If you have not heard of cannabidiol popularly known as CBD then we might be tempted to ask if you have been living under a rock. Well, even if you have, the fact that you are reading this means you are back to modern civilization.
Therefore, allow us to be your guide as we bring you up to speed on the rave that is sweeping through the country which is in many ways thanks to the legalization of hemp in many states in the United States of America.
What should you expect to learn from this article? Well, let’s outline it briefly for you…
- What cannabidiol is
- CBD treats health benefits
- Is CBD approved for dogs by vets?
- Should CBD treats be given to your dog?
Now, that we have our journey path mapped out, let’s begin…
What Cannabidiol Is
Cannabidiol is one of the compounds that can be extracted out of the cannabis plant family which include hemp and marijuana. But before you close this page in horror at the mention of cannabis, hemp, and marijuana, we will recommend you read further.
Although cannabidiol is one of the many compounds generally called cannabinoids, it doesn’t have any psychoactive effect. In other words, if you or your canine pal ingests this substance, you won’t get the “high” feeling that many have come to associate cannabis, hemp, and marijuana with.
It might interest you to know that hemp and marijuana are quite different. The major difference is judged by the percentage of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) found in the plant. Hemp is grown to have a THC percentage that is below 0.3%, while marijuana has more than 0.3%. Visit https://www.healthline.com/health/hemp-vs-marijuana to learn more about the difference between hemp and marijuana.
With such a low THC percentage in hemp, you won’t experience that “high” feeling. Hence, most CBD products including treats are gotten from hemp rather than marijuana.
Cannabidiol Treats Health Benefits
Many have testified of the health benefits associated with using CBD products. Humans have been taking cannabidiol for a while and many have claimed to receive all sorts of benefits such as reduced inflammation, pain alleviation, anxiety reduction, etc.
Many folks that gave cannabidiol treats to their dogs reported that the symptoms of some health issues which include inflammation, anxiety, appetite loss, seizures, nausea, and pain were greatly reduced when this product was administered.
While there is a lot of anecdotal evidence, scientific evidence is not as rampant. This is because this area is a relatively new field. Hence, much research has not been made to fully verify these claims.
As a result, not all medical personnel will recommend the usage of these products. Nevertheless, few studies have shown that the claims made are indeed true. The problem, however, is that these studies were not well-documented.
Thankfully, with the legalization of hemp, research is now in full swing in this area. Read this article to learn about the Farm Bill that made hemp legal. Many are therefore positive that the scientific evidence supporting the claims of many will soon be in the limelight.
Is CBD Approved For Dogs by Vets?
It is generally accepted that tetrahydrocannabinol is not to be given to pets including dogs under any circumstance. This is done because of several good reasons since it is a depressant and could lead to respiratory failure.
While the voice is one by vets regarding THC, the subject of cannabidiol elicits different opinions although such opinions are not voiced. Many vets believe that CBD in any form including treats is beneficial to dog health. However, due to limited research regarding this subject, they are not allowed to air their opinions.
Also, in some states, vets are not allowed to talk about cannabidiol, advice, or prescribe it to their patients. Doing so could lead to disciplinary actions as stipulated by the law. Hence, vets do not approve or prescribe the use of CBD for dogs in any form.
Should Cannabidiol Treats be given to Your Dog?
This is the million-dollar question after all that we have discussed so far. Interestingly, the answer to that question is not a straightforward yes or no.
Although most medical personnel agree that CBD treats do not pose any health risk to our canine buddies, the fact that the industry lacks proper regulation is a cause for concern for anyone who wants to give these products to their beloved pets.
Hence, if you decide to go ahead and give cannabidiol treats to your Fido, ensure you do the following:
1. Research Properly
Before you give any treat to your dog, ensure that you have made adequate research. You should find out more about the CBD product and its content. If you are getting the product online, ensure you read the product’s review from other buyers.
Also, find out more about the producer. Don’t hesitate to run a background check on them. Remember that the industry lacks proper regulation; hence, you cannot be too careful.
2. Don’t Allow Branding Fool You
Most producers try to deceive buyers by branding their products as “natural”. This is a big fat lie since the treat passed through some form of processing. Hence, you need to really go through the ingredients of the product.
If you see an ingredient called “Xylitol”, we recommend you avoid such a product as that sweetener is toxic to canine.
Conclusion
Cannabidiol treats are almost everywhere these days which is why every good dog owner should have good knowledge about these products. We are certain that this article has provided you with the knowledge you need.