Humans may have varying views on many subjects, but their fondness for pet animals will always be a common denominator. It is almost impossible to meet a decent individual who does not adore pets, especially the furry, four-legged kind. Who would not want to be at the receiving end of endless affection and love from these domesticated animals?
According to a study, people are more loving and empathic towards dogs and cats than a fellow human being—a fact that avid pet owners could not agree more. You can read more about it here.
Most canine and feline owners treat their furry friends as family members, rather than just pets. They are ready to spend tens of thousands on the happiness and wellness of their fur babies. Dollar figures have never been a limitation for them. In fact, a 2019 poll revealed that fur parents are willing to spend $10,000 for the medical treatment of their pets.
As pet owners (or a certain Kardashian follower), you may have probably heard the wonderful benefits of CBD for your pets. CBD products are sprouting everywhere—at grocery stores, bath essential kiosks, and even coffee shops. Now, they have one for your adorable floofs.
Here are the essential details to know why people are raving about the use of CBD for their animal counterparts.
What is CBD?
CBD or Cannabidiol is a chemical substance extracted from the cannabis plant or industrial hemp. It is the second major constituent found in Cannabis sativa plant extract, the first being THC or tetrahydrocannabinol. According to this study (http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=s0100-879×2006000400001&script=sci_arttext), CBD constitutes 40 percent of the cannabis species plant and is known to be a non-psychotropic element.
Cannabidiol can be extracted from either cannabis or a hemp plant. However, manufacturers prefer the hemp plant as their major CBD source, as it constitutes 12% to 18% of cannabidiol substance and only contains less than 0.03% of THC traces.
Unlike the psychoactive THC substance, cannabidiol is non-toxic, devoid of any psychoactive effects, and does not cause an overdose. Thus, deeming it safe to use for both animals and humans.
What are the benefits of CBD for pets?
There is still much to be discovered with this new substance. But its plethora of therapeutic benefits for our pets is a fact worth considering.
- Reduces anxiety
Animals can also be victims of the cruel mental disorder, which is anxiety. This can be seen in pets who have previous traumatic experiences such as abuse and neglect. Anxiety also manifests in stressful events such as meeting new people, loud noises, and calamities. Trembling, restlessness, and a look of fear and worry are telltale signs of anxiety in dogs and cats.
One of the many benefits of CBD is alleviating stress and anxiety. Its neuroprotective properties induce a calming and relaxing effect on the brain. Its innate features make it far better than administering medications with accompanying adverse effects. CBD comes in the form of treats, oil, and topical creams. You can go to holistapet website and other similar sites to view authentic CBD products for your furry friends.
- Reduces pain and inflammation
Cannabidiol is well-known for its pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. It has several mechanisms of anti-inflammatory action, but mainly, it decreases the production of inflammation-inducing cytokines such as TNF alpha. CBD’s analgesic effect greatly helps pets who suffer from severe health conditions such as arthritis.
Arthritis is a common illness of aging pets. There is over sixty percent of senile dogs and cats who experience the debilitating effects of the disease. Aside from chronic pain, arthritis is also characterized by inflamed joints, which makes it extremely painful and difficult when performing locomotive tasks.
The usual treatment for arthritis is NSAIDs and opioids. Both medications pose detrimental side effects, even in short-term usage. Alternative treatments are still recommended by vets to prevent the permanent adverse effects of NSAIDs and opioids.
- Seizures
Preventing and easing the symptoms of seizure were the first medical breakthrough of Cannabidiol. In fact, the first FDA-approved CBD is a medication addressing the said disease in humans. It acts by stimulating the production of GABA—an anti-glutamate neurotransmitter. It also prevents the occurrence of seizures by calming and relaxing the nerves.
A seizure is a neurologic condition that affects both cats and dogs of any size. It is characterized by interferences in the brain’s synaptic activity, which causes uncontrolled convulsions and muscle spasms. Its unpredictable nature makes it dangerous. It can happen even when your fur babies are eating or sleeping.