It’s no secret that the CBD (short for cannabidiol) market is booming right now. It’s even supposed to reach a $22 billion valuation by the year 2022.
For the most part, makers of CBD products market mainly to humans. Now, though, lots of manufacturers have started to branch out and offer products meant for pets as well.
Are you considering diving into this market? Do you want to learn a little more before you decide if it’s a good fit for you?
Read on to learn more about some of the best benefits of CBD for pets.
What is CBD?
In case you’re brand new to the CBD world, let’s quickly go over what CBD is and why you might want to start selling CBD products.
CBD is short for cannabidiol. Cannabidiol is a cannabinoid that occurs naturally in the cannabis plant.
Cannabidiol is not like THC (short for tetrahydrocannabinol), which is one of the most well-known cannabinoids. Unlike THC, CBD does not have mind-altering effects. In other words, you don’t get “high” when you consume it.
When consumed on its own, CBD offers a wide range of health benefits. People use it to help manage symptoms related to a variety of conditions, from migraines to inflammatory bowel disease.
Is CBD Safe for Pets?
The current research shows that CBD is safe for humans to consume and doesn’t cause any adverse side effects.
Some people have concerns about giving it to pets, though. After all, a lot of things that are fine for humans (chocolate, anyone) can be toxic to animals.
The good news is that CBD appears to be safe for pets, too.
Like humans, animals have endocannabinoid systems that help govern a variety of functions within their bodies.
CBD works with the endocannabinoid system to increase the availability of endogenous cannabinoids and help the body function better by keeping everything balanced.
Benefits of CBD for Pets
CBD offers a lot of potential health benefits for pets, especially dogs and cats. The following are some of the most well-known benefits that CBD has to offer pets:
Reduced Pain and Inflammation
As with humans, CBD does a great job of minimizing inflammation and relieving pain in pets. For pets that suffer from arthritis or joint issues, CBD can improve their mobility and make it easy for them to get around and go about their day pain-free.
Reduced Stress and Anxiety
CBD is helpful for anxious pets, too. Pets who struggle with separation anxiety or become anxious or agitated when they’re around other animals or have to ride in the car can benefit from CBD. It helps to calm them down and make normally stressful issues more tolerable.
Improved Digestive Health
CBD has some anti-emetic properties as well. Pets who have poor digestive health and deal with nausea or vomiting often feel much better when they’re given CBD.
CBD can also help to increase pets’ appetites. If they’re not eating much because they don’t feel well, CBD will help them feel hungrier and make it easier for them to regain their strength.
Improved Cardiovascular Health
Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, CBD may promote better cardiovascular health for pets. It keeps the blood flowing through the body in a healthy way and helps to prevent issues that could shorten their lifespan or lower their quality of life.
Reduced Seizure Frequency
For pets who experience seizures, CBD can be a very useful tool. In the same way that it reduces seizure frequency and severity in humans, CBD also helps pets go about their lives safe and seizure-free.
In addition to reducing (and eliminating, in some cases) seizure issues, CBD also helps with things like muscle spasms and tremors. It promotes relaxation and can help to put pets at ease so they don’t experience these uncomfortable and painful issues.
How to Give Pets CBD
CBD can certainly be beneficial to pets dealing with all kinds of health problems. Many pet owners also administer it on a regular basis to promote better general wellness.
In order for pets to see the greatest benefits from CBD, though, it’s important for pet owners to administer it in the proper way.
The following are some tips to keep in mind when giving CBD to pets:
Choose High-Quality CBD Products
Pet owners ought to give their pets high-quality CBD products made with CBD extracted from organic, USA-grown hemp plants. This helps reduce the risk of contamination.
It’s best to use CBD products that don’t contain potentially inflammatory ingredients like vegetable oils or artificial coloring, too.
Start with a Very Small Dose
Some animals (including dogs) have more cannabinoid receptors in their bodies than humans. Because of this, they tend to be more receptive to CBD.
CBD might not be dangerous, but it’s still best to give pets a very small dose until you know how much they can handle. It’s also more economical to start with a small amount and only increase on an as-needed basis.
Combine it with Food or Treats
It’s fine for pet owners to combine CBD with their pet’s food or treats. Many CBD product manufacturers also sell pet treats that contain CBD to make it easier for owners to administer it.
Don’t Administer Other Cannabis Products
CBD is safe for pets, but other cannabinoids — specifically THC — products are not. Pet owners should avoid giving their pets products that contain THC, which can be toxic.
Get Into the CBD for Pets Industry Today
Not only is CBD safe to give your pets, but it also comes with a lot of health benefits for them.
CBD is all the rage among the human population, and now is the perfect time to expand and get into the CBD for pets market, too.
If you’re looking to expand your CBD business or build one from the ground up, we can help at Quantum 9.
We offer a variety of cannabis consulting services and will help you through every stage of the process as you begin to navigate the waters of starting your own CBD business.
Contact us today to learn more about what we do or to start working with us.
