We are a nation of animal lovers and veganism is on the rise here in the UK. Whether you are completely removing animal products from your lifestyle or just trying to cut down, as consumers, it is important to be educated on what exactly is in our favourite products.
When food shopping, it is easy to determine what is or isn’t suitable for vegetarians or vegans. Food manufacturers are required by law to be transparent with their ingredients.
However, are you aware that animal products are used within an extensive amount of our cosmetics? Flawless Lashes by Loreta recently conducted a survey with 500 non-meat eaters and discovered an alarming 36% were unaware of this.
Unlike food companies, cosmetic brands have the ability to be more discreet with their ingredients. Instead of openly stating what is in their products, they are allowed to use the scientific terms. Unless you have already read up on these extensively, it is unlikely you will know exactly what this is.
Below is a list of the most common ingredients used within cosmetics that derive from animals:
- Keratin – anyone obsessed with making their hair stronger will have heard of keratin and many companies actively advertise this as a bonus within their products. Most often found in shampoo and conditioner but also nail strengthening products and it is made from the horns and hair of farmyard animals.
- Cera Alba – more commonly known as beeswax and is found in lip balms, soaps, lipsticks and moisturisers. It used to help prevent oil from separating and skin to absorb moisture.
- Tallow – made from the fat of farmyard animals and is a staple in many high street brands for nail polish, soap, foundation and eye makeup. It can be listed under a few names, including oleic acid, oleyl sterate, and oleyl oleate.
- Guanine – who doesn’t love a sparkly eyeshadow or shimmery highlighter? Well you may not after reading this, guanine is used to achieve this party look, it is made from scraping fish scales.
- Lanolin – there is also a plant-based version but companies will not always disclose which they are using, despite the two having the same name so it is best to do a bit of research when in doubt. Lanolin is made from sheeps’ wool and is in lip balms, sticks and glosses.
- Shellac – many of us who frequent nail salons are familiar with shellac. Used in nail polishes, it has hard-wearing qualities that many of us strive for in our manicures but did you know this is made from the shell of the lac bug?
- Carmine – also listed as natural red 4, E120 and C.I 75470, so it is easy to get confused about this one. Made from crushing thousands of tiny bugs called cochineals and is used to get that sought-after rouge colour in blush, lipsticks and nail polishes.
- Estrogen – this is frequently seen in perfumes and is extracted from the urine of pregnant horses. It is also listed as estradiol.
- Collagen – our inevitable ageing makes this ingredient very popular and is something many consumers actively seek when buying anti-ageing products. This is made from animal bones, tendons, ligaments and skin.
Another element, when choosing cosmetics, to be conscious of is the difference between cruelty-free and vegan. Cruelty-free means these products were not tested on animals, although a great movement for animal welfare, these could still contain animal products in them. Cruelty-free is identifiable by the ‘leaping bunny’ logo, registered vegan products will be identifiable by The Vegan Society’s double-leaf and sunflower logo.
It is not just consumable products that use animal by-products, your makeup brushes can contain animal fur and even your false eyelashes. When choosing your next beauty tool, try to make a conscious effort to choose synthetic eyelash extensions or strip lashes.
Flawless Lashes by Loreta pride themselves in providing a range of vegan makeup and beauty tools, including their range of eyelash tweezers.
Not only is it important for animal-lovers to avoid these products, but also for the environment. The rearing of livestock is a large contributing factor to carbon emissions, climate change and the use of natural resources. Studies have shown that to produce just 1 pound of beef, 2400 gallons of water is required in the process.
So, next time you are browsing the beauty section and are looking to avoid these animal-based products, make sure you take the time to really scrutinise the labels, you may be shocked to discover how many of your favourite brands use these ingredients. When in doubt look for The Vegan Society logo.
Perhaps if more of us choose to avoid these, cosmetic companies will be forced to make a change due to dwindling sales. After all, there is little excuse nowadays, with so many plant-based alternatives on the market that possess the same quality, is there really any reason to be using animal products for the sake of our vanity?
The doses of hemp oil from CBD can vary depending on the size of the dog. It is why many manufacturers offer different types of CBD products. However, if you choose to use oil or other CBD products that require a dosage, then you should have a good knowledge of how to prepare the proper dosage to give your dog the best treatment possible.
Dosage of CBD oil for dogs
How much CBD oil should I give my dog?
Choosing the best way to help your dog take CBD oil can depend not only on your pet’s illnesses but also on their temper and eating habits. Whichever choice you make, the critical factor to remember is that your dog’s dose is not the equivalent of what you could give to a young child.
It is because dogs, like humans, have different levels of tolerance.
Most products will tell you what the recommended dosage is. However, it is always best to start with the smallest amount possible and observe how your pet reacts to the recommended dose.
You can gradually increase the dose every five days until you get the results you want. It is also a good idea to consult your veterinarian who can direct your dog’s therapy. Thanks to this, we will be able to treat your dog more effectively with CBD oil.
We recommend using only dog CBD oil without THC! Some CBD oils may contain THC, but they are not intended for dogs. If your dog consumes a product containing THC and is not feeling well, contact your veterinarian immediately.
The signs and symptoms to which you should then draw attention are:
- numbness
- crisis
- abundant saliva
- vomiting
- contrariety
- tremor
- abnormal behaviour
Risks due to an overdose of CBD oil
How do I add hemp oil to my dog’s diet?
It should be noted that CBD oil does not have the best taste for our pets. The point is, if you don’t mask the taste, you may have trouble administering CBD oil to your dog. Fortunately, there are many ways to make it easier for us. These include dog treats, CBD tinctures and powdered supplements for regular meals.
When choosing the most effective method for applying CBD products to your dog, you should check the brand of the product to make sure the company delivers exactly what it advertises. You can also use the Internet to check if the CBD product of your choice is sometimes on the blacklist of supplements.
The next important step is to pay attention to the THC level, which is supplied to the animal by different methods of applying CBD oil. While a low THC content can cause minimal psychoactive reactions in humans, the same amount of THC can be fatal for four-legged animals. It is due to the higher number of cannabinoid receptors in the brains of dogs. Therefore, given the sensitivity level of our dogs, this THC toxicity level may be too high for them.
Anyone who believes that cannabis oil will be an appropriate treatment for their dog should add CBD to their dog’s diet in proper doses.
Tinctures and oil are an excellent choice for treating dogs.
Below are the most frequently asked questions about administering CBD oil to dogs.
CBD products are completely safe for dogs because they are non-toxic, pain-relieving, relaxing and stimulating. Cannabinoids are derived from hemp oil or cannabis CBD oil, and their THC content is negligible at most. Thanks to this, they are a safe supplement for the animal.
Are cannabinoids good for my dog?
Is CBD oil harmful to my dog?
CBD oil is not harmful to dogs as it is a natural ingredient. Medical forms of cannabis, like cannabis oil, are extracted from cannabis plants and do not contain THC.
Will your dog feel “high” after using CBD? No. CBD products are not psychoactive and therefore do not contain the psychoactive substance THC. On the other hand, CBD is not an intoxicant but has relaxing and analgesic characteristics.
The answer is no. Indeed, if you administer traditional medicines to your doggie, you should not abandon them, even if you decide to add CBD oil for dogs in the treatment.
CBD oil is a great product. However, it should not replace the drugs advised by the vet. For example, when your pet has a kidney treatment, you should opt to use CBD oil as an additional treatment and support.
For any other question, please contact your usual veterinarian.
Can CBD oil replace traditional medicines?
CBD dog oil helps!
Many people hesitate to try this product on their dog, mainly because of its name and the derogatory connotation of cannabis. However, it is worth noting that CBD can have incredible benefits for pets.
As if that were not enough, it is also completely safe and used by many pet owners.
Let’s help our dogs improve their quality of life, which other products on the food supplement market cannot offer.
But as always when you are buying CBD oil and other CBD flowers and products, you should choose the best suppliers. JustBob is the European leader for online CBD purchase, and they offer delivery through the UK within 24 to 48 hours.
Appropriate care for your dog will significantly increase his chances of enjoying not only a healthy body but also a longer and happier life. All you have to do is try!
