Holistic Pet: Is CBD Good for my dog, cat, or pet sea squirt?

We’re kidding a little with the title, but it’s actually true: traditional pets (like dogs, cats and horses) as well as a whole host of other animals on the planet (including the very above-mentioned sea squirt) have their very own endocannabinoid systems and cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, just like humans. So, happily, just like humans, our beloved four-legged mates can benefit from CBD therapy.

Here’s a few other things you may not know about CBD and pets:

Via the endocannabinoid system, CBD can positively affect a bunch of your pets’ basic biological functions, like:

• Mood
• Appetite
• Anxiety
• Metabolism
• Sleep
• Pleasure
• Movement and coordination
• Immune response

The bottom line is the same benefits we humans receive from treating ourselves with CBD oils and other delivery methods can positively affect the lives of our pets. Good potential uses might include elderly pets with mobility issues, restless pets who can’t seem to settle down at night or car rides, pets with post traumas, and animals with food aversions.

CBD isn’t psychoactive or harmful for your pets, the trial is still out for THC

It’s understandably irresponsible (at best) to consider giving your dog or cat a mind-altering substance. The good news however, is that CBD is non psychoactive. Studies show that THC, the compound that gives marijuana its psychoactive properties, in high amounts can be harmful for your pet, vs. a necessary trace amount of THC existing in full spectrum CBD extracts. Some CBD products, (like ours) are derived from hemp, not marijuana, so intoxication or high level of THC would not be an issue. AFC full-spectrum hemp extract CBD contains only traces of THC, making it an optimal diet supplement for your pet.

CBD can help with a host of common pet ailments

We’ll quickly run down the list, as a lot of research and press exists on each of these benefits.

CBD has been proven to reduce anxiety — helpful for fearful animals who freak out during thunderstorms or bark incessantly at strangers.

CBD can treat seizures, and has been shown to alleviate drug-resistant epilepsy — meaning dog who might previously take more harmful veterinary drugs to control seizures may see fewer episodes while taking CBD.

CBD helps relieve pain in pets as well as humans, so well that scientists have begun considering it as a potential new class of drug for the treatment of chronic pain. In pets, this means more happy wags and friskier behavior from animals with chronic conditions like irritable bowel disease and arthritis.

CBD helps increase appetite, and also reduces nausea. Some animals become less interested in food as they age (or may slack off eating if they’re sick or distressed). CBD can help dogs and cats regain a healthy appetite, and also help keep food down (which you know is a big deal if you have a serial puker in your house).

Thinking about considering CBD for your pet? Look for a reputable maker—one with an organic product (pesticide free), that offers third-party testing to assure purity and strength. Then go ahead and give your best friend the benefit of a healthier endocannabinoid system, a calmer mind and more! You know they deserve it.