When it comes to browsing the holistic health options for dogs, it’s important to do as much research and homework-navigating as possible before introducing that new and tasty goodness to your pup. After all, your pup’s health regime is just as important as yours!
Most likely, you’ve heard about the latest wellness product in the world of holistic veterinary medicine: CBD for pets. Whether you have or haven’t heard about it yet, we’ll be diving into all of your questions, concerns, and wonders about CBD for dogs in today’s article. So no need to worry, we’ll talk about the safety profile, potential adverse effects, and the beaming benefit potential of CBD for dogs.
Let’s get to the good stuff!
Is Cannabidiol (CBD) Safe for Dogs?
First things first, CBD is safe for dogs. As long as CBD is derived from the hemp plant, your four-legged friend should be good to go! Let’s break it down.
So, the cannabis plant can be thought of as a large and encompassing umbrella – with the marijuana and hemp plants falling nicely under this umbrella cover. CBD can be derived from both the marijuana and hemp plants, but here’s the kicker: CBD is safe for dogs if it has been taken from the hemp plant.
CBD is a naturally occurring compound found in the cannabis plant but can be taken from both of these varieties. THC, short for tetrahydrocannabinol, can be extremely toxic if ingested by animals. Only hemp-derived CBD is safe for canines because there is little to no THC present.
So it’s extremely important that you shop for hemp-derived CBD for pets and that there is little to no THC in them. Your pup will thank you later!
What is CBD for Dogs?
Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is an all-natural substance derived from the cannabis plant. Endocannabinoids can produce effects on the body’s nervous system and immune system. The cannabis term is more so an umbrella term that includes several species of plants, both hemp and marijuana plants to be specific.
Here’s where some misunderstandings may occur. Products derived from the hemp plant are legal in all 50 states. Unsurprisingly, hemp-based products may already be part of your everyday life. The hemp plant can be used in various ways, including fuel, clothing, fibers, etc. Industrial hemp can be used in beauty products as well as health supplements. You may even see hemp seed milk on the shelf at your local grocery store.
The hemp plant has extremely low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (aka THC), which is another well-known cannabinoid. THC is the active component of the cannabis plant and users can experience a “high”. Legally, THC levels in hemp cannot be higher than 0.3%. Given that hemp is low in THC, hemp for doggos will not produce mind-altering effects. So no worries there paw parents!
While the hemp plant and marijuana plant fall under the same umbrella (cannabis), they are so very different in many ways – genetic makeup, cultivation, usage, effects, etc. The key difference we want to make apparent to paw parents is THC levels. The THC levels in CBD that are derived from a marijuana plant can be as high as 20% (maybe even higher)! Yikes. Thus, marijuana plant-derived CBD is more than potentially very toxic for your puppers.
