By Michelle Nelson

Michelle Nelson is the owner of The Pet Authority in Albert Lea.

Over the past two years I have seen the use of CBD become the hottest herb in the pet industry. The same health-boosting and even life-saving benefits humans are seeing, are now being seen in our pets.

First of all, CBD is not psychoactive, so your pet will not get “high” from CBD oil. CBD (cannabidiol) is a compound found in cannabis and hemp. It’s theTHC (tetrahydrocannabinol) compound that gives marijuana its psychoactive properties. Quality CBD oils have the beneficial CBD without the THC.

Let’s take a look at seven things CBD oil can help with:

1. Anxiety: CBD oil on the human end helps with anxiety disorders, panic disorders and post-traumatic stress disorders. For dogs it can be used for separation anxiety or noise phobias, like thunderstorms and fireworks.

2. Cancer: CBD and other substances found in hemp and cannabis have been found to have an anti-tumor effect; showing to stop the growth of cancer cells and increasing tumor cell death. Studies show CBD kills cancer cells by blocking their ability to produce energy.

3. Seizures and epilepsy: Dogs that suffer from seizures are put on drugs such as phenobarbital and potassium bromide to help control the seizures, often harming your dog’s liver and other organs. CBD has been shown to work well in drug-resistant epilepsy cases.

One study on children with treatment-resistant epilepsy found that 84 percent taking CBD had a reduction in the number of seizures.

4. Pain reliever: Studies show CBD to be very effective for decreasing pain, both neuropathy and nerve-related pain. CBD also decreased the impact of inflammation on oxidative stress, decreased inflammation in acute pancreatitis, reduces joint inflammation and reduces intestinal inflammation associated with Irritable Bowel Disease.

5. IBD: Animal studies show that CBD can prevent colitis and restore normal gut mobility.

6. Chronic inflammation and autoimmune disease: CBD can suppress Th17 dominance, which is a major cause of autoimmune diseases and inhibits the production of inflammatory macrophages decreasing chronic inflammation. CBD decreases the production and release of inflammatory cytokines that can cause allergies, hypersensitivity and autoimmunity.

7. Nervous system and neurodegenerative diseases: Studies show brain cells are protected from toxicity when taking CBD for patients with ALS, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. CBD looks promising for dogs suffering from degenerative myelopathy, spine and nerve issues. CBD protects senior dogs from cell death caused by free radicals and toxins.

CBD oil — is it even legal or safe for dogs? The answer is yes and yes. The use of hemp-based CBD for human and animal products is legal in all 50 states. With the abundant studies showing the numerous health benefits of CBD oils, it certainly appears to be safe, but it’s always a good idea to consult your veterinarian first.

Are all CBD oils the same? No, not all CBD oils are the same. Here are a few things to look for before purchasing. Make sure it is organic, keep in mind the higher the quality and purity, the higher the cost. Check out the lab analysis on the amount of CBD oil in the product.

Many CBD oils only contain a small amount of CBD, making them less effective. CBD is most effective in a tincture form, allowing you to dose your pets drop by drop to get the maximum benefit.

I am always looking for natural and safe alternatives to health issues our pets deal with everyday. CBD seems like a winner to me.