In 2018, the annual spending in the pet industry stood at approximately $73 billion. The expenditure is set to increase in the coming year, as new trends emerge in the industry. One trend that is actively shaping the pet industry is the spending on CBD products for pets.
Most of the ingredients used in pet products have crossed over from being grain-free to organic over the years. More recently, producers of these products have embraced the incorporation of CBD in some of them. This has seen 39% of dog owners and 34% of cat owners embrace the idea of CBD for pets.
The Growing Demand for CBD for Pets
CBD is known to provide a myriad of benefits to humans. It has recently emerged that it can do the same for pets. The product is now being used in pet supplements and treats. It has been found to relieve stress and anxiety in pets.
Urban pet owners have particularly exhibited interest in CBD for pets. Apartments and multi-family residences pose cramped living conditions, pollution, and constant noise. These can trigger nervous behaviors in pets, and CBD provides the solution to this condition.
The growing demand can be attributed to the recent Farm Bill that recently paved the way for widespread manufacture of hemp-based CBD. The products now fall under the oversight of the Agriculture Department as opposed to the Justice Department. The product is now viewed as a crop and not as a controlled substance as it previously was.
The pet food processing industry is now driven by the desire to position the products as better for pets. Pet stores now resemble snack aisles in supermarkets, showcasing a wide range of products available for pets. Superfood and grain-free ingredient products are currently in high demand, most of which contain some amount of CBD.
New products are hitting the market regularly, and this may see the pet food industry grow to about $6.9 billion by the end of 2019.
Dosage Issues
Unfortunately, not everyone is in support of CBD for pets. The main issue of contention surrounds its dosage. The FDA has approved several cannabis-derived and related drugs for use in humans. However, hemp-derived substances are yet to be approved for animals.
As it is, there are no legal provisions for the marketing of CBD products for animal consumption. As such, companies involved in the processing of CBD for dogs have been advised to do so with caution.
Without regulatory policies in the production of CBD for pets, quality varies from one product to another. The extraction process, concentrations, and overall quality of the products are diverse. As such, some experts in the CBD industry don’t recommend the products for pets.
Pet owners who have used the products report having noticed some changes in their pets with anxiety or arthritis. They are hopeful that mellow road cbd products, and other similar products containing CBD, are the answer to other pet conditions, just like it has proved useful in humans.
The Future of CBD for Pets
Despite the issues around CBD products for pets, one thing that’s clear is that they’re here to stay. In the recent Global Pet Expo that happened last March, CBD products were outstanding. In every row of the more than 1,100 exhibitors, at least one company was promoting a CBD product for pets.
The forecast is that the supplements and treats will move from being primarily internet-based to brick-and-mortar. This means that the products will become more locally available, and the industry can only brace itself for more opportunities.
Take Away
CBD products have primarily been the preserve for humans known to treat a variety of conditions, they are accepted as natural home remedies in more and more households in USA in the last few years. However, pet owners are now also benefiting from CBD-based products for their pets. Supplements and treats containing the product have been found to provide relief from anxiety in pets.
Despite the growing demand for the products, there’s contention on the legality of the products. FDA is yet to approve their use, and the production process isn’t regulated. Pet owners who have used the products are yet to report any downsides of the products.
The future of CBD for pets is bright, and the FDA would greatly help by regulating and approving its use.
We are not doctors and this is in no way intended to be used as medical advice and we cannot be held responsible for your results. As with any product, service or supplement, use at your own risk. Always do your own research before using.
Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.