Cannabidiol (CBD) has taken over the pet product market. It is infused in numerous edibles for cats and dogs and is marketed as a natural remedy for many health problems, from stress to chronic pain. This interest in CBD is completely justified, given the convincing body of evidence collected so far on its beneficial effects. However, considering the wide range of CBD drops for pets on the market, it can be difficult to understand which one is right. It may be even more impossible to decipher the long lists of ingredients on the product labels. To ease this selection process, we break it down for you in this post and equip you with the know-how to choose only the top-notch products for your pet.
Why Should Your Pet Try CBD?
Let’s start with the basics to understand why CBD should be in your pet’s diet in the first place. Cannabidiol is one of the two main cannabinoids derived from the cannabis plant, the other one being delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9 THC). Unlike THC, CBD is non-psychoactive and non-toxic, so it does not cause the high and has fewer side effects and contraindications. Its popularity in pet products is explained by its beneficial effects on the animal organism. Although research on its effects continues, convincing evidence supports CBD use in animals experiencing stress, behavioral problems, and specific health conditions.
Fighting Stress
One of the common applications of CBD is to reduce stress. Pets left alone in the apartment or undergoing major life changes, such as moving to a new place, experience significant stress levels that make them restless, affect their appetite, and may cause health problems. Stress in animals can be manifested differently, for example, through the following:
- Panting
- Hiding
- Destructiveness
- Aggression
- Self-trauma.
Some symptoms are mild and disappear quickly, while others may reduce overall health and lifespan. Research shows that CBD can effectively reduce stress and anxiety, thus improving animal well-being and behavior.
CBD can be a lifesaver in many stressful situations. For example, it can help alleviate stress in animals traveling in vehicles. If you need to take your dog or cat to the vet or travel with them long-distance (especially in airplanes), CBD should definitely be at hand to calm your furry friend down.
If your pet gets very stressed before the vet checkup, you can also use CBD to put them safely in the carrier and help them manage stress during the ride and the vet examination. CBD may be particularly useful for pets who don’t allow themselves to get caught and placed in a carrier. This way, giving your pet a dose of CBD will reduce the risk of nasty scratches and save you a lot of time and trouble.
Addressing Behavioral Disorders
Animals that are stressed or have a history of abuse may be aggressive and hard to handle. Behavioral manifestations of stress may vary and include the following:
- Obsessive jumping
- Pacing in circles
- Drooling
- Aggression toward people and other animals
- Self-injury
- Hyperactivity
- Fear of meeting other dogs,
- Fear of loud noises
- Restlessness during the day or at night
Handling your pet when it is in such a state is challenging and dangerous, so CBD may be administered to calm the animal down and make them feel safer. As a result, you get a well-behaved, calm, and happy animal.
Treating Diseases
Last but not least, CBD is known to help with many diseases and conditions found in pets. These include the following:
- Osteoarthritis
- Pruritus
- Epilepsy
- Inflammation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Chronic illnesses in older animals
CBD should not be the sole treatment, but it can serve as a wonderful supplement to your pet’s treatment regime.
What Are CBD Pet Drops?
CBD pet drops are liquid CBD oil usually derived from hemp, a type of cannabis plant that contains extremely low THC concentrations. They contain broad-spectrum CBD, which includes a range of hemp plant compounds such as terpenes but excludes THC. These products also have additional ingredients for better taste and aroma. These may include the listed:
- Medium-chain triglyceride oil from coconut oil
- Pet-friendly flavors (e.g., bacon, chicken, salmon, cheese)
CBD pet drops, such as the one found on this page https://askgrowers.com/cbd/cbd-products-for-pets/pet-cbd-drops, are sold in a glass or plastic bottle with a dropper for easy dosage control. They are usually available in different strengths and flavors to cater to the needs of the most demanding pets.
How to Choose Safe and Effective CBD Pet Drops?
The golden rule for choosing CBD pet drops is to look for a formula made of natural ingredients. Products loaded with additives, solvents, and preservatives may not be good for your pet and may cause allergic reactions and side effects. Opt for CBD drops made from organically grown, non-GMO hemp, which has been lab tested. Organic hemp is preferable because it does not contain pesticides and fungicides that may harm your pet’s health.
If you are a true animal admirer, you are probably concerned about cruelty-free options. We have great news for you – many top products on the market are cruelty-free and vegan! It means they are not animal-tested and contain no animal-derived components.
If you haven’t tried giving CBD drops to your pet yet, we recommend purchasing a small bottle to test the CBD effect. You may also use different flavors to find the one that your pet enjoys the most because it affects their appetite. Cats and dogs can be very picky, so it may take time to determine their flavor preferences.
Safety Measures and Recommendations for Use
Even if you are an ardent CBD drop user, it’s always worthwhile to do a CBD safety refresher course just to make sure you are following the recommendations. The first rule is to consult your vet before giving CBD drops to the animal, especially if your pet suffers from chronic conditions and takes other medications.
Second, you need to remember that the dosage depends on your animal’s weight. Guidelines on calculating the doses are usually given on the product label. For example, if your dog weighs 55 lbs, a dose of 10-12mg of CBD will be optimal to achieve therapeutic effects. Some animals may need several doses a day, while others may benefit from one daily dosage or even less. Everything depends on the overall health, chronic diseases, and problems that you are trying to address. For instance, older animals suffering from pain may need more CBD drops than those having occasional stress.
Third, choose the right administration method. You can put drops directly on the animal’s tongue to achieve an almost immediate effect. Another way to administer CBD oil is to add it to food. This method is better suited for animals that don’t like taking medicine or that are too stressed and aggressive.
Side Effects
The most common tell-tale sign of CBD overuse is an upset stomach. Other symptoms may be more difficult to recognize because they are not immediately visible. These include:
- Drowsiness
- Lowered blood pressure
- Dry mouth
If you notice that your pet is behaving oddly and has decreased appetite and low energy levels after taking CBD drops, you can suspect that cannabidiol is to blame. If your dog or cat is not feeling well, simply reduce the dose or discontinue treatment altogether.
Final Remarks
Pet owners can be very protective of their animals and distrust dietary supplements because of the fear of side effects. However, you don’t have to worry about CBD drops. They are non-toxic, non-psychoactive, and contain only natural ingredients that are 100% safe. If you use them wisely and follow the recommendations, you can significantly improve your pet’s behavior and health.
This post was written by Tia Moskalenko, an AskGrowers writer specializing in uncovering cannabis industry trends. Although Tia is particularly interested in conducting interviews with industry leaders, she also enjoys exploring the market and sharing her top picks with cannabis lovers. Tia is dedicated to making cannabis a mainstream wellness product for both people and animals.
