What exactly is CBD oil?
CBD oil is an oil containing cannabidiol (CBD). Cannabidiol is a non-psychoactive component of cannabis. Not to be confused with THC, a substance from the cannabis plant that does cause a high. What is special about CBD is that it is almost identical to a substance that occurs naturally in mammals, and therefore has a similar effect on the endocannabinoid system. This endocannabinoid system plays an important role in numerous body processes, such as digestion, memory, respiration and wake-sleep rhythms. People who have experience taking CBD therefore report that it helps with a wide range of complaints and gives a big boost to overall well-being.
What does CBD oil help animals for?
Since CBD helps with a wide range of symptoms in humans, it is logical to assume the same is true in other animals with endocannabinoid systems: mammals, fish, snakes and other vertebrates. Although research on CBD and animals is really still in its early stages, several encouraging scientific insights have already been discovered.
However, the main reason for many owners to give their pet CBD is not so much physical, but more mental. In particular, dogs that experience a lot of anxiety and stress and are very afraid of loud noises or show aggressive behavior, for example, can benefit greatly from taking CBD.
Is CBD safe for (domestic) animals?
CBD is natural, non-toxic and 100% safe for dogs, cats and horses, among others. Be sure that the CBD oil you use does not contain traces of THC, as animals are very sensitive to this. It is also better not to give animals CBD when they are pregnant or lactating. Furthermore, keep in mind that CBD can interact with medications. Does your animal use other medications? To be sure, consult your veterinarian first.
Which animals can take CBD oil?
Basically, CBD oil is suitable for all animals. Many owners give it to their dog, cat or horse. Less often it is administered to other animals, but this is certainly possible. After all, every vertebrate animal has an endocannabinoid system. So, for example, do you have a hamster, rabbit, fish, bird, turtle, domestic rat, guinea pig, snake, goat, chicken or piglet with symptoms? Then CBD oil could be a solution. With small animals, just make sure to adjust the dosage to the body weight.
Is every CBD oil suitable for animals?
CBD oil for humans in many cases contains a (very) small percentage of THC. Since animals are very sensitive to this, it is therefore better not to give this to your four-legged friend. In addition, terpenes, substances that also occur naturally in cannabis, are also not so suitable, due to the strong smell. We therefore recommend giving CBD oil based on CBD isolate to your pet. This oil does not contain any other active substances besides CBD.
Do you want to give CBD to your dog? Then choose special CBD oil for dogs. For cats, we have a special cat CBD oil in our range. These oils are 100% free of THC and terpenes and made from salmon oil: a real treat for your pet!
How much CBD should I give my animal?
The ideal dose varies from animal to animal. Important factors here are weight, symptoms and how an animal responds to CBD. So this is really a matter of trying and seeing how your pet responds to the CBD oil. As a rule of thumb, you can use about 2 to 5 mg of CBD per 5 kg of body weight per day to start with. For an oil with a percentage of 2% CBD, this equates to 3 to 7 drops per day. For an oil with 4% CBD, you should logically halve the number of drops. So for example, do you have a 10 kg dog? Then start with two drops of CBD 2% twice a day and increase after a week if the symptoms persist.
How can I administer CBD to my dog, cat or other pet?
The CBD for animals at Dutch Balance comes with a special pipette bottle with a rubber pipette. This allows you to easily drip the oil into your pet’s mouth. Is your four-legged friend not such a fan of this? Then drizzle the CBD oil over food or a treat. Because of the delicious taste, dogs and cats will definitely not say no to this!
