Choosing the Best CBD for Pets
As a pet parent, what would you do to help your pet live a better, fuller life? If you’re like most pet owners, the answer is “a lot.” This is especially true for our furry friends who are suffering from joint pain, skin (including nose and toes) issues, nervousness, or other issues. Yet just as for humans, medications designed to treat these conditions can have serious risks and side effects. Fortunately, there are more and more options to help improve our pets’ lives naturally. One such growing option is the best CBD for pets.
Like humans (and other mammals), dogs and cats have several systems in the body. An important system that’s only recently been discovered (in 1988) and examined is called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). We’re only now learning how vital this system is for homeostatic balance for the nervous and immune systems. And it’s opening a new door to help pets with pain, neurological disorders, stress and anxiety, inflammation, and more.
First, though, what is CBD, and how can it help?
CBD for Pets: What Is It?
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a component of the cannabis plant. While this plant contains more than 80 cannabinoids, CBD appears to be one of the most beneficial. In addition, it has very different effects than the other well-known cannabinoid, THC. For one, unlike THC, CBD has no psychoactive effects.
CBD is found in much higher amounts in specifically grown industrial hemp, which is different from marijuana (often grown for its higher THC concentration). Industrial hemp has less than 1.3% THC, so it’s cultivated widely in the U.S. Yet it’s also only recently hit the market since it wasn’t made legal until the 2018 Farm Bill.
Now, however, CBD for pets is legal and widely available in most states. What’s more, it won’t make your beloved pet feel “funny,” stoned, or high.
There are, however, different types of hemp, which can have different characteristics due to their varying ratios of important compounds. For instance, hemp can include over 200 different terpenes and over 100 other compounds that may affect the strain, making one strain more or less effective, depending on the desired effects.
In other words, not all CBD is the same. And the research on one specific type doesn’t necessarily mean that all hemp or CBD products will produce the same results or have the same level of safety. That’s why it’s important to look at the specific studies for the brand you are considering. And unfortunately, many brands have never had their products tested and thus rely on the research from other companies (like ABSC Organics) or forms of hemp that have different ratios of beneficial compounds.
Benefits of the Best CBD for Pets
The research on CBD for pets is only now beginning, but studies suggest that CBD (cannabidiol) may help pets who are experiencing:
- Pain, such as in the joints from osteoarthritis or due to age
- Stress and anxiety, as experienced when pets are left alone, when traveling, due to changes in environment (such as a new home or family member), or because of noises or weather
- Seizures due to illnesses like epilepsy
- Neurological issues
- Inflammation
- Recovery from illness or injury
Best CBD for Pets
The best CBD for pets is one that avoids using ingredients that can cause issues, such as artificial sweeteners and flavors. It will also be specifically made for your pet—whether that’s a dog, cat, or another animal. It’s also important to ensure pets are provided with the correct amounts (or dosage) for their size and condition.
You’ll also want to find a CBD oil that your pet will actually enjoy. Some of the most popular pet flavors include salmon, chicken, and bacon. Avoid, for example, giving your pet CBD products that have been designed for humans rather than pets as the dosage or concentration may differ.
How to Choose the Best CBD for Pets
To determine the best CBD for pets, you can look at several criteria, such as:
- Expert opinions from influencers or professional publications
- Third-party testing (i.e., a certificate of analysis)
- Real customer reviews
- Company transparency (including who’s behind the company)
- Discussing CBD options with a veterinarian who’s familiar with CBD and its uses
- Testing the product with your dog or cat to see how they respond as all animals are unique
Perhaps the biggest way to choose the best CBD for pets is to look for one that’s been tested in multiple clinical studies, so you know it’s safe and effective for your type of pet. ABSC Organics Pure CBD Oil™ is one of very few oils that’s been clinically tested at one of (if not the) leading veterinary research institutions: Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. So, you can be confident that you’re getting the gold standard, best CBD for pets.
The Best CBD for Pets: The Bottom Line
Although CBD products for pets are fairly new, many people are curious about trying this natural, non-invasive therapy for pets to help ease anxiety, pain, and other chronic issues. Very few clinical trials have been performed with CBD and pets; however, those done with ABSC Organics CBD oils have shown impressive results, including:
- Safety and tolerance in dogs
- An 89% reduction in seizure frequency
- Improvements in pets suffering from osteoarthritis (the full results are pending for publication).
Ready to see how the best CBD for pets—ABSC Organics—can help your pet live a more vibrant, healthy life? Get started here.
References:
Silver RJ. The endocannabinoid system of animals. Animals. 2019 Sep 16;9(9):686. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6770351
Kogan L, Schoenfeld-Tacher R, Hellyer P, Rishniw M. U.S. veterinarians’ knowledge, experience, and perception regarding the use of cannabidiol for canine medical conditions. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 2019:338. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2018.00338/
