The Benefits for CBD Oil for Pets
As pet owners look for safe, natural remedies to support their furry friends' health, CBD oil for pets is quickly gaining popularity. Whether your dog struggles with anxiety or your aging cat suffers from joint pain, CBD offers a gentle, plant-based option that may help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. In this blog, we explore the top benefits of CBD oil for pets and what you should know before adding it to your animal’s wellness routine.
Did you know that Cannabidiol (CBD) can have a positive effect on your cat, dog, and all the different kinds of animals you keep at home? Mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles have all been found to have an endocannabinoid system. This means that if you have had a positive experience with CBD, your pets can most likely have one, too!
Early Warning
Now, before you share your favorite CBD oil with your pets, it's good to consider a few things, so keep on reading!
Generally, what’s good for you should also be good for your pet. But, as every human is different and can have a different reaction to CBD products, so can animals have a completely different experience with CBD. As there are not enough studies to set a golden standard for CBD administration to humans, there is even less knowledge on how CBD products work on animals. The rule of thumb is starting slow, with a really small amount of CBD, and seeing how the animal reacts.
If the benefits of CBD oils can be seen in humans, they can have value for pets as well. First of all, you have to make sure that the CBD oil you administer to your pets is safe, so let's explore how CBD is made and what different options are available.
What is CBD Oil? How is CBD Oil for Pets Made?
Cannabidiol, CBD for short, is the main active ingredient in the cannabis plant. Most of the CBD is concentrated in the resin glands in the cannabis flower. Therefore, to separate CBD from the plant matter, we have to strip off the resin. There are several different methods to obtain CBD-rich cannabis resin. While some are more efficient than others in terms of yields. The CBD hemp extraction method with supercritical CO2, the one that we use at the Essentia Pura facility, is proven to be the most effective in terms of safety. We do not cut any corners when it comes to the quality of our CBD oil! We are extremely confident that our Full-Spectrum CBD oils contain no residual harmful chemicals that are left over in solvent extractions. Your and your pet's safety in the first step of the product manufacturing process is assured. Now, let's move to the formulation.
Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum, or Isolate only?
We believe that full-spectrum CBD products are the most effective for humans. Most likely, we can project the same experience we have to the animal world. But with most positive effects, there is also a greater possibility for the manifestation of negative effects. The full-spectrum CBD oil contains trace amounts of THC! As animals share the same endocannabinoid system as we do, they can also be intoxicated by THC in the same way. With proper and careful dosing, the negative side effects from the full spectrum oils can be avoided in most cases. But if you prefer to be on the safer side, broad-spectrum CBD oil is a better option. (THC free)
Some animals are also sensitive to terpenes found in hemp. So the safest, but also most likely the least effective, is a formulation of CBD drops for pets with CBD isolate. Formulations with CBD isolate are also the safest for young animals that are still developing and learning.
Don't forget the carrier oils!
Carrier oils act as a base for the CBD extract to be diluted in. The final mixture provides better bioavailability and dosing accuracy. As carrier oils make up most of CBD drops, they might be even more important than the CBD extract itself when it comes to unwanted reactions in your pets. We offer our CBD drops in three different carrier oils:
- Cold-pressed Olive oil. Probably the most praised oil in the culinary. (Loved by humans, but probably not all animals will find it fancy.)
- Hemp seed oil. A healthy cold-pressed oil, rich in healthy fats, fats, vitamins, and minerals. (Offers the whole plant experience but has the same issue as the Olive oil above)
- MCT oil. Has a neutral taste, provides the longest shelf life, and offers the best bioavailability. (potentially the best option, but larger servings might result in digestive discomfort)
The carrier oils above are widely accepted as the best for human use. But for animals, we propose a formulation with a different carrier oil.
Salmon fish oil.
This carrier oil has all the necessary traits of the above options while also providing a smell and flavor appealing to pets. (The downside is that this product is not vegan. Some pets might also reject the taste or have an allergic or similar reaction to it.
Salmon fish oil has many health benefits on its own! It is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that support a healthy immune system, cardiovascular system, promote healthy skin and coat, while also improving cognitive function. Although, if counted in drops, it won't add much value. That's why we propose CBD oil for pets be formulated for 30ml bottles. Having a 2.5% or 5% CBD concentration in 30ml dropper bottles, the dosing of CBD becomes easier. And this way, the intake of healthy wild Alaskan salmon oil is also increased!
CBD Oil For Dogs
To summarise, there are many options available, and it's very hard to put the finger on one and say this is the best. Our friends from the animal kingdom vary in size, age, and the conditions they need to have treated. There is just no “one size fits all”. There is, however, more data on CBD administration to our best four-legged companions.
CBD can benefit dogs in many different ways. As we mentioned at the beginning of the article, CBD works for animals in the same way as in humans, it promotes homeostasis. Cannabidiol's action can be seen in dogs’ proper function, which is reflected in their shape and behavior.
Too little scientific data is available to make any foolproof claims on how CBD impacts animals. But the internet is swarmed with happy dog owners who used CBD to just improve their dogs' health. Some even use CBD oil to treat epilepsy in dogs or use CBD oil for dogs with heart problems.
But dog owners have seen improvements in dogs' mobility, immune system, improvements in healthier teeth, skin, and coat health. CBD helped with dogs' pain and inflammation, loss of appetite, anxiety, and noise phobia. CBD also shows great potential in treating dog breed anomalies!
Obviously, with this wide array of health benefits, there could also be some dangers involved. Undesirable side effects might come up if the dog is not used to CBD or has perhaps taken too much of the product. These negative reactions can be seen as dry mouth (dehydration), low blood pressure (drowsiness), disorientation (lightheadedness),and vomiting (nausea).
With proper dosing, our dog should not experience the problems above. The CBD dosage depends on the size of your pet and is as follows:
Administration of CBD to Dogs
There are several routes of administration of CBD for your dogs. The most effective would be to dose the CBD oil directly into the dog's mouth, in the best scenario, to rub it against the dog's gums. While it sounds easy, this option can sometimes be hard to execute in practice. A simpler way would be to just mix the drops directly onto the dog’s meal or into his bowl of water.
After you start giving your pet CBD, it is wise to keep a journal and track progress.
The CBD Pet Market
CBD has taken the pet market by storm. From CBD dog treats to CBD-infused stuffed animal toys, the CBD pet market increased by nearly 1000% in 2020 alone. Most of these products are not yet backed by scientific research, and it is hard to measure their effectiveness without trying them. But many pet owners are betting on CBD as their go-to for treating ailments of their dear pets.
It is not wise to take CBD without asking your veterinarian for advice first. In case your pet is already undergoing treatment with other medicines, possible dangerous interactions with CBD could arise. However, veterinarians, similar to doctors and pharmacists, might often simply deny the positive effects of CBD and try to avoid this discussion. This is simply because the source of CBD is the Cannabis Sativa plant, whose legal status is still very questionable in most parts of the world.
On the other hand, if you see the veterinary clinic filled with all kinds of different pet products with CBD, the situation might raise flags. The personnel might just be jumping on the CBD bandwagon and trying to make a profit, especially if the clinic has its own brand of CBD. This judgment is mostly left to you and is mostly related to the trust you built over time with the veterinarian.
But always be sure to check the following:
- The CBD extract for pets should be derived with carbon dioxide, which leaves no harmful solvents behind
- The origin of the hemp and the carrier oil should be non-GMO and from organic sources, as there are no residuals of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in the final product
- The product should be without any artificial color or flavor. Only natural extracts of spices and herbs or medicinal plants should be incorporated.
- 3rd party lab testing, which adds another layer of credibility to the product
At Essentia Pura, the white label CBD pet products specialist, we always strive to meet the criteria above when manufacturing CBD products. We make no difference in the quality when producing CBD for human consumption, CBD for cats, or CBD for horses. Quality is always our number one priority.
If made and dosed properly, CBD should have minimal side effects and could be less dangerous than traditional medicine. But you should never replace the treatment your veterinarian prescribed with CBD, especially without your veterinarian's approval.
About us
At Essentia Pura, we specialize in manufacturing high-quality white-label and private-label CBD products, helping businesses launch their own unique CBD brands. With cutting-edge hemp extraction methods and a commitment to compliance and quality, we support companies in the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Whether you’re looking for ready-to-market formulations or custom solutions, we’re here to help you succeed in the growing CBD market.
