Cannabinoids like CBD and products derived from them are skyrocketing in popularity as the research and scientific evidence of their efficacy mounts. CBD, one of the most popular cannabinoids, has quickly become the go-to ingredient in oils, tinctures, sprays, and more that can help us alleviate physical and mental conditions such as anxiety, digestive and intestinal issues, PTSD, and many other conditions.
Due to the similarity in biology and genetic makeup of humans and animals, CBD quickly crossed over to pet products, and thousands of people now swear by it as the reason why their pets are healthy and happy.
If you have a dog or cat, you understand the need to take care of them as they are a member of the family and want them to have a healthy and long life. CBD products have been helping humans with their conditions and ailments for years, and once the medicinal applications in pets became evident, the whole sector took off.
That being said, we often hear people wondering, “Are CBD products intended for use by pets safe for human consumption? And vice versa?” We will try to answer this question by giving you a more detailed look into what CBD is, how it works in both humans and pets, as well as the main differences between the two types of CBD products.
What is CBD?
CBD or cannabidiol is a chemical compound found in the cannabis plant, often referred to as a cannabinoid. There are more than 120 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, and all of them except THC are non-psychotropic cannabinoids, meaning that they do not produce a “high” when consumed.
Cannabinoids like CBD play a vital role in regulating the essential bodily functions in both humans and animals, which is why medical researchers have increasingly been studying them over the past several decades. They offer an alternative, more efficient, and less invasive way to treat a number of disorders and conditions.
CBD, in particular, enjoys strong support in the medical community, as the number of therapeutical applications for the substance is growing every day. CBD has proven benefits in pain management and relief, treatment of anxiety and depression, neuroprotective properties, treatment of acne and skin conditions, and anti-inflammatory properties, just to name a few.
After it’s extracted from the cannabis plant, CBD finds its way to the market in a variety of CBD-derived products such as oils, tinctures, sprays, ointments, pills, or supplements. The potency and applications of these products vary greatly, depending on their intended use. The same applies to CBD products for pets.
The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) in Humans and Pets
CBD and other cannabinoids have an effect on the functions of human and animal bodies thanks to the presence of a system that can process those cannabinoids and absorb them along with their therapeutic benefits. In both humans and animals, this system exists is called the endocannabinoid system, or ECS.
ECS acts as a network of CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors that directly interact with cannabinoids when consumed. ECS plays an essential role in the bodies of both humans and animals as it controls, among other things:
- Balance and coordination
- Appetite
- Digestive system function
- Mood regulation
- Memory
- Muscle movement
Cannabinoids such as CBD work with the ECS to keep each of the systemic functions in the body working properly. Lack of balance in one of the functions can have a negative effect on other functions too. This is why CBD and other cannabinoids are playing an increasingly important role in keeping humans and animals healthy.
Differences Between Pet CBD and Human CBD Products
Now that we understand what CBD is, we can understand how it works in the bodies of both pets and humans. But can humans take CBD for pets, and can pet take CBD oil for humans? Read on to find out whether there’s a difference between CBD products for pets and humans.
The short answer is that yes, pets can take CBD oil for humans and vice versa – but with a few notable exceptions and caveats. The manufacturing process that companies use to create both pet and human CBD products is the same. The CBD found in pet products does not differ in any way from the CBD in products for human consumption.
However, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has very strict rules and regulations connected to the marketing and sale of pet and human products. They have to be labeled separately, with a precise statement that the product is for human or pet consumption, even if the contents of the product are 100% identical.
In addition to labeling, there are differences in the production process and the concentration of CBD products intended for pets and humans. CBD products for human use tend to have a much higher concentration of CBD compared to those designed for pets. This does not necessarily make them unsafe for pet use, but you have to be aware of the dosage you are giving your pets.
Although the composition of pet CBD products and CBD products for human use are nearly identical, the products may have certain ingredients that are added to make it more pet- or human-friendly. For example, pet CBD products often have added flavors to entice pets to consume them, such as bacon or peanut butter flavoring. Additionally, carriers such as olive oil and cod liver are often added to pet products but are safe for human consumption.
The same applies to CBD products intended for human use. Plenty of people test out their own CBD products on pets before deciding to buy pet-specific CBD products. It is important to note that CBD products that contain essential oils that are beneficial to humans might be unsafe for consumption by pets.
Finally, the design of each product group caters directly to the species it targets, from the dosage to secure handling and added ingredients. It is usually more convenient to use products targeted toward the appropriate user, whether pets or humans, but you can substitute with some caution about dosing and added ingredients.
Benefits of CBD for Pets
If you’re thinking of buying CBD products meant for your pet, it’s important to read up on the benefits of CBD for pets. It’s almost impossible to list all of the applications of CBD in pets, as scientific research keeps adding new treatment options for CBD. With that being said, here are some of the most common CBD uses and benefits for pets.
Painkiller
CBD is a powerful painkiller that has almost no side effects and is not addictive. CBD oil has quickly become one of the most popular methods for treating arthritic pain in pets. It offers quick relief without drowsiness and is efficient for pain management.
Anticonvulsant
As a natural anticonvulsant, CBD works great on animals who suffer from seizures, tics, tremors, and back spasms.
Anti-inflammatory
Pets are often affected by a variety of inflammations, which have a negative impact on their health and quality of life. CBD does a remarkable job of treating these and alleviating the symptoms quickly.
Reduces Anxiety and Stress
Humans and pets react similarly when it comes to suffering from anxiety or other mental conditions. The use of CBD to treat these conditions in humans is quite well known, and it carries over to pet-related CBD products.
Antiemetic Properties
Strong antiemetic properties of CBD are making a remarkable impact on pets that suffer from nausea, stomach problems, and vomiting. CBD can also counteract appetite loss in pets.
Slows Tumor Growth
A number of CBD cancer studies confirmed that CBD and other cannabinoids play an important role in preventing the development and growth of cancer cells. Colon cancer, which is quite common in pets, is on the list of cancers that were part of the studies.
CBD and Homeostasis
Most pet parents not only want to treat any specific conditions or illnesses their pet is suffering from, but also promote their pets’ health and well-being at all times. This is why pet owners often use CBD products daily, to maintain the health and homeostasis of their furry companions and help prevent the emergence of other symptoms.
Conclusion
In essence, CBD products are mostly universal, and both humans and pets can use each others’ products without any consequences, barring some minor exceptions. Just be careful with the dosage, as CBD products for humans tend to be stronger than those for pets, and any added ingredients.
CBD products have gone mainstream and become more and more popular and common amongst pets and their owners due to their benefits in treating a wide variety of conditions. If you already use CBD yourself, it might be a good idea to let your pet have some (follow the dosing instructions carefully) and see if it shows positive results. That way, you can rest easy knowing that the money you spend on pet-specific CBD products will be a sound investment in your furry friend’s health.
FAQs About Can Humans Take CBD for Pets
Question: Can humans take CBD for pets?
Answer: Yes, it is possible. Although you might have different reactions by consuming CBD for pets since its formulated for your furry friends.
Question: Can pets take normal CBD products?
Answer: Yes, it is possible. Although, you need to check the right amount of CBD dosage. Commonly, the CBD amount per ml is much higher in humans compared to pets
Question: What is CBD?
Answer: CBD or cannabidiol is a chemical compound found in the cannabis plant, often referred to as a cannabinoid. There are more than 120 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, and all of them except THC are non-psychotropic cannabinoids.
Question: Are there benefits in consuming CBD?
Answer: CBD acts as pain management and relief, treatment of anxiety and depression, treatment of acne, skin conditions, etc.
Question: What is the meaning of ECS in CBD?
Answer: ECS stands for the Endocannabinoid system.
Question: Do CBD products for humans and pets have the same concentration?
Answer: No. CBD for humans usually have much higher CBD content per ml than CBD for pets
Question: What are the benefits of CBD for pets?
Answer: Some of the benefits of CBD for your pets are that it acts as a painkiller, anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, reduces your pet’s anxiety, etc.
