With CBD finally enjoying its moment in pop culture (rightly so!), many people have thought “hey, CBD is totally working for my x,y,z could I give it to my pet for a similar condition?” 

Most vets agree that it’s completely safe to give your pet CBD since most mammals, including dogs and cats, have the same endocannabinoid system that humans do. If you want to do a deep dive into the science, click here or here but it’s a tad too boring to get too into. Suffice to say, mammals have cannabinoid receptors throughout their brains and organs, which is why CBD (a cannabinoid) may play a part in regulating body processes like sleep, anxiety, stomach troubles, etc etc. So if it works for these things in humans (a whole bunch of research says so) it makes sense that it would work in pets and any other mammals that just so happen to eat a hemp plant. 

Are there any benefits to giving CBD to my pet?

There is a fair bit of anecdotal evidence for giving CBD to your dog. Some of the most credible stories are the ones that mirror the effects we see in humans. If your dog suffers from separation anxiety or repetitive behaviors that indicate anxiety, CBD may help him chill out, just like it does with people. Many pet owners give CBD to their dogs to help with pain or to control seizures, the American Kennel Club is even sponsoring a first-of-its-kind study using CBD to treat epilepsy in dogs. 

Will CBD hurt my pet?

Thanks to the endocannabinoid system, mammals have an enzyme that breaks down excess cannabinoids, which is why overdose is basically unheard of, even with the psychoactive THC. Luckily, CBD, especially real hemp-derived CBD, won’t get your pooch high, nor harm them. Maybe they’ll suffer from a bit of dry mouth, maybe a good thing for all the droolers out there, but other than that, it is considered safe for both humans and pets! Of course, if your fur baby has a health condition that you are looking to treat, ask your vet for a personalized recommendation.

What should I look for when shopping for CBD for my pet?

You should consider the same things when giving CBD to your pet that you would consider if you were taking it yourself, mostly the quality of the product. Make sure you get a zero THC blend, to minimize side effects — if you have an anxious chewer, the last thing you need to give him is the munchies! Another thing is bioavailability — how much CBD is actually available for the body to use — this is where only a few brands come out heads and shoulders above the rest. Elevare CBD for pets  uses the same encapsulation technology that it uses in its other CBD products for a bioavailability rate of 90%, compare that to most other brands with a max of 25-30% and it becomes clear which one is better. If you’re jealous of your dog’s newfound chill attitude after using CBD, you can pick up the same high-quality brand for yourself here!