Before we talk about the benefits, you may be wondering: what is CBD? Great question! In this post, we’ll go over what it is and how it can benefit your furry friends. CBD is short for “cannabidiol” - it’s one of more than 100 compounds found in the cannabis plant. Ah, now you may be wondering: Cannabis? For my pet?? No way! Your concern is valid, but don’t worry! Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (better known as THC), CBD is not psychoactive and will not get your pet high. In fact, it has plenty of medicinal benefits that can really help your pet! Check out five great benefits of CBD treats below:
- Helps to calm anxiety.
Giving your dog a cbd treat can help to calm them down if they get easily anxious. But don’t worry, it’s not because you’re getting your dog high. If your dog suffers from separation anxiety or gets stressed from loud noises (think: thunder, fireworks, etc.), a treat with CBD in it or CBD flower or oil can help reduce their fears and calm them down. - Works as an antiemetic.
If your dog suffers from nausea during car rides, CBD is a great antiemetic. In fact, the National Cancer Institute reports that CBD increases appetite, in addition to controlling cancer in both pets and humans. Whether your dog gets carsick or ate something he/she shouldn’t have, CBD can help soothe their stomachs. - Acts as a natural painkiller.
Many studies have shown that CBD can help reduce pain in both humans and dogs. If you have an older dog or a dog that suffers from joint pain, treating them to CBD can help reduce their pain significantly. There are plenty of great pet treats on the market that have CBD as an ingredient – not only will your dog enjoy eating them, it’ll make him or her feel better too! CBD hemp flowers are also recommended for alleviating pains in humans but you should never use this specific product for your dog as it can be toxic for them. - Known as an anticonvulsant.
If your dog suffers from seizures, CBD can help to reduce them. In fact, using CBD oil for dog seizures does not have the harmful side effects that many prescription drugs can cause, like long-lasting liver damage. If you’re curious to learn more, definitely ask your vet if this is a good option for your four-legged friend! - Promotes overall homeostasis.
Homeostasis is a word that biologists use to describe how a living organism regulates its internal environment to maintain stability. One very important part of homeostasis is body temperature and, because dogs do not have sweat glands, it’s extremely important to pay attention to their well-being. CBD oil can help promote overall good health for your pet and can easily be incorporated into homemade treats you make for them!
Of course, if you still have questions or concerns about giving your dog a treat with CBD oil in it, be sure to talk to your vet first. Do you give CBD treats to your dogs? Let us know what you think about this latest trend in the comments below! We’d love to hear your thoughts.