No CBD Here
Did you see this headline in the news? You have probably heard it a lot recently. On January 7, 2020, AP News published an article about how buyers need to beware all the new pet products claiming to contain CBD, but many don’t.
Companies have marketed hundreds of CBD pet health products claiming the cannabis derivative produced calmer, quieter and pain-free dogs and cats. But some of these products are all bark and no bite.
However, one pet parent decided to go against her vet’s recommendation and try CBD Oil recommended by a friend. The little dog’s cluster seizures had become more frequent and frightening despite expensive medications.
“It’s amazing,” Carter said. “Bentley was having multiple seizures a week.
To have only six seizures in the past seven months is absolutely incredible.”
Gold Rush
Short for cannabidiol, CBD is found in hemp and marijuana. Both are cannabis plants, but only marijuana has enough of the compound THC to get users high. Many CBD products come from hemp, which has less than 0.3% THC.
Bill Bookout, president of the National Animal Supplement Council, stated “There’s a gold rush going on now. Probably 95% of the industry participants are responsible, but what’s dangerous is the fly-by-night operative that wants to cash in.”
When purchasing CBD products for yourself or a pet, you want to look for a reputable company that can provide a certificate of analysis. It shows that the products are tested, not only for the amount of CBD, but also to ensure there are no toxic contaminants such as heavy metals and pesticides and have only trace amounts of THC, which in higher levels is toxic to dogs.
Promising Studies
Bookout said his organization has recorded very few health incidents involving CBD and no deaths. The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association in June 2019 found CBD oil reduced seizure frequency in 89% of the epileptic dogs that used it. Another study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science in July 2018, found CBD oil helped increase comfort and activity in dogs with osteoarthritis. Stephanie McGrath, a Colorado State University researcher, is now doing a larger clinical trial funded by the American Kennel Club’s Canine Health Foundation.
Seizures are a natural focus for research on veterinary CBD products, since Epidiolex, the only FDA-approved drug containing CBD, was approved last year for the treatment of two severe forms of epilepsy in children. Veterinarians are allowed to prescribe the drug for pets, but it’s prohibitively expensive — upwards of $30,000 a year for an average-size dog, compared to an average bottle of CBD oil which costs around $79.
The Kennel Club’s chief veterinary officer said CBD is promising for treatments like pain relief in dogs. The American Veterinary Medical Association is telling vets they can share what they know about CBD, but shouldn’t prescribe or recommend it until the FDA gives its blessing, but many vets aren’t willing to promote it. Some states even prohibit vets from mentioning CBD.
What Now?
Researchers are just now learning about the benefits of using CBD products in humans and dogs. While more studies are needed to determine all issues it can help improve or cure, use common sense if you decide to use it. Make sure you are purchasing from a reputable company and check the certificate of analysis. If the price is too good to be true, it probably doesn’t have what you want in it or it has many things that you don’t. CBD Oil for humans is different than that for a dog. CBD Oil for humans may have xylitol or flavoring which could be fatal for your dog. Read the label. And finally, look for a company that offers a money-back guarantee. Then, if it doesn’t work for you or your pet, you can return it.
My Recommendation
When I’m not feeling my best or I get overexcited and need to calm down a bit, Shelley has two choices. She can give me CBD dog treats, shaped like a cookie that tastes like beef, or she can give me CBD Oil that tastes like bacon. If you have a dog that doesn’t like bacon, (is there any such creature?), there is also a non-flavored non-CBD Oil available made from Black Seed Oil. It has all the same benefits of CBD oil. I have some dog biscuits that have little holes in them (they don’t go all the way through) and she puts several drops of CBD in the holes.
If you have found something interesting in this article, let me know. And if you use CBD products for your pets, what do you use it for and how is it working?
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Hi, I’m Trixie! I love treats, sleeping, chewing up my toys and I especially like chasing small critters that enter my yard. (Don’t worry, my mom makes sure that I don’t catch any of them.) I was rescued when someone dumped me in the driveway, expecting 10 little puppies. Though my mom had dogs as a kid, she realized there was a lot she didn’t know.
We decided to create this website to help you with issues that you may not be aware of and to share information about the best foods, toys, treats, and places to explore with your fur friend. You’ll learn all about raising your dog to be happy and healthy and we will have some fun along the way!
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts on cbd. Regards
Very nice article, exactly what I needed.