CBD is derived by extracting cannabidiol from the cannabis plant. However, the oil doesn’t produce a high because tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient is removed during the distillation process.
CBD oil is used to treat several ailments in humans including inflammation, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. Parrots with similar conditions can be treated with appropriate doses of CBD oil. However, you should not give CBD oil to your parrot without first consulting with your avian veterinarian.
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Is CBD Oil Safe For Parrots?
Currently, there are only a handful of studies on the use of CBD on parrots. While these studies have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of the product, still more research is needed in this area. It is important to consult with a veterinarian before giving your parrot a CBD product.
One study by the Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery aimed to understand how CBD, a potential pain-relief option for pets and humans, affects Hispaniolan Amazon parrots. In the main study, 14 healthy parrots were given different doses of CBD. Seven parrots were administered with 60 mg/kg of CBD, and the other seven got 120 mg/kg.
Blood samples were taken at different times after giving them CBD. The results showed that CBD levels in the blood varied a lot, and the drug stayed in their system for a short time. Even at the higher dose,
CBD levels weren’t consistent, suggesting the formulation may not be effective in achieving the desired concentrations in these parrots. However, no harmful effects were observed during the study.
The FDA states that the agency is aware of the use of cannabis products as animal health drugs. However, they have not approved cannabis for any use in animals and cannot ensure the safety of these products.
What Health Problems Can CBD Oil Treat In Parrots?
CBD oil is used for pain relief and relaxation rather than as a medication. However, its relaxation properties have been shown to treat mental health issues such as anxiety.
Stress And Anxiety
Stress and anxiety are unfortunately very common in parrots. Parrots need regular social interaction and mental stimulation. When a parrot is put in a situation where it does not get adequate attention from its owner and its social needs are not served, it ends up stressed.
CBD can help calm an anxious parrot and bring stress levels down. But again, unless the stress is removed from the parrot’s environment, this issue will keep coming up.
Feather Plucking
Feather plucking in parrots is a complex problem that can be caused by medical or non-medical issues. Generally, if the cause is medical, such as a skin infection, treating the condition fixes the feather-plucking behavior. CBD can help parrots feel relaxed and stop picking feathers who might be doing it because of mental stress and anxiety.
When a parrot is found to be plucking its feathers, it should be diagnosed by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Feather plucking can turn into a habit if the condition is left untreated.
If the parrot suffers from stress and boredom, giving them CBD oil early on can prevent feather plucking from becoming a behavioral issue. But still, the source of mental stress must be removed in order to improve the parrot’s condition.
Arthritis
Chronic painful conditions in birds are managed with long-term use of drugs such as opioids, which are not risk-free and can have adverse effects.
CBD oil can alleviate chronic pain associated with arthritis in older parrots. CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, which regulates pain and inflammation.
According to the American Journal of Veterinary Research, it’s reported that sedation can be a potential side effect of CBD, and the sedative effect is dosage dependent. So it’s important to know the correct dosage when you’re using it for pain management.
How Does CBD Oil Work On Parrots?
Cannabinoids (CBD) function by interacting with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), located within the central nervous system. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is found in many animal species, including birds.
The cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 are involved in various processes like pain, inflammation, and immune regulation. Once in the system, CBD binds with the endocannabinoid receptors in the parrot’s body, producing its effects.
In birds, the CB1 receptor has been identified in chickens and budgerigars, suggesting that birds have a developed ECS. However, a recent study by Proceedings of the Royal Society B discovered that the CB2 gene is an evolutionary loss in parrots, which makes them more susceptible to neuroinflammation.
How Much CBD Oil Can Parrots Have?
The dose of CBD for parrots can vary depending on a number of factors. The size, species, and age of the parrot are some of the factors that need to be considered. In addition to that the dosage may differ based on the condition it is used for treating. It’s always best to consult with your veterinarian for the right dosages before giving any CBD product to your parrot.
