Wellness trends for pets’ surge in-step with wellness trends for humans, including CBD.
Who can blame a pet owner for wanting their dog or cat to benefit from the same natural support that CBD may offer to them?
There is a lot of information available regarding wellness products that benefit both humans and pets, but what can you believe?
At High Falls Hemp NY, our mission is to provide best in class CBD products but most importantly, is to advocate for education and transparency in CBD as a holistic alternative.
We unpack the facts, break them down so that you can easily understand and make the right choice for you and your furry family members. We believe that CBD may be a natural alternative to over the counter and prescription medications for some, but not all.
We have the same set of guiding principles when it comes to your pets. It’s important that you consult with your veterinarian before considering giving your pet CBD or any other natural wellness product to make sure it’s right for them.
You want the best for your dog or cat, but the one question you may have is, “What do I need to know about CBD?”
What is CBD Oil?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a natural compound found in the cannabis and hemp plant. CBD products do not contain THC or have less than 0.3% THC which is the compound that gives cannabis its psychoactive properties. Almost all CBD products are derived from hemp and not from marijuana.How Does CBD Affect Dogs and Cats?
To date, there are few formal studies on the overall effects of CBD for pets, and most are anecdotal though very credible and compelling in the reporting. There was a study that was done in 2018 to assess the safety and efficacy of CBD oil in dogs with arthritis.
However, nothing concrete is available to date and we evangelize more research to support use cases for CBD as a potential health and wellness alternative for dogs and cats, just like we do for humans. What we do know is that like humans, dogs and cats have an endocannabinoid system.
Scientists know that the cannabinoids in CBD interact with the receptors in the endocannabinoid system sending neurotransmitters through the central and peripheral nervous systems to help maintain balance in the body, homeostasis. This helps to keep the body in a normal, healthy state. This fact applies to both humans and pets.
What Dog and Cat Health Issues Could CBD Oil help with?
As we always state, it is unlawful for any CBD company to make medical claims that CBD will treat or cure any medical illness or disease. There is simply no definitive scientific data to advocate for CBD and the treatment of dogs and cats. What we can share, anecdotally, is that we hear from many customers that own dogs and cats that suggest that CBD has helped them in treating their pets for stress and discomfort.
It’s important that you consult with your veterinarian to determine if CBD is right for your pet. There is other anecdotal information that CBD is used by some for inflammation, nausea, and appetite stimulation. Most interesting is the many that share CBD aids in managing stress in their pets due to thunder, fireworks, and other loud noises.
Please note, this may work for some but does not work for all – just like everything else in life – each pet, like a human, is unique. Just because it may work for one, does not mean that it works for all. But, if your pet struggles with some of these issues and you are looking for natural alternatives, CBD may be something you’d like to try.
How Much CBD Should I Give my Dog or Cat?
CBD comes in different forms and milligram options. It’s important that you review the form you are using, and the suggested amounts based on your dog’s weight, See our usage guide for the pet to assist you in determining what may be right for your pet.
The product should have a product label that clearly outlines the serving suggestions or directs you to an online destination to best manage. As humans, we recommend that you start your dog or cat off with a smaller amount and adjust as needed based on how they respond to the CBD.
Once you are comfortable with the right amount for your pet, you can easily incorporate CBD into their daily wellness regimen.
How Long Does it Take CBD Oil for Dogs or Cats to Work?
CBD works differently with each person and the same applies to pets. The amount needed and how long it takes to metabolize in their system depends on the form in which it’s given, along with some other factors.
First and foremost, it's important to consult with your veterinarian to agree on the use of CBD for your pet.
We recommend CBD pet tinctures because they are liquid-form and get into the bloodstream faster than other forms like pet treats which the body first has to break down, metabolize through the liver, and send through the bloodstream.
Other factors that affect how long it takes for CBD to work on your dog or cat is their size, age, weight, and overall health. With some pets, you will see a difference after a single-use while others might take more than one use for it to provide the benefits you are looking to achieve.
We recommend that, if you choose CBD for your pet, that you use it with them for at least 30 days to see how they respond and if it does what you desire to support them.
What is the Difference Between CBD for Humans and CBD for Pets?
CBD may provide the same benefits for humans and our pets and it’s important to find a product that uses the same high quality CBD hemp oil in their pet products that they use in their human products.
Almost every member of the High Falls Hemp NY family has at least one dog or cat that is part of our extended furry family. With that in mind, our CBD pet tincture is curated the same way as our human products.
The only difference is the suggested amount and that the CBD pet tincture is made with our pets in mind in a formula that would support them.
Are There Side Effects of CBD for Dogs and Cats?
As we shared early, there is no scientific data on CBD with dogs and cats, and therefore, there is no data on the side effects of CBD usage for dogs and cats.
We can only rely on scientific evidence on some of the data on how CBD affects people. In order to best manage the process, it’s important that you follow the suggested amount guidelines for the product.
Are There Risks of Using CBD for Dogs and Cats?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to approve CBD and therefore, there is no use of a “dosing chart” available. All brands should, like High Falls Hemp NY, provide a suggested amount chart so that you can determine the right amount for your pet.
Like all supplements and medication, there are risks of a reaction so it’s important to monitor your pet’s reaction to the CBD. But, as a pet owner, we all know that when we give our dog or cat something new, we should always begin with a smaller amount and monitor the effects.
And, as always, consult with your veterinarian before trying it.
What Should I Look for in a CBD Product for my Dog or Cat?
Once you have consulted with your veterinarian and decided that it is okay to try CBD for your dog or cat, there are a few things you should keep in mind about the CBD Pet product you want for your loved, furry family member.
Here’s the checklist to make sure you do right by your furry four-legged family member:
- Most critical – make sure the CBD company is a trusted authority with a reputable business
- Don’t price shop - you want a high-quality CBD product. The better the quality and purity of the product, the more it will cost. If you go the “cheap route”, the product could contain toxic substances like; heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, residual solvents or bacterial agents. Your family members [pets] deserve the best.
- Look for products that are gluten-free, vegan, cruelty-free, and no GMO’s
- Make sure there are no additives in the ingredients
- Make sure there is product labeling that reflects what is in the product
- Read the reviews by other customers – if they’re a good company – they’ll share the good experiences customers have had and the bad – they aren’t hiding anything
- There are lab results done by an independent third party licensed lab to support what is in the product, and the safety of the product in your hands. The certificate of analysis of the product tells you what is in the CBD product you are considering.
- Make sure there is less than 0.3% THC in the product
What is the Best Form of CBD to Give to my Dog or Cat?
There are dog treats, capsules, and tincture liquid oils you can consider. We recommend CBD pet tincture which is a liquid CBD oil. It’s the best form that can be placed under their tongue or sprinkled on their food or a treat.
This form allows you to be in control of how much you give them from the dropper and to enable the liquid to easily digest into the system.
CBD Wellness Trend for Dogs and Cats
With so many choices, it will be hard to find the right CBD products for your pet. We believe that there are potential benefits to using CBD as a natural alternative, but each person is unique, and each pet is too.
If you decide to explore this path to enhance the health and wellness of your pet, we recommend trying High Falls Hemp NY CBD Pet tinctures. You have nothing to lose with our 30-day risk-free trial.
And, you don’t have to believe us, read our reviews, our products are loved by thousands of loyal customers… and their pets!