What is CBD?

Local Paws
Published On: 06-20-2023, 12:00 AM
 


If you know us we love getting nerdy about health! From thunderstorms, fireworks, and even traveling, added stress can have a negative effect for some dogs and cats. Unfortunately what we see is many pet parents waiting for the booms or the trip to start to begin administering calming products. What many don't realize is that while CBD can be great for situational instances, it's best to give for several days leading up to the event.

Now let's get a refresher, or for some of you an introduction to CBD for those who are new to using it for their pets.


Endocannabinoid System
Did you know humans and animals all have an endocannabinoid system (ECS). When CBD is consumed, the endocannabinoid system is activated and creates a two-way communication system between the brain and various systems in the body.

The brain can communicate to systems such as the immune system, nervous system, digestive system, and cardiovascular system - just to name a few! This is why you may hear about CBD helping out in so many areas in the body. See the above image for the different receptors and locations in your dog's body.

What's the difference between full spectrum, broad spectrum, isolates, and hemp oil?
The hemp plant contains over 100 cannabinoids. These include cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). There are a few types of CBD as well:

  • Full Spectrum – Contains CBD molecules and other compounds in the hemp plant, such as terpenes, flavonoids, fatty acids, and trace amounts of THC. However, a full spectrum hemp product will not have enough THC to trigger psychoactive effects because of industrial hemp regulations.
  • Broad Spectrum – The middle ground between full spectrum and CBD isolate. The process involves extracting full spectrum CBD and removing the THC compounds.
  • CBD Isolate – Only contains the CBD molecules after the extraction of all other cannabinoids and terpenes. Meaning this product contains just CBD, no other cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, etc. Many believe that an isolate is a far less superior extract over a full or broad spectrum extract because it contains just one piece of the puzzle and not the rest of the constituents in the hemp plant.
  • Hemp Oil - Hemp oil or hemp seed oil is often used as a carrier oil, similar to coconut oil or olive oil. While these contain essential fatty acids and omega 3's (great for skin and coat health) they contain very trace amounts of cannabinoids like CBD. So if your calming product just says hemp oil or hemp seed oil but not full or broad spectrum, chances are you're just getting hemp seed oil.

Does hemp oil help with calming or discomfort?
Trick question! The answer is no. Hemp seed oil or hemp oil will not help with calming or discomfort. For that we need cannabinoids like CBD!

CBD may help support pet stress due to hospitalization, travel, moving, and other external stressors. The exact anxiety source might be different, but it leads to specific physical reactions and stress, just like in humans. CBD has been shown to help pets cope with external stressors and reduce these symptoms. Traditional anxiety medication targets the 5-HT1A serotonin receptor of the body. Anti-anxiety medications target the receptors for a temporary boost of serotonin levels in the brain. This leads to improved mood and reduced feelings of fear or anxiety. Research suggests CBD works the same way by increasing the serotonin levels in the brain temporarily. Doing this provides support from environmentally induced stress. Instances of separation anxiety can be a neurological condition where training would be recommended.

CBD contains components that support a healthy inflammatory response. This is one of the main reasons the compound is so useful for a variety of conditions. The compound interacts with CB2 receptors, which are in immune cells. Activating these receptors evokes several immune responses. One of them is supporting a healthy response to inflammation. The ECS is deeply involved in managing aches. It does this by stopping the absorption of anandamide, which is a chemical that helps reduce discomfort signals in the brain. The action increases anandamide levels and leads to various effects, including a reduction in occasional discomfort.

How much do I give my pet?
Most holistic veterinarians recommend 1-1.5 mg of CBD per 10 lbs of body weight. This is a great starting point to try but also increase or decrease if needed. Because every pet is different, just like every person is different, they may need more or less than what is recommended as there is no set amount for pets (or people) at this time. CBD can take anywhere from 30-60 minutes to take effect and last anywhere from 4-8 hours depending on the pet and the situation. For more severe anxieties it's best to administer daily for a week before an event like a trip or fireworks to help more.

How do I administer?
CBD, CBG, and other cannabinoid supplements are best given away from food, directly in the mouth, and on an empty stomach. There is several reasons for this, the biggest being that CBD is not very bioavailable, meaning your body only absorbs about 30% of the CBD you consume directly in the mouth and on an empty stomach. If your pet is more food-motivated, administering by using a tasty treat away from a large amount of food is also another option. We usually recommend increasing the amount slightly as we're giving it in treat form.

How do I pick the right one for my pet?
Because CBD supplements are not federally regulated, products do not have to contain any CBD at all. Make sure you research the brand behind the products. The best brands have a great reputation for using all-natural, high quality ingredients. They also follow relevant regulations and laws and take extra steps to get certifications from organizations such as NASC and USDA Organic Certification and have published third-party testing to make sure how much CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids are in that product. They are also testing for residual solvents, heavy metals, pesticides, and bacteria.

Did you know retailers like Amazon prohibit the selling of CBD supplements on their site? That means all those companies listed are selling just hemp seed oil, not CBD. The brands we carry have published third-party testing on their website, and are also NASC certified (National Animal Supplement Council), following their strict quality standards, GMPs, and reporting any adverse reactions into a national database. 

At Local Paws we proudly offer Pet Releaf, Austin and Kat, Super Snouts, and Green Element full and broad spectrum extracts and chews.

Come talk to our team today to find the right fit for your pet!