There’s nothing more affectionate than our beloved dogs.
Thanks to new laws, your dog may now receive the benefits of CBD
supplementation!
This article will explore the benefits of using CBD oil for
dogs, possible side effects, and the best dosage for optimal health. Whether
you have a new puppy or a dog getting up in years, this post will help you
understand CBD better and how it may help your dog.
What Is CBD?
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is one of two primary
components in Cannabis sativa. The other is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).
Unlike THC, however, CBD is non-psychoactive. In 2018, Congress passed the Farm
Bill Act, which made CBD legal as long as it contains less than 0.3% THC.
CBD is safe and well-tolerated, according to The World
Health Organization (WHO). Although few studies have been done specifically
on dogs, researchers generally agree that dog CBD oil is safe and well
tolerated.
CBD and Your Dog’s Endocannabinoid System
Like humans, all dogs have an ECS, or Endocannabinoid
System. One of the most important biological systems in maintaining overall
health, the ECS and their receptors are found throughout your dog’s body.
The primary receptors, CB1 and CB2, are activated once CBD
enters the body. Once activated, the receptors send signals to the brain,
immune system, nervous system, and organs once started. Although scientists are
still learning more, many symptoms show improvement once CBD interacts with the
ECS.
Benefits of CBD Oil for Dogs
In 2021, researchers showed
the immunomodulatory effect of CBD in dogs for the first time. In blood
samples collected from 6 healthy dogs (German Shepherd), scientists studied
blood counts to measure CBD’s effectiveness.
Their results demonstrated that CBD reduces inflammatory
response - the root cause of most diseases. Because of this study, researchers
show there’s a positive outcome for CBD use and encourage testing to help the
veterinary medical field.
Common Conditions CBD Can Help With
The immunomodulatory effect of CBD on dogs is the primary
factor in how it helps control diseases and their symptoms. We’ve created a
condensed list of the top symptoms CBD may help with when discussing dogs,
including the following.
Best CBD Oil for Dogs with Arthritis and Joint Pain
Like humans, dogs suffer from joint pain and arthritis,
especially as they age. Although there is no cure, CBD may be beneficial in
alleviating your dog's pain and help keep them more active.
As discussed earlier, CBD is a potent anti-inflammatory. In
terms of joint mobility, CBD may increase joint function because of the
decreased inflammation your dog experiences after administration.
How Much CBD Oil for Dog with Arthritis?
In 2018 osteoarthritic
dogs showed improvement when treated with 2 mg/kg of CBD twice a day. The
testing suggested that dogs showed increased comfort from OA pain and increased
mobility.
CBD Oil for Dogs with Seizures
In humans, some of the most concrete evidence has shown CBD
effectively controls epilepsy and other forms of seizures. Epidiolex, a
CBD-based drug, was recently approved for humans with severe epilepsy.
In dogs, seizures can also be quite common. If you notice
your dog having a seizure, call your vet immediately. CBD oil may be the best
place to start if you're looking to control their symptoms. CBD contains
anticonvulsant properties, and the American
Kennel Club (AKC) is currently testing CBD oil for dog seizures.
CBD Oil for Dogs with Anxiety
Shelter dogs, in particular, may suffer from trauma and
anxiety. CBD has been shown to help several anxiety
disorders, including:
- SAD (Seasonal
Affective Disorder)
- GAD (Generalized
Anxiety Disorder)
- PTSD (Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder)
- OCD (Obsessive
Compulsive Disorder)
CBD Oil for Dogs with Cushing's
Cushing’s disease is characterized by extreme thirst, a
disorder of the endocrine system. Cushing’s causes your dog to produce too much
cortisol, the stress hormone. Unfortunately, this disease can wreak havoc on
your dog’s overall well-being and health.
In a study
conducted by the Department of Physiology at Southern Illinois University,
scientists found that CBD may help control the release of certain hormones,
including cortisol. Because Cushing’s is hard on a dog's system, choose a
full-spectrum CBD oil, which contains more anti-inflammatory properties than
THC-Free CBD oil.
Will CBD Oil Help Dogs with Allergies
Allergies are nothing more than your immune system feeling
threatened. Oak pollen, for example, often causes allergic reactions in humans.
Dogs may be triggered by tick bites or household substances they’ve
inadvertently ingested.
Symptoms include sneezing, skin redness, itching, hives, or
a runny nose. Essentially, your dog's immune system is fighting off the
trigger. Because CBD binds with the ECS to alleviate inflammatory responses,
it’s often a good idea to have a bottle handy.
You can also use CBD oil as a preventive measure. A 2007 study
demonstrated that the ECS is linked to allergic dermatitis and that CBD may
help treat skin conditions.
CBD Oil for Dog Cancer
Unfortunately, our dogs may also develop cancer. Although
CBD is not a cancer cure, many of the symptoms associated with the disease may
be alleviated through a daily CBD regimen. In some cases, CBD may even show the
ability to slow
cancer cell growth.
Common cancers CBD may be used for include melanoma,
lymphoma, tumors, and bone cancer. CBD is also a supplement you can use on your
dog and chemotherapy. Ask your veterinarian for advice before putting your dog
on a CBD regimen.
Some cancer symptoms CBD may help include:
- Nausea
- Lack of hunger
- Chronic pain
- Irritable bowels
CBD Oil for Hyperactive Dogs
In dogs, hyperactivity comes in many forms. It could be a
medical condition known as hyperkinesis, often underdiagnosed. Hyperactivity
may also be dependent on the breed of dog you have or just not getting enough
exercise throughout the day.
If you’re walking your dog regularly and feeding them a
well-rounded diet, they may be suffering from some form of hyperkinesis, in
which case CBD may be a wise addition to their daily regimen. Because CBD
affects your dog's endocannabinoid system and modulates mood, CBD may act as a
relaxant, helping eliminate and control hyperactive outbursts.
Pros and Cons of CBD Oil for Dogs
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that CBD is safe
and well-tolerated in humans. Because so little is known about the effects on
dogs, what we know is that most research has shown they, too, suffer few side
effects.
Apart from CBD oil, many companies now offer CBD-infused
treats. Apart from the scientific studies on CBD’s effectiveness in treating
certain canine diseases, many dog owners swear by its application. Some of the
Pros and Cons include the following.
Pros
- Easy to hide the taste (using peanut butter or putting on
treats, for example).
- Many health benefits as already outlined.
- Safe and well-tolerated.
- Many veterinarians recommend CBD use on dogs
Cons
It may cause nausea in high doses.
- Diarrhea in extreme cases.
- Dogs may not be open to taking by dropper (the optimal
delivery method).
- Some dogs get sleepy from too much CBD oil
How to Give Dog CBD Oil
There are a couple easy ways to administer CBD oil to your
pup! CBD oil comes in a tincture with a convenient dropper which helps measure
the dose and can be placed directly into your dogs mouth. This is the most
effective way to deliver CBD oil, but might not work for all dogs.
If the direct dropper method does not work, there is another
option for how to give dogs CBD oil. You
can simply drop the oil onto their food or treats. This will take a little bit
longer to kick in, as it needs to digest with the food before entering the bloodstream,
but ultimately will work just as well!
How Much CBD Oil to Give Dogs
Breeds vary widely in size; therefore, there’s no one CBD
oil dose for dogs. It’s best to monitor your dog’s progress and see how they
feel after taking their CBD oil. We recommend starting with 5mg per 20 pounds
of body weight.
A full oil dropper contains 1 mL of CBD oil, which contains
10mg of CBD. If you had a 40lb lab, you’d want to give them one full dropper of
our CBD oil for dogs. You could experiment with increasing or decreasing the
dosage depending on the severity of their condition. This is just a good safe
starting point.
How Often Can I Give My Dog CBD Oil?
We recommend waiting at least 5 hours between doses. Other than
that, timing can be flexible and you should give your pup CBD oil as needed.
Some owners may administer doses regularly, even twice or three times a day to
treat a chronic condition. Others may only administer doses as needed, in times
of heightened stress or pain.
Side Effects of CBD Oil in Dogs
There are a couple of questions we commonly get about side
effects in dogs. Can CBD Oil cause diarrhea in dogs? And can a dog overdose on
CBD oil? If you give your dog too much CBD, it can cause an upset stomach,
possibly resulting in diarrhea. Dogs, like humans, will not overdose on CBD.
Taking too much CBD will simply cause lethargy and stomach
issues. This is why it’s so important to follow dosage instructions and
increase by small amounts at a time to find what works.
Where To Buy Best CBD Oil for Dogs
There’s no need to be concerned about giving your dog too
much CBD. You may consider, however, where you buy your CBD. Thanks to modern
technology you no longer need to waste your time searching things such as “cbd
oil for dogs near me”. There are high quality retailers like Eden’s Herbals who
will bring the CBD oil to you!
Look for the
following items when shopping for CBD oil:
- Do they provide a lab analysis report?
- Is the CBD sourced from all-natural hemp?
- Is the CBD carrier oil fractionated coconut oil (MCT oil)?
- Is the CBD created through a CO2 extraction process?
- Do they offer THC-Free CBD oil?
So is it OK to Give my Dog CBD Oil?
In short, yes, it is more than ok. CBD oil and CBD treats for dogs
have exploded in popularity for a reason. Pet owners are looking for all
natural solutions to their pups ailments. The benefits are plentiful and the
side effects of CBD oil in dogs are minimal.
If you want to know more about CBD oil for dogs, contact us
at [email protected]
today!
