The use of CBD oil still gives rise to conflicting opinions in the world. But the fact is that the growing number of pet owners has trust in this natural supplement. Whether as treatment or prevention of disease, CBD has found its way to their furry buddies.
If you look logically, you will realize that there is a difference between CBD products for human and animal use. You don’t have to be Einstein to understand that the dosage is different, because pets are (generally) smaller than us.
Given that the dosage is usually determined by the animal’s weight, it is also based on other factors, it is clear that the amount of cannabidiol working for us may have a different effect on animals. Manufacturers came up with a variety of CBD products for pets only (as seen here).
Know the Right Dose
Hemp-based products are relatively new to the market. Considering that they have been used in most cases as an additional method in human treatment, people are still aware of all benefits of this substance for their loving pets.
Cats and dogs have more or less similar body builds to yours – they have the same organ systems that perform the same vital functions as in humans. So, whatever works for you is likely to be useful to animals as well. The fact your pets also have an endocannabinoid receptor system suggests that CBD is safe for application.
However, the answer to the question to what extent CBD is beneficial for cats and dogs is not simple. Determining the precise dose of cannabidiol to give to your furry buddy requires some math, and use of dosage charts. There is no well-defined amount because each manufacturer of these products has a different method of calculation.
Of course, these are not guessing. Experienced vets and other medical experts probably took parts in these calculations. But neither of these can be universally applied. It is best to look at a particular manufacturer’s dosage chart and then buy one of their products.
Low, Medium, or High Tier
Even when you use a dosage chart, you still have to know whether your pet needs a low, medium, or high dose of cannabidiol. You can’t judge that just by the weight of the animal. A veterinarian will best evaluate the amount of cannabidiol to be given to a dog or cat.
For example, as prevention of separation anxiety or hyperactivity, your furry buddy may receive the lowest tier of CBD. However, if your pet is suffering from some inflammation that causes chronic pain, the vet will prescribe taking a high dosage of cannabidiol, even several times a day.
Factors Determining Which CBD Product to Buy
Cannabidiol dosage is generally presented in milligrams per pound of weight. And different products have a different concentration of cannabinoids in them (it varies in full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and CBD isolate products).
The prescribed amount of cannabidiol has the most significant influence on which CBD product to choose for your pet. However, you must also consider how the animal will react to the taste of cannabidiol, especially if you give it to your pet for the first time.
On CBD drops, the number of drips will be a single dose. And it’s easy to determine the number of drops by using a dropper. But in edibles or any other kind of CBD snack, you have to calculate the amount yourself based on the amount of cannabidiol considered as a serving size.
If your cat or dog needs low doses of cannabidiol, that is, if you want to use hemp-based products as prevention or dietary supplement, Holistapet suggests pet treats and soft chews. You can learn more about the best CBD dog treats. In a piece, they contain a low dose of cannabidiol. Even though you give your pet a few, there’s no harm. These edibles are a great thing when your pet needs to get their dose of cannabidiol while walking.
Be Careful with Higher Tier of CBD
Some CBD manufacturers offer pills with a higher dose of cannabidiol in them, so you must be careful and strictly follow the prescribed dosage. When considering which hemp-based product to take for your pet, keep in mind that it may be difficult for small animals to swallow capsules.
CBD drops, tinctures injected into food, and water-soluble products also contain higher concentrations of cannabidiol, and these are more convenient for smaller animals. You will give these products to your pet if they suffer chronic medical conditions, cancer, arthritis, and inflammation of the internal organs. Also, CBD drops and tinctures can mitigate some severe symptoms, such as pain, seizures, panic attacks, and all adverse effects that are results of chemotherapy.
Prevention of Overdosing
If, for some reason, you cannot contact a veterinarian and do not know how to apply CBD to your pet, always start with the lowest possible dose. If you use dosage charts as guidelines, the amount you find in them (to match the weight of your dog) is for a single dose. If it is different, it will always be indicated.
It is not recommended to give your pet a hefty dose of CBD at once. You will probably only waste money on buying additional quantities. Cannabidiol should take several minutes to several hours to act, depending on the way of administration. An overdose may interfere with the function of the receptors responsible for the synthesis of this cannabinoid. That won’t harm your pet, but it’s useless.
Make sure you keep the recommended entries from the table and the number of daily doses. Although there is no risk of overdose with this cannabinoid, your dog or cat may have some bothersome side effects such as diarrhea, vomiting, or appetite disorders.
Not all vets have officially approved CBD oil, but most of them will be happy to recommend this natural supplement. In sick pets, it is important to point out that it is not a cure, but that it gives the best results in addition to conventional therapy. Moderate dosing in healthy animals contributes to maintaining good health and vitality.