Should You Give Your Pet CBD During the Post-Surgery Recovery Process?

Even when we do everything to take care of our precious companions, sometimes they are going to require surgery.  As a devoted pet owner, it’s only natural that you want to give them the best care possible as they recover from their procedure.  So, it’s not surprising that so many pet owners ask us if it’s okay to administer CBD to their cat or dog during the post-operative process.

Pets Recovering from Surgery: What to Expect

It can be stressful when your pet returns from surgery, as you’ll need to keep an eye on them more than ever to make sure that they fully heal.  Each pet is different, and each surgical procedure is different, so there’s no single list of things to expect.

Generally, a pet may be more withdrawn than usual the first few days to the first couple of weeks, depending on what type of surgery they had.  Their behavior may be unusual because of medications that they were on, and immediately following a dose of anesthesia, they can be loopy, and lack good coordination.  This should wear off in about 48 hours.

It's important that your pet is able to rest, and also have lots of quiet time where they can recover.  They may refuse food initially, and that’s fairly normal.  If you have any concerns, your vet can offer more guidance.

What Role Can Cannabinoids Play in Post-Operative Recovery?

It’s no wonder why so many people want to give their cats and dogs CBD while they’re recovering from surgery, especially if they’ve already had them on a CBD routine with great success.  There are two things in particular that CBD can offer to the post-operative pet: one is the ability to ease physical discomfort that can occur due to surgery, and the other is to help them out with any distress they might be feeling while they do recover.

Is it Safe to Give a Post-Operative Pet CBD?

CBD can be very useful when administered to a pet each day following surgery, by giving them both physical and mental support while they rest and recover.  But, there’s something you need to consider, which is medications.  If your pet is on a medication following surgery, you need to be extra careful, because CBD may suppress critical enzymes in the body needed to metabolize these medications.  Basically, if a drug that they’re taking can’t metabolize properly, it can build up in their bodies instead, which can lead to toxic effects after a certain point.

So, what medications are safe to use with cannabidiol?  The problem is that we can’t answer that.  This level of medical advice can only be provided by a licensed veterinarian who understands the nature of the drugs that your pet is on.  Keep in mind that some pets may be given an antibiotic while at the clinic, which remains in their system for many days, meaning that during this time, CBD can still interact with that medication.

Ultimately, for such an important health matter, you need to have a conversation with your veterinarian who understands your pet’s needs during recovery, and the medications that they are on.  Remember, however, that not all veterinarians have a lot of experience with or knowledge of CBD, so they may not be able to provide you with the most up-to-date information.  In that case, consider pointing them to some studies that they can interpret for you to make the best decision for your beloved companion.

CBD Could Be Helpful for Pets After Surgery, But Your Veterinarian Still Knows Best

There is no denying that CBD can do a lot for a pet who has just undergone surgery, putting both their mind & body at ease while supporting their endocannabinoid system for a quicker recovery time.  But, because of the nuanced information out there about links between CBD and certain medications, we can’t offer any real advice about the safety of using the cannabinoid should your pet be on a post-operative drug.  Again, as this cannot be stressed enough, any concerns you have about administering your pet CBD following surgery should be discussed strictly between you and your pet’s veterinarian, who can better answer personalized questions on the matter.

Nectar Wellness Supercharged™ CBD Oil for Pets are specially formulated to deliver calming wellness to your dog- no matter what size or breed.  The best part, you can easily administer CBD oil to your pets for fast, efficient results.  Apply the CBD tincture drops directly into your dog’s mouth or add to their food or favorite snacks.