CBD or cannabidiol, has been shown to be effective in managing a variety of ailments in people, and more and more pet owners are using it for their pets as well. Animals have an endocannabinoid system (ECS) similar to humans.
The ECS is a lipid signaling system that consists of endogenous cannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes that play a critical role in processing and controlling different bodily functions.
This system is found in all animals, including dogs and cats. This universal system, in collaboration with other organ systems, mediates a homeostatic balance of the nervous and immune systems.
A healthy ECS regulates appetite, sleep, mood regulation and stability, gait, pain perception, memory, body temperature, immunity, reproduction, and fertility in both humans and pets, according to research.
When the endocannabinoid system is out of balance, pets often show a variety of undesirable physical signs, such as digestive problems, poor appetite, sleep problems, stress, irritability, and inactivity.
Endocannabinoids, synthetic cannabinoids, and phytocannabinoids are the three types of cannabinoids that bind to cannabinoid receptors and activate the ECS.
Using phytocannabinoids to target the ECS has been shown to produce the same physiological effects as endocannabinoids, helping promote systemic well-being.