Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, has been taking the world by storm in the past few years. With the lifting of provisions for cultivating hemp and cannabis, many products infused with cannabidiol have been circling the market, letting the industry obtain its billion-dollar status last 2019.
While most products are made for human consumption, there are also products dedicated to animal use. To gain more pet information regarding CBD’s effects, continuous research is being conducted to test its safety and effectiveness. However, you might wonder that even with its huge market and customer base, a lot of people still think CBD is unsafe. So, what is CBD exactly?
CBD: An Overview
CBD comes from the cannabis or marijuana plant, and is one of over a hundred cannabinoids that compose this plant. As you may know, cannabis is infamous for its recreational usage and substance abuse. This is why many people still doubt CBD, though they might be unaware that CBD is different from cannabis.
Although CBD comes from the marijuana plant, it is non-psychoactive compared to the marijuana plant itself. This is because CBD contains little to no traces of tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, which is the chemical compound that produces the psychoactive effect or induces the feeling of being “high”.
The majority of CBD extracts come from industrial hemp. The hemp plant, a cousin of the marijuana plant, has less THC content. The hemp plant only has 0.3 percent of THC or less, while the marijuana plant may have THC content up to 30 percent. This minimal percentage of THC in hemp plants will not produce any psychoactive effects, thereby guaranteeing the safe usage of CBD products.
CBD For Dogs And Cats
CBD has come a long way in treating and giving relief to those who have anxiety, depression, epilepsy, seizures, inflammation like arthritis, and even cancer. And now, it’s slowly making its way in the healthcare and well-being of pets. Although the use of CBD oil for pets like dogs and cats needs further research and tests, its initial results and effects showcase promising results. Here are the conditions and health problems pets may face, in which CBD oil can help:
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Helps With Anxiety And Depression
It’s common for humans to have anxiety and depression, and your pets are also prone to it. Dogs and cats suffering from these conditions tend to show no interest in almost everything around them. Isolation from other animals and even from you may also be linked to depression and anxiety in animals. CBD oil may help your pets overcome this condition since it triggers the endocannabinoid system, which can release happy hormones. These happy hormones, scientifically known as endorphins, will make your pet more active.
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Mitigates Behavioral Problems
If your pet exhibits unusual aggression towards anyone, including you, or tends to damage any of your things inside the house like furniture or shoes, they may be suffering from behavioral disorders. Aggressive and destructive behavior are the most common behavioral problems pet owners face. Understanding your pet is the best way to solve this dilemma, but CBD oil may help make it easier for you. Since CBD works in the endocannabinoid system, it can help your pet relax and be calm. Continuous use of CBD oil will help them overcome these behavioral disorders.
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Alleviates Inflammation
Inflammation can cause severe pains that affect the health and well-being of animals. Osteoarthritis, bowel diseases, and pancreatitis are the most common inflammatory diseases your pet may have. While painkillers for humans have a wide variety and are generally well-developed, pain medication for animals like dogs and cats are minimal. Therefore, many pet owners have switched to the use of CBD oil for pain management in animals. CBD shows promising results on lessening the pain and improving the overall health of their pets in just two weeks up to a month.
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Treats Seizure Attacks
CBD has also been used as a remedy for epilepsy and seizures on humans, and has showed the same promising results in animals. Pet owners who have administered CBD oil on their pets have noticed a great reduction in the number of seizures their pets suffer from. Results tend to be visible for about a month or two as long as your pet uses CBD oil regularly.
Takeaways
With its rapid rise in popularity, CBD now has a diverse market. The development of CBD oil for animal use may have had doubts but, so far, its current effectiveness and potential benefits to pets will eventually get rid of the notion that it’s unsafe for your furry friends. To practice safety when using CBD on your pets, always seek your trusted vet’s advice to avoid side effects and other conditions that may affect the health of your cats and dogs.
