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Perhaps you’ve tried CBD oil for yourself and you’ve found that it can help to relieve some of your anxiety, pain, or perhaps even insomnia, but what about your furry friends?

Pet CBD Oil vs. Human CBD Oil

The benefits of CBD for humans is solely due to the way the endocannabinoid system (ECS) interacts with the cannabinoids in CBD oils and products. Our endocannabinoid system is a vital biological system involved in the maintenance of our general health. The cannabinoid receptors exist in all areas of the body, connecting our minds to our bodies.
All animals have been found to have an ECS, so the same could be said for our dogs and cats, which means that CBD affects them in a similar way that it affects us. It’s no wonder that many people who are using CBD oil for themselves have considered if perhaps it could also help their dog (or cat), and if pet CBD is the same as human CBD? Luckily for Fluffy – It’s pretty much the same, but there are a few necessary adjustments that need to be made.

Can I Give My Dog CBD For Humans?
CBD oils for pets, or pet treats with CBD should contain the same quality of CBD oil as the ones for humans, so the only difference comes in with the concentration, so some careful consideration needs to be taken with regards to dosing human CBD oil for pets.
It’s important to remember that CBD meant for humans will have a concentration that may be a bit high for your littlest pets, so you’ll need to consider the dosage very carefully as body size plays a role in how much CBD is right for your pets.

Can I Take My Pets CBD Oil?
On the flip side- Humans could also take CBD oil meant for dogs, cats and other pets if it is human-grade and isn’t impure in any way, but generally, if it comes from a reputable manufacturer, then it should be suitable for both you and your pet.

What Dosage Of CBD Oil Is Safe For Your Dog Or Cat?
For humans, the maximum daily dosage is 20mg per day, and in most circumstances, the recommended daily dosage would be much lower than that. For your pets, as they’re most likely much smaller than you are, the recommended dosage would be much lower.
Even though there’s no concrete standard in dosing CBD oil for pets, you can follow the rough standard of about 1mg per every 0.5kg of their body weight, so you’ll need to check your product for how many milligrams of CBD there are per millilitre of CBD oil. Remember to always start at the lowest possible dosage and you can work your way up if you feel it’s necessary.

How To Give CBD Oil To Your Pet
When it comes to actually administering the CBD oil to your dog or cat, particularly from a glass dropper, make sure that they don’t try to bite the glass dropper, simply let them lick the liquid from the dropper, and if they’re struggling with a skin problem or muscle pain, you can try applying the product directly to the skin.

How Safe Is CBD Oil For Pets?
Even though there have been people who have used amounts far higher than the recommended dosage with seemingly little to no side effects, possible side effects may be experienced far more acutely in dogs or cats as they’re so much smaller than humans.
A report conducted on the administration of cannabidiol in healthy dogs set out to study the potential side effects thereof. It found that while the product was mostly well-tolerated, it’s important to note the incidences of diarrhoea and elevations in serum ALP (alkaline phosphatase) levels. Some dogs also experienced erythematous pinnae, which is a skin reaction that appears behind the ear folds, but this appeared mostly in the dogs that were given the CBD topically.
What this means is that pet treats with CBD, or in lower doses your regular low-concentration CBD oil is generally considered safe for your furry friend. Higher doses, however, may very likely have adverse reactions, particularly in smaller dogs, and of course cats. If your pet experiences diarrhoea or looser-than-normal stool, try lowering the dosage.

Make Sure Your CBD Is Up To Scratch
As is the case with humans, make sure you only use CBD oils, treats and products that are of particularly high quality, the best way to ensure that your CBD is up to scratch is to purchase only from reputable manufacturers. The company should be able to present you with a certificate of analysis from a third-party testing lab, or better yet, they may even provide the information freely on their website.

To make it all a little easier, look out for CBD products that are certified by the CRI (Cannabis Research Institute of South Africa). Find out more about CBD oil for dogs and cats by speaking to your pet’s veterinarian, they may be able to give you advice tailored for your pet.

Copy kindly compiled by www.rethinkcbd.co.za