Thank you for the effort you put into your columns on pet welfare. I couldn’t help but wonder why you didn’t mention the hemp chewers and green lip mussels for big dogs. They absolutely relieve the pains of our big skin babies. They are available at vets or online sites.
The mobility of hemp for the elderly (a gentle chewing gum) is very good. We also give our pets another dog hemp chew because it has additional ingredients. There is no reason why these grains should feel uncomfortable. Keep up the good work.
– Ann, Spring Branch
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Dear Ann,
I have to admit that I have not yet used CBD oil or hemp products with my dogs. You encouraged me to try them.
I have a big dog with mobility and anxiety issues. In the past, my vet recommended L-theanine supplements for anxiety and chewable glucosamine for joint pain. I did a quick internet search for hemp-based soothing chews (this usually means chewable pills) and found a product with hemp, L-theanine and thiamine. The amino acid L-theanine appears to have a calming effect, if given in the right doses, for dogs. L-theanine is also sold in the vitamins section of pharmacies as it can also help people.
I ordered this hemp-based product and will let you know what I think of it after giving it to Buster for 30 days. Like any natural product, these products can work differently for each dog, so if I don’t see the results I want, I will order the product you recommend and report it.
Meanwhile, holistic veterinarians are good sources of information on hemp and CBD products. I contacted Karen Shaw Becker, a holistic veterinarian and author of “The Dog Forever: An Amazing New Science to Help Your Dog Live Younger, Healthier, and Longer.” She believes CBD has numerous health benefits for pets.
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“As an integrative practitioner, I think it’s extremely important to clear up the confusion surrounding the topic of CBD, because I’ve found this herbal remedy to be incredibly beneficial for a multitude of different medical and behavioral issues in veterinary medicine,” he said.
Becker said CBD oil also helps with epileptic conditions and pain control in dogs. He says cannabis is toxic to dogs and cats, and that pet owners want THC-free CBD products for your pets. If your pet ingests cannabis or groceries, take it to the vet immediately.
For anyone interested in these products, research them beforehand and talk to your veterinarian about whether the product is right for your dog. I would love to know from readers who have used soothing chews of hemp and / or CBD and how they have helped, or not, your dog or cat. If you have a cat, use only products labeled for feline use.
Thanks for writing, Ann.
Send your questions, tips and stories about your pets to cathy@petpundit.com. You can follow her on Twitter at @cathymrosenthal.
