Whether through your own research or by consulting with your veterinarian, you may have come across CBD oil for pets with cancer. CBD oil has become the most widely used natural product not only for pets but also for people affected by anxiety, chronic pain, and the symptoms of cancer.

But what exactly is CBD oil, and can it really help your cat or dog?

To help you decide whether this plant-based therapy is right for your pet, we examine what CBD oil is, why it can benefit animals with cancer, and how to incorporate it into a comprehensive health and pain management plan.

What is CBD Oil?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a phytocannabinoid that is a natural chemical found in marijuana or the cannabis plant. CBD oil is extracted from the cannabis plant and does not contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the psychoactive compound that causes a euphoric sensation.

So, if you’re concerned about your dog or cat experiencing a “high” from CBD products, cannabidiol won’t have this effect on them. When used correctly, it delivers a multitude of wellness benefits that range from reducing pain and inflammation to alleviating nausea.

Let’s discover why CBD oil should be a part of your pet’s health and wellness plan.

Is It Safe to Give Dogs and Cats CBD Oil?

It is perfectly safe to give your dog or cat CBD oil. When provided in the correct dosage, it works with the body to manage the side effects of chemotherapy and recovery from surgery. But if you are looking for pain relief and cancer-fighting properties, then regular CBD oil is simply not enough. Unfortunately, the popularity of CBD has led to the spread of misinformation. Studies concerning CBD and pain relief have mixed results. While cannabidiol can offer moderate relaxation, both people and pets need full-spectrum or THC-based products to significantly ease pain, relieve nausea, and target cancer cells. If your aim is to help your fur companions with poor appetite, discomfort, sleep, and the ability to fight cancer, please look at full-spectrum oil. Anything less is probably a marketing gimmick.

Understanding Full-Spectrum CBD Oil

Full-spectrum CBD may lead to a feeling of being “high” when consumed in large doses. These full-spectrum products consist of more parts of the cannabis plant than regular CBD oil, with some containing up to 0.3% THC.

I used a full-spectrum THC-based oil for Sasha, Ice, and Blueberry because I wasn’t looking for pain relief alone. I wanted the parts of the cannabis plant that are more effective in slowing the progression of cancer.

Full-spectrum or broad-spectrum products differ from regular CBD oil because of their psychoactive properties. When using a full-spectrum oil for dogs and cats, provide small doses until they can tolerate it. By that, I mean, until they don’t show any signs of drowsiness, and only then increase it to the desired levels. Sasha was a large dog, weighing more than 50 kg (around 110 lbs), and she started off on half a rice grain of full-spectrum oil! It’s always best to start with small amounts and gradually increase them to the full daily dose for their body weight.

How Does CBD Oil for Pets Work?

CBD contains a powerful source of phytocannabinoids. Both humans and animals have an endocannabinoid system that regulates the central nervous system. The cannabinoids in CBD interact with the endocannabinoid system to address imbalances such as inflammation, pain, and digestive problems. It works naturally by restoring balance so that the body is better equipped to handle disease and dysfunction.

While CBD oil is not a cure for cancer, it offers a safer way of providing relief from symptoms or the side effects of medication. Remember to speak to your vet if your dog or cat is on chemotherapy or prescription medication before giving them alternative products. This is just to be on the safe side, so you avoid any negative interactions and always prioritize their well-being and comfort.

Let’s learn about the benefits of CBD oil for dogs and cats:

• Promotes Relaxation

Animals suffering from sleeplessness or restlessness experience relaxation with full-spectrum products.

• Improves Appetite

Cancer and chemotherapy cause nausea and digestive upset. Pets have good days where they’ll consume all of their food and off days where they’ll barely touch anything. Because nutrition is such an important part of keeping them strong and energetic, you want them to eat without forcing them to do so. Full-spectrum CBD and THC oil can enhance appetite because they relieve nausea and support healthy digestion, making your fur companion feel better and more likely to eat. On THC, they’ll probably have the munchies!

• Pain Management

Both CBD and THC help with pain relief because they interact with the body’s pain-sensing receptors. While THC provides greater pain relief compared to CBD, cannabidiol studies have shown improvements in aches, inflammation, and overall discomfort. Dogs weighing around 40 lbs can take up to 40 mg of CBD for pain, which is a fairly strong dose.

• Reduces Inflammation

Research concerning the influence of CBD on the immune system suggests that it’s immunosuppressive, but you’ve got to understand how CBD works in the body before ruling it out as a therapeutic aid.

Cannabis studies involving rheumatoid arthritis have shown immunosuppressive effects in that they reduce inflammation responsible for pain. In people and animals with compromised immune systems, cannabis encourages white blood cell development and can protect the body from disease-causing damage.

So what do we take away from this?

Think of cannabis as a natural resource that supports and regulates the body’s function based on what it needs.

Can You Use Topical CBD Products On Pets?

Yes, you can easily apply cannabis oils and creams to growths, tumors, and dry or irritated skin for relief from itching and inflammation. Some people have sworn by THC-based oil for pets with inoperable tumors, as they claim that the use of this oil alone reduces growths. While research on this particular topic is still far from complete, it’s believed that THC, rather than CBD, has tumor-shrinking properties.

CBD Oil Dosage for Dogs and Cats

The dosage of CBD oil for dogs and cats should start at 0.3 mg per pound of body weight. It is easiest to administer using a dropper. Start with the smallest possible dose and increase slowly until the necessary pain relief and therapeutic benefits are achieved.

Start with half the recommended dose and increase over a few days. Observe your pet’s condition for any adverse reactions. Remember that relaxation is perfectly normal after consuming full-spectrum products for the first time.

Dogs and cats don’t really like the taste of full-spectrum oil, so if you have trouble administering it, apply the oil to a piece of meat to mask the smell and taste. It is also best provided at night for peaceful sleep.

How to Administer CBD Oil for Pets

You can either give your pet a few drops directly into their mouth using a dropper, or you can add the oil to their food and treats. It’s that easy.

What You Should Know About CBD for Pets

CBD has become one of the most popular alternative medicines owing to its ability to relieve pain, decrease inflammation, and support sleep. However, pets with cancer and painful conditions, such as severe arthritis, are more likely to benefit from full-spectrum oil. Full-spectrum oil contains CBD, terpenes, and supportive compounds that are far more effective at providing pain relief, relaxation, and anti-nausea than CBD alone.

Full-spectrum and THC-based products may cause your pet to experience a mild “high,” but this can be avoided by introducing the substance in small amounts over a few days. If you are using THC or full-spectrum oils, you can dilute a small amount in a carrier oil, such as coconut oil or olive oil.

Suppose you want a cancer-fighting product or a natural aid to significantly relieve pain, combat anxiety, improve appetite, and reduce restlessness. In that case, full-spectrum or THC products are your answer. Ice had tremendous pain in his back leg. None of the powerful medications he was prescribed relieved the discomfort. After trying THC oil, he was more relaxed and seemed to cope far better. The same applies to people.

When Not to Give Full-Spectrum Oil

Despite CBD and full-spectrum products being natural, they may not agree with all pets. Blueberry was placed on a sedative before her vet visits, which resulted in uncontrolled head tremors. She initially responded positively to the tinctures during her cruciate ligament recovery; however, after developing the head tremors, she couldn’t continue with CBD. This is when I introduced turkey tail mushrooms, which have gained considerable attention for their immune-boosting and cancer-fighting benefits.

While CBD is a wonderful alternative that you can find in most stores, when dealing with cancer, arthritis, anxiety, severe pain, and restlessness, I can only recommend full-spectrum.