As more people discover that CBD has the potential to help them find relief from various ailments, more pet owners are beginning to look into giving the cannabinoid to their pets as well!
As it turns out, CBD interacts with our pets’ bodies in the same way it interacts with ours, which explains why more and more veterinary researchers are discovering that CBD might benefit cats and dogs alike.
In fact, additional studies are showing that CBD might be beneficial to pets, which is why veterinarians are starting to suggest it to pet owners.
One way in which CBD might help your furry friend is by improving their five senses.
As you know, pets rely on their senses to do everything from eating to moving around.
So, is it worth it to run out and buy a bottle of CBD for your furry companion?
Let’s explore the unique way in which this cannabinoid affects the bodies of cats and dogs in order to get a clearer idea as to whether or not hemp can help their senses of vision, hearing, smell, touch and taste.
Is it Safe and Legal to Give a Pet CBD?
Before we explain the relationship between CBD and your pet’s senses, we have to make sure that you’re aware of the basics about this cannabinoid.
For one thing, CBD is considered nontoxic to mammals, which means that you can rest easy before giving them a dose.
However, every mammal’s body is different, so we can never say with complete certainty that it’s safe for your specific cat or dog.
That’s why we highly recommend speaking to your vet before putting your pet on a CBD routine.
Keep in mind that CBD comes from hemp, not marijuana, which means that you won’t have to worry about getting your furry friend high.
Hemp-derived CBD contains less than 0.3 percent THC which is the compound in marijuana that induces a high.
This isn’t enough to produce intoxicating effects.
Lastly, as long as the CBD comes from the hemp plant, it’s perfectly legal to purchase and administer to your pet.
So, no, you won’t get arrested for giving your cat or dog CBD.
CBD and Your Pet’s Endocannabinoid System
So, how does CBD potentially benefit your cat or dog, and why can it affect them in the ways that it affects us?
It all has to do with the endocannabinoid system which is found in every mammal.
The endocannabinoid system produces its own cannabinoids, known as (endo)cannabinoids, that work together to maintain homeostasis throughout the body.
It does this by attaching its own cannabinoids to cannabinoid receptors found in the brain, digestive tract, nervous system, immune system and more.
When these receptors receive cannabinoids, their corresponding bodily systems become regulated.
This allows every bodily system to function properly so that the body is in a state of good overall health.
But, if you, or, say your pet is deficient in cannabinoids, the endocannabinoid system can’t do what it’s supposed to do.
That’s why CBD is becoming so popular in the medical world.
CBD is a phytocannabinoid, meaning it’s a cannabinoid that’s derived from a plant.
But, when consumed, it behaves like an endocannabinoid produced by the endocannabinoid system, meaning that it supplies the endocannabinoid system with what it requires to do its job.
The endocannabinoid system is responsible for everything from function of the immune system to mood.
And, yes, it seems that this system also has a lot to do with how well our five senses function.
So, that’s why it seems like CBD has the potential to improve the senses of your pet.
CBD and Your Pet’s Five Senses
Vision
CBD is currently being studied for its potentially positive effects on eyesight.
Glaucoma is a neurological ailment that causes eyesight to diminish gradually over time.
New studies show that CBD might be able to preserve eyesight by strengthening the nerves that control our vision.
Therefore, giving CBD to your pet may help them maintain healthy vision as they age.
But of course, just like all of these potential benefits discussed in this article, further research is really required before any definitive benefits can be provided.
Hearing
It also appears that CBD may be able to help with hearing loss and hearing disorders such as tinnitus.
Your pet relies heavily on their sense of hearing to keep them out of danger and allow them to respond to your call.
Therefore, CBD might be able to improve their sense of hearing while preventing hearing ailments that can cause them to go deaf as they get older.
Taste
Your pet needs to eat in order to survive, and their taste buds inform them on what is and isn’t safe to consume.
So, if their taste is compromised, they’re less likely to eat, which can lead to serious health consequences.
It turns out that there are cannabinoid receptors in our taste buds and salivary glands, which happens to explain why many of us develop dry mouth after consuming cannabis.
However, this bit of information means there may be a strong relationship between CBD consumption and an improved sense of taste.
Additionally, it’s been found that full spectrum CBD stimulates our appetite, increases cravings for food and makes the act of eating more pleasurable.
It’s important to note that you would need to leverage a full spectrum product with trace amounts of THC as that’s the cannabinoid that specifically stimulates appetite.
So, that being said, CBD might be able to help their taste buds perform better while improving their overall appetite.
Touch
There are cannabinoid receptors throughout our nervous and neurological systems that work together to control our sense of touch.
Your pet needs their sense of touch to help them identify objects and feel your affection.
If your pet is suffering from a condition that’s interfering with their sense of touch, their quality of life may diminish.
CBD might be able to help their sense of touch by improving their nervous and neurological systems.
Also being studied at the moment for its potential ability to treat neuropathy.
Smell
A new study shows that CBD consumption can increase one’s sense of smell.
As you know, cats and dogs use their senses of smell much more than we do and rely on them for survival as well as eating.
Overall Cognitive Function
Lastly, CBD has the potential to boost cognitive function in cats, dogs and humans alike because of the way in which cannabinoid receptors in the brain regulate cognitive performance.
In fact, some suggest that CBD may help aid in the treatment of feline and canine dementia.
A low-functioning cognitive system will have slow responses to sensory stimuli.
So, by taking CBD to boost cognitive function, our senses can become stronger.
Best Way to Give Your Pet CBD for Improved Senses
Now that you know its effects, here’s how to properly way to administer it:
Go with a Pet-Specific Product
Always purchase a CBD oil that was specially formulated for pets.
It will have the right concentration for your pet’s size and be free of any potential ingredients that could be harmful to cats and dogs.
Maintain a Consistent Dosing Schedule
Make sure that you maintain a consistent dosing schedule for the best results.
If your pet has a cannabinoid deficiency, they need to take CBD daily in order to allow the cannabinoid to build up in the endocannabinoid system.
Just like with your dosage of CBD, daily consumption is paramount for the best possible effects!
Dose Properly
Remember to be aware of the amount of CBD you’re giving your pet as different sizes of cats and dogs require different amounts.
Quality and Potency are Key
Always go for a high-quality CBD product that’s pure and potent. You might have to splurge a little bit, but the results will be well worth it.
Monitor the Effects
Also, keep an eye on your pet after giving them CBD to make sure that they don’t have any poor effects.
Tell Your Vet
Always tell your vet before giving your pet CBD.
CBD Might Help Your Precious Companion Maintain Healthy Senses
As it turns out, CBD might help improve your pet’s five senses thanks to its effects on the endocannabinoid system.
If you want to give your furry friend this natural compound, tell your vet and seek out a high-quality CBD oil from a trusted company such as Wellicy.com.
