HOW EXACTLY DOES CBD WORK FOR ANIMALS?
The exact mechanisms of action of cannabidiol are hardly known in detail. This applies to both use in humans and animals. The so-called endocannabinoid system, which is present in practically all mammals as well as in fish and other animals, plays a decisive role.
Through the system, cannabinoids activate the so-called cannabinoid receptors, of which only two are known with certainty. The two receptors, CB1 and CB2 for short, are found in different distributions throughout the body.
Accordingly, CB1 is mainly found in nerve cells, but mainly in the cerebellum, the hippocampus and the intestine. Meanwhile, CB2 can be detected mainly on cells that are responsible for the immune system and for building and breaking down bones.
The distribution of the two well-known cannabinoid receptors throughout the body may also explain why cannabinoids work in so many ways.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CANNABIDIOL IN ANIMALS?
CBD products are increasingly said to have calming and soothing effects, mostly those products mainly refer to humans. Many dog or cat owners, however, ask themselves why only we humans should benefit from the diversity of CBD and not our pets too.
What many do not know – there has also been an assortment for our loyal companions for some time, but how great is the benefit for animals? How does CBD work for my pet? Are there any side effects? How do I administer the CBD and what do I have to pay attention to?
Why should I give CBD to my pet?
Not much different from humans, there are reasons for administering CBD to pets too. For example, animals are by no means exempt from states of anxiety and stress, seizures, epilepsy and nausea, although the use of CBD can be helpful.
Many pets such as dogs or cats are exposed to stress, sometimes on a daily basis, which can be provoked, for example, by a high level of noise in the city or uncomfortably long car journeys.
The New Year’s Eve is for many dogs. And thus, also for their master’s enormous stress level is Why CBD may also benefit their own pet is easy to answer:
The endocannabinoid system
To do this, we have to look at the body’s own endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS has receptors to which the CBD docks and thereby activates them. The so-called CB receptors are distributed throughout the body, mainly in nerve and immune cells, which are largely responsible for our health. The CB1 receptors are located where the body regulates appetite, processes feelings and stores memories.
The CB2 receptors are mainly found in immune cells that are responsible for fighting diseases. Fortunately, not only humans have such an endocannabinoid system, but every other mammal as well.
Thus, CBD can also be interesting for your own animal, whether it is a dog, cat or even horse. Another plus: In addition to the CBD, the CBD products for pets often contain vitamins and other trace elements to add that healthy extra to the pet food.
Possible benefits for pets:
- Combating stress and anxiety
- Fight various diseases
- Improve quality of life
- Relief from pain
- Stimulation of appetite
How do I give CBD to my pet?
In fact, there is also a diverse range of products for animals and therefore several options for taking CBD. For example, you can use the classic CBD oil, such as the 4% CBD oil for dogs or cats from Nordic Oil, or the 2.8% CBD oil for dogs from Nacani (here are the oils to be found). If possible, you can of course drip the desired dose directly into your animal’s mouth with the enclosed pipette. Make sure that the drops are also absorbed by the animal. Otherwise, you can mix the drops with the food, or, in the case of dogs, drip them onto a dog biscuit or a treat. If this is too cumbersome for you, you can also use pre-prepared treats, such as the treats from Nordic Oil for dogs or cats.
Our author took the test: she gave her eleven-year-old Labrador bitch CBD drops and shares her experiences with us. You can read the full review on CBD for pets in our magazine.
What should I look out for when giving my pet CBD?
First of all, it is essential that you familiarize yourself with the dosage recommendation for the respective CBD product, as pets as well as humans must first get used to CBD. The correct dosage can be found in the product description, as the dose of course depends on the respective CBD product, the species, but also the animal size.
The generally low body weight of the animal compared to humans makes it all the more important (!) To pay attention to it. Slowly approach is the keyword! Start with a low dose and gradually increase weekly as needed.
Unfortunately, there is hardly any scientific research or studies on the use of CBD for animals, which is why you have to rely on statements from the vet or experience reports from pet owners at this point in time. Symptoms such as headache, tiredness, diarrhea or a dry mouth can therefore occur, but are often caused by too high a dose. Therefore: Please always pay attention to the dosage recommendation.
How can CBD for animals help?
CBD for animals is therapeutically extremely versatile and can therefore alleviate many ailments of your animals and increase their basic well-being. Since CBD has a stress and anxiety-relieving effect, anxious and nervous animals in particular benefit from the administration of CBD.
The best CBD oil for pets
The CBD oil produced in Scandinavia uses olive and fish oil as a carrier oil. The ingredient vitamin E is a useful addition to the daily feed. The manufacturer relies on CBD from certified hemp plants.
The manufacturer also advises that the oil should not be combined with poultry, as the balance of fatty acids in the pet’s digestive system is impaired. You should also take a look at the Nordic Oil Wiki for more information about the oil.