Unless you have been living under a rock, you've seen it:
CBD is everywhere these days. The industry has become wildly popular since it's
2018 federal legalization. According to an August 2019 survey, 1
in 7 Americans had tried CBD. Those numbers have only risen in 2020.
CBD is growing in its popularity, not only
among humans but with dogs as well. Indeed, the internet is replete
with stories about CBD helping dogs overcome seizure disorders or be less
anxious, and there is some initial evidence to indicate that CBD can be
beneficial for your dog.
That's not to say that there aren't any concerns
with the product. As a good pet owner, you should make sure that you are
only purchasing your pet CBD that is high quality and safe.
So, what can CBD do for you and your pet? And what steps
should you take to make sure the CBD you purchase is safe? Here's an overview.
How CBD Works in Pets
CBD works in humans and animals the same way: By altering
the functionality of the Endocannabinoid System. All living animals have an
Endocannabinoid System, which contains roughly three parts:
- Naturally
produced cannabinoids
- Cannabinoid
receptors that are found throughout the body
- Enzymes
that break down cannabinoids
The cannabinoids that are produced in your body bind with
your cannabinoid receptors. This results in a series of physiological responses
in your or your pet's body, potentially reducing pain, stress, appetite,
fatigue, and more, in addition to a variety of other responses. When a reaction
is completed, enzymes will break down the cannabinoids, and the process will
start anew.
CBD does not bind directly with your cannabinoid receptors.
Instead, it alters the bond between your cannabinoids and receptors, making
that bond stronger and last for a longer period of time. This is responsible
for the impacts that CBD has on your body.
Scientific Research
The scientific research into the field of CBD and its impact
on humans is a rapidly
evolving one, and one that will likely accelerate over the next few years
as CBD becomes more popular. While some studies in humans and rats have found
that CBD may be useful in addressing a variety of medical problems, more research
needs to be done before any definitive claims can be made. Only one CBD-based
drug is available for prescription: Epidiolex, which is
available for the treatment of two rare seizure disorders in children.
Thus far, it appears that only two formal scientific studies
have been made to formally determine the effectiveness of CBD in dogs. The good
news is that those studies have been positive. The first study
examined whether or not CBD could help dogs with osteoarthritis. It found
that the CBD did decrease pain and increase activity in dogs that received CBD
than those in a control group, and it also found no observable side effects,
although it did note that dogs who received CBD showed an increase in alkaline
phosphatase.
The second study was conducted
by Colorado State University. It examined whether or not CBD could help
dogs who suffered from epilepsy. These responses were also encouraging: The
study only examined 16 dogs but found that dogs treated with CBD showed a
reduction in seizures.
To be sure, more research is needed. However, both of these
studies show positive signs for the ability of CBD to bring relief to your pet.
What You Should Look For and Steps You Should Take
Humans and their pets should make sure that they take
certain steps before purchasing and consuming CBD.
1. Make sure that you are only giving your pet THC-free
CBD. THC (short for tetrahydrocannabinol, the intoxicating cannabinoid in
marijuana) is not
safe for pets and should not be given to them in any doses, as it is
possible for a pet to overdose on the substance. As such, make sure that any
CBD products you give your pet are THC-free CBD dog treats. At Eden's Herbals,
all of our CBD dog
products are THC free.
2. Always make sure to check the certificate of analysis of a CBD product that you buy. Unfortunately, far too many less-than-scrupulous
CBD vendors just want to make a quick buck and sell you products that barely
contain any CBD or are otherwise mislabeled. A
2017 University of Pennsylvania study examined 81 CBD products and found
that nearly 70% were mislabeled. Unfortunately, that dishonesty gets even worse
with pet products, as numerous researchers have found that some pet products barely
contain any CBD.
This means that it is on you as a responsible pet owner to
ensure that you are buying high-quality THC-free CBD for your pet. Natural dog
treats should contain CBD, but no THC. As such, make sure to review any dog
treats certificate of analysis (ours is available here)
before making any purchase. This certificate is provided by a third-party
vendor who gets paid to conduct a test that reviews a product's ingredients.
The certificate itself will say what is and isn't in the CBD product. Make sure
to review this information and confirm that it does contain CBD, but does not
contain THC. If a product does not offer a certificate of analysis, do not buy
it.
3. Do not give your pet CBD that is meant for humans,
like CBD gummies. CBD gummies and other products may contain additives that are
dangerous for pets. You should always stick with THC-free CBD products in order
to ensure that the treats you are giving your pets are safe for their
systems.
4. Make sure you talk with your veterinarian before
giving your pet CBD. This are for a few reasons. First, it's common sense: You
should talk with your vet before giving your pet any new supplement. However,
there are some concerns about CBD's
drug interactions in both humans and pets and its potential
impact on your dog's liver. Furthermore, your vet may be aware of
additional research as to the effectiveness of CBD or its potential dangers. As
such, always make sure to speak with your vet before giving your pet CBD.
High-Quality CBD for Your Pet
If you are interested in purchasing the highest quality CBD
for your pets, check out our offerings at Eden's
Herbals. We offer the highest quality of CBD no THC products and THC-free CBD dog treats.
Indeed, our natural dog treats are safe and come with a Certificate of
Analysis, guaranteeing that you will be able to know exactly what you are
giving your pet.
CBD has not been approved by the
FDA to diagnose, treat or cure any illness. All of the articles on
this site are written by 3rd party content providers, expert bloggers or
Doctors not directly affiliated with Eden’s Herbals. Individuals should learn
the risks and side effects prior to taking CBD. Make sure to always check with a medical
professional before starting any new CBD treatment or medication.
