As a pet owner, you want your furry friend to have the best quality of life at all times. Sometimes, our dog and cat pals can develop physical or mental conditions that detract from them living their happiest, healthiest lives. One excellent way to help a pet that’s struggling with mental or physical discomfort is through the use of CBD supplements. CBD supplements can help reduce a variety of different types of inflammation your pet may be suffering from, and they are sure to get their tails wagging again. If you’re new to pet CBD, no need to worry: we’re here to break down all the basics of this wonderful pet supplement.
What is CBD?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a cannabinoid compound that’s derived from hemp plants. Similarly, hemp plants produce cannabidiolic acid, or CBDA, which is a raw form of cannabidiol. Hemp plants also produce terpenes, which are additional compounds that aid in inflammation reduction in conjunction with CBD. Products that combine both CBD and CBDA, along with other terpenes, work to effectively provide the full spectrum of benefits that cannabinoids can offer the body.
While CBD and CBDA are derived from cannabis plants, they do not contain THC, the cannabinoid compound that produces the psychoactive effects of marijuana. Per federal regulations, CBD and CBDA products must be quality checked to ensure they contain no more than 0.3% THC in them to be sold. As such, you don’t have to worry about your pet getting high if you give them a CBD supplement.
How Does CBD Work?
When consumed, CBD and CBDA products work to reduce inflammation in the body. This is done thanks to the endocannabinoid system, an important part of the central nervous system in all mammals. The endocannabinoid system is essential in reducing stress and maintaining homeostasis within the body. The cannabinoids in CBD and CBDA products bind to receptors within the endocannabinoid system. These receptors are located all over the body, and when cannabinoids connect with them, they signal the brain and muscular system to provide a relaxing effect.
How Can CBD Improve Your Pet’s Life?
CBD and CBDA products can increase your pet’s quality of life in a variety of ways.
Aids Aching Joints
As dogs and cats age, their joints can begin to get stiffer and weaker. This can lead to increased mobility issues that keep them from walking, exploring, and playing as they want to. Luckily, CBD and CBDA products can aid in reducing joint inflammation, so your pet can get back to being their usual spry self.
Provides Calm to Stressed Out Pets
There are a variety of external factors that can lead to stress in your cat or dog. Perhaps they get spooked by loud noises, or maybe they’ve developed separation anxiety and get overwhelmed when you leave them at home alone. Whatever the case, stress can negatively impact your pet’s mood and make it difficult for them to go about their day in peace. In order to reduce your pet’s anxiety, you can give them a dose of CBD, which can help calm your pet’s mind, so they don’t get overly anxious.
Soothes Senior Dogs and Cats
When dogs and cats reach senior status, there are a variety of behavioral and physical changes that can cause them distress or discomfort. For instance, older dogs tend to pace and pant and have trouble getting comfortable due to joint issues. Senior pets also tend to get especially stressed at nighttime, which can lead to additional anxiety and increased house soiling. CBD and CBDA products can help improve your senior pet’s quality of life overall by providing a sense of mental calm while reducing the effects of physical inflammation.
How to Give Your Pet CBD
CBD and CBDA products come in a variety of forms to suit whatever your pet’s needs are. Two of the most popular forms are:
Oils
CBD and CBDA oils are the most concentrated form of CBD products. They typically come in a bottle with a liquid dropper so you can easily measure a proper dosage and administer it to your pet orally.
Chews and Pastes
CBD and CBDA chews are great for pets that are squeamish when it comes to taking medicine orally. Chews are also perfect for senior pets as they’re soft and easy to digest. Additionally, there are CBD pastes that are great for cats, which they can lick off of their food bowl or their paws for an ideal dose of calm.
Conclusion
External factors and aging can greatly impact your pet’s quality of life. To keep your pet calm and comfortable when stressors arise, try using CBD and CBDA products to help them relax in both the body and mind. What kind of pet CBD products do you think your furry friend would like?