How is CBD for Pets Different than Regular CBD Oil?

If you’re giving CBD oil or a similar CBD product such as Pet Releaf’s Edibites to your pet, there’s a strong likelihood that you’re also taking CBD yourself. It’s a logical choice, given that CBD may offer benefits for various health concerns such as managing stress and addressing occasional joint discomfort. Since your pets are considered part of your family, you naturally want them to enjoy optimal health. At the same time, you’re equally motivated to maintain your own well-being, so you can fully engage in activities like playing and bonding with your dog or caring for your cat.

Pet CBD vs. Human CBD

While pet CBD and human CBD may have similarities, there are some big differences between pet CBD and CBD for people, and it’s important to proceed with caution when using human CBD for your pet. It’s similar to the common household medication, aspirin. Aspirin comes in formulas for adults and children, and you wouldn’t give a child aspirin for adults without talking to their doctor first, simply because the amount needed by children is much lower than the amount used for adults.

Here are some of the reasons pet CBD and human CBD are different:

1. Pet CBD might be flavored with things like bacon, which, while bacon flavor is helpful for giving CBD to pets, might not be your cup of tea. Or, who knows, maybe bacon-flavored CBD would make it easier to take your daily CBD amount, in which case, make sure you ask your pet to share.
2. All CBD is not created equal, and if there’s a chance that your human CBD has added THC, do not give it to your pet. Hemp-based CBD products have virtually no THC in them if they are quality CBD products because there is almost no THC in hemp. The legal limit for THC in hemp is 0.03%, which is negligible and won’t get your pet high. THC is one of the active components of the marijuana plant, a cousin to the hemp plant, and is toxic to pets. The CBD you purchased for yourself at a local dispensary might have THC in it, so please don’t give it to your pet. This is one of the reasons why it is so important to choose pet CBD from a reputable manufacturer like Pet Releaf. Some lower-quality CBD products for pets could be unknowingly contaminated by THC and other harmful additives like chemicals from the manufacturing process. This kind of cross-contamination can be dangerous to pets.
3. There is also the possibility that a pet CBD brand may purchase human CBD in bulk and label it as a pet product. For this reason, it’s extremely important to do your research to ensure ingredients are pet-friendly and that they have third-party laboratory testing readily available to ensure product quality and potency.

How do you look for a quality, safe CBD product for your pet?

1. One way to choose a high-quality pet CBD product is to look for an organic product, preferably USDA-certified organic. Products with this certification have undergone stringent and rigorous review to make sure they are being grown or made with organically produced hemp.
2. A second sign that a pet CBD product is both safe and well made is if the company is running third-party tests for THC and other contaminants. You can ask a company for this information if it’s not on their website. However, most companies who do this have the information on their website. This is because they want to reassure their customers and likely also take pride in the quality of their pet CBD.
3. A third suggestion for evaluating the quality of a pet CBD product is to carefully read the reviews other customers have left about the product. While these are anecdotal, a lot of positive reviews from happy customers are a good sign that this is a CBD product worth buying.
4. The concentrations of pet CBD and human CBD are very different, especially when it comes to small pets, like small dogs and cats. It can take you doing some math to figure out what is the appropriate amount to give your terrier from your bottle of hemp oil. This is one reason why it is generally better to give your pet a CBD product designed for pets. The amount to give has been configured to be appropriate for your pet’s weight, and it takes all of the guesswork out. Pet CBD products will generally provide recommended usage amounts based on your pet’s weight. Since our pets are generally quite a bit smaller than us, it’s important to not give your pet human CBD at human levels of use. While the side effects of a higher-than-normal amount of CBD are generally very benign (drowsiness, upset tummies), there’s no need to waste CBD or put your pet through any side effects.

How to Give CBD to Pets

The best way to give a pet CBD is to follow the packaging directions and give the correct amount based on your pet’s weight. Pet CBD comes in various forms such as oils, capsules, topicals, and chews.

Hemp Oils

Pet Releaf makes giving your pet the right amount of CBD simple and easy. There are two types of CBD hemp oils, a CBD mixed with organic coconut oil and a liposome CBD mixed with sustainably caught Alaskan Pollock fish oil. Each type of oil has different types of potencies so that you can more accurately give your pup CBD based on her weight. The USDA Organic hemp oils come in potencies of 180mg of CBD for cats, 300mg of CBD for small dogs & cats, 600mg of CBD for medium & large dogs, and 750mg of CBD for extra large dogs. The liposome CBD oil comes in a 100mg potency for small dogs and cats, a 300mg potency for medium to large dogs, and a 600mg potency for extra large dogs.

Using a higher potency bottle for a smaller pet can allow you to administer less of the oil each time you give it. Also, if you have a larger pet, like a Great Dane puppy, then the higher concentrations are designed for the larger amount that big dogs need. That way, you aren’t using up a bottle with a lower potency more quickly. For example, a dog that weighs 26-50lbs would take 0.5 droppers full of the Daily Releaf 500. But that same dog would need 2.5 full droppers of Daily Releaf 100.

Having the concentration of CBD tailored to the size of your pet and the usage amount already figured out for you is one of the benefits of choosing a good pet CBD product from Pet Releaf. There’s no guesswork involved. And, you know that the product was designed for your pet!

Capsules

Capsules, like Pet Releaf’s Sentesa Advanced Care Capsules, are easy to administer and are less messy than using a dropper. Pet Releaf’s capsules contain the same organic full-spectrum hemp extract with naturally occurring CBD that comes in the Hemp Oil bottles. Capsules are easy to hide in peanut butter or can be pulled apart and sprinkled. Each capsule also contains Caprylic Acid and βetaCaryophyllene to create a tri-active formula that supports occasional hip and joint discomfort, situational stress, overall wellness, and optimal body function, and helps maintain calmness. Capsules contain 30mg of CBD, making them perfect for dogs who weigh more than 25 pounds.

Topicals

A topical is another word for lotion or cream. Pet Releaf offers Skin & Paw Releaf that contains 50mg of CBD. It is a plant-based topical and 100% vegan. It’s made for animals with sensitive skin and it may be helpful for itchy skin, occasional joint discomfort, and stress.

Grooming

For dogs with sensitive skin, finding a grooming product that works can be difficult. Pet Releaf’s Skin & Coat Releaf is designed specifically for dogs with sensitivities, to give pet parents a plant-based option that works for dogs with even the most delicate skin. Shampoos and Conditioners contain 100mg of CBD per bottle and additional ingredients like organic aloe, organic aloe, and shea butter work to promote long-term skin and coat health and reduce external irritation.

Chews

By far the easiest way to administer CBD to your dog is with a tasty Edibite from Pet Releaf. These CBD and functional herbal chews aren’t treats, but your dog will think they are! Edibites come in a variety of flavors, with a focus on specific health needs. Edibites for travel and small breed dogs come in 3mg CBD per chew and the family size and medium/large breed bags have 6mg CBD per chew.

1. Stress Releaf Edibites are peanut butter and carob flavor. Their blend of CBD and the herb chamomile may ease stress and promote relaxation.
2. Peppered Bacon Edibites are flavored with black pepper and pork. They may support stress relief, everyday wellness, and optimal body function.
3. Digestive Releaf Edibites are sweet potato pie flavored and contain ginger and CBD, which may promote a healthy digestive system.
4. Hip and Joint Releaf Edibites are peanut butter and banana flavored and contain glucosamine and chondroitin, which may support mobility and flexibility.
5. Daily Releaf Edibites are blueberry and cranberry flavored. They may support a healthy immune system.