Pet CBD Tincture: Why It’s More Than Just a Trend

September 22, 2023

Uncategorized

10 min read

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Pet CBD Tincture: Why It’s More Than Just a Trend

This article will provide information about pet CBD tincture, specifically its benefits and significance, and how it can help your furry friends beyond just the trendy status. It will explore the potential advantages for overall pet well-being.

Popularity of CBD Tincture for Pets

In recent years, cannabis-based products have grown in popularity for humans and their furry companions as a form of alternative medicine. Popular products include:

Tinctures
Oils
Lotions
Salves
Foods
Drinks

A contributing factor to this rise in popularity is the desire to seek natural alternatives that can serve preventative medicine and treatment for known conditions, particularly in animals. With so many benefits to plant parts, things like tinctures can be made with a mixture of herbs and CBD making them an ideal and cost-effective solution.

CBD: What is it?

So what is CBD, and what are tinctures? CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the primary active compounds in marijuana plants. It is not what gives a high, but rather, it offers several health benefits.

Pet CBD tincture interacts with the endocannabinoid system in pets to promote better balance and well-being. It can:

Inhibit specific signals within the system, like pain signals
It can increase levels of other compounds to boost joint health
It can improve mood and reduce anxiety

Tinctures: How They Work

Tinctures are herbal medicines made by infusing certain plant parts (flowers, roots, leaves, or stalks) into a base product like glycerin, alcohol, or apple cider. These infusions leach the nutrients and compounds from the plant parts into a smaller, easily consumed tincture you can place on your tongue or, in this case, in the pet food, treats, or in their mouths.

Pet tinctures are different from other CBD products for pets because the tincture comes in a liquid form, not a chewable or pill. This makes it easier to administer, no matter how picky an eater your pet is or how small.

Benefits of Pet CBD Tinctures

Several studies and books have been published outlining the benefits of pet CBD tincture for several health conditions and needs. CBD tincture for pets can help with:

Stress and anxiety reduction: Evidence has confirmed that Pet CBD tincture can reduce anxiety and stress in pets, too. Some pets experience anxiety disorders similar to humans, but CBD can provide calming impacts, activating the release of more serotonin.

Pain management and anti-inflammatory effects: Studies have found that CBD can reduce inflammation in the body, which can regulate pain, particularly in older pets or purebred dogs with genetic inflammatory or osteoarthritic conditions.

Support for joint health and mobility: Similarly, research has found that it can reduce inflammation in the joints, which, by extension, treats osteoarthritis problems by supporting joint health and improving mobility.

Epilepsy: Other research has found that CBD can reduce the frequency of seizures if used in conjunction with traditional seizure medication. There are even some pet prescriptions for this purpose.

Safely Using CBD Tincture for Pets

The FDA has yet to approve prescription or over-the-counter products, but that does not mean that they are not safe to use.

How much should I use?

Because the FDA has not approved its use, there are fewer regulations about how much is appropriate. However, it’s imperative that you consult with your veterinarian and get a personalized recommendation based on your pet.

Research has found that roughly two milligrams per kilogram, twice daily, can help alleviate osteoarthritic symptoms for dogs without side effects. However, it’s still a good idea to involve your veterinarian in making that decision and to review the label on the products you purchase carefully, as good companies will provide recommendations.

It can be challenging to know whether the dose you are providing is helpful because your pet can’t necessarily voice the change in symptoms, so you should be with your pet to keep a close eye on their behaviors and to determine if symptoms change within 30 minutes of a single dose and within several weeks of consistent amounts.

Tip: It’s always best to start with a small dose and, monitor any changes and then increase to the amount you want over the next several days.

Are there risks of using pet CBD?

Any potential side effects experienced by your pet are very similar to what you might encounter as a human, such as changes to appetite, fatigue, and, in some cases, mild diarrhea. The higher the dose provided, the more likely that specific side effects will be experienced. Most of the time, these side effects are mild enough that they don’t need treatment, or they will get better on their own. It is very rare that they get worse, but if they do, reach out to your veterinarian.

Will my pet get high?

CBD is not the same as THC. It is the THC that causes the high. This means that any CBD tincture you give your pet won’t cause this if it doesn’t have any THC in it.

Tip: Read the labels for your products carefully. Anything that is labeled as full spectrum could contain up to 0.3% THC.

How do I know my pet CBD product is safe?

There are several ways that you can increase the safety of your product.

Work with good companies

When you work with reputable companies providing high-quality products, you can check that the formula was designed specifically for your pets. You can also ask for things like a certificate of analysis to verify the ingredients and check for customer reviews.

Consult your veterinarian

Even if you utilize herbal medications, it is still a good idea to consult with your veterinarian so that they understand what you are using for your pet. This information can help them if they decide to prescribe medication in the future that might have contraindications.

It can also be helpful for you when it comes to making informed decisions about how the pet tincture should be incorporated into your pets’ daily routine and at what dose based on the breed and size.

Summing Up

Pet tincture has many benefits, like joint support, anxiety control, and anti-inflammatory components. It can provide several advantages for preventative medicine or treatment. There is a growing body of evidence to support its use. If you are planning to utilize CBD for your pet, do research and make sure you are working with reputable companies, consult your veterinarian, and make an informed decision.