the seeds of the hemp plant and contains no cannabinoids. However, it is rich in a variety of vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids. These are highly beneficial for your pet, making it an excellent carrier medium in many CBD products.
ElovaPet
ElovaPet’s premium, proprietary CBD oil for pets line of products is based on THC-free, broad-spectrum and organically grown hemp extracts. Our CBD is rich in the natural medicinal compounds found in the hemp plant, including CBD, CBG, CBN, flavonoids, and terpenes. We pair hemp with other active, natural ingredients to create supplements optimized for your four-legged friends.
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