Pets can come in all shapes, sizes, breeds, and species. Better yet, you may have other animals that you may interact with in daily life that you cherish just as much. How animals can improve both our mental and physical health has been studied far and wide. So, it’s expected to wonder if you’re doing everything that you can to ensure that the animals in your life are as happy and healthy as possible. With CBD as an approach for a variety of symptoms and ailments, you may wonder if all or any of the animals in your life could potentially benefit. Here’s what we know about CBD for animals.
What we know about CBD for dogs
In the case of dogs, ingestible CBD can address anxiety. Topically speaking, CBD can address skin issues such as itchiness, open wounds, rashes, and more. In addition to these common issues, CBD also shows promising relief for dogs with seizures. According to a study completed by Colorado State University, 89% of the dogs who received CBD experienced a reduction in the frequency of their seizures. The head of the study, Dr. Stephanie McGrath, a neurologist at Colorado’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital, said there was a strong correlation between seizure reduction and the amount of CBD in a dog’s blood. Additionally, on the topic of epilepsy, a cannabis-based drug is approved in both the US and the UK to treat this condition in even young children.
What we know about CBD for cats
In the case of cats, too, CBD can address anxiety. Topically, CBD may also be able to help skin conditions. Giving CBD to both dogs and cats requires a lot of the same mechanics. However, giving CBD to a cat sublingually (the most effective method for absorption) may be impossible. For more on this, check out our video below. Some dogs can be quite easygoing “patients,” on the other hand.
In cats, CBD can likely address the same symptoms as humans and dogs. Most notably, giving your cat CBD can help:
- Pain: If your cat has arthritis, CBD may offer the same benefits as it has in humans.
- Inflammation: If your cat is an outdoor cat, or experiences skin irritation, giving them CBD oil may help. Inflammation is often a multifaceted symptom. If your cat is experiencing skin inflammation, there’s a good chance their stomach may be upset, too.
- Anxiety: If your cat is hyperactive, or, conversely, too shy, CBD may help.
- Aggression
- Allergies
- Appetite regulation
What we know about CBD for horses and other animals
The 2018 Farm Bill’s changes opened the door for the hemp industry to grow. It’s a relatively easy and profitable crop, at least for now. Likewise, this opened the door for a slew of studies and otherwise innovative uses for the ancient plant. Animal studies involving hemp extract (CBD) are no exception. However, while the opportunities for more research are more available, vets and medical doctors alike are still cautious about the nature of their tests and their test subjects.
Since humans, dogs, cats, and horses all have the same basic endocannabinoid system, or ECS, it’s likely not surprising to you that CBD can address unwanted symptoms in horses as well. However, you should be advised that cannabinoids are currently illegal to use if your horse is competitive. On the other hand, giving your horse CBD, with the advice of your veterinary professional, may benefit him or her for things like acute laminitis and equine metabolic syndrome. In simpler terms, acute laminitis is a painful, debilitating disease that affects horses’ feet. The latter, equine metabolic syndrome, is similar to type II diabetes in humans. It can lead to acute laminitis and is associated with blood sugar dysregulation (appetite issues), as well as obesity.
Before taking CBD yourself or giving it to any animal in your care, consult a medical or veterinary professional respectively. Have an honest conversation. If you were hoping for more definitive evidence on CBD for animals — we’re sorry. Maybe another time. We hope to continue breaking down future research for you as it comes out. But, in the meantime, here’s a cat video to make it up to you.
