The community of pet owners is a passionate, loving group of people. For most pet parents, their dogs and cats are the centers of their world. Which means they spend a lot of time and energy finding ways to keep their pets happy and healthy. If you count yourself among this group – many of whom say they were rescued by their animals, not the other way around! – you have probably heard rumors about CBD for pets.
Family and friends have likely attested to the changes they’ve seen in their animals after introducing CBD pet treats or pet CBD oil tinctures into their animal’s routine. Alternately, many pet owners have become curious about CBD for pets after they buy CBD oil for themselves and experience the benefits. Some CBD pet formulas even offer specialized ingredients that support specific health goals for your animal.
Whatever has led you to think about using CBD products for pets, you’re right to be curious about this new frontier in pet care. And as a responsible pet parent, you want to learn everything you can about this hemp-based resource, from the safety and benefits of CBD for pets to the best types of CBD products for pets and how to use them. Here is what you need to know, so Fido and Fluffy can start experiencing the peace and pleasure of CBD right away!
What Are the Benefits of CBD Oil for Pets?
Perhaps one of the first questions pet owners will have regarding this wellness resource is, “What are the benefits of CBD for pets?”
Because CBD impacts the endocannabinoid system that is shared by humans, dogs, and cats, the benefits of CBD oil for cats and CBD oil for dogs are identical to those experienced by humans. Human CBD users often talk about how adding CBD to their daily lifestyle supports a sense of calm and helps manage the day-to-day stresses of life. Pet owners also report that their animals experience these same benefits from using CBD products.
There are lots of situations pet owners use CBD in to benefit their dogs and cats, including noisy settings like thunderstorms or the Fourth of July. Other pet owners give their pets CBD regularly to support them during stressful situations like moving, traveling, or even just the daily grind of their family’s busy schedule, which might inspire separation issues for some animals. Other pet parents say they use CBD for general health maintenance, like using daily hip and joint CBD dog treats for a senior canine.
What Is CBD Oil?
CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is one of many phytocannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Another compound found in cannabis is THC, which causes the psychoactive effect of feeling “high.” The best CBD oil for cats and dogs will be extracted from the hemp plant, a type of cannabis plant that is specifically designed to have non-intoxicating levels of THC. Hemp plants grown in the United States must have less than 0.3 percent THC to qualify as hemp, so it’s best to buy CBD oil from companies that extract it from domestically grown hemp. For added security, seek out a pet CBD oil that is THC-free.*
What Is Hemp Oil for Dogs and Cats?
There is often some confusion about the difference between hemp oil for dogs and cats and CBD for pets. CBD is a single phytocannabinoid found in hemp, a plant that is made up of many compounds. Even so, CBD-heavy hemp extracts suspended in a carrier oil are typically referred to as CBD oil regardless of the overall cannabinoid content. On the other hand, hemp oil generally refers to hemp seed oil, which doesn’t contain CBD or any other cannabinoid molecules.
The Different Types of CBD Oil for Pets
You’ve probably heard terms like full spectrum, broad spectrum, and isolate in relation to CBD products for pets. These terms relate to how the CBD was extracted from the hemp plant.
Full spectrum CBD that is extracted from the hemp plant contains all of the phytocannabinoids in the plant, including CBD and up to 0.3 percent THC. When purchasing a pet CBD oil, you want it to be THC-free,* so full spectrum CBD isn’t a good choice.
Broad spectrum CBD oil is more processed than full spectrum. After it’s extracted from the hemp plant, all of the THC is removed. There are still some additional phytocannabinoids from the hemp plant in broad spectrum CBD products.
Isolate products are just what they sound like: isolated CBD, nothing else.
Our parent company, cbdMD, wanted additional control and detail regarding the CBD and phytocannabinoid content in our products. So they designed a Superior Broad Spectrum CBD formula, which contains consistent levels of CBD, cannabigerol (CBG), cannabinol (CBN) and select terpenes across all product batches. As a result, you can be assured that each product you buy is the same as the last, with minimal variance. In contrast, most broad spectrum CBD products see significant variation in cannabinoid content.
Understanding Your Pet’s Endocannabinoid System
CBD for pets works very similarly to CBD for humans because it affects the same part of the body: the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which all mammals have. Its main function is to promote homeostasis, or balance, in the body. ECS cells are found throughout the body. They are expressed most in the nervous system, but influence other systems such as immunity and digestion.
The endocannabinoid system is made up of receptors, which process endocannabinoids using the help of enzymes. Your pet’s body makes endocannabinoids naturally, but introducing additional cannabinoids from plants (such as CBD) can stimulate the ECS and create remarkable wellness benefits for your animal.
The Benefits of Pet CBD for Cats
Cat owners know that their felines can be a little mercurial – most kitty parents are familiar with that unpredictable switch from “pet me!” to “get away!” Cat owners can’t read their pets’ minds, but they can read their behavior. Simply by monitoring their activity level and habits, cat parents know when their feline friends feel stress or discomfort.
CBD oil for cats benefits overall cat health as a more nature-based, holistic approach. Because CBD interacts with other processes in a cat’s body, owners who use CBD pet products have noticed a general sense of calm and freedom of movement in their cats after using CBD alongside a comprehensive health plan. CBD for cats won’t change their cattitude – who would want that, anyway? – but you might see them climb to the top of the cat tower a little faster than usual!
CBD for Crazy Cat Moods
It’s no secret that cats are moody creatures, and sometimes those moods can be inconvenient or uncomfortable both for you and your feline friend. Whether you have a cat that falls into a crazy mood and destroys furniture, or a cat that feels afraid every time someone rings the doorbell, you might be trying to find a way to make them a little more steady in their behavior and attitude.
CBD oil for cats can be part of a healthy, consistent daily routine that can help your cat remain content. Your cat’s daily schedule is a very important part of their mental health. Including CBD as a supportive resource for your cat’s wellness can help them manage their moods more effectively.
Does CBD Oil Calm Cats?
Cats are very susceptible to showing stress signals at the slightest change in their daily life. Whether you’re moving house or simply moving around the furniture, your feline might start behaving strangely and feeling uncomfortable and nervous.
If you have an oncoming transition, such as the introduction of a new pet or baby, introducing CBD to your cat’s wellness routine can help them handle the transition by keeping them steady and comfortable. Pet parents who are using CBD for their cat’s anxiety also find our calming CBD oil for cats to be helpful, as it lends the added support of a soothing herbal blend to keep your kitty relaxed and comfortable.
Different Ways to Give CBD to Cats
One of the benefits of CBD for cats is that there are plenty of ways to administer this wellness resource. You're not limited by certain flavors or application methods. You can give your cat a tender CBD cat treat if they have sensitive teeth, or even use a yummy catnip-flavored CBD pet tincture for cats if you prefer to drizzle the pet CBD oil on their food. Our CBD Kidney Support Chews for Cats can also provide the additional support of licorice root powder, astragalus root powder, and nettle leaf extract.
Whatever delivery method you choose, you can mix and match the products to create a joyful routine that bonds you and your pet and makes each day exciting and full of little delights.
The Benefits of Pet CBD Oil for Dogs
Dogs are well known for their happy, spirited nature. Even the laziest, most nap-prone basset hound has the drive to play, and it is extremely obvious to pet owners when their canine buddies are feeling down or off-kilter.
It’s not uncommon for dogs to experience separation issues, noise aversion, or nervousness in unfamiliar situations. For some dogs, these issues can cause daily distress because they affect other processes, like appetite or the desire to be active.
Because CBD is known to promote calm, many pet owners have seen that CBD pet products have made their dogs’ lives a little easier. Dogs using CBD might have a little more pep in their step when you get out the leash or remain a little more calm during common stressful situations. CBD can be a useful part of a healthy daily routine to ensure better, happier days for your dog, regardless of its age or conditions.
So what are the benefits of CBD for dogs? Let’s look at how CBD can help with your dog’s separation issues and physical comfort, as well as the many ways you can introduce CBD to your dog.
CBD for Dogs with Separation Issues
Does your pooch get upset when you leave the house? You might notice damage to the furniture or home when you get back from work, or see your best friend pacing and whining on the doggie cam while you’re away. These are typical signs that your dog suffers from separation issues.
Because pet CBD supports your pet’s ability to maintain calm, it can work as part of an overall wellness routine to help your pet grapple with separation stress. When your pet has a well-rounded daily life with exercise, a healthy diet, and their daily recommended amount of CBD, they can stay happier and healthier even in the face of situations that normally make them nervous.
CBD for Your Dog’s Physical Comfort
Movement and mobility are crucial to your dog’s wellness, and it’s also natural for your dog to slow down and become stiffer as they age. CBD can support your pet’s physical comfort and make it easier for them to maintain their normal daily activity schedule. Mobility support is one of the benefits that makes CBD for senior dogs such a popular wellness technique.
Different CBD Products for Dogs
Paw CBD has a range of different products available in varying strengths and delivery methods, so you can find exactly the type of product your dog needs. CBD dog treats and dog CBD tinctures come in an array of mouth-watering flavors like baked cheese, peanut butter, and blueberry. This means that even the pickiest pup can find a CBD product that feels like a special treat. Once you’ve decided on the daily amount of CBD your pet needs, you can create a really diversified CBD schedule that includes soft chews, crunchy CBD dog treats, and CBD oil tincture for dogs!
Is CBD Safe for Dogs and Cats?
Safety is the number one concern for any pet parent. With all the different products and tools offered by the massive pet industry, owners have to be careful and well-informed about introducing anything new to their furry friends’ world. That’s why pet parents have so many questions about CBD use for their dogs and cats: Is CBD safe for dogs? Can puppies have CBD? Will CBD make my pet high? Is CBD legal?
CBD is growing in popularity for both human and pet use. Even if you haven’t tried it yet, you probably have friends or family talking about how they use it for relaxation or exercise recovery. CBD has become a positive part of the wellness routine for many people – and the same goes for their pets. These pet lovers see the benefits and that adverse effects are uncommon, giving them confidence in using CBD for dogs and cats with few or no issues. Here’s what you need to know to feel reassured that pet CBD is safe for dogs and cats.
Will CBD Make My Pet High?
CBD alone has no psychoactive effects. But in some cases, pet owners might accidentally buy CBD oil that contains THC, which is not healthy or recommended for animal use. If you are purchasing CBD for pets that is extracted from domestically grown hemp and certified THC-free,* it will not get your pet high.
Is CBD Legal for Pets?
The 2018 Farm Bill legalized the sale of hemp-derived products on a federal level. This means that no matter where you live in the US, hemp-derived CBD for pets is completely legal. Technically, CBD itself is not legal unless derived from the hemp plant, so it’s very important to purchase pet CBD oil from a trustworthy company that derives their CBD only from hemp.
Choosing the Right Dose of CBD for Dogs and Cats
Another common concern about the safety of CBD for pets is regarding daily recommended amounts. How much CBD can cats have? What about dogs? Can puppies have CBD if it’s given in small amounts?
Dogs and cats under a year old should never be given CBD, even in small portions. Puppies and kittens need a straightforward diet and lifestyle in their early years while they learn good behaviors and grow strong. The wellness benefits of CBD are most useful for dogs and cats over a year old.
Once your pet is over a year old, the recommended daily serving sizes of CBD for dogs and cats will differ based on their size and needs. Every pet is different and will need a different daily regimen. It’s important to be consistent and monitor your pet carefully while figuring out how much CBD they need daily for the best wellness outcomes. Always start with the smallest recommended amount for your dog or cat’s weight and monitor them for 30 days before changing their dose.
Always Consult Your Veterinarian
You should always keep your veterinarian informed about changes to your pet’s diet or lifestyle, and that includes the introduction of pet CBD oil. They can let you know if your pet has any extenuating circumstances that might make CBD a less ideal choice for their wellness, or if CBD might interact with any of your pet’s current medications.
The Best CBD Pet Products
Once you have decided that CBD pet products might be a good choice for you and Sparky or Simba, the real research begins. CBD is a relatively new industry, and there are a lot of choices to make. It’s important to be an informed CBD user and find the best CBD product for your pet’s needs and physiology. It’s not as simple as simply finding somewhere that you can buy CBD oil – you want to find out where you can buy the best CBD oil for your pet.
Here are some signs of good-quality CBD products for pets. The more of these boxes that are checked, the more confident you can feel about the company you are purchasing your CBD products from. A good pet CBD oil will:
- Have a Certificate of Analysis (COA)
- Be derived from domestically grown hemp
- Offer a range of strengths and recommended amounts
- Offer customized formulas for your pet’s wellness needs
What Is a COA and Why Does It Matter?
The use of an independent third-party lab ensures that a CBD product is truly free of THC – meaning THC is undetectable at the lowest level when consistently detected using valid scientific analytical tools. Trustworthy companies will provide a Certificate of Analysis as proof of this testing. Without a COA, there is no guarantee that what you’re reading on the ingredient list is actually what’s found in the product.
Why Domestic Hemp Is Important
US-grown hemp is ideal because domestic farms have more stringent quality control. CBD products are only as good as the hemp they are derived from! When you purchase a CBD pet tincture for cats or dogs that has been extracted from domestically grown hemp, you know the THC levels are less than 0.3 percent because that is the federal law. Hemp grown elsewhere is not subject to those limitations.
Choices in Strength and Amount
The CBD products for pets offered by a conscientious company will recommend varying amounts and strengths, based on a pet’s weight, so you can administer exactly the amount you want to give to your pet. A tiny cat and a huge dog will need different amounts of CBD to see the benefits, so it’s important that any CBD product you buy offers you plenty of choices. This demonstrates that they are knowledgeable and aware of how their product is best administered and they are committed to your pet’s health.
CBD Formulas Crafted with Other Supporting Ingredients
While you don’t want any unnecessary artificial fillers in your CBD pet product, other beneficial ingredients can help support pet health. For example, special CBD pet formulas like Paw CBD’s calming CBD tincture for dogs includes melatonin and chamomile, which can be a useful complement to CBD oil for pets if your goal is calm and relaxation or improved sleep for your pet. Likewise, enriching ingredients like the glucosamine and omega-3s found in our Paw CBD Hip and Joint Chews for Dogs can encourage healthy joints and muscles and help maintain optimal mobility.
Types of CBD Products for Pets
While CBD is gaining a loyal following for pets, not all CBD products are created equal. Read more below about how to choose the best CBD for pets.
The only kind of federally legal CBD oil is hemp-derived CBD, which is extracted from – you guessed it! – the industrial hemp plant. These plants are a variety of Cannabis sativa specifically bred to be non-intoxicating. And once the CBD is pulled from the plant, it can be incorporated into a variety of delivery methods, including CBD oil tinctures, CBD treats, and topicals!
Choosing the best CBD oil for dogs and cats will depend on a lot of factors – your animal’s breed and size, their specific needs and diet, and your goals. Don’t be afraid to experiment with a few different delivery methods to ensure you see the distinctive benefits of CBD oil for pets!
CBD Pet Tincture
Pet CBD oil tinctures are a popular choice for cats and dogs because of their ease of use. Paw CBD’s pet CBD tinctures are usually just three ingredients: hemp extract, a natural flavoring like catnip or peanut butter, and the delivery method of MCT oil. CBD pet tincture for cats and dogs comes in varying strengths and can simply be dropped directly into the pet’s mouth or added to food or treats. Pet owners often enjoy the flexibility of these products because they can easily adapt the amount of CBD they give to their pet.
CBD Treats for Dogs and Cats
For a more portable option, many pet owners choose to give their dogs CBD treats with the oil baked into them. These are great for on-the-go times when your pup needs to chill at the dog park or for a daily reward after obedience training!
CBD soft chews for cats and CBD soft chews for dogs are easy on the teeth, particularly well-suited to senior and smaller animals. Paw CBD’s pet treats come in a variety of flavors, textures, and strengths so you can create a perfect schedule for your animal. You might even want to buy your CBD pet treats in a lower strength than what your animal needs so you can give them more treats each day! Just be mindful of the total daily amount given.
Paw’s Specialty Pet CBD Formulas
Some product lines offer special CBD pet formulas to target specific aspects of your pet’s wellness needs. For example, a CBD soft chew for cats that includes licorice root powder and nettle leaf extract can support kidneys, while a CBD calming oil with an herbal blend helps soothe stressed-out dogs or cats with anxiety when they need a little extra TLC.
Pet CBD Topical Balms for Moisture and Massage
Our dog CBD balm offers pet owners an opportunity to nourish sensitive skin areas with CBD and other soothing ingredients. Even just the act of rubbing on areas like pads, paws, and elbows can be a pleasant experience for your pet!
How to Use CBD Products for Pets
Once you’ve decided on the type of CBD pet product you want to try with your animal, here are some tips for how to introduce CBD into your pet’s daily health regimen.
Read All Instructions and CBD Pet Product Information Carefully
Once you’ve purchased a CBD pet product, read all the packaging and any other information that comes with the product before introducing it to your pet. The quality and thoroughness of the information provided will also reflect the quality of the company you’re purchasing from. If they don’t offer plenty of information, answer all your questions, and give clear instructions, you might want to think about buying elsewhere. Knowledge is power when it comes to pet care!
Talk to Your Veterinarian About CBD for Pets
It’s also important to tell your vet that CBD oil is on your mind – keep them apprised of your plans to introduce CBD oil into your animals’ life. Your vet might also be able to provide some guidance on how CBD for dogs benefits your animal, as well as how much you should give to them daily. It’s also important to remember that veterinarians are limited by law and licensing regarding what they can say about pet CBD.
Be Consistent with Your Pet’s Daily Dose of CBD Oil
A general rule when introducing a new resource into your pet’s diet is to start small and maintain that initial recommended amount for a full 30 days. The product needs time to fully interact with an animal’s body, and this also gives you an opportunity to closely monitor how your pet is behaving.
Increase or Decrease As Needed After a Month
If you aren’t seeing the benefits of CBD for pets after this period, you can increase the daily amount marginally and wait another 30 days. Be patient – your pet is unique, and it might take some time to find the perfect delivery method and serving size for your beloved canine or feline!
Possible Side Effects of CBD for Pets
If used properly, CBD oil for pets shouldn't cause any significant side effects. But if you give your pet too much CBD for their size or needs, they might seem lethargic or fatigued. That's why you should always start with the smallest recommended daily amount and increase as needed.
It's unlikely but possible that CBD may interact with other parts of your pet's diet or health routine, so be sure to talk to your veterinarian before you buy CBD oil for pets.
Use CBD Oil for Pets to Improve Their Life – And Yours!
They say “happy wife, happy life,” but “happy pet, happy life” is the real mantra for most devoted pet parents. CBD for dogs benefits your pet in many ways so that you can look forward to more long, happy, active days at the dog park. CBD for cats benefits you by keeping your feline friend content, calm, and purring. Whatever the breed, size, or age of your animal, pet CBD oil can support a natural, healthy lifestyle. And when your pet’s happy and relaxed, so are you!
