Will My Pet Experience Side Effects with Pet CBD Oil? Here’s What You Need to Know

As any good pet parent would, you’re probably doing extensive homework when it comes to considering any change, big or small, to your pet’s lifestyle. It’s important to carefully weigh the pros and cons and be certain you’re making the right choice! But we also know that Dr. Google isn’t always reliable, and can oftentimes offer up just as much misinformation and fear tactics as it offers helpful information.

Being relatively new to the market, pet CBD oil can fall into that gray area of uncertainty as far as finding accurate information about it online. Is it, or is it not safe for pets? And what are the side effects, if any? We want you to be as informed as possible when making these important choices for your pets. For some pet parents, pet CBD has been a saving grace, while other pet parents are still uncertain and may even be a little worried about trying pet CBD with their own fur-babies.  

At Homescape Pets, we are research-driven pet health advocates. We’re here to dispel the myths, ease the worries, and answer your questions about pet CBD oil:

 

Is Pet CBD Oil a Drug? 

Depending on how much you already know about pet CBD, it might surprise you to know that this is still a commonly held belief. However, not only is pet CBD not a drug, but the FDA doesn’t even recognize it as a dietary supplement. 

We like to consider pet CBD oil a holistic product that research has shown to have a number of potential health and therapeutic benefits. One study suggests that 80% of the dogs studied demonstrated signs of improvement with their pain and mobility. Another study found that dogs who were taking CBD in addition to seizure medications had significantly less seizures than those who were given a placebo.  

 

Can Cats and Dogs Experience Bad Side Effects from CBD Oil?

Let’s be real for a minute: just about anything ingestible can cause side effects in animals, even (and maybe especially) a lot of commercial pet foods! That said, there simply isn’t enough research available to conclusively understand the relationship between CBD and your pet’s complex biological system. 

Anecdotal evidence, however, does exist: some pet owners report seeing side effects in their pets after administering CBD. The important thing to remember is that these side effects are actually quite rare. 

 

Potential Side Effects of CBD Oil for Cats and Dogs

Side effects for cats and dogs are rare and tend to be mild, such as in the case of sleepiness, upset tummies, and stool changes. In other, more rare, cases, your pet might experience dizziness or itchiness.

It’s important to keep in mind that you are always administering the appropriate dose for your pet. Giving your pet too much CBD might increase their chance of experiencing adverse symptoms. We recommend starting small and increasing from there when first giving your pet CBD oil.

Additionally, your pet may experience an allergic reaction to CBD because CBD is derived from the hemp plant, and some people have reported being allergic to cannabis and hemp seed oil. If this is the case with your pet, you should stop administering CBD to your pet immediately and consult your veterinarian. 

 

Speaking of Veterinarians…

It goes without saying that you should always consult your veterinarian before making any dietary or lifestyle decisions for your pet. But you should especially consult your veterinarian before administering pet CBD if your pet is already taking a pharmaceutical medication. Why? You will want to make sure that your pet’s medication won’t interact negatively with CBD. CBD is metabolized through the liver, as is the case with many pharmaceutical medications.

 

Why Should I Try CBD for My Cat or Dog? 

As we mentioned, unless your pet is already a high-risk for potential adverse reactions, the risk of trying CBD oil on your pet is relatively low. Even if your pet should experience side effects, they are likely to be low or mild.

But there is also a lot of anecdotal evidence to suggest that there are many possible benefits to administering pet CBD to your pets. Most pet parents give their pets CBD to their pets to help with anxiousness, one of the more major concerns in cats and dogs. Many pet parents also report that CBD has helped with their pets’ pain (neuropathic and physical) and seizures. Some integrative veterinarians have also suggested that CBD is an option for its anti-inflammatory properties, organ function benefits, for heart health, anti-nausea, appetite management, and even full-body cellular benefits.

If you happen to be a pet parent on the fence about CBD, we recommend checking out our CBD supplements! And even if you’re still not sure, we also offer herbal supplements that contain no CBD, like Restful Pet, which is formulated with chamomile and valerian to help provide your pet with the relaxation he or she needs to deal with any stressful situation. After all, Healthy Pets = Happy People. That’s what we’re all about! If you have questions about which product may be the best fit for your pet, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask away! Find us on Instagram at @homescapepets or contact us here!