When we feel like a boost to our immune system or metabolism, we often reach for a product on the shelf of a health store or go straight to our general practitioner for some advice on supplements to take. In recent years especially, many of us would like to remain as fit and healthy as possible and brands have answered the call, coming out with a wide variety of different vitamins, minerals, and additions for us to take.
When it comes to our pets, it may be a similar scenario however the range of products that are available in pet stores, in comparison to our stores, is minimal. This is especially true of those items that are as close to labeled as ‘natural’, as possible.
Even though many manufacturers claim their products are natural, you will seldom find this to be 100% true. Pet food and supplements often have some of the most toxic ingredients in them which many pet owners fail to check. This could be because of the lack of understanding regarding the science surrounding the ingredients, or it could be an issue of affordability.
According to this pet food industry resource online, some toxic chemicals are added to our canines food that we may not be aware of. A substance such as Propylene glycol, for instance, was recently headlining in the pet world news because it is one of the many harmful additives in dog treats, and is the same component added to antifreeze products.
In specific amounts, it may not be harmful, however, the regulations state that it should not be used in feline products such as foods and treats as it is harmful to them, and some sources question whether this holds to those foods for dogs that contain the chemical in it.
The use of the word ‘natural’ is also something up for debate, as there are also regulations surrounding it. While these discussions are still in place, it would be a safer alternative to stick with what we do know and what is deemed as natural.
CBD – The All-Natural Solution
So, what would then be the safer alternative? Well, according to tot numerous studies and research conducted on the cannabinoid, there are indeed many brands on the market that do have products that are 100% natural and have no toxic or debatable ingredients in them, and this is where we start our discussion.
Similar to humans, canines have an endocannabinoid system, this is the main mechanism in their bodies that works hand in hand with certain primary receptors, that help to maintain a balance within their (and our) bodies and is responsible for a variety of things such as appetite, immunity, memory, smell, taste, movement, emotion, digestion and more.
As a biological system that is made up of numerous endocannabinoids, when CBD is introduced to it, i.e. ingested, it helps to bind the cannabinoid in the natural extract to the receptors: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endocannabinoid_system in a nutshell, both the endocannabinoid system and the cannabinoid receptors work together through the mediation of those components that are present in pure hemp plant extracts.
Those pet owners who have leaned on this and incorporated the extract into their canine’s lifestyle have seen some of the most astounding benefits and improvements in comparison to anything else they have given them. As a natural alternative to better health, it is no surprise that then people are spending thousands of dollars on it for the sake of keeping both themselves and their pets healthy and happy.
Because of the monetary benefits to companies, however, many brands have rolled out their versions, but the question remains, how do you find the best one that’s worth its price? We take a look at some of the key factors you should be paying heed to when buying a CBD Oil product for your pooch, below.
Factors to Consider When Buying CBD for Your Canine
3 Main Categories of Availability
To date, these products, once extracted, are available in three main categories.
1. Isolates
When you’re looking for only the CBD and nothing else, this would be a safe option. During the extraction process, everything of the pant is stripped away leaving only this one thing that contains no THC in it (the component that is responsible for the high).
2. Broad Spectrum
When the least amount of processes is used to extract the oil, but still has 0.3% THC in it, it is known as the Broad-Spectrum type. the THC is retained in this minimal quantity to help enhance the effects.
3. Full Spectrum
This is also one of the least processed categories and contains as close to the plant extract as possible plus has 0.3% THC in them. This aids in what’s called the ‘entourage effect’ in your body, as well as your canines’ body.
Out of all these three, it is the full-spectrum that is the recommended option for your four-legged friends for maximum absorption.
Laboratory Result
Any CBD brand worth buying will show its lab results on its website to the public. If these are not available or they are but have not been updated in recent months should not even be considered. In addition, check the laboratory that they have used to do the tests to make sure they are legitimate entities.
Price Check
No matter which way you look at it, a pure and reputable product will be slightly more expensive than its competition. Not to forget, theirs will be of a higher quality. If you do a cbd oil for dogs price comparison for any brand you can also find those of a reasonable price tag. The benefit of paying slightly more, once you’ve checked that the company is reputable and well-established is you will be paying for the processes it has taken for it to gain a good standing amongst its competitors.
Another thing that will affect the price is the size of the bottle, and the dosage requirements. The larger the bottle, the more you will pay. Do a comparison to check if you are getting a fair price. The average price it should cost per dose for a month is about $1/day for most brands.
