Holistic health has continued to increase in popularity. Why is this? What parts of holistic health could assist your family’s furry friend? It is likely that you have heard of CBD (cannabidiol) or hemp. There is a good reason for this. CBD has increased in popularity just as holistic health has. Why? How are these two things intertwined? And what does this have to do with dogs? There have been several products made specifically for dogs that contain CBD. But do they really work? Perhaps! This blog post will go through and answer these questions. But first we must cover the basics. What is CBD?
What is CBD? What is THC?
There are many common misconceptions about CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). We are here to debunk them. CBD and THC are both cannabinoids found in the Cannabis sativa plant. These two cannabinoids are often found together but can be subtracted from one another. THC is the cannabinoid that has been described to get users the ‘high’ or psychoactive feeling. CBD however does not do this. There are several different accounts of CBD having the potential of providing different health benefits without the psychoactive feeling.
THC is not legal in all 50 states while CBD is. This is because of the 2018 Farm Bill. This bill allows farmers across the country to grow and sell hemp. This is because of the high amounts of CBD hemp contains and the very low amount of THC. Hemp is just a variation of the Cannabis sativa plant, as is the marijuana plant.
The marijuana plant contains much higher amounts of THC than CBD and therefore is not legal in all places. There are some places that have legalized the use and growth of the marijuana plant. Certain states have legalized marijuana for medical purposes, recreational purposes, or both. It is important to note that CBD products made from industrial hemp that are at or less than .3% THC are able to be deemed legal CBD products. This small amount of THC does not give inebriating effects.
Now, what about dogs?
Now that you know the difference between CBD and THC. How do you know it will work for your “man’s best friend?” There are a few studies out there that have had positive responses. One of them being Panacea Life Sciences study. In this particular study we chose to look at dogs with age-related movement disorders. As dogs age, joints become stiff and movement becomes limited which makes it difficult for dogs to run, climb stairs or get into a car. In the study, pet owners administered a THC free CBD product to their pets twice daily for four consecutive weeks. The owners were asked to evalaute through a series of questions whether their dog had increased ability to move, visible decreases in pain, and a general increase in quality of life. Most of the pet owners described their dogs to be more mobile after being given the CBD. Which could mean that their joint health increased, and they were able to be more mobile. This is a great study that shows that CBD does have the potential to assist animals.
Now that you know that CBD may be the right choice for you and your animal, how do you give it to them?
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Doggy CBD
There are several different ways to give CBD to your dog. For canines, specifically, we here at Panacea Life Sciences have two different types of products for you to choose from. We have a tincture and a soft gel. Our soft gels are full of 5mg of CBD that is THC free. Our soft gels are formed in a fish style so that you may twist off the end and administer it into the jowl directly. These capsules also contain fish oil which is beneficial for canines.
Our canine CBD tinctures come in three different mg for different sizes of canines. This way your dog is getting the proper amount for their size. These can be diluted with water poured onto their favorite treat or administered directly into their mouths.
The way that you administer the CBD to your dog is up to you and how comfortable they are! If you have a fidgety puppy, perhaps adding it to their food will do the trick. Or a more well-trained dog will take it like a champ.
What else can CBD do?
There are several reasons people choose to use CBD for themselves as well as their animals. Here are a few things CBD can do.
Skin health: CBD has been described to improve skin health. In this study they used several categories to test the skin before and after the use of CBD. It used a hydration test, an elasticity, and a transepidermal water loss test. This was all supported by the photographic evidence of the skin improvement. They found that the administration of a topical CBD ointment is a beneficial way to improve skin health. For pets we offer a feline Transdermal Cream that may help a cat’s sense of calm as well as anti-inflammatory.
May promote a sense of calm: CBD has been described to assist those who may have an overall sense of anxiousness to feel calmer. This has been described by CBD users, and pet owners who have given CBD to their animals.
Epidiolex and other FDA approved medications: Epidiolex is one of the FDA approved medications that contains CBD. It is used for two different types of epilepsy Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. This treats seizures in those who have either syndrome. Other CBD medications are Marinol (dronabinol), Syndros (dronabinol), and Cesamet (nabilone). These are used for cancer patients to decrease nausea caused by cancer-fighting medication. These approved drug products are only available with a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
Anti-bacterial: Recently, the potential antibacterial properties of CBD have come to the forefront. CBD hand sanitizer and hand cleansing creme is available to clean your hands and rid of any unwanted bacteria.
Does CBD work for dogs?
So, does CBD really work for dogs? You may have to try it yourself to see with your own eyes. As a rule of thumb, you should always speak to your veterinarian before giving CBD to your pet.
