For a lot of us, our pets are more than just animals. They are dearly loved family members. As such, the health of our pets is important to us. We don’t want to see them suffer, we want our pet to thrive and enjoy life. CBD oil can help you help your pets.
But often there is hesitancy to use CBD oil for a variety of reasons. Let’s look at some common questions and concerns and hopefully give you enough information so you can make the best decision for your pets.
But often there is hesitancy to use CBD oil for a variety of reasons. Let’s look at some common questions and concerns and hopefully give you enough information so you can make the best decision for your pets.
Does CBD work for animals?
Yes, it can work for animals that are ‘mammals,’ including cats and dogs. All mammals have within their central and peripheral nervous systems a system called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system was discovered in the early 1990’s and, while there is much to be understood about it, researchers have learned that it does play a role in regulating a lot of mammals’ bodily functions and processes.
The endocannabinoid system is important in regulating sleep, mood, appetite, memory, inflammation, reproduction and fertility. It has been found to be the system that keeps our body in a healthy balance, also known as homeostasis. The endocannabinoid system requires three things; endocannabinoids, endocannabinoid receptors and enzymes.
Endocannabinoids, which are manufactured in your body, connect to the endocannabinoid receptors to signal to the ECS that something is amiss and it needs to take action. Once the ECS kicks into gear and balances wherever the imbalance is, the enzymes then come in and work to break down the endocannabinoids.
Let’s look at an example of the need for the endocannabinoid system to reset homeostasis.
Say your dog injures their hip. The injury causes inflammation which results in pain, disrupting your dog’s healthy balance (homeostasis). Endocannabinoids rush to connect to ECS receptors, signaling that action is needed to bring your dog’s body back into balance by reducing the inflammation and pain. Once that job is done, enzymes destroy the endocannabinoids to finalize bringing your dog’s health back into balance.
CBD is a phytocannabinoid, a plant cannabinoid, which may stimulateor help the endocannabinoid system much like supplemental vitamins and minerals can help keep us healthy.
(Learn more about the endocannabinoid system and cannabinoids in this article.)
The endocannabinoid system is important in regulating sleep, mood, appetite, memory, inflammation, reproduction and fertility. It has been found to be the system that keeps our body in a healthy balance, also known as homeostasis. The endocannabinoid system requires three things; endocannabinoids, endocannabinoid receptors and enzymes.
Endocannabinoids, which are manufactured in your body, connect to the endocannabinoid receptors to signal to the ECS that something is amiss and it needs to take action. Once the ECS kicks into gear and balances wherever the imbalance is, the enzymes then come in and work to break down the endocannabinoids.
Let’s look at an example of the need for the endocannabinoid system to reset homeostasis.
Say your dog injures their hip. The injury causes inflammation which results in pain, disrupting your dog’s healthy balance (homeostasis). Endocannabinoids rush to connect to ECS receptors, signaling that action is needed to bring your dog’s body back into balance by reducing the inflammation and pain. Once that job is done, enzymes destroy the endocannabinoids to finalize bringing your dog’s health back into balance.
CBD is a phytocannabinoid, a plant cannabinoid, which may stimulateor help the endocannabinoid system much like supplemental vitamins and minerals can help keep us healthy.
(Learn more about the endocannabinoid system and cannabinoids in this article.)
As a pet owner, what should I know about CBD?
First off, CBD is not THC. While both are psychoactive, CBD is unlike THC in that it doesn’t adversely alter your pet’s perception, cognitive function or dexterity.
Though CBD and THC have the same molecular structure, the arrangement of atoms is different and that is why it will not make you or your pet ‘high’ and the effects are experienced very differently.
Though CBD and THC have the same molecular structure, the arrangement of atoms is different and that is why it will not make you or your pet ‘high’ and the effects are experienced very differently.
Can my pet overdose on CBD?
Too much CBD tends to result in drowsiness. But you also don’t want to underdose and not get the desired effect. Because every animal is different, it may take a bit of tweaking to find the right amount of CBD oil for your cat or dog. As with the introduction of any new substance to your pet, it is always recommended to keep a close watch on the effect and seek the advice of your veterinarian if you have concerns.
What conditions can CBD help for my pet?
CBD is being actively studied in both veterinary and human medicine and the research findings are exciting. CBD can be used in conjunction with conventional treatment or as the sole remedy in the management of many conditions. The endocannabinoid systems is known to be closely connected to the functions of the nervous system, inflammation response, and functions of homeostasis. CBD is known to effect the endocannabinoid system in mammals. As a company selling CBD products, the FDA does not allow us to explicitly mention specific medical conditions, though plenty of peer reviewed research articles can be found with by searching. Be sure to talk with your veterinarian in making the decision to use CBD to help your pet.
Why is my veterinarian against using CBD for my pet?
Just like with medical doctors, there are conventional medicine vets, there are vets who embrace natural medicine and there are vets who combine conventional and natural veterinary medicine. But, more than likely, depending on what state you live in, your vet is restricted by law from having any conversations with you about the use of CBD products for your pet.
The American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) surveyed state veterinary licensing boards about whether it is legal for a veterinarian to discuss cannabis with a client. The responses varies greatly from one extreme to the other as reported by the professional journal of veterinary medicine:
Six states said veterinarians could lose their license if they even talk about cannabis, four said veterinarians need to adhere to federal law, seven said state boards can’t even provide legal advice, seven said they have no formal opinion on the matter, two said veterinarians could talk about cannabis but only if the client starts the conversation, 18 responded that veterinarians could discuss cannabis but could not prescribe or dispense it, and four said veterinarians could discuss the topic. (JAVMAhttps://www.avma.org/javma-news/2020-10-01/hype-and-hope-veterinary-cannabis)
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates all prescription medication whether for human or animal use. Current as of 2020, the FDA has approved only one cannabis-derived drug and three synthetic cannabis-related drugs, all for use in human medicine. Veterinarians are prohibited from prescribing anything that does not have FDA-approval. So that’s more than likely the main reason your vet doesn’t prescribe, or may not even be willing to recommend CBD.
However, Some veterinarians are recognizing the potential benefits of using CBD in their treatment plans. Not only is there a Veterinary Cannabis Association, but the first-ever AVMA Cannabis Symposium was held Aug. 20-22 during the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Virtual Convention 2020. Hopefully it won’t be long before CBD will be recognized as a legitimate therapeutic measure that all veterinarians will be free to consider it in the care of your pet.
The American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) surveyed state veterinary licensing boards about whether it is legal for a veterinarian to discuss cannabis with a client. The responses varies greatly from one extreme to the other as reported by the professional journal of veterinary medicine:
Six states said veterinarians could lose their license if they even talk about cannabis, four said veterinarians need to adhere to federal law, seven said state boards can’t even provide legal advice, seven said they have no formal opinion on the matter, two said veterinarians could talk about cannabis but only if the client starts the conversation, 18 responded that veterinarians could discuss cannabis but could not prescribe or dispense it, and four said veterinarians could discuss the topic. (JAVMAhttps://www.avma.org/javma-news/2020-10-01/hype-and-hope-veterinary-cannabis)
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates all prescription medication whether for human or animal use. Current as of 2020, the FDA has approved only one cannabis-derived drug and three synthetic cannabis-related drugs, all for use in human medicine. Veterinarians are prohibited from prescribing anything that does not have FDA-approval. So that’s more than likely the main reason your vet doesn’t prescribe, or may not even be willing to recommend CBD.
However, Some veterinarians are recognizing the potential benefits of using CBD in their treatment plans. Not only is there a Veterinary Cannabis Association, but the first-ever AVMA Cannabis Symposium was held Aug. 20-22 during the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Virtual Convention 2020. Hopefully it won’t be long before CBD will be recognized as a legitimate therapeutic measure that all veterinarians will be free to consider it in the care of your pet.
In conclusion...
Hopefully this article has helped you decide how best to use CBD oil to help your pet stay healthy. If you have any other questions about CBD oil and pet health, please email us at chrysalisearthfarm@gmail.com and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
Interested in trying CBD oil with your pets? Check out our online shop!
Interested in trying CBD oil with your pets? Check out our online shop!
