With the rise of medical cannabis gaining a lot of popularity all around the world, a lot of people have started to use it as a form of alternative treatment. Considering all the health benefits one can obtain from it, it’s to no surprise.
But what about medical cannabis for pets? Believe it or not, it might not be a wise, safe decision to use cannabis in animals, since they are affected differently, and can be intoxicated for longer periods of time in comparison to us.
Here is where a safer alternative enters the play: CBD. Also known as cannabidiol, this compound has started to gain a lot of popularity because it is able to provide the same health benefits as cannabidiol without causing the same side-effects, with being getting high and intoxicated the most prevalent one.
But what are the actual benefits of medical cannabis and cannabidiol, and why can’t pets use cannabis-related products or strains? In this article, I will try to guide you through the experience and provide some useful tips on how to introduce your pet to CBD products.
First of All, Why Cannabis is Harmful to Animals
To understand why animals react differently to cannabis, we have to understand why cannabis causes those effects in our bodies. Although there is much to know about it, we actually count with a compound of neurotransmitters known as the endocannabinoid system, and these neurotransmitters are linked to several functions of our body.
Some of these functions include our perception of our surroundings and our sense of time and danger, our five senses, appetite, anxiety, stress, and to some extent, how pain and inflammation act.
Although the cannabis plant and some of its variations have many forms of cannabinoids, compounds found in the said plant, there are some specific cannabinoids that can affect our endocannabinoid system, with being tetrahydrocannabinol the most notable. This is because this compound, commonly referred to as THC, can affect us greatly.
This is because THC is absorbed by our body and directly hits the bloodstream, which at some point, can affect certain neurons and neurotransmitters, including the endocannabinoid system, getting us high in the process.
Now, here’s where we talk about the important matter: animals have a much sensitive endocannabinoid system. Cats and dogs, specifically speaking, not only possess more sensitive neurotransmitters, but they also process THC and another cannabinoid way differently, which can cause them to be high for longer periods of time, and with a much stronger effect.
This can affect them in several ways, and might even cause long-term side-effects like excessive drowsiness, lack of appetite, depression, and a reduction of their mobility. You can read more detailed information here.
Why CBD is a More Reliable Alternative
Now, let’s talk about cannabidiol. Just so you know, the reason why cannabidiol is a safer alternative to pets in comparison to medicinal-cannabis is that all products derived from containing low levels of THC, enough for it to be harmless.
This is because CBD is derived from a variation of the cannabis plant known as the hemp plant, which contains 0.03% of THC. There is also a regulation obligating all CBD-products to contain the same levels of THC, or less, for them to be legal.
This makes it a much safer alternative for pets since cannabidiol doesn’t affect them the same way THC does but provides them with the same health benefits.
Cannabidiol’s Health Benefits
Now, why would you want to give it a try, in the first place? Well, cannabidiol has been proven to work wonders for a lot of symptoms related to physical and mental health. Although research is still needed, and there’s much to learn about it, testimonials and health organizations have claimed it as a rather safe, effective alternative to more traditional forms of treatment.
Ideally, CBD products should be used to deal with the next problems:
- Inflammatory complications
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Pain-inducing diseases
This is a rather incredible alternative considering how commonly dogs and cats suffer from arthritis, and this can cause them a lot of pain and even depression because of reduced mobility. You can check more information about this over here: https://www.foundanimals.org/arthritis-in-dogs-and-cats-your-guide-to-joint-pain-in-pets/.
Cats and dogs are very prominent to suffering from cancer after a certain age, and the pain caused by it can be alleviated with cannabidiol, so take it into consideration as well.
CBD’s Presentations
Now, the most common presentation you can find is CBD oil. This is a rather straightforward product for pets since it simple to manage and coming up with more precise dosages turns easier.
Dosage is a rather important step in the process since exaggerating it can cause side-effects. Thankfully, they can be avoided if you reduce to dose.
Some pets can be a little picky and might dislike the idea of consuming oil. It is normal, considering its weird texture and flavor. That is why you can also find other products as well, for both humans and animals.
Humans can enjoy edibles such as cookies, protein bars, and gummies, whereas pets can enjoy threats, foods, and sprays. If you are interested, you can check out sites like holista pet for more reliable information on what pet CBD products you can find in today’s market.
Ideally, regardless of the type of product you decide to go for, you should start with small doses and go up, carefully monitoring the state of your pet. Normally, they should act calmer and more relaxed when cannabidiol kicks in properly, and depending on their circumstances, may recover some of the cheerfulness or mobility.
As I mentioned, oil is a little easier to manage when it comes to precise doses, but you can do the same if you properly manage the edibles you buy. As long as you keep experimenting with caution, you
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