After months of travel restrictions and lockdowns, many people are chomping at the bit to travel again. As they take to the skies, some are forced to choose between leaving man’s best friend with a sitter and putting the pet through extreme stress to get them from point A to point B.
Flying with pets can be stressful, and that’s especially true if you have a nervous dog or cat. CBD oil for pets could be what you need to ensure everyone has a good flight.
Here’s what you need to know before giving Fido CBD for the big trip:
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Benefits of CBD for pets
In the past few years, CBD oil has been tied to many potential health benefits for humans and pets alike. These potential benefits include pain relief, stress relief, improved sleep, and more. Since CBD is so little researched, the evidence for these benefits is almost purely anecdotal, but the reported benefits are enough that many veterinarians are starting to support CBD use for dogs and cats.
Some people use CBD oil to treat neuropathic pain and inflammation in their pets. Others use it to stimulate their pet’s appetite, treat heart and digestive issues, and help with anxiety.
There’s still plenty of research to be done on how CBD affects dogs and cats. There are also side effects to consider, like dry mouth, lowered blood pressure, or drowsiness.
Always be sure to talk to your vet before you try out any new supplement to see if they have any recommendations on dosage, and to be sure CBD will not mitigate or alter the effects of any other medications your pet is taking.
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How to use CBD before a flight
Many people are giving CBD oil to dogs and cats when they travel to help lower plane anxiety. CBD’s anti-anxiety properties can make pets much more docile on airplanes, making time in the cargo area or under your seat safer and more enjoyable for your furry friend.
But how much CBD oil should you give your pet before a flight, and how do you give it to them?
For dogs and cats, a useful dosing rule is one to five mg CBD for every 10 pounds of body weight. For context, one drop of CBD contains 2.5 mg, so this will be a very small dose regardless of your pet’s size.
CBD oil tinctures can be applied directly in your pet’s mouth, assuming you can get the dropper in there without scaring or hurting the animal. If that is not possible, you can also give your pet CBD by putting it in their water bowl, though this offers less control over dosing. Another option is to feed your pet CBD treats before departure.
Can you bring CBD to the airport? On a plane?
Some pet owners may feel a bit nervous about bringing CBD oil through TSA. It’s important to note that even though the legality of marijuana and THC products varies in different states, CBD has been legal in all 50 states since 2018. According to the Farm Bill passed that year, all hemp-derived products containing less than 0.3 percent THC are federally legal and therefore perfectly okay to bring on a domestic travel flight.
To make your journey through security easy, try to pack the CBD oil in a checked bag and administer it to your pet before you begin to board. To add an extra layer of security, consider carrying a lab report that lists the THC content of your product and the source of the oil.
Be sure the bottle of CBD oil you bring is no more than 3.4 ounces if you pack it in a carry-on, to comply with TSA guidelines.
It’s important to note that, in general, TSA is more concerned about security threats than illegal substances when they search your bags. If your CBD oil is found and flagged, explain what it’s for and show your lab report to back up your claims.
Flying with pets doesn’t have to be stressful for you or your furry friend. Talk to your veterinarian about whether CBD could be what you need to keep your pet calm in flight.