CBD for Pets

By now, you have probably heard of CBD—the non-intoxicating cannabinoid that’s been shown to have incredible therapeutic potential. In the last decade CBD (an abbreviation of cannabidiol) has taken international markets by storm, showing up as the active ingredient in a whole slew of industry-spanning products. From cosmetics and skincare, to wellness supplements, the restorative properties of CBD are reaching more people than ever before.

Not just people either—your furriest family members also stand to benefit from CBD.

CBD and Pet Anxiety

While Fourth of July or New Year’s celebrations can provide a wonderful backdrop for friends and family to get together, the thunderous noise of firework displays often take a toll on our pets. This is the case with Jeffery Powers’ ten year old Saint Benard Ella.

“The minute fireworks go off, she’s [Ella] running to hide,” says Powers. 

For pet owners who live in cities, or other densely populated regions, pet anxiety can seem like an unavoidable fact of life. But Powers, a practicing veterinarian who also serves as the vice chairman of the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents, has recently discovered that CBD helps to ease Ella’s noise anxiety. 

Powers isn’t alone—pet lovers across the country are discovering that CBD therapies can provide similar relief to their dogs and cats as benzodiazepines, but without the risk of dependency, or the unwanted side effects associated with traditional pharmaceuticals. 

CBD and Pet Pain

Getting older is tough on our bodies. For our dogs and cats, who age much quicker than us, the functional decline associated with aging can seem dramatic. You might not be able to teach an old dog new tricks, but you can try new treatments.

Studies suggest that CBD has potent analgesic properties that can be extremely effective at managing pain in dogs with osteoarthritis. Typical anti-inflammatory medicines, while effective, often don’t provide enough pain relief to allow our dogs to continue chasing frisbees, slobbering on tennis balls, and doing all the things that makes a dog a dog. What’s worse is that potential side-effects make these medications inaccessible to geriatic canines with certain comorbidities like kidney or gastrointestinal issues.

Therein lies the beauty of CBD—comparable or better relief to traditional treatments, but without the debilitating side-effects. 

Administering CBD for Pets

Getting pets to take their medicine can often be a chore. Pills get left behind in otherwise empty food bowls, stubborn dogs refuse to swallow, and even shredded cheese disguises don’t fool the most stubborn of pets.

When it comes to CBD, however, no cheese tricks are necessary. CBD oil can be easily administered via a dropper onto the tongue of your dog or cat. No pilling necessary. Even better, CBD infused pet treats make the process completely foolproof, and your dog will love the taste!