Cannabidiol (CBD) is fast becoming a go-to holistic solution for both human and pet ailments. In particular, CBD full spectrum has been gaining interest in the veterinary field. But as pet owners, you might have some reservations as to how safe or effective CBD could be for your pets. Is it really as effective as many claims? Would giving your pets a bit more than prescribed cause more harm than good to your pets?
We’ve gathered some studies from experts to help you decide whether using CBD full spectrum is something you could use for your pets or not. But first, let us learn more about CBD or, more specifically, CBD full spectrum.
What is CBD Full Spectrum?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is an active compound found in cannabis plants. Through various research and studies, it has been found that CBD stimulates the innate endocannabinoid system in mammals. This means that CBD helps bring the body back to homeostasis or internal balance.
But there is no one-size-fits-all CBD product. Consumers can choose three types of CBD products depending on their needs: full spectrum, isolate, broad spectrum, and isolate.
To understand these three types of CBD products, we must first familiarize ourselves with the compounds present in the cannabis plant: cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. These three compounds all have their effects on mammalian bodies.
Among the hundreds of cannabinoid compounds in a cannabis plant, CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol or THC are the ones responsible for the therapeutic and euphoric effects of the plant.
Terpenes account for the fragrance of the plant and also contribute to its therapeutic effect. Flavonoids found in the cannabis plant are found to have anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and other neuroprotective properties.
For CBD full spectrum, all these compounds are present. Meanwhile, the CBD broad spectrum has everything except THC. And in contrast, CBD isolate only contains CBD alone.
Some users find taking CBD broad spectrum to be effective for them. Meanwhile, other consumers think CBD isolate is enough for their medical needs. However, some studies suggest that all compounds, including both CBD and THC, are more effective than taking isolated compounds. This theory is called the entourage effect.
Aside from its efficacy, CBD full spectrum products are easier to find in the market. There are edibles, topicals, sublingual, and capsules of CBD full spectrum accessible to consumers.
Now that we know all the background on CBD full spectrum let’s see how experts weigh in on the topic.
Experts Advise on Using CBD Full Spectrum for your Pets
Through various studies and research, veterinarians and pet owners alike have found benefits in using CBD full spectrum for their pets. From seizures, cancer to pain management, there have been positive effects in using CBD full spectrum products.
The most popular use of CBD full spectrum products is for pain management. According to one survey, pet owners prefer using CBD full spectrum products to deal with chronic pain in their dogs as they are organic and have fewer adverse side effects. Since CBD full spectrum is organic, most pet owners and veterinarians are at ease knowing fewer side effects when using the product.
Another study supports this popularity among consumers by showing how CBD full spectrum products provide significant relief from pain, especially in dogs suffering from osteoarthritis. And to add to that positive result, there are no observable side effects from administering CBD to dogs. It only shows that there is value in looking into CBD full spectrum products as a treatment for chronic pain and osteoarthritis.
Aside from pain management, CBD full spectrum products have been found to have positive neurological effects. In particular, the product is effective for treating anxiety disorders and seizures in dogs.
There is anecdotal evidence from pet owners that CBD helped treat neuropathic pain, particularly seizures, in canines. An ongoing study from Colorado State University has been looking into the efficacy of using CBD to treat canine epilepsy.
Canine epilepsy is another common disease that is managed positively with CBD treatment. Seizures among dogs are very common, and canine epilepsy is the usual cause of these tremors. However, new treatments and medicine were found to have adverse effects on dogs when treating epilepsy. And even after administering anti-epilepsy medication, 30% of dogs continue to suffer from seizures.
In a study made by Colorado State University, 89% of dogs who received CBD treatment had fewer seizures after treatment with CBD compared to the control group treated with placebo. The study also found that with higher concentrations of CBD in the treatment, the more significant the reduction in the number of seizures the dogs experienced. Even better, the study did not observe any adverse side effects on the sample group.
When it comes to dosages, experts advise beginning by giving low doses and slowly increasing as need be. While there are no adverse reactions observed, and CBD has a pretty short half-life after animals take them, it is best to err on the safe side.
When it comes to which form shows better effectiveness, experimental data shows oral administration of CBD products could be more effective than topicals like creams or gels.
As with other fields of medicine, there is still more to find out and study about the efficacy of CBD full spectrum in pets. It’s a growing and evolving field that invites more discoveries to be made. But with all the studies and research done so far, the results only present promising things for pets.
It might be worrying to see some contemporary medical treatments that offer low effectiveness rates with many side effects for your pets. In contrast, CBD full spectrum shows positive results with no observable adverse effects as a holistic treatment plan for your pets. Findings from various studies support how using CBD full spectrum is a viable option to consider, especially for finicky pets or concerned pet owners. And because it is organic, it wouldn’t hurt to try it as an option for your beloved pets.
If you want to learn more about CBD and its effects, you might want to read our article on what we already know and what we still need to discover about CBD.
