How Effective Is CBD for Dogs?

CBD oil is one of the fastest-growing health trends this year. You might have even seen CBD for dogs in your local pet store or your vet’s office. If you have an older dog or a dog with mobility issues like arthritis or joint pain, you may wonder if this is just another trend that will go away or if there is any research to back up its use.

It is a must to give your pet the best care possible. But it is also important not to waste your hard-earned money or put your furry friend’s health at risk. Fortunately, CBD for dogs has been extensively researched. This article will help you understand what CBD oil is, how it works, and its possible health benefits for your dog.

What Is CBD for Dogs?

Generally, CBD oil is made from a cannabis plant known as hemp. Cannabis strains bred specifically for humans to use for recreational or medical reasons usually have a lot of THC. This psychoactive chemical can kill dogs if they get too much of it.

Hemp, on the other hand, is different. If you give your pet the recommended amount of hemp oil, the THC level in this strain of cannabis must be less than 0.3%, which is not enough to harm animals.

How to Choose the Best CBD Oil for Dogs

To choose the best CBD oil to improve your dog’s health as much as possible, you need to know what to look for. Keep in mind that there is a lot of demand for CBD products due to recent promising scientific research on their medicinal benefits. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned pet owners that there are a lot of fake and low-quality items on the market right now.

Dog owners should get the best CBD oil from a reputable company specializing in high-quality CBD pet products. If you do your research on a brand you want to try, you should make sure it meets all of the following essential quality criteria:

CBD products should be made just for dogs.

You should not give CBD oils made for humans to dogs since they may contain flavorings and other substances that are bad for your furry friends. Also, keep in mind that CBD products meant for humans can also contain large amounts of THC, which is a psychoactive compound that can be dangerous or even deadly for animals. Dogs should only use or consume high-quality CBD oil that is made just for them.

CBD products should be made from the organic hemp plant.

Sources that meet the standards for organic industrial hemp are often grown with potentially dangerous pesticides and herbicides. Pet owners should look for products made by Animalitos that have pure CBD oil and come from hemp that was grown in an organic environment.

CBD products should be tested by an independent third-party lab.

Make sure that the quality and concentration of CBD for dogs have been checked before you buy it. Look for a CBD extract that has recently been tested for its purity and effectiveness by a third-party laboratory. Choose a pet CBD oil that clearly says how much CBD it has in milligrams on the label. This will ensure you get the safest and best CBD oil possible.

In addition, use CBD oils that come with a certificate of analysis (COA). The batch number on the certificate must match the number on the product’s label or packaging. This is one way to avoid potentially dangerous substances. A COA is given to a product after independent lab tests it for its ingredients and effectiveness.

CBD products should have pure CBD extract.

Full-spectrum CBD oil is the best CBD for dogs with arthritis and is thought to be better than CBD isolate and broad-spectrum CBD oil. Full-spectrum CBD oil has all the beneficial parts of the hemp plant, including cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other nutrients.

As a result, the “entourage effect” happens to the user’s body. The entourage effect refers to how even small amounts of these components boost the overall healing effects of hemp.

CBD products should contain high-quality carrier oil.

A carrier oil made from MCT coconut oil is a sign of high quality. Many people believe that MCT coconut oil can help a person metabolize CBD oils better. To ensure you are getting a good product, look for an oil that has either broad-spectrum CBD or full-spectrum CBD, as well as an MCT carrier made specifically for dogs.

What Are the Potential Health Benefits of Using CBD for Dogs?

Similar to the human body, your dog’s body contains something called the endocannabinoid system, which acts as a messenger system. It helps keep the body’s sleep, appetite, pain, immune system, and other functions in check. CBD affects how the messengers in this system work by stimulating the nervous system, digestive system, and immune system.

As a result, CBD can have a lot of deep and substantial benefits. Here are some ways how your furry friend can benefit from dog CBD oil:

CBD for dogs with joint pain

If your dog’s joints hurt, their vet may suggest nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or other painkillers. On the other hand, it has been shown that NSAIDs are harmful to the liver and can damage joints and soft tissues. Besides that, they do not have much of an effect.

CBD is a natural pain reliever that does not have the same risk of side effects as other joint pain medications. It does what it does by interacting with the CB1 receptors in the brain. As a result, the immune system is boosted, and the inflammation is reduced.

CBD can also connect to CB2 receptors in the nervous and immune systems. When this reaction happens, the body will make more cannabinoids. This helps reduce inflammation even more, which helps lessen the pain that your furry friend endures.

CBD for dogs with cancer

Unfortunately, about half of all adult dogs will get cancer. Cancer, especially if they are treated with chemotherapy or radiation, is a significant health challenge for dogs. Researchers are always looking for new ways to treat nausea and pain that often come along with cancer. So far, plenty of research has been done on CBD as a substance that helps fight cancer.

A study on mice showed that CBD could stop breast cancer cells from growing and spreading. In 2018, researchers also found that CBD lengthened the lives of animals with pancreatic cancer. More research done on animals shows that CBD oil can stop tumors from growing and may be able to fight cancer.

CBD can also help the immune system make cancer-killer cells. Researchers also found out that CBD blocks a cannabinoid receptor called GPR55. This is important because cancer cells grew more quickly when GPR55 was activated in mice. It was found that treating cancer cells with CBD made them more responsive. CBD oil might also help with nausea, a common side effect of cancer treatments.

CBD for dogs with seizures and epilepsy

About 5% of dogs are thought to have seizures at some point. This thought can be scary for both the dog owners and the pets. Researchers think CBD’s ability to attach to the brain’s receptors for different substances could improve how the nervous system works.

Researchers at Colorado State University looked at CBD as a possible way to treat epilepsy in dogs (source). They found out that 89% of the dogs who received CBD had a reduction in epileptic seizures. Because of how CBD works with the endocannabinoid system, it can reduce both how often and how badly seizures happen.

Most veterinary offices treat epilepsy and seizures with antiepileptics, which may contain potassium bromide and phenobarbital. But if your dog takes these medicines, its liver and other organs are exposed to risks. Even if the drugs do not have serious side effects, they will not always work.

CBD for dogs with anxiety

One of the most common reasons people give their dogs CBD is to help with their dogs’ anxiety. CBD is being looked into as a possible treatment for anxiety since it does not have dangerous or fatal side effects. Animal studies have shown that this compound is helpful as an antidepressant for dogs. Anxiety can show up in several different ways, including:

• Noise phobia
• Fear
• Separation anxiety
• Fear

When your dog is feeling anxious, you can give them CBD by mouth. Most of the time, it takes between 5 and 20 minutes to work. But it seems that CBD best treats anxiety when taken regularly over a long period. So, if your dog tends to get stressed out, a daily dose may be the best way to treat him.

In 2012, a study looked at how rats’ stress levels changed when they were around cats. The rats had less anxiety when given repeated doses of CBD than those who only got a single dose. Researchers are not sure exactly how CBD relieves stress and anxiety, but it is thought that it has something to do with how serotonin works. Serotonin is a hormone that controls several things, such as mood, social behavior, sleep, digestion, and appetite.

CBD for dogs with chronic pain

CBD is proven to work for a wide range of painful conditions, from arthritis to nerve pain. And it does so without the dangerous side effects of pain medications. CBD may also help with the treatment of injuries that cause a lot of pain.

Since CBD binds to the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain and nervous system, it can change how your dog’s brain perceives pain. CBD may also help manage other pain symptoms, like nausea and sleeplessness.

CBD for dogs with allergies

The endocannabinoid system is also found in the skin, which is good news for dogs suffering from allergies. This suggests that CBD can help with dry, itchy skin. It can also help healthy new skin cells grow.

CBD can be taken by mouth to treat allergies, and it can also be put on the skin to treat hot spots and other skin problems. If your dog is experiencing such problems, consider trying Animalitos CBD Hot Spot Balm For Dogs.

Allergies are difficult to treat and are one of the most common reasons why dogs are euthanized. One of the most common ways to treat skin problems, in general, is to take the animal to the vet.

What Is the Recommended CBD Dosage for Dogs?

CBD comes in bottles with different amounts of the compound, measured in milligrams (mg). You can easily sprinkle it on your dog’s food since most dogs do not mind the taste. You should give your dog between 0.05 and 0.25 mg of CBD per pound of body weight twice daily.

It is also ideal to start with a lower dose and slowly increase it as the treatment continues. If 0.05 mg per pound is enough, there is no need to change it unless the current one stops having the desired effect. If this happens, you should increase the dose to 0.125 mg per pound twice a day.

When it comes to treating anxiety or taking preventative measures for your health, you will typically find that smaller doses of CBD for dogs are more effective. On the other hand, if your dog is in pain or has problems with its immune system, you will want to increase the dosage.

Is this dose applicable to every dog?

The FDA has not approved any products for use in animals, and we don’t have many studies looking at the safety and effectiveness of these products. Thus, more research is needed to figure out precise doses. If you want to use CBD to treat your pet’s illness, it is best to talk to a vet and find out what specific dose is safe for your furry friend.

If your vet tells you to try CBD, you should pay close attention to how much they say you should give to your dog. The amount your dog needs to take can vary depending on why they are taking medicine. For best results, it is important to include your vet in making sure that your pet is being monitored as needed.

For example, you could start by giving your pet 1/4 or 1/2 of the recommended dose of the dog CBD oil package. If your pet’s symptoms do not improve, your vet may tell you to give them another dose of the same amount 30 to 60 minutes later and keep an eye on how they react.

Are CBD Oils Safe for Dogs?

In 2017, the World Health Organization published a report saying that CBD in its pure form seems to be safe. However, a dog with liver problems should not be given CBD without being careful about its effects. CBD seems to be broken down by the liver, and it should not be given to a dog that is already taking a drug that is metabolized by the liver.

Controlling quality is another critical topic that pet owners should know about. Since the CBD industry is not well regulated yet, CBD products may contain ingredients that are not listed on the labels. One of these ingredients is THC, which is known to be bad for dogs and cats. You should avoid those containing THC if you want to use CBD products.

CBD products can’t have more than 0.3% THC in them. As much as possible, use CBD pet care products with 0% THC, and watch out for signs of THC poisoning like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and restlessness. Here is an example of an ideal CBD tincture for animals, which can help with your pet’s anxiety, pain, inflammation, and overall wellness.

What Are the Potential Risks of Using CBD Oil for Dogs?

When CBD is given to animals, they should expect side effects similar to what people feel. The most common side effects are changes in appetite, diarrhea, and tiredness. In general, the higher the CBD dose you give your pet, the more likely it is that they will experience side effects.

Most of the time, treating these reactions is not necessary since they are usually pretty minor or get better over time. If these harmful effects worsen, you should talk to your vet immediately.

Do dogs get high from CBD oils?

Same with humans, dogs won’t get high from CBD. If your pet seems “high” after taking their medicine, there may be a reason for this. Before buying any CBD product, make sure to read the label carefully to find out specific information about the product. Also, it is extremely important to choose CBD oils without any THC.

Conclusion

If your dog has hip dysplasia, arthritis, or other conditions that cause chronic pain and inflammation, we hope you learned more about how CBD can be a great choice for your dog through our guide. Make sure to consult your vet before giving your dog CBD.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does CBD feel for dogs?

CBD can still affect your dog’s body system, even in small amounts. People who give their dogs CBD to treat anxiety have been said to make them sleepy, especially when used in more significant amounts. CBD has also been shown to help calm down anxious and restless dogs. Another thing that CBD oil for dogs is said to help with is easing the stress that comes with social and separation anxiety.

Can CBD be toxic to dogs?

CBD will not hurt or kill your dog in any way as long as its THC content is 0.3% or less. THC can be toxic to dogs, and it is possible that a very high dose of CBD could cause THC toxicity. A pet that consumes a lot of CBD products made from hemp runs the risk of getting a mild case of THC poisoning.

Do vets recommend CBD for dogs?

A survey by the Veterinary Information Network found that 79% of veterinarians with clinical experience using cannabis products said that CBD was somewhat beneficial for managing chronic pain in animals.

Over 62% said CBD helped manage anxiety, and over 80% of these veterinarians said there were no reports of any adverse effects. Overall, the study results showed that 82.2% of veterinarians agreed or strongly agreed that CBD products have medical uses for dogs.

Can you give your dog CBD every day?

You can give your dog a daily dose of CBD oil. In some cases, getting more than one dose per day may be suitable for them. However, if you don’t administer CBD oil to dogs correctly, your dog may build up a tolerance to this substance. Thus, always consult your vet for the best dosage and frequency of administration.

As long as the CBD product comes from hemp, it is safe to administer to your furry friend. On the other hand, marijuana-derived products are not suitable for animals to consume because they usually contain high levels of THC, which could be bad for their health.

Find the Best CBD for Dogs in Canada

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