CBD has a lot of great natural properties and has helped not only people but animals as well. With so many CBD products available for pets at commercial retailers, it can be difficult to understand what CBD is and how it can benefit your pet. Our walker Arelys tells us what’s the buzz on CBD, how it can help your pet, and how to introduce it safely!
What is CBD?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a naturally occurring chemical found in cannabis plants. It is a separate chemical from cannabis’s main component, THC, which is the chemical in marijuana that makes you high. Since CBD is not psychoactive, you won’t have to worry about it affecting you nor your pet’s motor skills. CBD is a natural treatment used for sleep, pain relief, anxiety, inflammation, arthritis, and joint issues, just to name a few.
How to get the best CBD for your pet
If you want to try CBD for your pet, it is always important to look for the highest-quality CBD grown domestically from hemp plants. It is highly encouraged to research the company you’re looking to buy from and how they develop and process their product. Don’t judge the product’s quality solely by its price value. CBD products come in different varieties designed for pets, such as oils, pills, dog treats, and topical ointments. It is also legal in Illinois and available to purchase online, in some retail stores, and in medical dispensaries.
Monitoring your pet’s CBD use
While CBD may be a better alternative for treating your pet’s underlying issues than veterinarian-prescribed meds, it is best to talk to your vet before trying CBD products on your pet. Start off with small doses, and monitor your pet’s body language to make sure nothing out of the norm goes on with your pet. Everyone experiences CBD slightly differently, and some people have reported feeling side effects such as dry mouth, tremors, low blood pressure, lightheadedness, and drowsiness. These effects may be the same for dogs, though in most cases, these symptoms occurred because dosages were too high.
Now that you see how CBD can be a safe and natural alternative for treating your pet, I hope this information will help you decide whether to try it out! Once again, if you decide you do want to introduce CBD to your pet, make sure to talk with your vet first!
Thank you, Arelys, for that helpful information on introducing your pet to CBD! Windy City Paws is a Fear Free Chicago dog walker and petsitter committed to providing helpful information to Chicago dog owners through its blog.
Written for Windy City Paws by Arelys J