cs@cbdandshrooms.com
Dec
Society has discovered the qualities of marijuana, and people are scampering for a share. Marijuana contains cannabinoids that produce psychoactive effects. These effects are courtesy of its cannabinoids that cause sedation or euphoria.
In particular, CBD is now a part of many people’s wellness routines as a substitute for treatments. Naturally, everything that works for the owner can work on the pet as well. Luckily, marijuana holds many advantages for pets too. In the case of pets, they are mammals and have an endocannabinoid system that responds to the cannabinoids in marijuana.
The Hemp, Not the Marijuana Plant
When it comes to pets, it is hemp that is used, not the marijuana plant. Hemp is a cannabis sativa strain grown primarily for commercial and industrial use. It has uses in making clothing, textile, paper, shoes, insulation, biofuel, and bioplastics.
Hemp is among the most environmentally sustainable crops. It supports and reinvigorates the soil, positively influencing the biodiversity where it’s planted. Hemp also has a natural resistance to pests and does not need pesticides, fungicides, or herbicides. As such, hemp is often a clean plant, with no impurities.
Hemp Oil
Hemp oil comes extracted from hemp plant seeds. When pressed together, the seeds produce oil rich in nutrients. Among these nutrients are essential fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6. Hemp oil also contains gamma-linoleic acid (GLA), used to treat eczema, sclerosis, and psoriasis. GLA also supports many body functions and helps control inflammation. Hemp oil also contains several amino acids. It may also contain CBD in low concentration.
CBD is one of the main cannabis cannabinoids, but it does not produce a head high. The only effects of taking CBD are relaxation, happiness, euphoria, and sleepiness. These effects are suitable for ailing pets. CBD makes the treatment period more comfortable by masking some symptoms like pain. As such, the veterinary field is seeking to take up CBD and use it as part of the therapy offered.
The Safety of CBD to Pets
Most people adore their pets and consider them a part of their family. It worries their owners when the pets are unwell. The welfare and health of the pets are a priority to their owners. However, an owner may not offer the pet any medication unless they are sure it’s safe. CBD hemp oil is safe for dogs. You only need to observe dosage instructions.
Your pet might appear sleepy and groggy an hour after consuming the oil, but there are no serious side effects involved. Although an overdose may hurt your pet, it would not be fatal. Your dog may only be unwell for some time. Luckily, it won’t be in a state as bad as if it consumed raisins or chocolate.
The right dosage for your pet depends on several factors. Fundamentally, the concentration of CBD in the oil determines the effects the hemp oil has on the pet. With a normal dose, CBD causes grogginess and sleepiness. Exceeding the pet’s dose aggravates these effects.
Be careful not to administer CBD hemp oil alongside other medications without the vet’s approval. CBD may interact with other medications the pet may be on. You must consult with the veterinarian first.
Conditions for Which You May Take CBD Hemp Oil
Managing Pain
Pets often suffer acute and chronic pains due to progressive diseases and injuries. The typical way to manage pain is to place the pet on pharmaceutical medication like opioids, steroids, and antihistamines. Yet, most of these drugs have side effects. Opioids even cause drug dependency. CBD hemp oil is a welcome alternative. It relaxes the body and takes the dog’s mind off the pain as the body heals naturally. The oil is better because it is safe and causes no dependency issues. You only need dosage instructions from the vet.
Cancer
Pets get cancer like human beings do. The prevalence rate for cancer is quite high, seeing that one in every three dogs develops a form of cancer in its lifetime. If the dog is more than two years old, cancer may likely take the dog out. These cancers mostly occur in the pet’s skin, testicles, mammary glands, head, neck, and lymph nodes. The brain, bladder, abdomen, and bones are also easily attacked by cancerous cells.
Be on the lookout for possible symptoms of cancer. Occasionally, rub the pet’s skin to feel for any bumps and lumps. If the animal has wounds, they may take longer than usual to heal. Also, your pet may occasionally develop sores. Quick weight loss is also a common sign that not all is well. Depression, coughing, bathroom changes, appetite changes, and swelling may also indicate cancer.
CBD hemp oil may not heal cancer or reduce its spread. It makes the treatment process more comfortable, though. The oil brings the discomforts that come with cancer. It reduces the pet’s sensitivity to pain, inflammation, nausea, and vomiting. If the cancer is beyond treatment, it makes the pet comfortable in its last days.
Anxiety
Pets, especially dogs, get nervous easily. Dogs become anxious when their owners leave them behind. Their behaviour also becomes unpredictable. Anxiety often has an underlying trigger.
Memories of something that happened in the dog’s past often rouse the anxiety. The anxiety source may be behavioural or situational. Behavioural anxiety is a complex that results from reflecting on experiences. For example, if the dog was abandoned, faced cruel treatment, or was separated from its owner, memories or triggers may cause it to become anxious. Situational issues also rouse anxiety. An unfamiliar setting, strangers, noise, or the presence of another dog may cause your dog to be anxious.
Sometimes, genetics also come into play. Some dog breeds are naturally susceptible to getting stress. These include the Vizsla, Border Collie, Labrador Retriever, Greyhound, Havanese, and Toy Breeds. Bichon Frise, King Charles Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, and Shorthair Pointer are also prone to anxiety. They process negative events in a sombre way that gets them afraid. Even when the issue is very small, these breeds appear shaken. They start to make chuff, bark, thump nails, shake and tremble. Others constantly yawn, chap, and pace around.
If your dog is prone to anxiety and stress, administer CBD hemp oil when there is about to be a trigger. For example, administer some oil before leaving the house if the dog becomes anxious when you leave. That way, the dog remains peaceful when left behind. Also, if your dog is likely to become anxious at the sight of other dogs in a park, administer the oil an hour before. The CBD in the oil may help your pet remain calm and relaxed.
Epilepsy and Seizures
Some pets are epileptic. Your pet may be born with it or acquire it later in life. Sadly, there is no cure for epilepsy. This neurological disorder lasts a lifetime. You know your animal is epileptic if it has at least two seizures in 24 hours. The seizures are usually unprovoked. The pet starts to convulse. Most epileptic seizure attacks take on a pattern.
Seizures are a result of the brain firing of neurons abnormally. Most times, seizures manifest as unconsciousness, tremors, and some uncontrollable physical fits. Sometimes, seizures are subtle, and you may only see the pet hyperventilating or having rapid eye movement. Fortunately, an epileptic fit does not last long. Between the beginning and end, it may only be a few seconds or minutes.
Dogs with epilepsy take CBD oil because CBD interacts with their endocannabinoid system. This system regulates many functions in the body, including homeostasis. Homeostasis is the process of maintaining a balanced internal environment in the body. Epilepsy interferes with homeostasis, lagging the needs of the body. Supplementing this need with cannabinoids from the hemp plant helped to restore balance. CBD reaches out to CB1 and CB2 receptors and calms overactive neurons. The interaction between CBD and the receptors restores homeostasis, creating a balanced internal environment. With balance, your dog may have fewer seizures. Always consult your vet before introducing new substances to the animal’s diet.
Chronic Digestive Problems
The stomach sometimes fails to digest food properly. A pet with chronic digestive problems may have diarrhea, vomiting, and loose stool. Abdominal pain, bloating, and depression are also common. Some pets also have excessive mucus and blood in their stool. Without proper feeding, the pet may start to lose weight and appear anorexic. These are signs of an underlying problem like gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome, or colitis. The pet could also be having inflammatory bowel disease or enteritis. For these conditions, a boost in the animal’s appetite and soothing of the pain helps to improve the condition.
CBD causes a body relaxation effect that reduces the dog’s ability to feel pain. The muscles and nerves relax and send fewer signals of pain to the brain. In the meantime, while the dog is lying in no pain, his condition improves. The dog could be on other medication to address the underlying gastric problem. As such, CBD helps to mask the pain as the body heals from the above gastric problems.
In addition, CBD hemp oil “greases” the gut system, making food digestion more efficient. When digestion improves, the pet’s appetite and mood improve too. Since food is a source of energy, after eating, your pet is less slouchy.
Arthritis
CBD works well to soothe the body when the pet is living with arthritis. CBD reduces the brain’s ability to receive pain signals from the joints and rest of the body.
Arthritis attacks the joints and reduces the pets’ movement. The symptoms worsen over time. Your pet starts to slow down and stays aloof as others play. Signs include tiredness, limping, lameness, irritability, muscle wasting, and groans when lying down or standing up. The pet may also be defensive when you touch its sensitive areas.
CBD eases the symptoms of arthritis. It masks the pain in the joints, improving movement and posture. CBD makes the recovery period more comfortable as the pet takes on other medications to bring down inflammation and swelling.
CBD Hemp Oil Forms
CBD hemp oil comes in three forms: capsules, oil tinctures, and infused treats.
1. Oil Tinctures
As oil tincture, it comes in a glass bottle and a fitted dropper that you use to measure the oil for dosage. You may administer the oil directly into the pet’s mouth, preferably under the tongue. Under the tongue offers a quicker route to get to the bloodstream. If your pet refuses, though, drip the oil at the back of the tongue. Give the pet some food immediately after to guarantee swallowing.
You may also add the oil to the pet’s main meal. This method is stress-free. It also helps you remember to administer the oil since you have to feed your pet daily. The animal is also less likely to detect the oil in the food.
You may also squirt the oil on the pet’s favourite treat. Get a soft treat that can absorb and mask the oil. Some plain yogurt, dog muffins, or boiled chicken could work. This method is also stress-free. It is also suitable for administering CBD hemp oil on occasion rather than regularly.
2. Infused treats
Like humans love CBD in edible treats, so do pets. Get CBD-infused gummies, chews, butter bites, bacon biscuits, and others. They are a fun way to consume CBD hemp oil. Be careful not to overdose your pet.
3. Capsules
Capsules are the full package. They contain natural hemp mixed with full-spectrum CBD, flavonoids, and terpenes. Capsules are convenient to administer, and the concentration of each capsule is indicated. You also get dosage advice, which takes out the need for guesswork. Capsules are especially good for older dogs because they have a broad range of problems. The dogs benefit from the many components in the oil inside the capsules.
The Better of the Three
Of the three forms, oil tinctures are most preferred. Capsules have a hard outer layer made from cellulose. The outer layer must break first before the gel inside gets to the body. As such, it may take a while before the effects of CBD oil kick in. Oil squirted under the tongue is absorbed quicker.
The second reason to opt for tinctures is that the infused treats have weaker cannabinoids. The treats have to be cooked, and in the process, the CBD effect weakens. As such, they may not be as effective as tinctures. Thirdly, the CBD concentration in tinctures is more than the concentration in treats and capsules.
In Closing
With knowledge of CBD hemp oil’s effects on pets, you can finally place an order. Be careful to select the oil specially meant for your pet. Buy CBD hemp oil for dogs, cats, and many other furry friends today from CBD&Shrooms. Remember to get something for you too.