Recognizing when animals are uncomfortable is part of being a good pet parent. You notice when things are off because you want what’s best for your furry friend. From separation anxiety when you leave for the day to reduced activity from arthritis in their joints, pets experience similar emotional and physical ups and downs as their owners.
As more people seek alternative options for their furry companions’ health, cannabidiol (CBD) use emerges as a promising solution. This article will help you navigate the CBD scene for pets in Kitchener so that you can make the best decision for your cuddle buddy.
Highland Cannabis, your friendly mom-and-pop shop in Kitchener, is dedicated to making your experience smooth and informed, whether you’re new to cannabis or a seasoned enthusiast.
Jump To…
- What is CBD?
- How do CBD and THC Interact with our Endocannabinoid System?
- The Potential Benefits of Cannabis for Pets
- What are the Risks of Treating My Pet with CBD?
- Types of CBD Products for Pets in Kitchener
- What are the Proper Dosages For Pets?
- Navigating CBD for Pets in Kitchener: Highland Cannabis’s Advice
What is CBD?
Hundreds of cannabinoids (naturally occurring cannabis compounds) develop in marijuana plants as they grow to maturity. CBD is one of them, known for its therapeutic effects, and so is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), known for its euphoric effects. Those two are the most well-known. However, our budtenders at Highland Cannabis might recommend products to you, not for your pet, that have high amounts of cannabigerol (CBG) or cannabinol (CBN).
We mention this so you understand that there is more at play than just THC and CBD when you use cannabis products.
All mammals have an endocannabinoid system (ECS) that reacts with cannabinoids found in marijuana and hemp plants. Hemp plants contain CBD but not THC, making them useful for therapeutic and drug trials.
How do CBD and THC Interact with our Endocannabinoid System?
Our ECS has CB1 and CB2 receptors. Receptors are like parking spaces for the molecules floating around our brain, called endocannabinoids, that have similar structures to the ones found in cannabis. CBD and THC hijack the parking spaces because of their similar structures and can interact with our bodies.
CB1 receptors control and regulate things by turning up or down the activity of systems like hunger, temperature, or focus.
CB2 receptors exist primarily in our immune tissues. They are critical for controlling our immune function and gastrointestinal conditions. CB2 receptors are widely used in drug development because they don’t cause the high associated with cannabis that stimulating the CB1 receptors does.
The Potential Benefits of Cannabis for Pets
Research suggests that CBD might help pets feel better. The caveat is that pets who accidentally consume cannabis products with THC will get sick.
Some possible benefits include:
- Pain: A Frontiers in Veterinary Science study showed decreased arthritis pain and increased activity in dogs treated with CBD oil.
- Stress and anxiety: CBD provides a mellowing effect that eases our nervous systems. Studies suggest that CBD affects parts of the brain influenced by serotonin, a hormone that brings feelings of happiness and relaxation.
- Seizures: In a controlled test, dogs with epilepsy were given oral CBD and their traditional antiseizure medications and experienced fewer seizures. Additionally, a Colorado State University clinical trial found that 89 percent of dogs who received CBD experienced less frequent seizures.
What are the Risks of Treating My Pet with CBD?
The biggest risk of giving your pet cannabis is intoxication. The best way to avoid potential mishaps with any cannabis product is to purchase from a licensed cannabis retail store, like Highland Cannabis in Kitchener. Licensed retailers always have accurate ingredient labels, so you know how much CBD or THC is in the product.
The most common side effects of CBD treatment include:
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Changes in appetite or weight.
Speak to your veterinarian before giving your pet CBD products, as you would before administering any medication. We also advise people to start low and slow. Begin with a low dose and wait a few hours to monitor the response before increasing the amount. And only increase in small increments.
Types of CBD Products for Pets in Kitchener
IMPORTANT: if pets consume cannabis products with a high dose of THC, it can be toxic.
CBC News quotes Owen Allerton, our owner at Highland Cannabis, as he urges everyone to “keep products stored out of reach from children and pets—up high, out of the way and in a sealed container.”
In studies with CBD done on pets, the most common products are oils. Here are our favourite tinctures at Highland Cannabis in Kitchener.
CBD Tinctures for Pets
CBD Reign Drops are our favourite product to recommend because they are low cost and low dose. This product is a great starting point—a low initial investment, and you’re less likely to administer too much.
Bacon CBD Extract by Apothecary Botanical is an all-natural plant-based CBD product. Plus, who has heard of good boys and girls not liking bacon?
Apothecary Labs – Bacon – Extra Strength CBD extracts this concentrate from hemp plants, which don’t contain THC. Their lab adds natural bacon flavour for that savoury taste and irresistible aroma.
Double-check with your veterinarian before giving your pet any sort of cannabis products, especially ones that may contain small amounts of THC.
What are the Proper Dosages For Pets?
Just like humans, everybody reacts differently to cannabis products. An animal’s tolerance and size will help determine the proper amount of medication. Still, the best way to determine the correct dosage for your pet is to speak with a veterinarian with CBD experience. Also, monitor how your pet responds to CBD the first few times until it becomes an everyday part of life.
There are many success stories of people who give their pets CBD products and experience a higher quality of life. That’s the magic of this beautiful plant. So approach cautiously, but don’t write off this method completely. CBD is full of potential.
Navigating CBD for Pets in Kitchener: Highland Cannabis’s Advice
As a caring pet owner, you don’t want to see your pet in distress. But at the same time, you also don’t want to give them something that could make them feel worse.
An informed and practical cannabis experience starts with Highland Cannabis in Kitchener. Always vet the ingredients and consult with professionals to ensure safety, especially regarding THC and your pet.
The magic of this plant lies in its possibilities, offering hope for improved well-being and a brighter, happier future for all the good boys and girls out there.
Sources
- “The endocannabinoid system: Essential and mysterious”
- “Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Clinical Efficacy of Cannabidiol Treatment in Osteoarthritic Dogs”
- “The Endocannabinoid System of Animals”
– MDPI
- “Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders”
– National Library of Medicine
- “Randomized blinded controlled clinical trial to assess the effect of oral cannabidiol administration in addition to conventional antiepileptic treatment on seizure frequency in dogs with intractable idiopathic epilepsy”
– National Library of Medicine
- “Results from CBD clinical trial to assess efficacy on seizure frequency in dogs ‘encouraging’”
– Colorado State University, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
- “An Update on Safety and Side Effects of Cannabidiol: A Review of Clinical Data and Relevant Animal Studies”