You’ve no doubt seen certain CBD products marketed towards pets. Whether it be for your dog or cat, in oil or treat form, there is a section of the CBD industry that offers a wellness routine for your furry friend. But is there really a difference between CBD products for pets versus those intended for human consumption? And if there isn’t, why is there such a definite distinction between products? Join me as I tackle this unique question and offer insight on why these two categories of CBD products exist.
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A Brief Overview of What CBD Is
. CBD is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found within the cannabis plant. You’ll remember that cannabis is the mother plant of both marijuana and hemp; the THC content determines whether or not the plant is marijuana or hemp. When the CBD is extracted from hemp, the total THC content remains at 0.3% THC or lower, making it legal o a federal level.
CBD comes in three forms: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate. Full spectrum utilizes all parts of the hemp plant, including the stalk, stems, terpenes, and other naturally occurring cannabinoids. Broad spectrum undergoes chemical processing to remove as much of the THC as possible, but may still contain extremely low traces of it. CBD Isolate, on the other hand, has been completely stripped of everything of all THC, terpenes, and other cannabinoids, making it the purest form of CBD.
Pet CBD: What Makes It So Special?
Depending on who you ask, there’s either little or no distinction between the two. The difference lies in the ingredients, potency, and dosage. Let’s take a closer look at each of these key points to better understand both human CBD and pet CBD.
Ingredients
Certain ingredients in flavored CBD can be harmful to your pet’s digestion system. The terpenes used to create the flavor of some popular human CBD, such as peppermint or tea tree oil, may be harmful to your pet’s digestion system. Though it may taste good to us, the digestion system of your pet is much more sensitive. On the flip side, most pet CBD is formulated specifically to be pet-friendly, but isn’t suitable for human consumption. If you’re not convinced of the whole “pet CBD” concept, you should consult your vet before administering any human grade CBD.
THC Content
This section might seem like it belongs in the ingredients list, but THC content deserves a special recognition by itself. According to the 2018 Farm Bill, all hemp products must contain a THC content of 0.3% or less. Many brands swear that they adhere to this, but the only way to tell for certain is to check the Lab Results. A reputable brand will have this information posted publicly, showing that they are willing to spend time and money to ensure purity and potency. Not only does this build credibility, but it also brings peace of mind knowing that you’re feeding your beloved pet a high quality product.
Potency & Dosage
CBD comes in a shocking amount of strengths, whether it be something as low as 20mg per bottle or 1000mg. Trying to give your pet a full dropper full of 1000mg may be harmful, especially if your pet is small. Pet CBD eliminates the guesswork by offering a recommended dosage that is usually broken down by the weight of your pet. The instructions on the label will typically list the amount to be measured out, how to administer it to your pet, and how frequently you should be giving it.
The dosage you give your pet depends on the size and weight, similar to how the dosages for human CBD are. The standard rule of thumb for giving your pet CBD is about 0.1mg per pound per day. You can break this up into two sessions, as in half the amount in the morning and the other half at night. You’ll need to do some basic math if you’re wanting to use human CBD. Many CBD tinctures come with graduated droppers to make this process even easier. However, some users might prefer to stick with pet CBD to take the guesswork out of giving your pet too much or too little. There’s little research available that confirms what amount is toxic for pet consumption, which is why a vet may be able to offer guidance on just how much your pet needs.
Is It Worth It To Buy Pet CBD?
The answer to this question lies solely with the consumer. Pet CBD is often formulated by veterinary researchers who rely on several key pieces of information. While almost all animals (the exception being insects) have an endocannabinoid system (RCS), that part of the brain in animals differs slightly from the ECS in humans. Pet CBD may come in different forms that are more attractive for pets, such as enticing bite-sized treats and meat-flavored tinctures. Pet CBD may also specifically target the common medical issues and conditions that different breeds are famous for having (i.e., certain dogs are more prone to hip and joint discomfort). Lastly, pet CBD can help take the guesswork out of dosages, allowing you to simply feed it to your beloved animal without worrying about giving the improper amount.
The flip side is that many pet owners may want to save money by using CBD that’s suitable for human consumption. While this is not necessarily dangerous, it will require a bit of extra work to ensure the amount and flavor administered is safe. You’ll need to keep a log of the feeding times, dosages, any reactions, and so forth. You should also be reading the ingredient list and researching to make sure nothing in the CBD can harm your pet.
Conclusion
There’s no conclusive evidence that pet CBD is better for your furry friend, but it does save quite a bit of extra work in the long run. Most human CBD is safe for pets, but not all pet CBD is safe for humans. Pet CBD is crafted with specific ingredients to ensure it is safe for consumption, and many brands take an additional step by testing for purity and potency. Pet CBD can be a unique treat for your pet, thanks to the different variety of products and flavors available. It’s important to know the size and weight of your pet to properly measure out dosages. If you’re concerned about starting your pet on a CBD regiment for the first time, you should always consult your pet’s veterinarian for advice and recommendations.
Here at Erth Wellness, we are proud to offer both pet CBD and human CBD. Our products have been thoroughly tested by third-party independent labs and are free from harmful pesticides, solvents, and heavy metals. If there’s anything in this article or on our website that you’d like additional clarification on, let us know! Our team of CBD experts are knowledgeable about every product listed on our site and look forward to sharing that knowledge with you. In our next article, we’ll be researching the topic of whether or not you can overdose on CBD. Be sure to check back soon for this and more information regarding the wonderful world of CBD and all it has to offer. Hopefully we’ll see you in the next article!
