How To Choose A CBD Product For Your Pet Leave a comment
How To Choose A CBD Product For Your Pet. Once you learn what separates the best CBD for pets from the rest, you’ll be ready to add to cart online or IRL without worry. This guide will help you do just that!
On your mission to help your furry friend live a long and healthy life, you’ve probably become an expert in sourcing the best food, treats, and toys. And now that CBD is common in pet stores and online, you may be realizing you have some homework to do on these new products.
What Are The Benefits Of CBD For Pets?
First of all, you might be wondering whether CBD is right for your pet. So let’s start with what CBD is and why you might consider it.
CBD is short for cannabidiol, a naturally-occurring cannabis compound. Unlike another well-known cannabinoid called THC, CBD is not intoxicating.
And CBD isn’t toxic to pets, while THC can be lethal to dogs and cats.
Research conducted on humans and dogs suggests that CBD may help your pet:
- Move easier if they’re dealing with stiffness and pain from arthritis
- Stress less when you’re away.
- Maintain energy and activity as they age
- Sleep better
- Have fewer seizures
So, if you’re looking for a natural way to reduce your pet’s separation anxiety, improve its comfort, and support its wellbeing, you might want to fetch some CBD.
For deeper digs into how CBD may help your pet, readGiving Your Cat CBD: A Guide for Humans orCBD For Dogs: A Guide For Humans after this.
Things To Consider When Shopping For CBD For Your Pet
Before you invest in a CBD product for your pet, you can chew down your selection by answering some basic questions. Getting clear on these answers will help you save time and money in the long run.
Your pet will appreciate getting right down to the best options, too!
What Pet CBD Products Are Legal?
In 2018, the US Federal Government legalized CBD made from industrial hemp. That doesn’t automatically mean all CBD products are legal, though.
CBD dog treats, cat treats, and animal food isn’t legal under FDA guidelines.(3)
You might spot CBD-infused pet food at local or online pet stores. But there are no universal guidelines for the production of CBD treats for dogs and cats. That means ingredients and quality can vary from product to product.
So, what is legal (and regulated)?
Simple: Hemp-derived CBD products that aren’t in the form of pet food. That means CBD oil for pets is in the clear! These products are held to the same standards as CBD for humans.
How Will You Give Your Dog Or Cat CBD?
With CBD pet treats and food off the table, the best option is likely CBD oil drops, aka CBD tinctures.
With CBD drops, you can measure out the amount your pet needs based on weight and add it to its food or water. Water-soluble CBD oil is ideal because it fully dissolves.
You can also use the drops to make CBD treats for your pet at home.
Is Your Pet Taking Medication?
Mixing CBD with certain medications can cause adverse effects. And CBD’s not recommended for pets with some health conditions.
Talk to your veterinarian to learn about any potential risks before giving your pet CBD if it’s been diagnosed with any conditions or if it’s taking medication.
Does Your Pet Have Allergies Or Sensitivities?
If your pet is sensitive or allergic to any ingredients, be sure to check out the label on any CBD products you’re using.
Pet CBD products shouldn’t contain THC or any other ingredients that could be harmful to pets — such as xylitol or chocolate. But while you’re scoping out the label anyway, it doesn’t hurt to double-check.
Does This CBD Pass The Quality Check?
Like everything else you give your pet, what’s inside CBD products and how they’re made matters. We recommend sourcing pet CBD that’s:
- Made from hemp that was organically grown in the USA. Standards for hemp cultivation in the US are high, and organic cultivation restricts the use of toxic chemicals.
- Highly bioavailable, meaning it has a high absorption rate. Nano CBD is the most bioavailable CBD out there.
- Free from fillers or additives. The fewer ingredients, the better.
- Backed up by a certificate of analysis (COA) provided by a third-party lab. The COA shows exactly how much of each cannabinoid is inside.
