Are hemp based pet products safe?

People often confuse hemp with marijuana, when in actuality, they are quite different. While hemp and marijuana are both different strains of cannabis, their molecular break up is still vastly different. Hemp contains less than 0.3% of THC which is so low that it would have no noticeable effect on the user. Marijuana, on the other hand, contains a higher THC content which would have psychoactive effects. Therefore, the CBD extracted from hemp is more certain to be free of THC.

CBD has a range of health benefits for humans and animals alike. Having strong anti-inflammatory properties, its ability to alleviate chronic pain is very effective, especially for pets who are suffering pain due to arthritis. CBD’s natural properties don’t just relieve pain but also slows down the progress of this horrible degenerative condition. It also helps improve your pet’s mood and emotional health, as CBD has a direct impact on the ECS system which regulates mood and appetite. This stems from CBD’s ability to help manage anxiety and depression. CBD helps with a range of other health issues apart from these two and the best part is the reduced side effects in comparison to synthetic drugs. NSAIDs are usually prescribed for pain management and their effect on the liver can be harmful especially in prolonged dosages.

However, reduced side effects do not equate to no side effects at all and CBD has its own adverse impacts just like any other supplement or medication. Your pet is a living being and before any new form of medication, it is vital that you understand any adverse effects so as to judge whether CBD truly is beneficial for your pet’s ailment and if you’re comfortable with the choice. It’s also important to know how to counter some of these side effects in case you do choose to administer CBD.

The most common side effects of CBD include drowsiness, lowered blood pressure, dry mouth and drooling. If you find that your dog has trouble sleeping due to fear and anxiety, there are many ways on how to ensure your puppy gets enough sleep. You can provide them with hemp-derived products like CBD oils or hemp-infused dog treats available on KarmaPets.

In extreme cases, you may see vomiting, agitation, and tremors as well, but these are caused mostly by high or excessive dosages. Drowsiness is the most common side effect and can be easily countered by adjusting the dosage. These are general side effects and may not be necessarily limited to animals. Cats and dogs have a naturally high tolerance for CBD, making the side effects quite mild for them if they are to present themselves.

However, this does not mean that your pet would automatically be suited to CBD. It’s always a good idea to read the manufacturer’s instructions. Companies have web pages which contain detailed information, like Innovet’s online pet shop, where you can find all the information you need from ingredients to dosage and even side effects sometimes.

With all said and done, it’s always a good idea to talk to your vet before changing anything that could affect your pet’s lifestyle. There are some obvious precautions you should always take such as not giving CBD to pregnant or nursing animals. Never administer anything of the sort to infant pets and if your pet is already on some medication then its best to talk to your vet to understand any potential reaction the CBD could have with the medication.