Can I Give My Dog or Cat “Human” CBD Oil?
The simple answer is yes — it’s safe to give your pet CBD meant for human consumption — with a few key caveats:
- Should not offer cannabis oil to your pets with more than 0.3 percent THC (0.2 percent in Europe)
- Using lower doses to the bottle than recommended
- Speak to your vet before you give your pet CBD if they have any underlying health problems
All animals have an endocannabinoid system — Many of the most dangerous creatures, including the sea-squirt. That means animals do have cannabinoid receptors, a central component of the endocannabinoid system, just as humans do.
While animals may be processing CBD differently (which is still under research), they have the mechanisms required to obtain CBD ‘s benefits. Among animals, as in humans, cannabidiol can be able to alleviate pain, inflammation and anxiety.
But, before you give your pet CBD meant for human consumption, there are certain things you need to know.
Pet CBD Oil vs. Regular CBD Oil: What’s The Difference?
The CBD is simply CBD. The method of extraction for both animal and human CBD is the same — all forms should be extracted from healthy, herbal cannabis and contain less than 0.3% THC (0.2% in Europe).
So CBD products intended for human and animal use are basically the same, with only slight variations in potency and taste.
Types of Human CBD Oil You Can Give to Your Pet
Not every form of CBD oils is produced equal. But as long as you are using THC-free CBD isolate derived from hemp — you can give your pet the same CBD oil you are using.
How is THC-Free CBD Oil Used?
It’s normal for pets to end up on the vet after eating their owners’ weed stash as a result of weed toxicosis. Pets with health issues such as asthma , cancer and other chronic illnesses, on the other hand, often use a managed dose of medical cannabis to alleviate symptoms.
Several reports indicate low toxicity of THC in animals, while others confirm the fatal use of marijuana in pets [1,2]. All comes down to the single dose.
The case is under investigation for giving your pet CBD oil which contains THC. While your pet may benefit from some THC, giving high THC levels to your pet marijuana oils should be avoided. Alternatively just to be safe, you can stick to pure, THC-free CBD or hemp oil.
Does that mean it’s safe to give your pet hemp-derived CBD oil with less than 0.3 percent THC?
CBD oil is usually healthy with less than 0.3 percent THC, it won’t damage your pet. But, in smaller animals, a high dose may cause side effects. It may be a concern due to the unregulated CBD oil industry — the rates of THC for human use in a full-spectrum CBD oil may be higher than the company officially states.
Opt for CBD Oils Without Added Sugar
Pure CBD oil can leave a sour, earthy taste in your mouth, which is why people mix their coffee or tea with CBD oil. Some producers have been introducing artificial additives, or sugars such as dextrose, to their products to mask the natural taste of CBD.
Meat foods often come with flavoring to make the animal’s flavor more enjoyable, like beef or fish. Although this won’t be harmful in small quantities, taking CBD supplements filled with artificial sweeteners and sugar will cause your animal long-term health problems.
If the CBD oil is sugar-free and does not contain any artificial sweeteners it is more effective for you and your animal. Excessive sugar can lead to health problems such as diabetes, stomach upset, cavities and weight gain in pets, much as in humans. Many artificial sweeteners present in sugar-free CBD oil can also be harmful in other ways, such as xylitol or grapeseed oil.
Use a Dose Lower Than What’s Recommended on the Bottle
It’s important to remember that our furry friends are smaller and more sensitive to CBD when they give your pet CBD oil intended for humans. The dose should be considerably lower, then. One rule of thumb when giving human consumption CBD oil is to go low and increase the dose slowly.
A good start is 0.25–0.50 mg/lb (0.55 – 1.1 mg/kg), every day.
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