A growing number of professionals and pet owners are becoming curious about how CBD can benefit our furry friends, but how do we know if they’re right for our own pets?

This past year you’ve probably noticed an uptick in CBD products for pets being sold everywhere from high-end smoke shops to gas stations. Forecasts predict this trend to continue into 2019.  While there are still questions about the safety and efficacy of these products, a growing number of professionals and pet owners are becoming curious about how CBD can benefit our furry friends.  

The CBD-packed treats and oils marketed for pets make claims of reducing pain, anxiety, and more, but how do we know if they’re right for our own pet? Luckily, scientists are finally doing more research on the relationship between CBD and pets with a variety of issues. A 2018 study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science showed that CBD oil increased comfort and activity in the home environment for dogs with osteoarthritis. In fact, 80 percent of the dogs in the study saw significant decrease in pain and improved mobility.  

Evidence sourced by word of mouth is also spreading throughout the pet community. I have several regulars at the smoke shop I manage who swear by the pet CBD products we carry and recommend them to their friends and family. Customers have raved about how much it helped their pet with severe separation anxiety or even reduced seizures in their pet with epilepsy. I purchased CBD tincture for my own beloved cat when she developed terminal cancer, and my mom believes it kept her out of pain and extended her life by several months. 

For many pet parents who have tried everything help their sick or anxious cat or dog, CBD might be the answer. It’s important to note that the CBD products I’m discussing here contain little to no THC. The use of THC for pets is often frowned upon by veterinarians who have witnessed the effects of improper dosing which can cause toxicity in small fur babies. CBD poses none of the same risks for overdose because it’s non-psychoactive and non-toxic, making it generally safe for pet owners to dose their own pets. In fact, CBD is often praised as being better tolerated than many prescription medicines you may get from your vet or pet center. 

Pet owners should, however, do research on the hemp products they choose for their pets.  

Some companies have no quality control and wildly varying concentrations of CBD, including absolutely none at all. When searching for hemp products for your pet, be sure to check if it’s third party lab tested and that there are instructions for dosage based on your pet’s weight. If a brand has no ingredients listed and no reviews online, it probably isn’t the safest choice.  It’s best to choose CBD that is organic and free from pesticides and not to go for the cheap stuff, as the higher the quality and purity the higher the cost will be. 

With proper research and high-quality CBD products, you could vastly improve the quality of your pet’s life, and any pet-lover knows that’s worth a try.