The difference between pet CBD and human CBD are few. Every pet owner only wants the best for their furry babies. Whether it is a cat, a dog, or any other animal, pet parents can go to every extent to make sure that their pets are healthy and safe.
CBD, being one of the most popular products for pets in recent years, has a number of queries and speculations about its uses and benefits.
One of the most common questions that pet parents often ask is about the difference between pet CBD and human CBD. But, honestly speaking, is there really a difference? And do you really need to pay those extra bucks to ensure the best for your pet?
Well, the answer is no. There are no literal differences between pet and human CBD. But there are things that you need to be careful about if you wish to introduce CBD to your pet’s diet.
In this article, we shall unwrap every benefit, precaution, and other steps that you need to keep in mind if you are planning to give CBD to your pets.
What Is CBD?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a chemical present in the sativa plant, which is also known as the hemp or cannabis plant. The cannabis plant contains a number of compounds that may affect the body in different ways.
However, cannabis plants are usually of two types – hemp and marijuana. CBD and THC are the two chemicals that are present in the plants. Marijuana contains a higher level of THC, while in hemp, the level of CBD is higher.
In most cases, the high is caused due to the presence of THC in marijuana. CBD, on the other hand, is not psychoactive. This is where the biggest difference lies.
While humans can easily deal with the consequences of THC, pets cannot. Even the slightest amount of THC can cause severe issues in their bodies, So if you at all want to give CBD to your pets, make sure that they are of the highest quality and do not contain any THC in them.
How Can Cbd Help Your Pet?
While research is still being done in this field, pet parents have been using CBD for multiple reasons for their own and their pet’s overall well-being. Many consider it one of the most natural and affordable ways to improve the quality of life of their pets.
Health concerns that CBD is popular for curing in pets include:
- Nervousness, like reactions to thunderstorms, traveling, or fireworks.
- Joint pain or joint stiffness.
- Stomach discomfort
- Gut health
- General physical discomfort
- Eye health
Is CBD Safe For Pets?
While CBD is preferable for your pets, there are a few side effects that you need to look out for. Some of the most common side effects of CBD include irritability, fatigue, and nausea. But, in general, CBD is well-tolerated and safe for pets. While there is very limited research done to back the effectiveness of CBD on pets, pet owners have rarely complained about any side effects.
How CBD will affect cats or dogs will depend from one pet to the other. So, you need to be extra careful when you give them any new dietary supplement or food. The key is to start slowly and see how your pet reacts to it. If the symptoms are beyond control, make sure to talk with your vet and adjust the dose you’ve been giving them. On the other hand, if you don’t see positive results, you can slowly increase the dose and wait for the results. Don’t worry; there is no chance that your pet will get high from CBD.
How Is CBD For Humans And Pets The Same?
In the case of humans, the health-promoting properties of CBD are realized by how cannabinoid interacts with the endocannabinoid system of the body. It is considered to be one of the most vital physiological systems that are involved in developing and maintaining the health of human beings.
Cannabinoid and endocannabinoid receptors are present throughout the body and are known to be the bridge between the mind and the body.
In animals, on the other hand, the endocannabinoid system is present in their vertebrates and invertebrates. The position is the same regardless of the animal or its species.
Because ECS is present in pets, too, CBD is known to act the same in animals as it does in human beings.
Let’s Take A Deeper Look At Your Pet’s Endocannabinoid System
Before you give CBD products to your pets, it is important that you understand that your pet has an endocannabinoid system, too, and CBD will affect it the same way as it does you. That is the exact reason why it is suggested to keep THC away from pets, as they may not be able to handle the high.
In the endocannabinoid system, there are mainly two cannabinoid receptors – CB1 and CB2. These receptors perform two major functions on a daily basis. One is regulating the behavioral effects of cannabis. The other one is governing the effects of the natural cannabinoids in the body, called anandamide and 2-AG.
CB1 receptors are present in the central nervous system. They affect functions such as memory, cognition, and motor movements. CB2 receptors, on the other hand, are mainly present in the peripheral nervous system, along with the immune system and gastrointestinal tract.
While CBD has a small binding attraction for both CB1 and CB2 receptors, its effects are generally caused by an indirect effect on these cannabinoid receptors. This indirect effect regulates the natural endocannabinoid system of pets to further enhance their overall well-being.
Here is a list of all the functions of ECS in humans and pets:
- Appetite
- Balance and coordination
- Mood regulation
- Digestive system function
- Muscle movement
- Memory
When your pets experience even the slightest disturbance in the endocannabinoid system, they might experience certain abnormalities in those functions.
How Does The Endocannabinoid System Work In Pets?
While you may know every single detail about your pet’s health, many do not really pay attention to their pet’s anatomy.
Their ECS works just in the same way as it does for human beings. It makes a lot of sense that CBD would work just the same way in pets as it does in humans. When the endocannabinoid system works properly, the body remains well-balanced and functions properly. The same goes for our beloved pets. If there is a slight imbalance in the endocannabinoid system, a number of concerns may manifest for both pets and humans.
Endocannabinoid System And CBD In Pets
Now that you know how the ECS functions in pets, you need to have an accurate understanding of how CBD interacts with them. When they first consume CBD, it gets metabolized first and then goes on to work in their endocannabinoid system.
There are multiple stories around that tell how CBD has supported the lives of pets. The more you look around, the more you get familiar with the benefits that CBD brings to the lives of your beloved pets.
But does that mean you can just give the same CBD you bought for yourself? Well, not really. Yes, they are the same ingredients. However, it is suggested that pets should only be given CBD products that are particularly formulated for them.
Can You Give Your Pet Human Cbd?
If the CBD product is the same, no matter what the product is, isn’t it safe for your pets? While they may be just the same products, no. There are a number of factors that justify why you should stick to giving your pets CBD.
Let’s take a closer look at why you should not give human CBD to your pets despite the composition and ingredients being the same.
Safety: If you didn’t already know, there are multiple human CBD products that have other chemicals in them that are not deemed safe for animal consumption. Some of these products might even contain xylitol, a chemical that is highly toxic for both cats and dogs. So, it is safe to buy CBD products particularly made for your pets and are safe for them, too.
Flavor: While it is not certainly a safety concern, CBD products for pets and humans will have different flavors. Human CBD products like gummies or candies usually have a tropical fruity flavor. On the other hand, CBD products for pets are usually mixed with meaty ingredients.
Usage: When you purchase that is specifically meant for pets, the label will tell you exactly how it is made for animals. Hence, it is a must that you follow whatever is written on the package. A CBD oil that is made for humans may have a different concentration than the one that is made for pets. So, it is not really safe to assume that your pup can have the same CBD products as you just because the ingredients are the same.
What Is The Difference Between Pet Cbd And Human Cbd?
If you plan to give your furry friend a few drops of CBD to improve their health, we’ve got your back. However, we do not suggest you just give them any CBD product that is available in the market.
There are multiple CBD variants in the market that are specifically made for pets to use, such as gummies, treats, oils, and so on. But is there really a difference between these and the ones you use for yourself?
Apparently, CBD used for pets is not very different from the ones you use for yourself. However, the serving recommendations are different, along with the composition. CBD products made for pets have the amount of CBD that pets may be able to tolerate. On the other hand, human CBD products are composed in a way that is suitable for humans but may be too much for pets.
Also, when it comes to the differences, flavor also plays a major role. CBD products made for humans usually have a fruity scent and flavor to make them. It makes them appealing to the human taste buds. However, in the case of animals, the flavors are added by mixing meat or blood with the CBD products. So, convincing your pet to have some tropical fruit over meat can be one tough job.
However, there are two main factors that differentiate pet CBD products from human CBD.
Sourcing And Quality
In the perfect imagination of the world, every CBD product would come from the best and most reliable suppliers with best quality. But that is not really the case. Quality compromise is one of the biggest problems when it comes to CBD products, particularly the ones made for pets. So, it is important that you buy CBD products from the best and most reliable suppliers.
Some human CBD products contain additional ingredients that escalate the effect. While this usually limits to flavonoids and terpenes that pets wouldn’t consider very tasty, it might also contain other forms of cannabinoids or THC.
This does not speak a lot about quality. But it’s still important to get only the best quality product for your furry friend.
Dosage Recommendations And Potency
Humans get to decide their preferred dosage of CBD depending on their weight and the reasons behind it. This should be just the same when it comes to pets. Dogs or cats weigh severely less in comparison to humans. So, it is important to adjust the dosage depending on the same.
This is another reason why purchasing human CBD and using it for your pets is possible, but not recommended. Depending on how your pet takes it, it might be challenging to get the exact amount. So, it is always best to start off slow and gradually increase, if necessary.
The Bottom Line
While the difference between pet CBD and human CBD might not be there, it is not recommended that you give pets CBD made for humans.
Yes, there shall be no major side effects. Is it better to keep them away from your pets as those CBD products for humans might contain other substances. And in some cases, THC too.
Furthermore, human CBD products may have a higher potency in comparison with pet CBD products. So you would have to adjust the dosage to avoid any adverse effects.
Therefore, the best way to introduce any CBD product to your pet is by discussing it first with the vet. They can give you advice that will work in the best interest of your pets.
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