upworthy
Shopping

CBD for pets: How CBD is transforming pet care and offering comfort

Transforming pet care: how CBD brings comfort and health to our furry friends.

CBD for pets: How CBD is transforming pet care and offering comfort

People often turn to CBD products for pain relief and other health benefits, but these advantages aren’t just for humans. CBD has shown promise in improving the overall health of pets. Many pet parents report positive changes in the daily wellness of their furry family members after using CBD oil for dogs and other pet CBD products.

While I can’t speak for all pet parents, I personally observed the health benefits of dog CBD hemp oil with my late basset hound. My beloved four-legged friend became increasingly less mobile with age. Her quality of life eventually declined to the point that I had to carry her everywhere.

I heard great things about CBD oil for dogs and decided to try it. Within a few days, I noticed improvements in my pet’s health; after a couple of weeks, she was back to her old self. I truly believe CBD oil for dogs gave me more time with my fur baby and made her happier and more comfortable during her final months.

As a fellow pet owner, you may be curious about CBD oil for dogs and other pets. Keep reading to learn more about CBD so you can determine whether a CBD regimen is right for your furry companion.

What is CBD?

Before we dive into CBD products for pets, let’s cover the basics.

Where is CBD found?

CBD is one of many natural compounds found in cannabis plants, and it’s known for its wide range of potential health benefits.

CBD has been gaining popularity since hemp plant-derived CBD became federally legal in 2018. Since then, the online market has seen a surge in the production of CBD products for pets, including CBD oil for dogs and cats, CBD dog treats, and CBD chews.

How CBD works

CBD works with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in your pet’s body. All animals have an ECS—a network of receptors located throughout the peripheral and central nervous systems—which works with cannabinoids, like CBD, to produce various effects.

After you administer CBD for pets to your four-legged friend, the CBD interacts with your pet’s endocannabinoid system, producing potential benefits like pain relief and overall wellness enhancement.

CBD legality

According to the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD is federally legal if it’s derived from the hemp plant and doesn’t contain more than 0.3% THC. However, state laws may conflict.

Will CBD make my pet high?

People often associate the cannabis plant and hemp plant with THC, a cannabinoid well-known for its psychoactive effects. That said, pet owners may be concerned that CBD products will get their furry friends high.

Unlike THC, CBD doesn’t produce mind-altering effects. Even CBD products containing full-spectrum hemp extract have only trace amounts of THC that won’t cause a high.

Potential benefits of pet CBD products

Pain and inflammation relief

CBD dog and cat products may help reduce pain and inflammation. As such, it can potentially improve mobility in pets with health conditions like osteoarthritis and feline chronic gingivostomatitis. This is the most obvious health benefit I observed after giving my dog CBD.

Reduced anxiety

In a recent study, CBD oil for dogs reduced anxiety symptoms during car travel and separation events.

Immune support

CBD may support a healthy immune system response, including a healthy inflammatory response, according to the results of a canine study. These benefits may contribute to overall wellness.

Anticonvulsant properties

According to one study, full-spectrum CBD oil for dogs reduced seizure frequency, with few or no adverse effects, in epileptic dogs.

Other benefits

CBD dog and cat products are currently being studied to assess their potential to improve joint health, skin health, and sleep quality.

Types of pet CBD products

CBD tincture products and CBD oils

CBD oil can be given directly or mixed with food. I mixed full-spectrum CBD oil for dogs with peanut butter flavor into my pooch’s wet food.

CBD chews and CBD dog treats

CBD chews and CBD dog treats are infused with CBD oil and come in various flavors—including bacon flavor and peanut butter flavor. They offer an easy, tasty way to administer CBD.

CBD topicals

Topicals are infused with CBD oil and sometimes contain vitamin E and essential oils. These CBD products are applied to your pet’s skin. Many pet owners say pet CBD oil balms help soothe dry, chapped paws—especially during the colder months.

What to look for in a pet CBD product

High-quality ingredients

Choose CBD dog or cat products made with all-natural ingredients, including USA-grown industrial hemp. The best options contain human-grade ingredients and have passed third-party lab testing, so you can feel confident about what you’re giving your pet.

Desired benefits

Whether you’re giving your furry companion CBD for pets to support a healthy immune system, reduce pain, or enhance overall health, choose a formula that aligns with your desired effects. Broad-spectrum or full-spectrum hemp extract is best for enhanced effects.

Existing health conditions and allergies

Select CBD dog or cat products that won’t conflict with your pet's health conditions or allergies. For example, stick to wheat-free CBD products or those made without coconut oil if your pet is allergic to wheat or coconut.

Types of CBD

CBD pet products come in three formulas: full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD, and CBD isolate.

Broad-spectrum CBD

Broad-spectrum CBD hemp oil contains all of the cannabinoids and terpenes of the cannabis plant minus THC. Broad-spectrum CBD pet wellness products offer enhanced benefits (albeit slightly less potent than those made with full-spectrum hemp extract).

Full-spectrum CBD

Full-spectrum CBD oil contains all of the cannabinoids and terpenes of the cannabis plant, including trace amounts of THC. Full-spectrum hemp extract is known for its potent, synergistic benefits.

CBD isolate

CBD isolate contains pure CBD oil (no other cannabinoids or terpenes). It’s ideal for those seeking a THC-free alternative to broad-spectrum CBD and full-spectrum hemp extract. However, isolate CBD doesn’t produce an entourage effect.

How to give your pet CBD

From dosing CBD to getting your furry friend to consume it, starting your pet on a CBD regimen can be tricky and may involve some trial and error. These tips helped me, and I hope they’ll do the same for you.

CBD dosage

When determining the right serving of CBD, consider your pet’s size and weight. Start with the low end of the manufacturer’s CBD dosage recommendation and slowly increase while monitoring your pet’s response.

Palatability

If your pet dislikes the natural taste of hemp (like mine did), flavored CBD products are the way to go. I eventually got my pup to eat CBD oil for dogs with peanut butter flavor. Bacon- and chicken-flavored pet CBD hemp oil are also popular among furry friends.

Administering CBD

Now for the hardest part: getting your pet to consume the CBD. If your pet allows, administering CBD hemp oil directly into their mouth offers maximum bioavailability. My pup wasn’t having any of that, so I mixed some CBD oil for dogs with peanut butter flavor into her food. If you have a dog, CBD dog treats are another great option. Some pet owners have luck hiding a CBD capsule in a hollow treat.

Potential side effects of pet CBD products

CBD hemp oil for pets is usually well tolerated. However, some potential side effects to watch out for include lethargy, appetite loss, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Should you give your pet CBD?

Whether to incorporate a CBD dog or cat product into your pet’s routine is a choice you have to make for yourself. Speaking from personal experience, full-spectrum CBD for dogs improved my pet’s health, mobility, and quality of life.

Conclusion

If you decide to try CBD for pets, remember that not all CBD pet wellness products are the same quality. Choose a CBD product made with all-natural ingredients like USA-grown hemp. Stick to CBD hemp oil and other CBD products that have passed quality assurance and safety checks.

Consider any allergies or sensitivities your pet may have. (If your pup is sensitive to wheat, look for wheat-free CBD dog products; if your cat is allergic to coconut, choose a CBD product that doesn’t contain coconut oil.)

Follow the manufacturer’s CBD dosage recommendations, and don’t hesitate to consult your pet’s veterinarian if you have any questions or health concerns.

pets
Music

Teacher jokingly tells 10-year-old going on a trip to England to 'find Duran Duran'—and so she kind of does.

And just like that, Simon LeBon appeared in the doorway.

Wikicommons and lakehighlandsadvocate IG

Duran Duran lead singer Simon LeBon poses with a young fan

Imagine this: you're a fourth grade language arts teacher in Dallas, and like many Gen X-ers, your obsession with Duran Duran never waned. So much so that you still have dolls of each member of the band in the classroom and, according to Austin Wood's article for the Lake Highlands Advocate, even an old telephone in case (lead singer) "Simon LeBon calls."

This describes Miriam Osborne, a fourth grade teacher at White Rock Elementary in the Lake Highlands district of Dallas, Texas. Wood shares in "White Rock E.S. student, inspired by teacher, meets Simon LeBon" that one of Osborne's students, 10-year-old Ava Meyers, was getting an early pickup for Christmas break, as her family was heading to the U.K. for a holiday wedding. As they were saying their goodbyes in the hallway, Osborne kiddingly said to Meyers, "Find Duran Duran."

gif of Duran Duran performingDuran Duran 80S GIFGiphy


Cut to: Ava and her family, including her mom Zahara, fly across the pond to find themselves in the Putney neighborhood of London. After a day of sightseeing, Zahara shares, "I was just Googling things to do in Putney, and the first thing that popped up was 'Simon Le Bon lives in Putney from Duran Duran.'”

Zahara did a little sleuthing and found Simon's house, thinking perhaps a Christmas stroll by the home would be exciting. But, according to the article, Ava felt they could do better. She and "an 83-year-old relative named Nick, who apparently has courage in droves, went to the door and tried a knock. Zahara was initially hesitant but assumed Le Bon would be away on vacation, so she figured it was harmless. Le Bon’s son-in-law answered, his wife came to the door next, and following a few moments of getting pitched the idea by Nick, agreed to get her husband 'because it was Christmas.'"

And just like that, Simon LeBon appeared in the doorway. He warmly greeted Ava and her family and even took pictures. "It was just crazy," Ava exclaimed.

But possibly more excited was Miriam Osborne, back in the States. She proudly shared the photo (which had been texted to her) with many of her friends and even encouraged Ava to recount the story to her classmates when they returned from the break. Wood shares, "Osborne’s connection to the band goes back to her childhood in El Paso in the ’80s. As the daughter of a Syrian immigrant, she says she had trouble fitting in and finding an identity. Some days, she and her brothers would travel across town to get records from a British record store."

Miriam explains she used her babysitting money to buy her first Duran Duran record. "And so I had been a fan, literally, for 43 years—my entire lifetime."

gif of Simon LeBonDuran Duran GIFGiphy

Osborne's love of Duran Duran, and many '80s bands in general, nostalgically connects her to a throughline for her life that she tries to impart onto the students as well. "Music is a connector, and it connected me to a world that I didn’t always fit in as a child. It helped me find people who I still love to this day, and it’s a big part of this classroom with me and the students I teach, because everybody has a story, and there’s something really incredible about hearing something and it taking you to a happy moment."

As for Ava? She's now taking guitar lessons. And perhaps one day, she can become so famous and inspirational, a teacher sends a student off to find her on a Christmas vacation in the future.

From Your Site Articles
80s nostalgia
Humor

Artist gives 6 of Disney's most beloved characters a modern twist  to explain today's world

"I thought transporting them to our modern world could help us see it through new eyes."

via Tom Ward / Instagram

Classic Disney characters reimagined for modern times

Artist Tom Ward has used his incredible illustration techniques to give us some new perspective on modern life through popular Disney characters. "Disney characters are so iconic that I thought transporting them to our modern world could help us see it through new eyes," he told The Metro.

Tom says he wanted to bring to life "the times we live in and communicate topical issues in a relatable way."

In Ward's "Alt Disney" series, Prince Charming and Pinocchio have fallen victim to smart phone addiction. Ariel is living in a polluted ocean, and Simba and Baloo have been abused by humans.

Not all the news is bad though. LeFou form "Beauty and the Beast" has finally come out of the closet and his crush, Gaston, appears to be pretty accepting of the revelation.

Although, was it really such a shock?

Ward believes that his illustration of Artur from "Sword and the Stone makes" a particularly strong point. "I also think the message of Arthur from The Sword in the Stone sitting on his phone has some resonance today," he said. "He's too engrossed in his phone to experience other opportunities and realize his true potential in life."

You can see more of Ward's work on Instagram.

This article originally appeared eight years ago.

From Your Site Articles
disney
Heroes

Instacart delivery driver trusted her gut instinct and ended up saving a customer's life

"You're supposed to take a picture and leave, and I could not just leave."

@JessicaHiggs3/TikTok

Jessica Higgs had a sense that something wasn't right at a customer's house and her action saved his life.

One the more mysterious aspects of being human is our sense of intuition. This "sixth sense" isn't something we can see or measure, but many people have experienced it in some form or fashion. Maybe it comes as a strong feeling that something isn't right, or that we or someone else should or shouldn't do something. It can be hard to read—not every feeling we get is truly our intuition—but there are plenty of examples of people trusting their instincts and being glad they did.

One such story has gone viral on TikTok. Jessica Higgs, a mom who works as an Instacart grocery delivery person, shared a story in an emotional video that illustrates the importance of listening to that inner voice when it prompts you to make sure someone is OK.

"I just want to start this off by saying if you see something, say something," Higgs said.

Animated GIFGiphy

She explained how she had done an Instacart order the previous day for a daughter who was ordering for her older dad who couldn't shop for himself. She said she was going the extra mile like she always does for her customers, and that the daughter told her to just drop the groceries on the porch and he'd get them. That's what Higgs would usually do.

"I get there and something was telling me no, you gotta help this man out," she said. "He came out, and I was like OK let me help you, and I got the groceries. You're not supposed to go into someone's house, but I used my judgment and I brought the groceries inside and put them down wherever he wanted me to put them down. You're not supposed to, but I did. And you're supposed to just take a picture and leave, and I could not just leave."



@jessicahiggs3

@Instacart #28DaysOfEucerin #fyp



Higgs noticed that the man looked really sick and she was really concerned. A voice in her head said, "You gotta say something. You gotta say something, Jess." Rather than mark the order as complete, she messaged the man's daughter and told her that it was really unprofessional to say something like this, but she felt like her dad wasn't doing well. "There's a propane tank in there," she told the woman. "I was in there maybe five feet and I got dizzy. There's got to be a leak. He might not be doing good because of this leak."

The woman said she would send her son over to check it out and Higgs left. The woman changed her tip from $14 to $100, which Higgs appreciated, but the message she sent her the next morning was a much greater reward for her going the extra mile.

"Thank you so much, once my son went to check on my dad it turned out it was definitely leaking," she wrote. "You definitely saved my dad and my younger son's life!!!"

Through tears, Higgs said, "I'm just an Instacart worker, but if you see something, say something. I did and I'm so happy I did."

Higgs' TikTok has been viewed more than 15 million times and has been shared widely on social media. It has also attracted the attention of big companies.

Royal Caribbean Cruises shared a TikTok video of its own praising Higgs for her heroic act and offering her and her family a seven-day cruise anywhere in the world. "Cause even heroes need a vacation," the company wrote.



@royalcaribbean

Stitch with @jessicahiggs3 - cause even heroes need a vacation. Thanks @captaincruiseguy



Old Navy connected with her and arranged a shopping spree where she got to model several new outfits. People Magazine commented, "You’re literally a HERO! Good job trusting your instincts. 💕" Even TikTok itself wrote, "You are amazing ❤️thank you for sharing this with all of us."

Lots of commenters also pointed out that she's not "just an Instacart worker." Her work is important, she's providing a needed service and any job done in a spirit of helping others should not be minimized. If she hadn't been there doing her job well, that man may not be here. Never underestimate the difference each of us can make by the simple act of looking out for one another, friend and stranger alike.

Higgs' heartfelt story touched millions, and she's being rightly rewarded for listening to her heart and going out of her way to help someone. Gotta love seeing good things come to people doing good. Well done, Jessica Higgs.

This article originally appeared three years ago.

From Your Site Articles
instacart
Pets

Dog has adorably surprised reaction after owner dresses up as his favorite stuffed toy

Mr. Quackers stopped by for a visit and it was almost too much for Charlie to handle.

Charlie the Golden 18/YouTube

Charlie the golden retriever got to experience a life-sized Mr. Quackers and it was sheer joy.

The first thing you need to know about Charlie the golden retriever is that he loves Mr. Quackers. Mr. Quackers is Charlie's stuffed yellow duck. Charlie carries him around everywhere, he loves him so. Anyone who's had a dog with a favorite stuffy knows that it's a bit like a child with a favorite stuffy. As long as the stuffy is there, all is well. If stuffy goes missing, all hell breaks loose.

Nobody take the stuffy away. Nobody lose the stuffy. Nobody mess with the stuffy. Where they go, their stuffy goes. Where Charlie goes, Mr. Quackers goes. That's just the way it is.

There are many reasons dogs become so attached to their joys. It gives them mental stimulation and a release for pent up energy. It can also satisfy the need to hunt and retrieve in some breeds of dogs. And some female dogs will nurture or guard a toy as part of their maternal instincts.


@charliethegolden18

I always so happ to see my lil bro 😋 #dogsoftiktok #petsoftiktok #dogs #goldenretriever


The attachment is real. Watch what happens when Charlie's buddy Buddy tries to mess with Mr. Quackers. "There, see it!" Oh, Charlie. His love for Mr. Quackers is unrivaled, which is why his owner decided to pull an incredible pet prank and dress up as Mr. Quackers himself.

@charliethegolden18

Ain’t nobody touching my Mr. Quackers 😋 #dogsoftiktok #petsoftiktok #dogs #goldenretriever

The things we do for our dogs, indeed. And when Charlie got to meet the life-sized Mr. Quackers? So. Much. Joy. Charlie practically wagged his tail right off his body. And he never let go of the original Mr. Quackers the whole time—at least on TikTok.

It's tough to precisely unpack why Charlie is so attached to Mr. Quackers but it might be directly connected to his love for his human companion As Pride Bites explains:"It’s possible that the toy your pup likes carries your scent or that of the members of the family. Whenever they keep it close, your dog may feel a sense of connection with you. It can be one of the reasons your dog is so attached to the custom dog toy you bought on a whim, as it makes them feel safer during stressful situations such as when there’s a thunderstorm. Holding onto their toy can be your pup’s way of overcoming distress or reinforcing a positive emotion."

So, it's possible that in a very real sense, when Charlie's owner puts on the suit he's both literally and figuratively manifesting not only a life-sized Mr. Quackers but amplifying Charlie's own attachment to his human companion.

The extended video on YouTube shows Charlie dropping Mr. Quackers and trying to get a hold of Huge Mr. Quackers by the neck. Not in an aggressive way—more like in a "Hey, lemme carry you around like I do Mr. Quackers!" kind of way.




@charliethegolden18

Dressed up as our dogs favorite duck toy. Full video on FB & YouTube. Link in bio. #dogsoftiktok #petsoftiktok #dogs #goldenretriever

And then the slow discovery that Huge Mr. Quackers smells an awful lot like his hooman … just too precious.

Animals can bring such joy to our lives, especially when we take the time to play with them. Thanks, Charlie's parents, for sharing this moment of adorable delight with us all. Follow more of Charlie and Mr. Quackers' adventures on TikTok and YouTube.

This article originally appeared two years ago.

From Your Site Articles
dogs
Pets

Cats save the day after family accidentally brings home the wrong dog from daycare

The family had no idea until their cats jumped into action.

Fox 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul|YouTube

Family accidentally brings wrong dog home but their cats knew

It's not a secret that nearly all golden retrievers are identical. Honestly, magic has to be involved for owners to know which one belongs to them when more than one golden retriever is around. Seriously, how do they all seem have the same face? It's like someone fell asleep on the copy machine when they were being created.

Outside of collars, harnesses and bandanas, immediately identifying the dog that belongs to you has to be a secret skill because at first glance, their personalities are also super similar. That's why it's not surprising when one family dropped off their sweet golden pooch at daycare and to be groomed, they didn't notice the daycare sent out the wrong dog.

See, not even their human parents can tell them apart because when the swapped dog got home, nothing seemed odd to the owners at first. She was freshly groomed so any small differences were quickly brushed off. But this accidental doppelgänger wasn't fooling her feline siblings.

golden retriever, dogs, cats, cat rescue, dog rescue, day care, doggy day careCan you tell these golden retrievers apart?Image via Cana

Once the dog was in their house, they noticed that their cats started behaving strangely towards their canine sibling. The cats started attacking the dog, likely trying to get it to tell them what they did with their real dog sister. Cat slaps and a house full of strange people didn't dampen the imposter's spirit though, in fact, that's what helped reveal the switcharoo.

cats, dogs, golden retrievers, doggy daycare, day care, animal rescue The cats knew something was upImage via Canva

This dog kept handing out face kisses and had no interest in seeing her favorite neighbor. After putting all of those things together, the owners decided to hightail it to the vet's office to scan the dog's microchip. Alas, they indeed had the wrong dog.

"We just never even thought that that would happen, and of course we thought we would know right? Like we're her parents, we would know something was wrong, we would know right off the bat that it wasn't Emmy," Kebby Kelley told Fox 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul.

Seems both golden retrievers got to go on a really strange adventure that deserves a lifetime of delicious dog treats for the confusion. See both sweet pups below:


- YouTubewww.youtube.com


This article originally appeared three years ago.

From Your Site Articles
dogs
Trending Stories