Unleashing CBD on your dog. As a pet owner, you do all that you can to make sure your dog is happy, healthy and loved every day. But doing so is easier for some dog owners than others. If your beloved pet suffers from a medical disorder or a nervous disposition you know that you have to go the extra mile every day to keep your four legged friend in tip-top shape. And ensuring that they have the best possible quality of life isn’t always easy.
While your vet can give you the support and advice that you need to give your pet the very best care, it’s always a good idea to be receptive to new ideas, concepts and products. As such, you may or may not be aware of the potential health benefits of CBD for your dog. Of course, you wouldn’t want to unleash CBD on your beloved pet without first getting to know more about it.
That’s why we’ve compiled this helpful post to explore the potential benefits of CBD for dog owners.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol or CBD is a compound found in the cannabis plant family. For some, this may raise alarm bells. But unlike THC, another compound found in the same plant, CBD is non-psychoactive. So, there’s no need to fear. It won’t get your dog “high”. It’s usually derived from the hemp plant rather than its sibling Cannabis Sativa from which marijuana is derived. What’s more, CBD has no known levels of toxicity in animals or humans, so there’s no chance of overdosing.
CBD has become extremely popular in recent years. It has been linked to a variety of positive health outcomes in humans. It has been used to treat all kinds of maladies from chronic pain to stress, anxiety, and depression.
CBD products are legal in most states under the Farm Bill of 2014 (subject to DFA approval) except in Wyoming, South Dakota, and Nebraska… at least at the time of writing.
How does CBD affect dogs?
There are many humans out there who swear by CBD oil and various products made with it… but how does it affect our canine companions?
CBD reacts with the body through the endocannabinoid system or ECS. This system helps to manage a range of bodily functions including sleep, memory, and even immune function. All mammals have an ECS and as such CBD affects them via the same mechanisms as us. The ECS system is made up of receptors designed to interact with endocannabinoids (these are cannabinoids produced by the brain). But they can also interact with naturally derived plant cannabinoids like CBD.
Benefits of CBD for dogs and other pets
So, now that we know a little more about what CBD is and how it works, let’s take a look at some of the ways it can benefit your four-legged friend. There have been a number of studies carried out in recent years that have linked the use of CBD for dogs to positive health outcomes. However, it’s important to note that more testing needs to be carried out before definitive statements can be made.
As such, it’s important to keep your expectations realistic when giving your dog CBD products. However, based on the evidence we do have from canine and human studies, CBD oil can benefit your pets in a number of ways;
Pain Management- CBD has been linked to effective pain management making it great for pets who suffer from joint and muscle pain.
Anti-inflammatory- CBD is also a potent anti-inflammatory, making it potentially effective for pets suffering from arthritis as well as a range of other health conditions caused by inflammation.
Stress relief- Dogs of a nervous disposition may benefit from CBD as a means of reducing stress and easing anxieties as well in pets as well as their human counterparts. Just like us, our canine counterparts can be psychologically scarred by past trauma or may be subject to certain phobias. CBD can help them to stay calmer and happier in your care.
Anticonvulsant- Dogs prone to tremors, spasms and tics may benefit from the anticonvulsant properties of CBD.
Appetite stimulant- We all worry about our pets when their appetite wanes or when they throw up their food. CBD is not only an effective antiemetic (prevents vomiting) it can also help to stimulate the appetite so your beloved pet can regain both their nutrition and enjoyment from their food.
General wellbeing- While lots of dog owners use CBD to treat certain conditions in their pets, many also use it for its ability to promote homeostasis, helping their furry friend to maintain a general wellbeing.
May even slow tumor growth- While a lot of testing is still needed to make conclusive claims, at least two studies show that CBD can be effective in treating cancer in canines. Not only can it help to manage pain, inflammation, and discomfort, it may also help to slow the growth of tumors in the body.
How can CBD be administered for pets?
We all know how tricky it can be to get dogs to take their medicine. But with the growth of the CBD industry, the pet care market is awash with solutions to make it easy to administer your daily dose of CBD.
Orally administered tincture- A few drops of CBD oil tincture are quick and easy to administer orally or apply to food.
CBD infused doggie treats- Give your doggie a delicious treat that’s infused with CBD goodness as part of a nutritious and balanced diet.
Massage oil- A relaxing massage with CBD oil can ease joint pain while also helping your show your dog just how loved they are.
Spray- An orally administered squirt of CBD pet spray can be a quick and easy to administer alternative to drops.
Is CBD for dogs safe?
Absolutely! While a rare few experienced side effects like dry mouth, lightheadedness, and drowsiness, instances of these are few and far between. Again, CBD has no known toxicity level in humans or animals.
Does CBD have any caveats?
Because regulation is still catching up with the CBD market, it’s important to do your homework and use only brands that you can trust. Make sure that they are open and honest about what goes into their products other than CBD and ensure that their claims are backed by testimonials from real customers.
So, with such a wealth of potential benefits to gain and nothing to lose, isn’t it time you unleashed your dog to the benefits of CBD?
