CBD Oil And Your Pet’s Health

Animals don’t like getting stoned and dogs have a much greater sensitivity to THC than humans. It’s the THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) in marijuana that produces the high. In dogs, it can be potentially life threatening, that’s why you should never give your pets marijuana. Hemp is different from marijuana. Hemp contains very low levels of THC and high levels of CBD (cannabinoids).

Cannabis is the umbrella name for both Hemp and Marijuana. However Hemp products must contain less than .3% THC legally. Marijuana products contain more than .3% THC.

How It Works

CBD and the other cannabinoids have therapeutic benefits to humans thanks to our endocannabinoid system, a series of cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) throughout the entire body. These receptors react to the cannabinoids our bodies produce which are molecularly very similar to the cannabinoids from cannabis and hemp.

The body produces endocannabinoids (naturally occurring, cannabis-like chemicals);However, studies have found that some people have lower endocannabinoid levels than others, which brings about health complications.

There are many cannabis strains that vary widely in the composition of cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other compounds. These components work synergistically to produce wide variations in benefits, side effects, and strain characteristics.

Terpenes – Secreted in the same glands that produce cannabinoids like THC and CBD, terpenes are aromatic oils that offer cannabis varieties with distinctive flavors like citrus, berry, mint, and pine.Over 100 different terpenes have been identified in the cannabis plant and each individual terpene is associated with unique effects. Some promote relaxation and stress-relief, while others promote focus and acuity.Most importantly, terpenes may offer additional medical value as they mediate our body’s interaction with therapeutic cannabinoids.

Flavonoids – Are not only found in the cannabis plant. Scientists have identified thousands of them all throughout nature, from flowers to fruits and vegetables. However, there are some that are known to be found only within cannabis. These are known as cannaflavins. Similar to terpenes, flavonoids share a role in how we perceive cannabis through our senses. Both odor and flavor are possible in cannabis due to the synergistic qualities that terpenes and flavonoids share with one another. Moreover, flavonoids also affect the pigmentation of cannabis, just as they do with other flowers.

Full Spectrum CBD

Full Spectrum is a term that refers to hemp products that not only contain CBD but contain the other plant molecules as well. This version of CBD oil is minimally refined, leaving most of the cannabinoids and terpenes intact and in the oil.

CBD oils that are derived from a single cannabinoid, containing just CBD are not full spectrum. In order to be truly full spectrum CBD oil, it must contain all therapeutic parts of the plant, including all cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids, and cannot be a single isolate strain.

Full spectrum CBD oil products have the advantage of containing many different cannabinoids and terpenes and the potential for a wider health reach. A recent study indicated the synergistic effects of a full spectrum CBD oil were superior to an isolate in the effective treatment of inflammatory conditions.

CBD Is Beneficial for Anxiety and Behavior Issues in Dogs

One of the most common applications for CBD is for anxiety and behavior issues in dogs. It seems to work very well for hyper dogs, and at low dosages. Products containing CBD can be expensive, so being able to use lower doses makes them more cost-effective.

Studies on cannabinoids (which is the name for molecules found in cannabis, both marijuana, and hemp) show they have a strong affinity for the brain and nervous tissue and are able to easily cross the blood-brain barrier.

There’s also evidence that CBD is helpful for certain kinds of seizure disorders, although probably not as a standalone treatment. And even in the case of emotional illness, for example, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), CBD has application in human medicine.

How To Give Your Pet CBD

With CBD, less is more. Always start with a lower dose and increase the dosage slowly until you reach the desired effect. Keep in mind that you can always give your pet more but it’s a lot harder to reverse a dose once you have administered it.

Ways To Administer CBD Oil
Use a dropper to dispense liquid directly into the pet’s mouth
Apply oil sublingually to the gums with a fingertip
Rub a balm directly on the skin
Drizzle oil over food

Tinctures (Liquid): The best form to administer CBD is a tincture. This way, you can adjust your dog’s dose drop by drop. It is easier to measure the dosage and find the right balance for your pet’s specific weight and ailments.

Topicals: Balms and salves are applied directly on the skin, delivering immediate localized relief. They have different levels of potency and it may take some time to find the right balance to get the most relief. Most cannabis topicals are mixed with other therapeutic compounds like essential oils and herbal extracts to provide an additional layer of healing effects.

Treats: The pet may be more inclined to eat a treat rather than oil on their food. But this makes dosing more of a guess. Each treat will have a certain number of milligrams (mg) of CBD in it along with other inactive ingredients.