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 isreplete with storiesabout 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 arapidly 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 examinedwhether 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 wasconducted 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) isnot safe for petsand 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 ourCBD dog productsare 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 studyexamined 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 productsbarely 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 isavailable 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 aboutCBD's drug interactionsin both humans and pets and itspotential 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 atEden's Herbals. We offer the highest quality of CBD no THC products andTHC-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.
