It seems anything is open for discussion when it comes to keeping our pets happy. CBD oil is creating waves in pet healthcare.
An increasing number of pet owners are in with this trend. A cannabis market research firm report found that the CBD oil product vategory increased by over 900% in 2019. The upward trend began immediately after the 2018 Farm Bill passed. The new legislation lifted legal restrictions,making it easier for people to sell CBD products. Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan also jumped on the CBD oil product bandwagon.
Here’s the lowdown on CBD oil and its effects on pet anxiety.
What is CBD oil?
CBD oil for pets comes in many forms. They include lotions,capsules,and treats. The full name of CBD is cannabidiol,a compound present in hemp and cannabis,the primary source of marijuana. Commercial CDB oil does not contain THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) that produces the high associated with marijuana.
At any rate,the critical thing to note is that CBD oil will not be the gateway for your pet in any way. The question is,what does it do?
CBD oil use
Pet owners consider using CBD oil to help their dogs overcome health issues like seizures,pain,anxiety,and some skin diseases. Supporters also claim it can increase appetite,work as an anti-cancer agent,suppress nausea,and improve cardiac function.
However,there is no actual study into the efficacy of CBD oil for dogs and other pets,unlike pet wheelchairs. Any research on the topic have such small sample sizes that it produced no definitive conclusion. Scientists concede that cannabinoids,in general,can help keep the body healthy and balanced,but not CBD oil in particular.
Anecdotal evidence alone indicates that CBD oil effectively controls seizures and alleviates neuropathic pain in pets. There is a move to sponsor a study into the effects of CBD oil in treatment-resistant epileptic dogs by the AKC Canine Health Foundation in partnership with the Colorado State University,but that is for the future. Currently,no concrete evidence exists that CBD oil works as claimed in pets.
Those claiming CBD oil’s efficacy say giving a dog the right dose is essential. However,since there is no actual study on this,the basis of any site that provides dose recommendations is more best guess than science. This is a classic chicken-and-egg scenario.
Side effects
The lack of scientific data on the efficacy of CBD oil for pets also includes side effects. However,human studies are a suitable proxy until future data says otherwise.
The potential CBD oil side effects in pets include:
- Blood pressure dips
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Light-headedness
These possible side effects may not be observable to the pet owner,except drowsiness,which would be expected as CBD oil has a calming effect. Increased thirstiness may be due to CBD oil,but may also be due to the weather.
Whether CBD oil works or not,more is not automatically better. It is probably safe in small doses,but you should be ready for adverse reactions. Additionally,the FDA has not published a dosage chart for pets,so the toxic dose is unknown. Vets may not prescribe it for pets,even those in dog wheelchairs. That said,they can educate you about it so you can make an informed decision.