5 Do’s & Don’ts of CBD for Pets

CBD is popular for helping people manage various health conditions. It also has similar effects and benefits on the pets. Most pet owners now prefer CBD because of its health benefits with no serious side effects to their pets.

However, there are various challenges when it comes to CBD for pets. With many products and information about CBD, you might find getting started quite overwhelming.

Whether you are new to CBD or an experienced user, you want to make sure to do the right thing as you give CBD to your cat or dog.

Here are the top five do’s and don’ts of CBD that you’ll find helpful:

Do’s of CBD For Pets

1.   Buy Lab Tested CBD Products

Much like organic foods, giving your pet organic CBD edibles is a smart choice. It allows them to enjoy CBD’s benefits without risking the harmful chemicals from pesticides. However, every seller is labeling their products as ‘organic,’ and there’s no way to verify this claim. That’s where third-party lab testing comes in.

The hemp plant, which produces CBD oil, can be contaminated with toxins. As a result, it has to undergo various tests to certify that the oil is free from toxins, pure and can offer the claimed health effects. So, before buying any product, make sure they pass these tests:

• Pesticide testing
• Potency testing
• Residual solvents testing
• Terpene profiling
• Microbiological testing

Most reliable sellers provide this information on the labels. If the products lack this useful information, avoid them.

2.   Buy Products With No THC

Most of the CBD products contain a low content of THC, usually below 0.3%. But for the safety of your pet, you should consider buying products with zero THC content. Unlike humans, animals are more sensitive and can react even with a small content of THC.

3.   Buy Labeled CBD Products

When shopping for CBD for your pet, you need to stick to labeled products. It allows you to find out the ingredients used, chemical composition, the potency of the product, and dosage guidelines. But with no regulations from the FDA, some producers can wrongfully label their products. You can check review here herbonaut for all kind of CBD products.

Over-labelling and under-labeling of CBD products are common in the CBD industry. To be sure you get the right products, it’s wise to buy from reputable companies. Also, always check the certificate of analysis in all CBD products you buy.

4.   Check the Method of Extraction

To pick the most effective and healthiest CBD product for your pet, you need to consider the extraction method. Although there are many methods of extracting CBD, CO2 extraction is mostly preferred. It preserves the nutrients and delivers safe CBD products. So, make sure to buy products extracted using this method.

5.   Use the Right CBD Dosage

When buying CBD products, first is to ensure that you’re buying the right products, the next step is to determine the right dose for your pet, depending on its potency. The manufacturer should provide you with guidance on how much CBD you should give your pet. The dosage method can vary based on the type of product, so make sure to consult an expert on how to go about it.

Establishing the right dosage takes some time and experimentation. You need to be patient and go with low doses until you find the most suitable dosage for maximum results. The good thing is that CBD is safe even on a high dosage.

Don’ts of CBD For Pets

1.   Avoid Self Prescribing CBD with No Experience

Although CBD is not harmful, establishing a suitable dose will help to minimize the mild side effects. For this reason, never give CBD to your pet without proper consultation. The body tolerance to CBD usually varies among pets. Consulting a certified vet helps you to determine the right dosage.

2.   Avoid Beginning With High Doses

When administering CBD to your pet for the first time, it’s best to start with a low dose. Animals react differently to medications. That’s because some factors influence the reaction. These include the pet’s weight, body tolerance, metabolism, the condition being treated, and the potency of the product.

Starting with a small dose enables you to monitor their response and reactions. Besides, the low dose also helps prevent mild allergic reactions caused by CBD products. Once you notice a positive response to CBD, you can gradually increase the dosage as advised by a vet.

3.   Avoid Products With Unrealistic Claims

While CBD has many health benefits to your pet, some sellers or manufacturers exaggerate the claims to get people to buy their products. For instance, they can make outrageous claims that CBD can heal your pet within 24 hrs. Such information is misleading since many factors influence the effects of CBD on your cat or dog. You can ask your friends or vet for recommendations on reliable products.

4.   Avoid Using Random CBD Products on Your Pet

It’s easy to think all CBD products are equal. The fact that most of them are derived from the hemp plant doesn’t mean they are the same. The market is packed with many CBD products for pets nowadays. These products vary in terms of potency, among other factors.

Mixing different products might also seem like a good idea for more effects. But this is not advisable because each product has unique effects on your pet. Always stick to the right product as advised by an expert at a time.

5.   Avoid Buying CBD Products from Any Seller

CBD products are now popular and available everywhere. However, this does not mean that you should buy products from any seller you come across. Remember, the market is still largely unregulated, which creates room for unscrupulous sellers.

You need to buy from trustworthy sellers or manufacturers. Established brands are the best because they mind their reputation and invest a lot to ensure you get quality products. Doing proper research and checking the company’s reviews online will help you avoid being scammed.

Conclusion

As CBD grows in popularity, the market continues to witness hundreds of companies offering CBD products for pets. However, the popularity of CBD for pets also presents a challenge. There’s a lot of inferior products and misleading information about CBD online. If you are new in the industry,  it’s hard to know who to trust. This guide equips you with crucial information to help you navigate the CBD industry and provide your pet with safe products. Make sure to follow these tips for the best results.

Jeffery Thompson is a full-time content marketing specialist. He has been closely following the pet, CBD and Cannabis industry trends for quite some time. He has dabbled in various domains before the cannabis industry. On his off days, he likes to spend his time at the nearest animal shelter or nose deep in a book.