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You probably have a good idea of what self-care is best for yourself and the people who are close to you. But what is the best self-care for your pets? Cats and dogs have different relaxation needs than we do, but a lot of the principals are the same. Learn some of the best ways to support self-care specifically for your pets.

You want the best for your furry friends, but sometimes it can be difficult to get them to get them on board. Some pets are picky eaters who avoid change in their routine. Instead of resorting to force to get your pet to take their CBD, we’ve picked out some of the best tips from our customers to keep treat time stress-free for everyone. Remember to be patient with your pets, since they often translate new things as potentially dangerous.         Slow and steady Things that are new and different can set of a pet’s sense of danger. To help them get familiar with the scent and flavor of CBD so they can see it as safe and enjoyable, start by using only the smallest amount of oil or the tiniest piece of a treat. Add one drop of CBD oil to their wet food, and after a few days, add a second drop, so they get used to the flavor and smell. When it comes to treats, break off a small piece and give it to them with a treat they already like. Slowly give more of the CBD treat and less of the regular treat until they get comfortable with it.       Timing is key The best time to introduce new things to your pets is when they are calm, relaxed, and curious. Dogs take their cues from us, so when you typically relax during the day is when they will be most receptive to trying CBD. Cats are most active at dawn and dusk, so late morning or late afternoon, or after the sun has fully gone down will be good chances to have them try CBD.       Three Treat Trick This one comes from a hack lots of pet parents use to give their dogs or cats medication. Take out 3 treats that they regularly eat. Give them the first one, then very quickly follow it with the second one, which has a piece of CBD treat inside it, then give them the third treat. Gradually increase the size of the CBD treat in the second one, until it’s a whole CBD treat.       Let them get hungry If your pet has all-day access to food, they might not be hungry enough to try a new flavor. Gradually get your pet used to a feeding schedule that allows them to get hungry before they get their next meal. This is an ideal time to offer CBD treats, or give them food with CBD oil mixed in. Your pets have a unique personality so not all of these tips will work for every pet. The most important tip is to be patient with them. Ultimately you’ll be rewarded with a pet that enjoys CBD as much as you do, and they will enjoy the same benefits.

Is your dog beginning to show signs of old age? Seniority in dogs depends on their size and breed. It begins at 11 years old for most small dogs, 10 years old for most medium sized dogs, and 8 years old for larger breeds.  Upon reaching these ages, they show signs of slowing down and there may also be illnesses such as joint pains. Other signs include weight loss, lumps on their body, less mobility, and changes in their senses. Here are a few things paw parents can help to manage a dog’s old age in natural ways. Use Supplements or CBD Products for Joint Pains Just like humans, dogs also experience a weaker ability to absorb nutrients from food when they age. Supplements will help maintain their strength and overall wellbeing especially in this stage of their canine life. Cannabidiol or CBD products have been shown to improve a dog’s condition on joint and muscle pains. Try the all-organic Verma Farms CBD Pet Starter Bundle, which includes the most popular items for your furry friends. It includes soft steak chewables, apple smacks, and CBD dog oil. Always consult your dog’s veterinarian before starting any supplements. Create a More Senior Dog-Friendly Home We used to laugh when our pets slip and slide around the house, wreaking havoc in every corner. When they’re older though and are near their senior age, having slippery floors may not be as fun to have anymore.  Consider adding non-slip mats or rugs on slippery floors where the dog can slip, including the staircase. Consider softer beds, and if your dog has osteoarthritis, you can try orthopedic dog beds. You may also try adding carpet to hardwood floors. There are food and water dishes which are elevated to avoid neck discomfort in dogs. Adjust Your Dog’s Diet Based on Vet Recommendations Senior dogs may have a more difficult time absorbing nutrients from their food or they may be more prone to nutritional deficiencies, which may lead to illnesses such as dental or gut problems. You can talk to the vet to take a second look at your dog’s diet. It is usually a continuous process to help address appetite problems or to promote a healthier aging process. Dogs can also benefit from foods that are a lot easier to digest. Due to a decrease in physical activities, they can also benefit from weight management by reducing caloric intake. Add Grooming Sessions and Dental Care Visits It’s recommended that dogs get groomed every four to six weeks. When your pet is in their old stage, they’re welcoming extra attention with added grooming sessions.  Make sure to do a full-body inspection for lumps as they may appear in senior years. Trimming their nails regularly will also be healthy. Don’t forget a quick dental inspection as periodontal disease, if left untreated, will be detrimental to your dog’s overall wellbeing. Give Extra, Tender Love With Daily Massage It’s no secret that our furry friends love good petting, just as humans enjoy a good massage at the end of a hectic work week. Sometimes, petting is all they need to end the day on a good note. Give some extra, tender love with a dog massage, which will promote relaxation and allow them to relieve stress in the body. It’s also a good time to spend quality time with your dog without overwhelming the day with activities.

Summer can be a relaxing time for us, but for our pets, it can bring about occasional challenges. Between loud Fourth of July fireworks, long absences from owners while they go on vacation, or unexpected guests at home, anxiety in pets may be high. No pet owner wants to see their beloved dog or cat experience any kind of pain or discomfort, but unfortunately, animals aren’t able to tell us when they are experiencing something that isn’t normal and doesn’t feel good. Here are five tips you can use to help ease your pet's anxiety during the summer months, as well as all year long. Create a routine No matter how well you take care of your pet, some canines and felines are just more skittish than others.  Routine is an important part of any animal’s life—and a good routine will help calm an anxious pet. If they know what to expect, they won’t be as afraid of new or unknown situations. Make sure their feeding times occur at the same time each day, as well as their walks and playtime. Keep their toys, leash, bed, and bowl in the same spots around the house. This will help establish a sense of consistency which they can learn to depend on, day in and day out. If you go on vacation and need to leave your pet in the care of someone else, be sure this routine is clearly explained, so that your pet will be about to have this consistency even in your absence. Identify any triggers Pets, like humans, have their own set of triggers. Look for what bothers your pet, such as crowds or loud noises. If you can’t identify anything specific, you can still work to alleviate anxiety. Dogs are especially sensitive to visual triggers and may be calmed by certain types of blankets or other visuals they associate with comfort. Cats are typically sensitive to sounds, so it’s a good idea to introduce them to noisy situations slowly in order to acclimate them and reduce their stress. If you know fireworks will be at an upcoming picnic, be sure your pets are far away from the action. If you have a long road trip planned and know the car can make your dog howl, look into items that swaddle your pet to make them feel more secure and ease behaviors such as whining and scratching. Keep your pet active Keeping your pet active is key to keeping him or her calm and stress-free. Exercising your dog is not only good for their mental health, but it can also improve cardiovascular fitness and strengthen muscle tone. Walking is a great activity for dogs that live in apartments, but if you live in a house with an area you could fence off, try taking it for a jog. A tired dog is much less likely to get anxious than one who has been sitting around all day. If you have a cat, there are plenty of ways to keep them from getting bored. You can hide treats throughout your home for them to find and play games with them like fishing for toys under blankets. If you’re going out of town or need someone else to check on your pets while you’re away, ask a friend or family member if they would be willing to stop by every few hours to feed them and play with them. Try CBD treats Like humans, animals have an endocannabinoid system, which means CBD can help them reduce stress and anxiety. CBD can be administered in their food through tinctures or in a variety of tasty treats. Giving your pet a treat before you leave or before a long car ride can help them feel a bit calmer, plus they're sure to love flavors like Steak Bites, Apple Smacks, Sweet Pet-Tato Bites and Bacon Soft Chews. A few things to keep in mind: if your pet is on medication for behavioral issues like separation anxiety, you’ll want to consult with your vet before supplementing with CBD—and then monitor your pet closely while they take both treatments together. Get professional help Your veterinarian will be able to best determine what is causing your pet's anxiousness and can recommend appropriate treatment options. In extreme cases, pets may require anti-anxiety medication prescribed by a professional. Before deciding on a course of action, it helps to make sure you have considered all possible underlying causes for their behavior and taken steps to manage them appropriately. For example, if your dog has separation anxiety, he might benefit from being enrolled in doggy daycare or having a dog walker come by each day when you're at work. The more proactive you are about solving problems early on, the less likely they are to escalate into larger issues that could become much more difficult to treat.

As a pet owner, you’re always looking for the latest and greatest products for your furry friend. Chances are that you’ve heard or maybe even tried CBD. Did you know that CBD can also benefit your four-legged companion? Like humans, dogs also have an endocannabinoid system, which CBD interacts with to produce all sorts of positive health effects. While CBD doesn't cure any ailments, it may help to manage: Anxiety Chronic pain Age-related conditions (ie. osteoarthritis) Joint inflammation Allergies Digestive and GI issues Seizure management Skin conditions (when applied topically) Here’s what you need to know about giving your dog CBD so that you can both make the best of your days. Factors to pay attention to There are a lot of factors to consider when buying CBD for your pet. By taking the time to thoroughly research a product, you can have peace of mind that what you're giving your dog is not only safe, but effective Where and how is hemp grown? One of the first questions to ask is where hemp plants are grown. You want to buy pet CBD products from a company that grows all of its plants in the United States, preferably one that is certified organic. Avoid companies that don't specify where their hemp is grown. It’s also important to buy from a brand that doesn’t use pesticides, GMOs, solvents, or other harmful chemicals. These compounds can seep into the plant, resulting in a lower quality and unsafe CBD extract. What extraction method is used? There are many processes that can be used to extract plant compounds from hemp. When buying CBD products for your dog, you want to find a company that uses CO2 extraction. This process doesn’t use any harmful chemicals. On the other hand, avoid companies that use solvent extraction, which are often done with the use of ethanol, butane, or acetone. What type of CBD extract is used? There are three different types of CBD extract: isolate, broad spectrum, and full spectrum. CBD isolate is the least effective and is often chemically processed. For best results, it’s recommended to find CBD pet products that contain broad or full spectrum CBD. These extracts contain all of the whole plant compounds, including terpenes, flavonoids, fatty acids, and other cannabinoids. These compounds work together to provide the ultimate relief and experience for your pup. How much CBD does the product contain? Too much of a good thing can be problematic. When giving your dog any type of CBD product, you need to be well aware of how much CBD a serving contains. Be sure that the brand you buy from has their products tested by a 3rd party lab. A reputable product will have a certificate of analysis (COA). This document provides in-depth details about how much CBD the product contains along with other compounds. Find a product that works for you and your pup There is no shortage of CBD products for dogs. In fact, Verma Farms offers drool-worthy oils and chewy treats. Ideally you want to choose a product that’s convenient for you to give and one that your doggo actually enjoys. One of the go-to options for dogs are CBD oil tinctures. All you have to do is squirt the appropriate amount of oil into your dog’s mouth. Our chicken and salmon flavors are a hit with our furry product testers. What’s nice about oral administration is that it works quickly. CBD and other compounds are able to soak directly into the bloodstream, which means faster relief. But what if your dog isn’t too keen on swallowing oil? Some dogs aren’t thrilled about being fed from a dropper. The good news is that you can add a few drops of CBD oil to your dog’s food. This is a mess-free way to help your dog feel his best. If you’re looking for a more convenient way to give your dog CBD, consider CBD treats. We offer some of the most delicious flavors in the market, including: Steak Bites Bacon Bites Apple Smacks Sweet Pet-Tato Bites Salmon Bites CBD treats are perfect for busy pet owners who don’t have time to measure out specific oil amounts. Our CBD pet treats are sure to have your pup sitting on command! Treats are convenient because they’re pre-dosed and your dog doesn’t know that they’re healthy. Talk about a real win/win. Whether you’re interested in CBD oil or treats for your pup, you’ll find the perfect product at Verma Farms. Browse our Pet Collection today!

It may sound strange at first, but there are many reasons to consider giving CBD oil or CBD gummies to your pets. CBD oil for dogs can be incredibly beneficial.  While there are benefits of doing so, there are also potential drawbacks. And for that reason, you should never give an animal a CBD product until you first discuss it with your veterinarian.  What are the Benefits of CBD for Pets? This is what you’re most interested in. You want to know what CBD can do for the overall health of your pet. To start, you should know that your pet has an endocannabinoid system. This means that CBD has the potential to benefit it in a number of ways. Here are some of the reasons to give it your consideration: It can Reduce Stress and Anxiety Get this: animals experience stress and anxiety in much the same way as humans. For example, your dog may get stressed out any time you put it in your car. Or maybe your cat has a difficult time visiting the groomer or vet. Regardless of the cause of stress and anxiety, you want to take action to help your pet. CBD, as a standalone or combined with more traditional medication, could be just what you need to bring some much needed calm to your pet’s life. Are There Any Risks? As noted above, there are risks of giving CBD products to your pets, and that’s why you should always discuss this with your vet before doing anything. You don’t want to make a mistake that causes more harm than good. Here are some of the potential drawbacks of giving CBD to an animal: Drowsiness, which can lead to a lethargic pet (which can cause obesity issues) Low blood pressure Dry mouth All of these things have the potential to affect your pet, but there’s no way of knowing for sure. At this point, there’s no conclusive evidence that CBD products will have an adverse effect on your pet. Which CBD is Best for Pets? When shopping for a CBD product for your pet, keep in mind that it’s not the same type that you would consume yourself. Many companies are now selling CBD products designed specifically for pets, such as dogs and cats. If you’re going to experiment with CBD, these are the types of products to consider. In regards to how you administer CBD to your pet, oil form is typically best. This allows you to administer small doses, such as by mixing it into your dog’s food or treats. Conclusion If you have a pet, you’ll do anything to keep it healthy and feeling its best. Talk to your vet about the pros and cons of administering CBD, as well as the top products on the market. You may soon find that CBD products are helping your pet live its best life - and that’s a great feeling!