10 Important Pet CBD Questions for Your Veterinarian

Have you thought about starting your four-legged companion on a hemp routine? It’s only natural to consider doing so if you’re also taking cannabidiol (CBD) regularly and finding that it’s helping you with your wellness-related goals. Well, luckily, more people are finding that their pets are responding well to a daily CBD regimen, and lots of CBD companies are producing high-quality pet goods that combine pet-friendly ingredients with the perfect amount of CBD for their bodies.

Why Give Your Pet CBD in the First Place?
Pets, like us, have endocannabinoid systems (ECSs) that function exactly like ours, as this system is inside every mammal. This system, for those who don’t know, regulates bodily processes that we rely on for overall well-being, and it does this by sending cannabinoids to cannabinoid receptors found throughout the body that correspond with the functions of bodily systems. This is why pets can experience the same effects as us when they take cannabidiol.

CBD is natural and holistic, which is why so many pet owners are inspired to give it to their pets. It’s also nontoxic to animals, which makes a lot of pet owners feel safer giving it to them. But, keep in mind that in very rare cases, a pet may not respond well to CBD, as animals, like us, can be allergic to just about anything.

Questions to Ask a Veternairan Prior to Giving Your Pet CBD
If you’re ready to start administering cannabidiol that’s formulated for your cat and/or dog, there is one thing that you absolutely need to do before running out and buying a product. You have to speak to your veterinarian initially, since they need to know what you’re giving your pet. Especially, if it relates to their health. Because this conversation is so important, we’ve come up with a list of ten things to ask them when you bring it up.

Question #1: Do Any Other Patients of Yours Use CBD?
It’s always a very good idea to ask your vet if any of the other animals they treat take CBD. Not only does this show that they have experience with CBD already, but it is also useful because they can apply the information they’ve accumulated from their experiences to your pet. It’s especially helpful if the pet they’re treating has a condition similar to that of your own furry friend, or if it’s a similar breed or size.

Question #2: Have You Done Research on CBD for Pets?
Now, we have access to many studies regarding giving CBD to pets specifically. But, just because these studies are available doesn’t mean that every vet in the country is completely up to date on the rapidly evolving information that’s out there. Ask your vet if they are aware of recent studies done, especially ones that pertain to specific issues that your pet has. If they are not up to date on these studies, it doesn’t mean that your vet’s information won’t be useful. But, it can help as they may be able to better guide you through coming up with a routine based on the information that we know. And, feel free to share studies with your vet that may be applied to your own pet’s care.

Question #3: Can CBD Help My Pet with Their Issue?
If you’re looking to give your pet CBD, it’s likely because they have some sort of recurring issue, and you hope that CBD might help manage their symptoms. If this is the case, you should ask your pet specifically if hemp could help with that particular problem. Your veterinarian may have information that you don’t, and it’s their job to know whether or not CBD can be a useful treatment option.

Question #4: Is There a Potential Interaction Between CBD and What My Pet is Taking Currently?
You absolutely must tell your vet of anything that you give your pet regularly, whether it be a supplement, a medication or even an enriched treat. That’s because in rare situations, interactions can occur between CBD and another thing that you give your pet daily. Your pet will be able to find out for you whether the quantities need to be adjusted, or if it’s absolutely fine to give your pet CBD in addition to what they already take as part of their regimen.

Question #5: How Much CBD Should I Give My Pet?
Another important question is how much CBD your pet should be getting. This refers to two unique factors: the milligram strength and the dosage amount. The milligram strength is the number of milligrams in each dose, which reflects the potency level. The dosage amount also needs to be discussed, because while every product has a suggested dosage, your pet may respond better to more or less than what’s recommended.

Question #6: Do You Recommend a Certain Number of Daily Doses?
It’s also a good idea to ask how many doses your pet should be given each day. Each delivery method has its own length of time before it wears off, and depending on your pet’s condition, it may be a good idea to sustain a consistent amount of cannabinoids in their body. Many pets can respond well to a single dose, but some may need a second dose later on in the day.

Question #7: Should I Give My Pet CBD Isolate, Broad Spectrum, or Full Spectrum?
Ask your veterinarian which of the three types of hemp extracts are ideal for your pet’s unique situation.

• CBD isolate is just pure cannabidiol, free of all other compound that naturally occur in hemp.
• Full spectrum contains every compound in hemp, including CBD, other cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids. Full spectrum hemp has the trace amount of THC present in the hemp plant, but it’s not enough to produce psychoactive effects.
• Broad spectrum, meanwhile, is the THC-free version of full spectrum.

Each compound in hemp has its own unique properties, so your pet may benefit from one type over the others. Your veterinarian should be able to help you choose the type that’s best suited for their needs.

Question #8: Can I Try Multiple Delivery Methods?
Different delivery methods that are intended for pets include treats, tinctures and topicals. Your veterinarian may feel that one delivery method is best suited for them. But, you may want to ask if it’s okay to try different methods. For instance, he or she may recommend a tincture, but you may find that your four-legged friend completely refuses it. So, you might want to consider a treat instead. Or, you could find that you need to try two delivery methods in a day’s period. Ask your veterinarian if this is okay.

Question #9: Can I Increase the Dosage Amount if Needed?
You might find that after a couple of weeks, it’s clear that the amount of CBD you’re giving your pet needs to be increased to produce better results. Ask your veterinarian if you are free to increase their dosage after a certain period of time. Typically, it takes about two weeks to see the full effects of CBD, because this is how long it takes for the endocannabinoid system to be properly supported by a hemp routine. After two weeks, you can think about giving them a higher dosage level, or increasing the milligram strength, as long as your veterinarian approves of this decision.

Question #10: Is there Anything I Should Be Looking Out For?
Finally, ask your veterinarian if you should be looking for anything specific while you monitor them. Some pets may get drowsy if they take too much CBD, for example, which could indicate that you need to lower the dosage level. Obviously, if your pet has a severe reaction to CBD, get them medical help immediately. The good news is that negative reactions are very rare, as pets’ bodies are designed to process cannabinoids properly. Still, monitoring them is very important, especially during the first two weeks.