Often animals suffer from medical conditions whose treatment only works to cause more problems. Watching your furry friend experience pain every day of their life brings the idea of putting them out to pasture in mind.
It is not the preferred solution to the problem but it is better than letting them suffer through their last days.
CBD has become the go to natural element for managing medical conditions for humans among other uses. It has proved quite potent and useful where conventional medicine has been struggling to arrest situations.
The animal physiological structure has plenty of similarities to the human one. The one that matters in this case though, is the presence of endocannabinoid receptors in animals. These work to modulate pain, anxiety among other inconvenient situations. CBD interacts with the receptors just as it does in humans to provide relief!
Release from Illness Prison
This use of CBD is still novel. There are still some reservations about it with many people only believing in the possibilities upon seeing it. Studies are scanty but ones that have been done indicate CBD being a wonder element for animals in the treatment of chronic pain, arthritis, anxiety, appetite loss and seizures.
Let’s look into the varying ailments and conditions that CBD can be used to treat in order to help improve your pet’s quality of life!
1) Seizures
Some may find seizures hard to diagnose because they are unable to tell whether the animal is only sleeping or actually seizing. If your dog is biting their tongue, foaming at the mouth and drooling, they are probably seizing and a vet should be contacted immediately. These only last a few minutes but seizures are not something you should ignore.
Between 1-5% of dogs suffer from seizures, which can be caused by a variety of underlying conditions including idiopathic epilepsy which affects 3% of dogs and has no underlying cause. Other causes could be genetics, kidney and liver disease, vaccines, head injury and brain cancer. If left untreated, seizures can lead to severe brain damage for your pet.
There are drugs that can be prescribed to combat these seizures. A good percentage of these animals experience resistance to these drugs, meaning they will only continue to suffer.
Most case studies have shown that there is no complete relief, only reduction in symptoms. It is scary to watch your furry friend go through an episode.
A reduction in the number of seizures while not a small fete, it is still not enough. The drugs used for this purpose adversely affect the kidneys and liver. If your pet does not die from the effect of the seizures, he or she will probably die from the side effects of medications.
CBD on the other hand has been found to gradually reduce the number of seizures to nil. In addition to this, it does not have any life threatening side effects.
The interaction with the endocannabinoid receptors prevents neurotoxicity caused by seizures. The activation by CBD of CB1R reduces the severity of the seizure significantly, according to studies.
2) Pain
Animals, especially as age advances, suffer joint pain. They are unable to communicate so the result is a more subdued pet. You may begin to notice that they move less and maybe even lose appetite. There are pain relief drugs for these cases but these end up causing dependency and other adverse effects.
The idea of using cannabis to treat pain in animals has been around since the 1980s. Back then, it was ridiculed and mocked.
However, recent studies have shown that there is good news on the horizon. Colorado State University recently threw their hat in the ring, by conducting their own study on CBD efficacy for treatment of osteoarthritis. It is still underway.
Preliminary information indicates the interaction of CBD with the CB1 receptor is instrumental in treatment of chronic pain in animals such as dogs and cats from arthritis, injury and other forms of pain. This helps reduce sensations of pain. It tells neurotransmitters to fight the pain.
3) Anxiety
Some domestic animals such as cats and dogs may display behavior that makes them unmanageable. They have trouble getting integrated into human families, and as a result they will be surrendered to the kennels in most cases.
This is painful for both parties, the animal will lose their family while the owner will lose a friend. In many cases, the problem is easily solved by a little more investigation.
The first thing to note is whether the issues arise in some specific situation or all the time. This is important to note whether the anxiety is situational or behavioral.
If it is situational anxiety, the dog can get doses of CBD before the trigger events and they will just mellow out. In this case, dosing is done a little differently and the startup dose is pretty large. Once your pet is used to having a calm relationship with human beings, it can be gradually decreased.
Eventually, your dog or cat can be weaned off the CBD completely. If it is behavioral, there will be a need for training in combination with the use of cannabidiol.
4) Nausea and Skin
Your cat or dog may suffer from nausea from the effect of drugs or some other type of sickness. In 2011, an animal study was conducted on the effectiveness of CBD on nausea.
It was found that the interaction of CBD on the endocannabinoid receptors granted anti-nausea capabilities. This goes a long way in increasing appetite in animals.
Skin conditions that cause excessive shedding and thinning of the fur among others can also be easily treated using CBD. Dermatitis and eczema symptoms can be suppressed as measures are taken to prevent recurrence of the condition.
5) Palliative Care
This is end of life care, and it’s done for chronically ill animals. Illness brings with it pain and lethargy. Interaction of CBD with all the different receptors and enzymes that promote joy reduces instances of the blues. CBD is great in ensuring the quality of life is maintained until the end.
6) Cancer
This article would not be complete without mentioning the benefits of treating your pet’s cancer with cannabidiol. There has been much medical advancement where CBD is used for cancer treatment in humans.
Studies have indicated that CBD has the potential to stop the growth of cancer cells. It also helps increase efficacy of conventional cancer treatments in addition to solving some of the side effects of these treatments.
Testimonials from pet parents who have tried this avenue affirm this fact. More studies are necessary but if this can be proven beyond doubt, palliative care due to cancer will be a thing of the past.
Best CBD Products for Animals
The are many specifically designed products for pets that are infused with the healing powers of CBD. Apart from the anxiety case, dosage of CBD in animals should be done according to directions on the packaging.
You may increase the dosage gradually until they achieve a level whereby positive change is seen but there are no negative effects to note.
It is important to ensure that the product is organic, and it’s important to note that the method of extraction will affect bioavailability and purity. One should check to see that there are no pesticides, fungicides, or solvents. For this reason, the cheap brands often compromise on quality and purity. The product should be free of additives.
The product packaging should contain a certificate of laboratory analysis, you should stick to brands and products that test all of their CBD pet products and make them readily available.
Test results will show the elements contained therein and percentages, such as the percentage of CBD or other cannabinoids. One should endeavor to get the lowest CBD percentage possible. It is advisable that you get a pet-friendly CBD tincture, as they are extremely easy to gradually adjust the dosage.
You should choose a product that appeals to not only you but your pet the most, especially since they will be the one consuming the product.
Whatever product is more convenient to administer is best. Most choose to infuse CBD in food, while others may choose different products like pre-made CBD dog treats. The varying types of pet-friendly cannabidiol products are outlined below.
Oil Extract
This is extracted in a number of ways, but the best method is through what’s known as liposomal extraction. CBD is generally hard for the body to absorb, but once it is made into oil form, it makes it even harder.
To solve this problem, liposomes come in and break down so that it is soluble enough for the body to absorb.
This extract is much more potent than other CBD agents. It is used as the basis for most of the other products. The oil can be used orally by placing it directly in your pet’s mouth or you can mix it with their food or water.
Tincture
CBD tinctures come in bottles with calibrated droppers, that are very easy to administer and you can adjust your pet’s dosage as required at a steady pace. You can choose to buy a store bought tincture or you can make your own at home. Which only requires you to mix CBD into vegetable glycerin, oil or alcohol.
It is best to deliver the tincture sublingually, meaning you drop the tincture directly under your pet’s tongue on what’s known as the sublingual glands.
You should try as much as possible to get a few drops of this under their tongue of the animal, but if you can only drop it into their mouth the effects will still be felt. The benefit of placing the drops on the sublingual glands is direct absorption into the blood circulation system and hence a fast acting effect.
However, caution should be taken with this method of consumption. You should ensure that your pet is completely comfortable with being touched like that lest he or she gets aggressive.
Topicals
CBD topicals are transdermally absorbed into the body through your pet’s skin and therefore do not reach the blood. Under this category of cannabidiol products are salves, creams and other topical products with a CBD presence.
Which are best applied to ease body aches and joint pains as they provide an almost instantaneous localized relief.
When used in conjunction with cooling menthol or warming agents, they will work toward providing that soothing sensation needed. Topicals are especially great for racehorses since they are not allowed to ingest drugs.
The topical itself will provide relief directly on the muscles after a long day of physical activity. By morning, your horse will be good and ready to race again.
Capsules
CBD capsules for both humans and animals typically come filled with CBD infused gel or as a powdered substance, that are served up as little chews for your pet.
Capsules infused with cannabidiol are said to be a little more expensive than most of the products mentioned but will work very well. Testimonials have great things to say about this type of CBD product in regards to pet treatment.
Edibles
CBD edibles for pets can be anything from dog biscuits to CBD incorporation into your pet food recipe. There are ready-made pet treats available on the market, which offer up varying amounts of CBD. You should ensure they confirm the exact amount of CBD there is to avoid serving up a large amount as a startup dose.
You can also make your own CBD pet treats at home!
The treats should be kept out of reach of your pet. Otherwise, they will reach up and serve themselves a generous amount of CBD, which could end up affecting them without any life threatening complications.
You should also let everyone know that the treats are not to be handed out like regular treats, and that they should prescribe a specific frequency. This information should be made available to everyone who comes into contact with your pet.
Edibles pose a huge risk of over consumption. This is because the CBD takes a bit more time for the effects to be felt. This delay may cause you to feel the need of administering more.
You should make sure to always follow the instructions and give time for the digestive process to conclude. If due care and precaution is observed, all will be well and your furry friend will be all good!
Final Thoughts
Have you used CBD products to treat your pet’s pain, ailments, or disease? Let us know in the comments section below which specific products you used, the results your pet experienced, and what you were treating your pet for!
