Smell (Irrelevant to effects)
This definitely smells like a pet CBD product, like cooked ground chicken. We didn’t particularly care for it, but both the dogs and cats we tested it on seemed into it, and that’s what matters.
Taste (Irrelevant to effects)
The Hemp Bombs CBD Oil for Pets tastes similar to the flavor packet in chicken ramen, minus all the salt. It’s not the best, but it’s not for human taste buds: our canine and feline companions liked it just fine.
Consistency
The blend of carrier oils used by Hemp Bombs makes for a free-flowing oil that isn’t too runny or too viscous. The CBD Oil for Pets is clear, with a light amber cast to it. It’s super easy to incorporate into food or drop onto treats, so giving your pet a daily dose is simple and stress-free for even the pickiest of pets.
Effects (Onset, Duration, Intensity)
Since our four-legged friends can’t tell us with words what’s going on with them, we have to rely on our observations. Our subjects were a 10 year-old Retriever with arthritis, two Lab mixes with anxiety, a cat with skin allergies, and a healthy two year-old cat. We gave the cats 3 mg and the dogs 10 mg daily for 14 days and observed their conditions and behavior over time.
The lab mixes were the first to show improvement in their symptoms: thirty minutes after their first dose, they barked and paced less and showed a reduction in compulsive behaviors. Their human remarked that this was the calmest she’d ever seen either of them. The senior Retriever was also quick to show improvement, attaining greater mobility within three days of the first dose. All three dogs showed continued signs of symptom relief as treatment continued at the 10 mg CBD per day dose.
The cat with skin allergies showed a marked reduction in scratching within four days of the first dose, with improvement in skin irritation visible after the first week. His condition continued to improve and places, where he had scratched his hair thin, began to grow back. The healthy younger cat showed improvements in her coat and skin, and was a bit snugglier than normal (no complaints from her human there).
We found that the doses we used were effective for all-day symptom relief, though you may need to increase or decrease the dose depending on the size of your pet. If your pet has a more serious illness, like cancer or epilepsy, they may need a stronger dose for complete alleviation of symptoms.
Best used for
The endocannabinoid system in other mammals, pets included, works very similarly to the one found in humans. Therefore, CBD works along many of the same anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anxiolytic pathways, giving it the potential to treat a variety of symptoms. If you’re looking for a simple and convenient way to add CBD to your pet’s health regimen, this oil is an excellent option.
CBD can be used in animals to treat illnesses like cancer, epilepsy, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, anxiety, gastrointestinal problems, autoimmune diseases, and allergies. If you think your pet might benefit from CBD, talk to your vet—they’re generally much more willing and able to discuss CBD than human physicians, and many have recognized the potential therapeutic benefits of CBD such that they recommend it in their practice.