The cannabis industry is growing massively in the recreation and medical sectors. Human beings are not the only ones benefiting from CBD products; the pet wellness industry is also embracing the health benefits of CBD for pets. Today, the benefits of CBD can’t be denied as pet owners are using various products to improve their pets’ health.
But what exactly is CBD, and how does it work? What is the difference between CBD isolate and full-spectrum, and which option is great for your pet? Get in-depth insights and learn the differences to understand these two CBD products better. This article will assist you in making an informed decision about the best CBD product to give your pet.
Definition of CBD and How It Works
It is essential to understand what CBD is and what it entails before we proceed. CBD, in full, is called cannabidiol. It is a natural compound in the cannabis plant. There are two varieties of the cannabis plant – marijuana and hemp, with higher CBD levels found in the latter.
Two of the most active cannabinoid compounds in cannabis are CBD and THC. These compounds interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in both humans and pets. The ECS has CB1 and CB2 receptors that send signals to the brain, which causes the body to respond to the stimuli. While THC has psychoactive effects, CBD doesn’t produce intoxication. It has analgesic properties that support the health and wellness of pets. CBD is best suited to treat inflammatory infections and other pain-related illnesses.
What Is Full-Spectrum CBD?
As the name suggests, full-spectrum CBD contains over a hundred cannabinoids like CBG, CBN, essential oils, and terpenes derived from hemp. Even though CBD is an active and therapeutic element in weed, it is not the only compound without a high. Other beneficial cannabinoids function alongside CBD to give your pets an entourage effect. Full-spectrum CBD also contains minimal traces of THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), not more than 0.3%, which also helps release the CBD compound’s full potential. This CBD variant undergoes minimal processing, which is why cannabinoids are preserved in a high concentration. As a result, the effects are more potent and pronounced.
What Is CBD Isolate?
Unlike full-spectrum CBD, CBD isolate only has one active ingredient. It doesn’t contain THC compounds, terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids. Due to the presence of one active element, products with CBD Isolate don’t have a lot of health benefits. Your pet might require high doses of the isolate to get the same results as a full-spectrum product. Yet, it is the safest variant with highly transparent content without additives.
Many CBD companies making products use CBD isolate in most formulas since it is easy to standardize the wellness products to achieve healthy concentrations. It might be difficult with full-spectrum CBD due to the presence of numerous cannabinoids.
CBD Isolate vs. Full-Spectrum CBD
From the explanations above, you might have already noticed the differences between isolate and full-spectrum CBD. The first difference is that the full-spectrum type has hundreds of beneficial compounds and terpenes. Thus, products formulated with full-spectrum CBD are more potent and therapeutic than CBD isolate products. Full-spectrum CBD produces an entourage effect because of the synergy of various cannabinoids. Hence, pet products infused with full-spectrum CBD are more efficient.
Conversely, CBD isolate is more advantageous in terms of intoxicating effects. It is free from the THC compound, a psychoactive element that might cause your pet to get high. Thus, it provides for safe CBD use in pets and reduces the risks of side effects.
Another difference is that the full-spectrum extract contains minimal traces of THC, the psychoactive element in cannabis responsible for intoxicating effects. In contrast, isolate contains only CBD, with no additional components that might harm your dog or cat.
Studies reveal that CBD isolate has a high absorption rate, around 5-10 minutes, with lower lasting effects of up to 4 hours. While full-spectrum CBD takes longer to get absorbed into the bloodstream – around 30-90 minutes – its effects last much longer, around 6-8 hours.
Furthermore, you can easily identify CBD isolate products since they are usually in powder form, with packages containing the “100% THC free” and “99% pure CBD” labels. On the other hand, full-spectrum CBD products are usually in liquid form, mostly as CBD oils with a dark-amber color.
Is CBD Safe?
If you are a pet owner considering using CBD to promote your dog or cat’s wellness, you might wonder if CBD is safe. As stated above, CBD contains no harmful elements that might put your pet’s health at risk. Even the THC element in full-spectrum CBD is minimal and within the legal limit, which should be 0.3% or lower. Unlike marijuana, which contains high concentrations of psychoactive components, CBD provides relaxing and calming effects while managing painful conditions.
Therefore, both CBD isolate and full-spectrum CBD are safe for animal consumption. Your dog will not experience adverse effects, and most pet owners are comfortable using CBD for different health needs.
Benefits of CBD for Pets
Your pet might become sick or suffer from various conditions causing distress. CBD-infused products are the perfect solution to restore your pet’s health.
Below are the benefits of using CBD for your pet:
- Offers pain relief
- Reduces inflammation
- Alleviates stress and anxiety
- Supports bone health
- Promotes healthy skin
- Guarantees general wellness
Tips to Choose Quality CBD Products
Selecting a CBD product boils down to your personal preference and your pet’s needs. Numerous products in the pet wellness industry are infused with isolate, full-spectrum, or broad CBD. CBD oils, treats, tinctures, and other products come with different potency levels and additional elements. So, if you are confused about the right product for your pet, you can find more information at https://askgrowers.com/cbd/cbd-products-for-pets to become more educated and knowledgeable about CBD products suitable for pets.
Let us explore some tips that might help you in choosing the right CBD product:
- Reputable Vendor. The market is awash with scammers posing as legit cannabis vendors but selling fake products. So, you must be keen when purchasing CBD products. Ensure you purchase from a reputable vendor with good reviews from customers.
- Research. Make sure you research extensively about the company you have identified. Go for a company with a few years of experience in the industry. You can also approach clients who have used their products to get more information.
- Purpose. Why do you want to give your dog CBD? Understanding your pet’s needs is vital to know the right product to purchase.
- Third-party Lab Tests. Another essential factor to consider is third-party lab results. Ensure the product you purchase a product that has undergone third-party tests from independent labs. Legit vendors usually display this information on the product or website. This will help you select a quality product that caters to your pet’s needs.
- Potency. When you select a reputable vendor, you can check the ingredients on the packaging information. Each product might have different potency levels. So, you can select one per your vet’s recommendation instead of purchasing blindly.
- Age and Weight. It is imperative to consider your pet’s age and weight when choosing CBD products. Purchasing the right amount ensures your pet gets optimal benefits from the product.
Conclusion
CBD isolate and full-spectrum CBD may differ, but both contain analgesic and soothing effects that benefit your pets. Whether it is a dog, cat, or horse, using the recommended CBD doses promotes their general health and wellness. Besides, CBD-infused products are safe and easily accessible online or at local stores. So, let your pet enjoy a CBD treat and experience impressive results.
CBD is safe, and most pet owners are rushing to try CBD-infused products. Since marijuana is legal in many states, you can easily purchase these products for your pet. Besides managing your pet’s pain, CBD promotes general health and wellness. Thus, you can easily give your pet a treat of CBD and experience great results.
The author of this article is Tia Moskalenko, a cannabis expert and researcher at AskGrowers. Tia takes an active interest in the CBD market for pets and shares top-quality product recommendations with readers to improve access of pets with various health conditions to the benefits of CBD.
