There are many benefits of giving your pets CBD. I want to say that I am not a scientist nor a veterinarian, but I have done substantial research, and have personal testimony of giving our dog, Hudson, CBD and seeing positive results. Here is a bit of information of what CBD is, and how it can help your pet in many ways.
Let me start with why I started all this CBD research in the first place. Hudson is a Bernese Mountain Dog, and he’s almost 11 years old, which is really old for a large working dog. Just over a year ago, he started having a difficult time going up and down the stairs. He would yelp in pain and started avoiding the stairs all together. His joints were rickety and arthritis was setting in and we were desperate to ease his pain and make him more comfortable. We had heard that CBD was beneficial to both humans and animals, and that’s where all of my reading and research began. I wanted to really know what we were giving Hudson and that is why I decided to share my research with you, my readers, and tell you the benefits of giving your pet(s) CBD. I will get a little technical and use some big words that I don’t normally use, but trust me, this post is wicked interesting.
We happen to have a CBD farm a mile down the road from us, Hemp Productions, with acres upon acres of hemp plants. This is where I took most of my photos: from behind a fence, zoomed in, recorded on their high security video cameras lining the fence.
What is CBD?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound found in cannabis and is derived from the hemp plant. CBD will not get your pet “high.” Unlike THC, the main psychoactive compound in marijuana, CBD is completely non psychoactive and safe to be used in pets. CBD also has no known toxicity level and is incapable of causing an overdose. I had to make that clear, out of the gate.
Every living being with a spinal column has an Endocannabinoid (ECS) System; cannabinoid receptors. We have them throughout our body including skin, immune cells, fat tissue, bone, liver, pancreas, skeletal muscle, kidneys, heart, blood vessels and gastrointestinal tract. Same as true for our pets. ECS creates homeostasis within the body as it is involved in a wide range of processes including pain, memory, mood, appetite, stress, metabolism, sleep, immune and reproductive functions. CBD has a chemical structure similar to our body’s own ECS, which allows them to interact with our cannabinoid receptors. The two work together, producing major health benefits for both us humans, and our pets. Many conditions like anxiety, arthritis, pain and convulsions manifest much in the same way in pets as they do in humans. Now you see where I’m going here. We’re getting to the really good stuff.
The 7 Most Common CBD Benefits For Pets.
Powerful Painkiller
CBD is considered as an alternative to traditional medications, and can manage pain in many different ways. Today, CBD has become renowned for its painkilling properties. Studies have shown that CBD can temporarily stop the absorption of anandamide, a chemical that helps dampen pain signals in the brain. CBD effect is often compared to that of acupuncture. Secondly, CBD has been shown to be a powerful anti inflammatory. By reducing the inflammation caused by conditions such as arthritis, CBD is also able to reduce the painful symptoms caused by the condition, leading me to the second benefit:
Anti-Inflammatory
CBD’s anti-inflammatory effects are believed to be linked to its ability to interact with receptors in immune cells. One of these responses is to fight inflammation. Conditions like arthritis, MS, irritable bowel disease and many others are characterized by chronic inflammation. By helping lower inflammation, CBD can help reduce pain and other symptoms of conditions like arthritis, IBD and more.
Hudson’s personal testimony: after two days of giving him hemp chews (this kind is what we give Hudson and a product I recommend) his pain was under control. His yelps stopped and he was able to go up and down the stairs with much more ease.
Anticonvulsant
One of the best-known medicinal uses for CBD is its ability to help control seizures, tremors, tics and spasms. This is because CBD is a natural anticonvulsant. My Cliff Notes version of this is that as seizures are generally believed to be caused by the rapid, uncontrolled firing of neurons in the brain, CBD can help restore order to these neurons, causing them to fire normally can essentially prevent the onset of seizures. Again, this is my research and I am not a doctor. If your pet suffers from seizures to tremors, consult a vet first.
Hudson’s personal testimony: When lying down and sleeping, Hudson’s legs have a constant tremor. These tremors are not as if he’s dreaming of chasing a squirrel, where his legs are more like “running.” Having been on CBD for over a year, he still has slight leg tremors, but not as bad as before.
Reduces Anxiety and Stress
Many studies have shown that CBD can help manage the systems of a variety of mental conditions including anxiety. Much like us humans, pets can also suffer from anxiety, stress, or even specific phobias. CBD has been shown to help in this area.
Hudson’s personal testimony: Hudson has always been chill. He’s like, “whatevs.” He bumbles along and is a happy, chill dog. The only time Hudson seems anxious is when something like a fly or a moth is flying around his head, and who likes that anyway. I know I’m always swatting at something that flies near my face, ear, or just near me in general.
CBD is an Antiemetic
There is strong evidence that shows CBD is a successful antiemetic, controlling both nausea and vomiting while also stimulating appetite. It does so by stimulating the same receptor which can help reduce anxiety. By activating this receptor, CBD can significantly reduce feeling of nausea and also suppress the vomiting reflex.
Hudson’s personal testimony: As with age and pain suffering, appetite decreases. Hudson’s appetite definitely was low before he started his chews. Now, he eats the same amount as he did as a puppy and younger dog.
Anticancer Effects
CBD can’t be considered the only treatment for cancer, but it is a great tool to ease and manage different types of pain while undergoing treatment regiments. There is so much to read about this CBD benefit, and too much to include in this post. However, it is a significant benefit and one that should be researched more in depth if your pet has cancer. You can read more about the CBD benefit of anticancer effects here.
Promotes Homeostasis
Homeostasis can best be described as the proper functioning of the body. Sometimes this gets out of whack. All of the research I have done states the same thing: Our ECS plays a key role in maintaining balance, mainly because it is involved in such a wide variety of bodily processes. CBD can help promote homeostasis in the body.
These are just a few of the benefits of CBD. The research on CBD effect on our pets is still in its infancy, yet the existing clinical trials and anecdotal evidence from pet owners like us (and our personal about Hudson), suggest that CBD has the potential to compliment treatent even of the most sever health conditions. I found it valid to share Hudson’s testimony and my research on CBD, as my this fits under my lifestyle blog umbrella.
There are many, many articles out there about the benefits of giving CBD to pets. This is my abbreviated version. I hope this helps, and answers some of your questions about CBD and giving it to your pet(s).
This post contains an affiliate link. I do receive a small commission at no cost to you, if you purchase this product.
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