Can CBD Oil Help My Pet?

Cannabis, or CBD Oil, is an alternative treatment for a number of conditions in pets as well as people.  According to a recent Colorado State University survey of pet owners, “93% of all respondents favored the use of medical cannabis over some medications” (published in the 2016 Journal of the American Holistic Association).

CBD oil is an effective option to prescription medications with none of the common side effects such as kidney, liver, and gastrointestinal impact.  It works by interacting with receptors in the body that control conditions such as pain, nausea, inflammation, and anxiety.

NOTE: The CBD found in veterinary approved products is derived from industrial hemp and contains little or no THC (the compound responsible for the psychoactive effects – or “high” – of marijuana)

Can CBD oil help my pet? Conditions that potentially benefit from the use of CBD oil:

– Osteoarthritis pain relief

– Age-related changes in behavior including sleep/wake cycle disturbances, excessive vocalization and neediness, and some repetitive behaviors

– Seizures

– Inflammation

– Anxiety and noise phobias (thunderstorms, fireworks)

– Nausea/inappetence

– Muscle spasms

– Anti-cancer activity

– Skin & Gastrointestinal conditions that are inflammatory in nature

– End of life considerations

Why spend more for a product that is approved/recommended by your Veterinarian?

With the recent surge in popularity, CBD oil has become readily available, however, there is a huge difference in quality and concentration of products with little or no regulation. In order to ensure you are giving you pet a high quality product at an appropriate dose for their condition, it is critical to consult your veterinarian for a suitable product recommendation.

What is CBD?

CBD stands for Cannabinoid. The definition of Cannabinoid is: “any chemical compound that interacts with receptors throughout the body and can be divided into three main categories” which are:

ENDOCANNABINOID

– Produced in cellular membranes throughout the body on an as-needed basis (known as the endocannabinoid system)

PHYTOCANNABINOID

– Found in plants (e.g. marijuana, hemp, Echinacea) and that interacts with receptors in the endocannabinoid system

SYNTHETIC CANNABINOID

– Compound made by pharmaceutical companies or illicit labs that interact with receptors in the endocannabinoid system