You can’t help but see the surge in popularity of CBC oil for humans, and now it’s for pets as well. It can be rather confusing hearing these new terms – hemp, CBD, THC – so we’ll try to clear things up for you.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is extracted from the flowers and buds of cannabis plants, but CBD doesn’t produce the “high” associated with marijuana because it doesn’t contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
To address the issue of legality, hemp and marijuana both come from the cannabis plant but contain different levels of THC. Marijuana can contain as much as 30% THC, while the hemp plant has a maximum of only 0.3% THC. So, while marijuana-derived CBD oil is still illegal in most states, hemp-derived CBD oil is legal in all 50 U.S. states.
CBD Oil vs Hemp Oil
CBD is an active cannabinoid compound derived from the leaves, flowers and stems of mature cannabis plants. It is this compound that provides the medical and therapeutic benefits you get from CBD oil.
Hemp oil is made from the cannabis seeds, which contain little to no CBD. While it doesn’t have the therapeutic characteristics of CBD oil, some pet owners use it as a nutritional supplement because it is rich with vitamins and minerals.
Is CBD Safe for Dogs?
Veterinary scientific research into CBD is in its infancy, but many vets have started recommending CBD oil for their pet patients. One study at Colorado State University showed that healthy dogs tolerated CBD well, with some subjects showing mild diarrhea or slightly elevated liver enzymes. Long-term effects are still to be determined, but they found no immediate threat of liver toxicity.
Human studies show that cannabinoids have anti-inflammatory effects and can help with anxiety, aggression, pain, seizures, muscle spasms and neurological disorders.
Pet parents are sharing their stories on social media and online forums about the benefits they are seeing from their dogs using CBD. Equally important is that there doesn’t seem to be any reports of major side effects from pet parents or from veterinarians using CBD oil or treats.
The Benefits of CBD
Humans and pets have an endocannabinoid system that lets them benefit from CBD oil. This system allows the active ingredients in hemp to relieve many symptoms. CBD drops or treats can ease many occasional or chronic symptoms such as:
- Anxiety and stress
- Moderate to severe pain
- Chronic inflammation
- Arthritis and joint pain
- Epileptic seizures
- Digestive issues
- Nausea
- Symptoms from cancer
Finding Quality CBD Products
CBD oil for pets is not yet regulated, but there are things to look for when shopping the most effective and safe products.
- How is it grown? High-quality CBD oils are made from organically grown hemp that are free of toxins and pesticides.
- How is it processed? Safe methods include carbon dioxide and cold press extraction using no toxic solvents to extract THC from the plant.
- Independent testing. Look for companies that can provide a certificate of analysis (COA) from testing their products for microbials, pesticides, mycotoxins, solvents, heavy metals and more.
- Check the THC potency. Some products contain higher levels of THC which could be harmful to your dog. Look for products that contain a maximum of 0.3% THC. All products that are hemp derived should fall below this level.
This blog is brought to you by Under the Weather®, provider of line of hemp-based soft chew treats for dogs. Our line includes five functional treats using a full-spectrum hemp blend with CBD oil organically grown without pesticides and processed using no solvents. One treat is for overall health and well-being and the other four target specific health issues: Joint, Neuro, Immunity and Calming.
Under the Weather is also an avid participant in the pet overpopulation cause. A portion of every sale is channeled to the Ruffy Rescue Transport Fund which finances the transportation of pets from overpopulated shelters around the U.S.A. to Vermont for adoption. The fund also covers the cost of spaying and neutering these animals. To date, we have helped save the lives of over 2,000 dogs. Get to know more about Ruffy and the inspiration for our company.
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