CBD For Pets
CBD you can believe in for your whole family, fur babies too!
Treating pets with prescriptions for everything from separation anxiety to common ailments and behavior issues has become accepted practice for many. Barks excessively? A pill. Chews everything? A pill. Gut issues? A pill. You get the picture. But are prescription medications always the best option? While opinions may vary depending on who you ask, common sense (and pet mama intuition) tells me that when it comes to balanced health and wellness our pets deserve the same things we do- treatment options that do no harm. Whenever I can treat my own health concerns in a harmless, side-effect free, natural and holistic way that’s what I do. The same mindset guides how I make decisions for my pets. Also, the challenges are the same when it comes to people and pets- finding safe, effective products from trusted brands that stand behind what they sell. This may be especially true when it comes to CBD oil and other CBD products. We have all heard that CBD oil can help pets with many conditions but how do you choose a CBD oil for your pet when there is so much confusion out there?
First things first, just like people, pets (with a vertebrae) have an endocannabinoid system which works with all other systems in the body to achieve bodily homeostasis (aka: balance). Basically, if one thing is out of whack (pain, anxiety, stress, etc.) it affects other things, creating an absence of homeostasis in the body. When repairing and healing an ailment or condition, the endocannabinoid system plays a crucial role. When we “feed” that endocannabinoid system with high quality, full spectrum, terpene rich CBD oil, we support healing. Supplementing with CBD oil fortifies the endocannabinoid system so it can do its job which is to help the body be in or restore homeostasis (simply put, “chill”). Essentially, we all need CBD oil! In fact, you’d think that people and pets can use the exact same CBD oil (and you’d be right!!!). Our endocannabinoid systems work the same way which means that our fur babies don’t require any gimmicky or pet-specific CBD oil, they just need the best! Choosing the best CBD oil is simple and easy once you know what to look for.
Safety first! No matter which conditions or ailments you’re considering treating with CBD, whether it’s separation anxiety, excessive chewing, barking at every rustling leaf that your puppy somehow manages to hear even though she still doesn’t hear you when you say her name or whatever the case may be, safety is the top priority. Know your source! How? It doesn’t have to be confusing, I promise. Here are a few things which will help you quickly weed out what’s not safe. First, read the 3rd party lab report (on the company’s website) which will give you a complete analysis of the product. Pay attention especially to the section that should be labeled clearly as a safety report. Also, read the product reviews and if possible reach out to the brand with your specific questions. Transparent companies will be delighted to share the details of a quality product with their customers. Pro-Tip, the lab report should be current and reflect the batch of product that you’re buying. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, knowledge is power.
Beyond safety, there’s efficacy. How well will the CBD oil product work? A full spectrum CBD oil rich in terpenes and other natural compounds (which should all be listed on the lab report) is the ideal starting point. Consistent use and proper dosing are the other important factors when it comes to efficacy- you’ve got to be consistent. Meaning, if you have a puppy that gets triggered into a fit of barking and wailing by the sight of a squirrel and you’re looking for a one and done “cure” to this annoying little problem, CBD oil may not do it for you- sorry. However, if you are interested in finding a natural, harmless and very helpful tool for improving and managing various common issues and challenges that pets experience, then CBD oil is an incredible option that is encouraged by many trainers, vets and happy pet parents. Once you get started, you will see that a little bit (more on dosing later) of full spectrum CBD oil each day goes a long way. The key is being consistent- make it part of your routine. Ongoing usage will only lead to positive outcomes as the endocannabinoid system is supported and fortified. Back to dosing, always start low and slow. A few drops under the tongue or on a treat is a great way to begin. See the blog post about “How to take CBD” to learn about sublingual (under the tongue) versus other methods. Now that we’ve covered safety and efficacy, there’s some personal preference to take into consideration.
My personal preference is to keep things simple. No fake flavors or scents for me or my pups. No gimmicks or wild promises. When I find the best quality, safety and efficacy, I buy it. I also tell my friends about it. When it comes to CBD oil for my pets, they get Walman’s Apothecary Extracts because that’s what our whole family uses with great results. As Steven likes to say, “Try it for yourself”!