Can Birds Take CBD Oil?

CBD oil has taken the supplement world by storm in recent years and the host of benefits it is claimed to deliver to humans are also applicable to birds.

cbd oil for birds

As an Amazon Associate I earn a small fee from qualifying purchases made through Amazon links. This helps us run the site – thanks for your support.

If you supplement a bird’s diet with CBD oil you can hope for benefits including:

  • Protection against and reduced inflammation
  • Fortified immunity system
  • Reduced stress
  • Support for a healthier lifestyle in older birds

Birds & CBD Oil

CBD works by acting on cannabinoid receptors in the body’s cells.

CBD can alter neurotransmitter release in the brain, so scientifically speaking, any creature with an endocannabinoid system can be affected by CBD and therefore receive the benefits.

An advantage of CBD is that there are (as yet) minimal side effects for birds which means that it can be used as any other kind of supplement that you might include in your pigeon’s diet.

cbd and birds

Of course, just because it is safe in general, it doesn’t mean that every bird actually needs CBD oil, so it is always best to consult with a vet before you start your bird on a course of the treatment.

Each bird will respond differently to CBD, but you can be assured that administering CBD oil isn’t going to cause any detrimental effects.

How Can Birds Take CBD Oil?

It is important to make sure that you get the dosage right when giving your bird a course of CBD oil.

Again, the amount that a bird needs will vary greatly depending on factors like the size of the bird and the problems that it is having.

You can add hemp seeds directly to your regular bird food as they are easily digestible.

Add a small amount to the mix.

If you are going to administer CBD via an oil, most recommend a single drop, twice a day for every 500g of the bird’s weight.

The CBD oil can be dropped directly into the bird’s mouth if they are amenable, or if you prefer to drop the oil in the bird’s drinking water then that is also an accepted and appropriate method.

There are sprays that are designed to be taken orally too which some owners have tried using in their bird feeders but it is very hit and miss as to whether your pigeons will take to the taste.

Your pigeons may not enjoy the flavor of the carrier oil.

CBD oil products also tend to be rich in omega-3, so take care not to overdose if, for example, you are already giving your pigeon cod liver oil and then add CBD to their diet.

Choosing to administer CBD to your pigeons is a personal preference and down to whether you choose to believe the hype and the claims about its benefits.

In time, science will either prove or disprove them.

Many pigeon fanciers are happy with the results – particularly for racing pigeons –  and there are CBD products specifically designed for pigeons.  

What Is CBD Oil?

CBD is the shortened name for cannabidiol, which has become a popular natural remedy used by humans for several different common ailments.

Cannabidiol is one of more than 100 components that can be found in the cannabis plant.

There are two important distinctions you need to be aware of:

  • CBD can be derived from hemp or cannabis. They are both the same plant but some strains contain higher concentrations of THC (these are cannabis).
  • Cannabidiol is not the component in the plant that induces the feeling of being ‘high’ that is most commonly associated with cannabis.

The high is caused by tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis.

Taking CBD oil isn’t going to produce any feeling of being ‘stoned’ which some people worry about when CBD is suggested for them.

When you buy products containing CBD oil, you will find they will state that the CBD has been derived from hemp plants.

This is because products have to contain less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol to be legal (although in some US states, CBD is still illegal).

Marijuana-derived CBD products are illegal in the UK (where the law states that CBD products must contain zero THC) and mostly illegal in the USA (in some states they are legal).

How Is CBD Oil Made?

CBD oil is made by extracting the cannabidiol from the hemp plant and then diluting it with a partner carrier oil such as hemp seed oil or coconut oil.

It can be manufactured into a number of different products that are available for human consumption and usage, with some of the most popular being dietary supplements, gummies,  vaping liquids, and even bath soaks.

What Are The Human Benefits Of CBD Oil?

Despite the massive increase in popularity and use (It is estimated that there are more than 1.3 million regular users in the UK), science has not categorically confirmed the benefits of CBD oil.

However, since the legal status changed, there is greater research.

The World Health Organisation issued a report in 2017 stating that CBD could provide relief for a variety of debilitating conditions including

  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Cancer
  • Diabetes
  • Arthritis

It may also help with managing general and chronic pain, anxiety and depression and a study published in the Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry journal has linked CBD oil to healthy weight loss.

Here are some of the benefits of taking CBD oil.

Pain Relief

Cannabis has been used as a form of pain relief as far back as 2900 BC.

In being able to extract the CBD oil from the plant leaving behind the THC, people are now able to get all of the pain relief without having to worry about the psychoactive properties.

Pain is one of the key things that CBD oil can dull in the human body, and it is particularly popular among those who suffer from things like arthritis, major inflammation, multiple sclerosis or even cancer … really any condition that results in a constant level of pain for the sufferer.

Mental Health

Anxiety is something that millions, if not billions, of people around the world suffer with on a daily basis.

CBD oil has been proven to be a supplement that can have a calming and relaxing effect without any sensations of an out-of-body or under the influence experience.

CBD oil can also have positive effects on other mental health issues like post-traumatic stress disorder, insomnia and depression.

Heart Health

CBD oil has been linked to the efficient operation of the circulatory system. It can help to lower high blood pressure which reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Epilepsy

Regular consumption of CBD oil is believed to be able to treat and entirely prevent the debilitating seizures that are commonly associated with epilepsy.

This is one of the main reasons why there was such a big push to legalize and make official the use of CBD oil in lots of countries around the world.

Denise Bereford

Denise Bereford is a full-time writer and researcher with a long-standing passion for pigeons.

Recent Posts