Steve Rowe 4/19/25 Steve Rowe 4/19/25

Pet Parent's Guide: How to Safely use CBD for Dogs, Cats and other Animals

CBD can be a wonderful addition to your pet’s health routine—provided it’s used carefully. Stick to pet-specific, high-quality products, begin with a low dose, and always seek advice from your vet.

If your furry companion faces anxiety, joint discomfort, or seems less lively than before, you may wonder if CBD could provide relief. The answer? It’s possible! CBD has gained popularity among pet parents as a natural wellness option—and when used responsibly, it can be a safe and effective way to support your pet's health.

Before purchasing pet CBD oil or a pack of CBD treats, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you select the right product, dose it properly, and use it safely.

Step 1: Learn How CBD Affects Pets

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-intoxicating compound derived from the cannabis plant. It interacts with the endocannabinoid system—a system shared by both humans and animals—that helps maintain balance in the body. For pets, this can mean benefits for stress management, mobility, digestion, skin health, and mood regulation. Unlike THC, CBD won’t make your pet “high.” However, not all CBD products are equal in quality.

Step 2: Select the Right Product (and Check Labels!)

When choosing CBD for your dog, cat, or other pet, it's vital to prioritize safety. Look for the following features:

Pet-Specific Products: Steer clear of human CBD! Pet-specific formulations are designed with the correct concentration and ingredients for animals.
Third-Party Testing: Trustworthy brands provide lab reports confirming CBD content and proving the absence of contaminants like pesticides, heavy metals, and solvents.
Safe Extraction Methods: Opt for products extracted using CO2 or ethanol methods, which are the cleanest options.
Clear Dosing Information: Products should specify the CBD amount per serving and include dosing guidelines based on weight.

From CBD oil tinctures and chews to balms and capsules, there’s a product to fit every pet’s needs and preferences.

Step 3: Introduce CBD Gradually (Dosing Tips)

Even with top-quality products, proper introduction matters. A general starting dose is 1–2 mg of CBD per 4.5 kg of your pet’s weight per day. To ensure success:

Start with the lowest recommended dose.
Monitor your pet over several days.
Adjust the dose only if needed, and do so gradually.
Maintain a journal to track your pet’s reactions, appetite, mood, and energy levels.

Consistency is crucial. It may take several days or up to a week for noticeable effects to appear, especially for long-term wellness support.

Step 4: Always Consult Your Veterinarian

Before adding any supplement to your pet’s routine—especially if they have existing health conditions or take medications—consult your veterinarian. Many vets are now more open to CBD and can:

Recommend a suitable dose based on your pet’s size and condition.
Identify any potential drug interactions.
Offer guidance on brands or product types to trust.
Provide ongoing monitoring for your pet’s progress.

CBD works best as part of a holistic wellness plan, which includes proper nutrition, exercise, and regular check-ups.

Step 5: Celebrate the Wins

When CBD is used responsibly, pet owners often observe amazing improvements:

Older pets regain mobility and playfulness.
Stressful situations like thunderstorms or car rides become easier to handle.
Skin and coat health improves, resulting in less scratching and shinier fur.
Sleep and digestion become more regular.

Every pet is unique. Results may vary, so stay patient, informed, and attentive to your furry friend’s needs.

Conclusion

Remember, your pet’s wellness is a journey, not a race. With the right approach, CBD can gently enhance their well-being, bringing more tail wags and purrs along the way.

Disclaimer: This blog supports responsible cannabis use.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

Steve Rowe 2/14/25 Steve Rowe 2/14/25

The Glow - Up: Why CBD Skin Care is the Ultimate Beauty Hack

CBD skincare is more than just a trend, it is a game-changer for all skin types. Whether you are looking to fight acne, hydrate dry skin, reduce redness, or keep wrinkles at bay, CBD-infused products have something to offer.

CBD has taken the wellness world by storm, and now it is making waves in skincare. From serums to balms, this powerhouse ingredient is popping up in beauty routines everywhere. But is it just hype, or does CBD work wonders for your skin? Spoiler alert: it is the real deal! Let us dive into why CBD-infused skincare products might be your skin's new best friend.

1. Bye-bye, Breakouts!

If your skin loves to throw surprise breakouts, CBD could be your new secret weapon. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, CBD helps reduce redness, soothe irritation, and balance sebum production. This means fewer clogged pores and a lower chance of acne flare-ups, without drying out your skin. A 2014 study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that CBD may help reduce acne by regulating oil production and lowering inflammation in sebaceous glands.

2. Hydration Hero

Dry, flaky skin? No problem! CBD is rich in omega fatty acids, which help strengthen the skin barrier and lock in moisture. Many CBD-infused creams and serums also contain nourishing oils like jojoba or argan oil, making them perfect for keeping your skin hydrated and glowing all day long. A small 2019 study indicated the potential benefits of CBD for psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (eczema), showing improvements in skin hydration and elasticity.

3. Soothe & Smooth

CBD is not just about hydration; it is also a superstar when it comes to reducing inflammation. Whether you are dealing with eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea, CBD-infused skincare products can help calm flare-ups and keep your skin feeling soft and smooth. A 2019 study examined 20 patients suffering from psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and resulting outcome scars. After administering topical CBD-enriched ointment to lesioned skin twice daily for three months, researchers observed improved skin and inflammatory symptoms in study participants.

4. Battling Anti-Aging

CBD is packed with antioxidants, which help fight free radicals and protect your skin from environmental stressors like pollution and UV rays. By neutralizing these skin-damaging culprits, CBD can reduce fine lines and wrinkles while keeping your complexion looking youthful and radiant. Research published in the journal Redox Biology in 2020 suggested that CBD's antioxidant properties could help protect the skin from free radical damage and oxidative stress.

5. Perfect for Sensitive Skin

If your skin reacts to everything, CBD might be the gentle solution you have been looking for. Unlike harsh chemicals, CBD works with your skin's natural balance, helping to calm irritation without causing dryness or discomfort.

6. Good riddance Puffy Eyes

Did not get enough sleep? No worries, CBD has your back (or in this case, your under-eyes). Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, CBD can help reduce puffiness and dark circles, giving you that well-rested, fresh-faced look even if you binge-watched your favourite show all night.

How to Choose the Right CBD Skincare Product

Not all CBD skincare products are created equal! When shopping for CBD-infused beauty goodies, keep these tips in mind:

Look for Full or Broad-Spectrum CBD: These contain additional beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes that enhance the effects.
Check the Ingredients: Ensure the product contains natural, skin-loving ingredients and avoids harsh chemicals.
Opt for Third-Party Tested Products: This guarantees purity and potency.
Match Your Skin Type: Choose a product that suits your specific skin needs (dry, oily, sensitive, etc.).

Final Thoughts

Steve Rowe 2/13/25 Steve Rowe 2/13/25

How CBD Oil is Made: The complete guide

Ever wonder how CBD oil is made? In this guide, you’ll learn where CBD comes from and how it’s extracted, plus what to look for when buying CBD oil for yourself.

From supermarket shelves to Instagram ads, CBD is nearly impossible to avoid. But even with more and more people trying CBD products every day, one of the most common questions consumers ask is, “How is CBD oil made?”

But answering that question isn’t quite as simple as it may seem. Many CBD providers use different methods at all stages of production, and things like the CBD extraction process and the type of CBD used to make a CBD oil tincture matter greatly when choosing whom to trust.

In this blog, we will look at each of those steps in order to paint a complete picture of what CBD is, where it comes from, how it’s manufactured, and how the different types of CBD are made and used.

What is CBD?

First things first: What is CBD, exactly? Cannabidiol, or CBD for short, is a cannabinoid found in both marijuana cannabis as well as industrial hemp that works alongside many other cannabinoids to act upon your endocannabinoid system (ECS).

Discovery of CBD

CBD was first discovered in the 1940s. In 1963, scientists began working to study and understand the effects of individual cannabinoids like CBD, THC, and CBN. However, more than 40 years passed after this initial research before CBD and other hemp-based products could be sold..

CBD vs. THC

One of the primary provisions is that industrial hemp plants (the kind from which CBD is primarily extracted), could not contain more than 0.3 percent THC by dry volume. That’s because the THC is the one cannabinoid that’s intoxicating; CBD has many benefits, but it won’t get you high. This provision has led to a large demand for the types of cannabis plants that have a very high CBD yield while simultaneously containing almost no THC.

What is CBD Oil Made From?

If you’ve ever wondered, “What is CBD oil made of?” the answer begins with Cannabis sativa L. And if you want to get to the bottom of how CBD oil is made, what better place to start than the root of it all?

What is Cannabis Sativa?

Cannabis sativa (sometimes referred to as Cannabis sativa L for Carl Linnaeus, the botanist who classified the species) is an herbaceous species that has been cultivated throughout history. Cannabis sativa is cultivated for a variety of uses, including recreational purposes.

Sativa vs. Indica

Let’s look at the difference between Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica, the two primary varieties of the cannabis plant. Physically, sativa plants are typically much taller than their indica counterparts, which tend to resemble a bush more than a tree. Further, sativa plants tend to be much more resistant to heat, can grow in warmer climates, and have much longer flowering cycles.

Those characteristics make growing and harvesting a large crop of sativa plants much easier, as they can be easily grown outside under the types of conditions most farmers are already used to. Indica plants, on the other hand, typically must be grown in controlled environments that use complicated techniques like growth lights and hydroponic irrigation.

Hemp vs. Marijuana

For the reasons above, Cannabis sativa L. is the widely accepted choice for industrial hemp growth as the stalks are taller (meaning more hemp-based textiles can be produced), it’s easier to manage, and a longer flowering cycle leads to less bud death before it can be harvested. Those traits don’t necessarily keep the plant under the required 0.3 percent THC, but the way industrial hemp is planted surely does.

When cannabis plants of all varieties begin to sprout, there is a careful calculation that must be made depending on the purpose of the plant. The highest concentration of cannabinoids, whether THC or CBD, occurs in the resin in unfertilized “female” plants. So growers of marijuana and industrial hemp high in CBD remove all male plants from their fields. On the other hand, industrial hemp is also grown for fiber and seed, in which case growing both male and female plants is fine.

How is CBD Oil Made From Hemp?

Now that you have a basic understanding of how high-CBD strains of hemp are cultivated, the next step is understanding the CBD extraction process.

When people think about how CBD is extracted, many think of everything from futuristic space labs to their stoner friend, Dave, making Cannabutter in his kitchen, but the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

When it comes to how CBD oil is extracted, there isn’t just one answer. So let’s walk through the two most common types of extraction to get a deeper understanding of what all those buzzwords you see on labels and websites really mean.

Ethanol Extraction

Ethanol extraction is perhaps the most popular CBD extraction process, as it is safe, simple, and effective. In this method, high-grade grain alcohol (ethanol) is used as a solvent to separate CBD and other cannabinoids from the plant itself. Ethanol extraction can be done under warm or cold conditions, and is considered extremely time-efficient when compared to other CBD extraction processes like CO2 extraction.

CO2 Extraction

Supercritical (or subcritical) CO2 extraction is a method that involves using carbon dioxide that is under extremely low temperatures and very high pressure to strip hemp flower of all cannabinoids and terpenes. CO2 extraction is highly precise and can produce some of the purest cannabinoid extracts when done properly. However, because of the high cost of equipment and the steep learning curve, this is not always the case.

When this is done well, CO2 extracted products are some of the purest in the world, but when done in less-than-optimal conditions, there is great room for error. That potential for error is why subcritical CO2 extraction is largely used by “boutique” CBD brands that cater to the “luxury” class of CBD consumers.

But these basic extraction processes are only the beginning. There are also different types of CBD oil created through different manufacturing processes. So maybe a better question is: How are CBD oils made?

Types of CBD

When first-time CBD users begin their research, one of the biggest areas of confusion is over the many types of CBD that exist. This confusion stems from industry-specific terms like “isolate,” “full-spectrum,” and “broad spectrum,” but most first-time consumers (and even many CBD veterans) don’t really understand what those terms mean.

So to help you fully understand what you’re getting when buying CBD oil, let’s dive into the most common types of CBD and what that means for you as a consumer.

How CBD Isolate is Made

CBD isolate is the “purest” form of CBD on the market. That’s because isolates only contain CBD. This means that during the CBD extraction process, all other cannabinoids and terpenes are weeded out (no pun intended), leaving only CBD molecules behind.

These isolates are then used in the formulation of a variety of CBD oil products like CBD oil tinctures, CBD gummies, and your other CBD-infused favourites. Isolate-based products are much beloved by people venturing into the world of cannabis-related products for the first time as well as those that can’t take any risks regarding THC content (like professional athletes, for example).

However, one drawback to pure isolates is the lack of other potentially helpful cannabinoids and terpenes. That’s where full-spectrum and broad-spectrum products come into play.

How Full-Spectrum CBD is Made

The term “full-spectrum” simply means that you get the full array of whatever cannabinoids and terpenes were in the plant from which your CBD was extracted. And while this method certainly includes all of the compounds stripped out of isolate-based products, it also includes trace amounts of THC.

Generally, the level of THC in full-spectrum products is not enough to get you high, but in some cases (with prolonged use), enough THC can build up in your system to register a positive result on more sensitive drug tests.

Another potential drawback to full-spectrum products is that the level of CBD and other cannabinoids is largely dependent on the potency of the plants used, which means that consistency can sometimes be a challenge.

How Broad-Spectrum CBD is Made

If isolates are on one end of the CBD spectrum and full-spectrum CBD is on the other end, then broad-spectrum products can be said to rest somewhere in the middle. The theory with broad-spectrum CBD products is that by creating a full-spectrum solution and then removing only the THC molecules from the mixture, a perfect hybrid can be created.

However, in practice, broad-spectrum products tend to face many of the same pitfalls as full-spectrum products do. For starters, because most broad-spectrum is usually just “full-spectrum minus THC,” there is always the possibility that not all THC has been entirely removed, meaning that long-term use could lead to a build-up of THC in your system, leading to similar “false positive” test results.

Further, the issue of consistency still factors in, because while one batch may be higher in the secondary cannabinoid CBG, the next batch may be higher in CBN content. That is why some companies have taken the term “broad-spectrum” into their own hands and created specialized formulas that merge the best aspects of both broad-spectrum and isolate-based products.

Learn More About CBD

There’s always more to learn about CBD, from product options to updated information and industry trends. Stay connected, follow blogs and keep on top of up-to-date research.

Source: cbdMD