CBD and animals

Many have already successfully tested the beneficial effect of nutritional supplements on themselves CBD with various ailments and especially those who wonder whether CBD can also be offered to your pets – dogs and cats – for support when they have problems. Given the old records of using cannabis for problems in animals, the discoveries so far that they have ECS animals too, and research already shows that animals respond to cannabinoids in a similar way to humans, the answer is yes. So let's look at how to use CBD for animals.

Revival of cannabis use in the animal sector

Historical records reveal that cannabis has long been used not only to manage problems in humans, but also in animals. For example, The Greeks used cannabis to treat horsesThey alleviated inflammation, wounds, and colic, among other things.

The first recorded study on the use of cannabis in dogs and cats was published in 1899 in the British Medical Journal. It examined the effects of high-THC cannabis on dogs and cats. Since then, most research on the benefits of cannabis, or its cannabinoids (CBD, THC, ...) focused on humans, but recently this has been changing. Research is also being refocused on animals.

At the same time, today also in Slovenia has many pet owners and veterinarians are also discovering the beneficial effects of CBD dietary supplements on dogs and cats. CBD The preparations support the animal body, similar to the human body, in managing various problems (digestive, neurological problems, pain, inflammation, etc.), which is not unusual, since animals also have an endocannabinoid system (ECS), through which cannabis cannabinoids work.

Not only humans have the endocannabinoid system, animals also have it

With the discovery (ECS) system, we were able to understand more closely for the first time why cannabis, with its cannabinoids, can have a beneficial effect on such a wide range of human problems. It has this ability because its cannabinoids positively affect the functioning ECS and through it they have a positive effect on the entire body. ECS It is our SOS system, which brings our body back into balance in the event of any stress, whether physical or psychological, injury, chronic inflammation, food poisoning, etc. It is a system above all other systems known so far and as such is extremely important for maintaining our internal balance or homeostasis of cells.

When ECS no longer functions optimally, a variety of problems begin to appear (e.g. chronic inflammation, anxiety, slow wound healing, poor immunity, impaired nervous system function, etc.). Dr. R. Mechoulam, father of cannabis research, believes that there is practically no disease that is not associated with poor functioning ECSAnd we can be happy that there is a plant that supports this system so strongly. By consuming CBD drops, we support its functioning. ECS, which can consequently be felt as relief from various problems, as the body can therefore more easily cope with, for example, pain, inflammation, ... or rheumatism, arthritis, anxiety, insomnia, exhaustion, stress, etc.

Cannabis contains more than 140 different cannabinoids. Among the most researched is currently CBD, which does not have the psychotropic effect typical of THC. Just listing all the potentials it has CBD has been proven to have so far (e.g. it has the potential to regulate the immune system, is anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, analgesic, antioxidant, antidepressant, anxiolytic, protects the nervous system, antidiabetic, antiepileptic, inhibits the growth of cancer cells, etc.), we can completely reassure even the most critical and distrustful mind regarding the question of the benefits of CBD for humans (or animals).

But humans are not the only ones who don't have an endocannabinoid system, ECS animals also have them, and all animals, including vertebrates (mammals, birds, reptiles and fish) and invertebrates (sea urchins, nematodes and others). The principle of action of cannabis on ECS The animal system, as research has shown to date, is quite similar to that of humans. Therefore, the question is whether cannabis cannabinoids such as CBD they also support the body of dogs and kittens in overcoming, for example, painful and inflamed joints, fear of firecrackers and thunder, aggressive behavior, gastrointestinal inflammation, epileptic seizures... completely on point and the answer is yes.

However, many questions arise about what kind of cannabis extracts, how, how much, and what to look out for. Although the principle of operation is ECS and supporting it with hemp extracts (which grows in a clean environment!) in animals is similar to that in humans, however, according to current knowledge, there are some differences and it is good to take them into account if we want to safely support our best friends with CBD food supplements for animals.

Especially in dogs, we should pay attention to the THC content.

For example, with dogs, it is necessary to be careful not to overload them with THC. This is also present in industrial hemp, although in permitted quantities. However, when highly concentrated products are made from this hemp CBD full-spectrum preparations (full-spectrum extracts contain all cannabinoids present in the cannabis flower, terpenes, flavonoids, etc.), the THC content also increases slightly.

More CBD usually needed to support the animal's body in case of more serious problems, such as epilepsy, head injury or severe inflammation and pain. If we choose highly concentrated CBD Full-spectrum nutritional supplements (which also contain THC) can cause a neurological reaction in sensitive dogs – so-called static ataxia. Such a reaction is also known in dogs from anecdotal cases of accidental ingestion of, for example, pastries prepared with a high THC content.

Dogs react this way because of a unique difference in the composition of the ECS. In dogs, the area of the brainstem and cerebellum, which is responsible for, among other things, the heartbeat, vomiting reflex, pain perception, coordinated movement and balance, has many more CB1 receptors than in humans or other animal species. As a result, much more psychotropic THC binds to this area, which can provoke an unpleasant reaction - the dog stands stiffly and sways back and forth, and may also lose control of the bladder and rectum. In principle, this is not dangerous, but it can be an unpleasant, frightening and completely unnecessary reaction for the dog and its owner.

Due to dogs' extreme sensitivity to THC, it is better to focus on CBD supplements with controlled low THC content or THC-free supplements, especially if THC is not even needed in support (e.g. it is desirable in the case of cancer). Even so, for many small animal problems, it is useful to start with CBD-rich supplements that contain only a small amount (if any) of THC.

Terpenes yes or no?

Natural extracts from hemp, in addition to cannabinoids (CBD, …) may also contain terpenes. For example, there are currently over 200 different ones known. These give different varieties of cannabis their characteristic smell and taste, and also have several beneficial properties (e.g. analgesic, anti-inflammatory, …). The most commonly present in cannabis are, for example, myrcene (also found in large quantities in lemongrass), caryophyllene (also found in cloves, oregano, rosemary, …) and limonene (e.g. found in large quantities in citrus fruits and also in ginger).

Terpenes are desirable in CBD supplements for human use, as they work synergistically with CBD, but we don't yet fully know how they affect animals. We do know that some herbs or essential oils extracted from them are not well tolerated by certain animals. For example, it is not recommended for cats to use essential oils (not on the skin, not for consumption) of thyme, oregano, cassia, cinnamon, cloves, citrus (lemons, oranges, ...), geranium, peppermint, lemongrass, eucalyptus, bergamot, pine and many others, because they can make them feel sick. Essential oils that are not problematic for cats are, for example, lavender, chamomile, rosemary, cedar, etc. Similarly, dogs also respond well to some essential oils, while some irritate them. Of course, their reaction to them depends on the dose of the essential oil - for example, cats show that they are not happy with them mainly with irritability and drooling, while dogs show fatigue and vomiting. However, problematic oils at very low concentrations are not necessarily harmful if they are used judiciously. If you are not familiar with the use of essential oils, it is best to avoid them altogether in animals.

What about terpenes in hemp CBD extracts for animals? For a precise answer, we will have to wait for appropriate research. However, terpenes can be present in the extract to a greater or lesser extent, depending on the process of making CBD supplements. For example, during alcohol extraction, most of them are lost (evaporated), so they can only be present in traces in the preparation. If, despite the insignificant amount of terpenes in a CBD supplement, this is not enough for your dog or cat, the solution is to look for supplements that contain only natural CBD isolate without terpenes.

CBD dosage and animals?

As with humans, there is no standard dosage for animals, but it is adapted to each animal individually. It is ideal to consult with a qualified specialist beforehand. However, we always start dosing with a low dose (usually 2 x per day), which is selected according to the severity of the problem, the animal's condition, its weight, age, etc. This avoids adverse reactions (e.g. excessive sedation) when animals are given too much too quickly. While carefully monitoring the animal's well-being over a certain period of time, if necessary, the CBD dose is gradually increased until the desired effect is achieved. This is seen, for example, in the fact that an animal that previously had difficulty walking due to joint pain is energetic again and moves more, sleeps better, etc. When we notice an improvement, we continue with this dose for as long as necessary.

When using CBD supplements containing natural CBD isolate, pay special attention to the dosage and the perception of the positive effect of the dose on the animal. Because it may happen that further increasing the dose will no longer give the desired result. It is a bell effect - initially the effect increases when the dose is increased and reaches its maximum effect, and then decreases again when the dose is further increased. So, when we reach the point of optimal effect, the so-called "sweet spot", we continue to maintain this dose.

For accurate and safe CBD dosing, it is also essential that CBD supplements for animals are provided with information on how many mg of CBD are in each drop (if using CBD drops) or in a capsule, tablet or treat. The same applies to the THC content, if present in the extract. Ideally, the CBD:THC ratio should also be stated.

Due to their precise and effective dosing method, they are among the popular forms of CBD supplements. CBD drops, as they can be sprinkled on a piece of favorite food or treat that the dog or cat immediately eats, or even better, directly into the animal's mouth. The latter ensures that the animal actually ingests the entire dose of CBD and that it is quickly transferred through the oral mucosa into the blood and thus to the site of action.

More information: CBD ANIMALS

Text:  Adriana Dolinar, Ph.D.Vet.Med., the president Associations for the Awakening of the Whole Man and an external employee of the information center - Zadravje.net.