Many stores are selling CBD for dogs in Baltimore but is it all the same and what do you need to know before giving it to your four-legged friend. At CBD Supply Maryland we are here to walk you through the process of getting a high-quality CBD product for your dog in the Baltimore area.

What is CBD For Pets?

Cannabidiol or CBD is part of the cannabinoid family, a class of compounds naturally found in a cannabis plant like hemp. Cannabinoids interact with your pet’s endocannabinoid system, which helps the body maintain homeostasis. The endocannabinoid system is a complex series of receptors located throughout your pet’s body that help with signaling when it comes to pain or anxiety among other things.

CBD does not have a euphoric or “high” effect that we commonly associate with marijuana. The “high” sensation that you receive from marijuana is from THC which is another cannabinoid. Hemp, unlike marijuana, is not high in THC meaning you will not experience a euphoric sensation from it.

How is CBD Given to Dogs?

CBD dog care products come in many of the same forms you’re probably used to seeing for humans, including edibles (think: chewable treats and capsules), oils that can be added to food or placed under the tongue and topical creams or balms that are rubbed directly on the skin. Like the CBD products meant for humans, each of these CBD dog care product types have a different effect on the body.

Treats

A chewable treat or capsule is a common way to ingest CBD. These products resemble other treats you may give your dog, but they are infused with CBD. Often treats may have other beneficial ingredients for your dog to help with things like joint pain by incorporating glucosamine into the treat as well. The advantage of giving your dog CBD in a treat form is that many of the treats are flavored to make it more likely your pet will take the product. When they consume a treat, it is like taking other medicine in that it must work its way through the digestive system to be uploaded into the body. It can take about an hour or more for the CBD to have an effect because it must be processed through the stomach and liver.

CBD Oil for Dogs

In addition to a treat form, CBD can also be given to dogs in an oil or tincture form. This can be a highly effective way to give your dog CBD because you can give higher milligram amounts of CBD if necessary, this way. The oil comes in a standard medicine bottle with an eye dropper to give the CBD. Many people will place drops of the CBD on a pet’s food or favorite treat. If your dog will tolerate it, the oil can also be given to the dog by placing it right in his or her mouth. Like a treat the CBD takes about an hour to have an effect this way inside of your dog’s body.

Topical Rub

Just like in humans, dogs can also benefit from CBD topical rubs or balms. These products are applied directly to your dog’s skin and can be used for several different reason. Since, CBD has an anti-inflammatory effect it can help with skin issues a dog may be having like psoriasis. It also can be used in a topical form to help with muscle and joint pain that a dog may be experiencing.

Is It Safe to Give a Dog CBD?

Most vets will agree that you should not give your dog an intoxicating amount of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. There are plenty of reasons why you should not give your dog a product with THC in it.

First, dogs do get high, but they experience the effects differently and more intensely than humans. In other words, a dog on weed is no laughing matter and is actually in a high state of distress. If a dog has consumed marijuana, you may observe the following signs:

  • Dribbling urine
  • Walking like they are drunk (or high)
  • Beginning to fall over while standing still
  • Low heart rate
  • Low blood pressure
  • Wide, dilated pupils
  • Easily startled by sudden sounds

Hemp-based CBD products do not have THC, which means that they will not give your dog a high and they are safe for dogs to consume.

Where to Get CBD For Dogs in Baltimore?

Just like if you were buying CBD for yourself, you want to make sure that the product you are buying for your dog is high-quality. The first thing to look for when buying CBD for a dog is that it is real CBD. Unfortunately, there are companies selling products that are not CBD but are instead hemp seed oil. The problem with hemp seed oil is that the CBD in the hemp plant comes from the flowers, leaves, and stems of the plant. There is no CBD in the seeds, so if someone tries to pass hemp seed oil off as CBD to you do not buy it.

The best way to know if a product actually has CBD in it is to view its lab reports. Any legitimate CBD store will be able to show you independent, third-party labs that demonstrate what is in the product. These labs should show you how much CBD is in a product and how much THC is in the product. If the labs look good, then you have real CBD.

However, having real CBD is not enough to ensure you are getting a quality product. You want to make sure that the products you are buying use only organically grown and non-GMO hemp. These high-quality ingredients ensure that your pet is not getting any unnecessary chemicals or pesticides.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know what you are looking with CBD for dogs in Baltimore there is a few other things to remember. Just like if you were buying a health product for yourself, you probably would not simply go to any old store for medicine. The same applies to CBD for dogs. You often get a better quality and stronger product for pets at a store that specializes in CBD than just going to any pet store. And, when you are going to a store for CBD it is often useful to look at the reputation of the store. Google and other review sites can be a helpful place to see what kind of rating the store has and what other people are saying. Just like for yourself, you should strive for the highest quality products for your dog as well.