By Cara Oorbeck, Operations Guru @GWL
As a rescuer, my house is often filled with animals, each of whom has their own unique needs. Currently, I have 6 pets: 3 dogs and 3 cats. They’re part of my family — and I would do anything for them.
When I began working at Green Wellness Life, I became curious about the potential benefits of CBD for my pets. While the research is still new, studies have indicated that CBD may be helpful for pets (as well as humans). After learning as much as I could, I began giving CBD products to my fur babies.
There was just one problem: Molly, my Great Dane, is a picky pup. She turns her nose up at many treats and different types of food — until I found just the right CBD treat for her. If you’re curious about how CBD may help your pets or want to find the best CBD for your own picky pup, read on to learn more about our experience.
CBD and Pets
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring compound found in the cannabis plant. It is part of the cannabinoid family, which is a class of chemical compounds that are found in the cannabis plant. Cannabinoids interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which helps to maintain homeostasis in the body.
While research is still developing on the ECS, scientists have found that it involves three core components: endocannabinoids, receptors and enzymes. Endocannabinoids are molecules made by the body that are similar to cannabinoids; these endocannabinoids bind to receptors to send a signal that the ECS needs to take action. Enzymes break down endocannabinoids once they have performed their function of binding to receptors.
The ECS has been linked to a variety of processes in the body, including appetite and digestion, metabolism, anxiety, chronic pain, mood, sleep, muscle formation, and stress. Each of these functions contribute to homeostasis, which is the stability of the body’s internal environment. Research has demonstrated that CBD may work with the ECS in order to promote homeostasis.
Scientists are still researching exactly how CBD interacts with the human ECS. Dogs and other pets have an ECS as well, but — just like with humans — more research is needed to learn how CBD interacts with animals’ ECS.
Preliminary research has determined that CBD may help to increase comfort and activity in dogs with osteoarthritis. It may also be used to help reduce the number of seizures that dogs with epilepsy experience. Scientists, including veterinarians, are currently conducting additional studies to determine if CBD may be beneficial to dogs and pets in other ways, such as to reduce post-operative pain.
Importantly, CBD does not cause the feeling of being high or stoned. Unlike delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) — another cannabinol found in the cannabis plant — CBD is not psychoactive. The World Health Organization (WHO) has found that in its pure state, CBD is safe and well-tolerated by pets.
My Experience with CBD Treats for My Picky Pup
After doing my own research and consulting with my veterinarian about the benefits of CBD for pets, I decided to start giving my pets specialized CBD products that are formulated just for animals. The products sold by Green Wellness Life are made from industrial hemp grown and regulated here in the United States, and are independently tested to ensure quality and purity. This gave me the confidence to try CBD with my pets.
Molly – The Picky Eater
The first product that I brought home for my pups was a bag of Treatibles (Hemp Wellness CBD Dog Chews). Lucy (my schnauzer) and Rizzo (my mutt) loved these treats — they couldn’t get enough of them! There was just one problem: Molly completely refused to eat them.
Molly has always been picky when it comes to what she eats, so it wasn’t surprising that she refused the Treatibles that her siblings loved. I tried for days to get her to eat one, but she refused time and time again. She was a full-on dog treat snob about it, even as Lucy and Rizzo gobbled them eagerly.
Convinced of the health benefits of CBD for dogs, I decided to keep trying. She sampled several brands of CBD pet treats, and refused each of them. And then I brought home Koi CBD Soft Chews for Dogs.
As soon as I opened up the bag, Molly was all in — she absolutely loves the Koi treats! Lucy and Rizzo love them, too, but because they are a bit more expensive than the Treatibles, they get the Koi chews as a special treat. Molly gets a Koi chew every day — and is still happily taking them.
One of my colleagues had a similar experience with Koi chews…but with her cats! Brandy, who founded Green Wellness Life with her husband Jim, was filming a video about the pet products that we offer. She left the bag of Koi chews on the counter, and her cats absolutely shredded it — showing that while these treats are made for dogs, they’re irresistible to all of our furry family members!
If you have a picky pup, a cat who loves to eat dog treats, or if you simply want to spoil your fur baby, Koi chews are a great option. You can also check out our full range of CBD products for pets to find a treat or supplement that your cats or dogs will love.
How to Buy CBD Products for Your Pets
As pet owners ourselves, we know how much you love your four-legged companions. We do, too! That is why we offer a full range of high-quality, independently tested CBD products that are specially designed for pets (including picky eaters).
At Green Wellness Life, we are not veterinarians, and cannot diagnose or treat any medical condition for your pets. We can offer you the latest research on the potential benefits of CBD, so that you can make an informed choice about using it with your pets. We encourage you to consult with your veterinarian before making any change to your pet’s diet, including adding CBD.
If you are interested in using a CBD product with your pet, we have a range of products to choose from on our website. If you have additional questions or need further assistance, you can reach out to us at 866-244-4223 or email us at any time.
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