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Forget pet vitamins – CBD hemp oil for animals is the hottest new trend in vet care. Derived from the CBD-rich hemp plant, this oil is known to exercise a beneficial effect on pets’ health and behavior. It’s a must-have for pets struggling with stress, pain, inflammation, and other concerns. To get the lowdown on the common uses of CBD hemp oil in pet care, read ahead.
What’s so Special about Hemp Oil?
If you’ve ever stepped into a cannabis dispensary, you’ve probably seen lines of bottles with hemp oil. It’s normal to be confused and overwhelmed by the great selection of products, especially given their different ingredients and functions. CBD hemp oil should be distinguished from hemp seed oil produced from the same plant but coming from the seeds exclusively. Hemp seed oil is infused with nutrients, fatty acids, and health-boosting bioactive compounds, but it’s not the source of CBD. CBD hemp oil is also not the same as THC-rich marijuana, which causes the high, as it does not have an intoxicating effect.
CBD hemp oil is a cult favorite for a reason. Produced from the leaves, stalks, and flowers of the hemp plant, it boasts a high concentration of cannabidiol (CBD) – one of the major cannabinoids responsible for the plant’s therapeutic effects. It is not addictive and rarely leads to side effects or overdosing, so it’s safe even for animals. If you have ever wondered what’s so special about CBD hemp oil, here is the simple answer – it is nature’s best way to address numerous health concerns, from pain and inflammation to stress and insomnia. It acts beneficially on the body by regulating the endocannabinoid system responsible for all major body functions.
How Can CBD Hemp Oil Improve Pet Care?
Now, let’s focus on the most important part – when may CBD hemp oil be needed in the first place? To get a better understanding of how to make the most of CBD for dogs, keep reading.
Pain Management
CBD hemp oil is the backbone of pet care as far as pain management is concerned. The best thing about this product is that it can address different types of pain: chronic, acute, cancer, and neuropathic pain. It’s particularly recommended for arthritis pain common in older animals. The oil can be combined with other medications to enhance the analgesic effect.
To remind, signs of pain in animals may include physical abnormalities (e.g., changes in heart rate, breathing pattern, posture, movement, or reflexes) or behavioral problems (e.g., lethargy, restlessness, anxiety, mood changes, and licking, biting, or rubbing the body part that hurts). If you notice any of these symptoms, consult your vet and seek advice on how CBD hemp oil can be incorporated into pain management.
Inflammation
Pets often struggle with inflammatory conditions, such as tissue injuries, microbial infections, and others. CBD hemp oil does the job of alleviating symptoms associated with inflammation, such as the following:
- Redness
- Pain
- Fever
- Swelling
To fasten the recovery, you can combine CBD hemp oil with CBD-infused topicals applied directly to the affected area.
Seizures
If your pet suffers from epilepsy, you know the value of effective anti-seizure medications. Research indicates that the adverse effects of CBD treatment in such cases are minimal, so it’s a safe addition to regular medication treatment.
Cancer
While CBD hemp oil cannot cure cancer, there is promising evidence obtained from dog studies showing that it can slow down its spread. We do not recommend relying on CBD as the only treatment for cancer, but you can consult your vet to learn how to incorporate it into your pet’s treatment to improve health outcomes.
Stress and Anxiety
Pets can be particularly hard to handle when they are stressed and scared. Animals feel uncomfortable when they fear something or are placed in an unfamiliar setting. This may happen in the following cases:
- Moving to a new place
- Visiting the vet
- Staying alone at home
- Getting used to new people/pets
- Undergoing painful treatment
In such cases, a few drops of CBD hemp oil can relieve stress and its physical and behavioral manifestations. As a result, you decrease the risk of your pet hurting itself and others and improve its overall well-being.
Healthy and Shiny Fur
Rich in omega fatty acids, CBD hemp oil strengthens your pet’s skin barrier and coat health. It is indispensable for pets that struggle with allergies or itching cuts, as it soothes the skin and fastens its recovery. The result? Shiny, silky fur that radiates health.
What to Look for in CBD Hemp Oils?
Safety is one of the key benefits of CBD hemp oil for pets. Since other ingredients in CBD hemp oils are at small concentrations, the product is unlikely to cause severe side effects or interactions. However, if your pet is allergic to specific ingredients or flavors, caution should be taken with identifying them on the labeling. We recommend opting for organic, natural ingredients which have been lab tested by a third party.
If you fear that your pet will refuse to consume CBD hemp oil, go for flavored products. These are specifically designed to smell and taste delicious so that your pet won’t associate them with medicine. Bacon, cheese, chicken, and many other mouth-watering flavors make CBD hemp oil use an experience your pet will look for every day.
If you can’t choose between products, we recommend reading customer reviews and seeking the products that are truly vouched for by the animal-loving community. Unlike positive product descriptions, reviews can give more honest opinions on CBD hemp oils, helping you to settle down on the best options.
How Much CBD Is There in Hemp Oil?
There’s no unified standard for CBD concentration in pet oils. While it may seem like a disadvantage, it actually allows manufacturers to produce CBD hemp oils of various strengths and for different health needs. Ideally, a CBD dose for dogs and cats is 1-5 mg per 10 pounds of body weight.
Choosing a product with the right concentration is simpler than you may think. For example, if you have a small dog under 20 lbs, look for products with 250 mg CBD. A double concertation is perfect for medium breeds weighing 20-60 lbs. Finally, bottles of CBD hemp oil with a concentration of 1,000-2,000 mg are reserved for large dogs. You may also go for higher strengths if your pet is in pain or requires urgent stress relief.
Where to Shop for CBD Hemp Oil for Pets?
After we’ve rounded up the most amazing benefits of CBD hemp oil for pets, you are probably wondering where to shop for this miraculous product. Many CBD brands are hopping on the trend, developing over-the-counter products that leverage hemp oil’s anti-inflammatory, pain-reducing, and relaxing powers. So, you can easily find these products online, in pet shops, and in local dispensaries.
If you are sale-obsessed like us, you can always find great deals to try out new hemp oils. AskGrowers has prepared a list of best price CBD hemp oil for pets that runs the gamut – everything from deliciously flavored to organic options.
Summing Up
CBD hemp oil found its place in contemporary pet care. Recent advances in CBD extraction allow for creating the oils that are 100% safe for animals, so you don’t have to worry about side effects. Tasty and clean CBD oil formulas can benefit your pet significantly, making it healthy and happy.
Tia Mokalenko is a valued member of the AskGrowers team who has a broad interest in medical and recreational marijuana as well as cannabis-related clinical research. Her specialty is cannabis-derived products and their marketing. Tia strives to combine her passion for cannabis with her research and presentation skills, helping the readers learn about how this natural remedy can be incorporated into their self-care routine.
