So many people are now starting to catch on to the effectiveness of using CBD oil for dogs. You may have seen it in your local pet store, or maybe a friend has been raving about how much it helped their dog.
But what exactly is CBD oil, and should you be giving it to your dog?
In this blog post, we'll answer those questions and more so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not CBD oil is right for your furry friend:
1. What Is CBD Oil?
2. How Does CBD Work for Dogs?
3. What Are the Benefits of CBD Oil for Dogs?
3.1 CBD Oil for Dogs with Anxiety
3.2 CBD Oil for Dogs with Joint Problems, Pain, and Inflammation
3.3 CBD for Dogs with Digestion Issues
3.4 CBD for Dogs with Cancer
3.5 CBD Oil to Give Your Dog's Immune System a Boost
3.6 CBD Oil for Dogs Suffering from Seizures or Epilepsy
4. What Are the Potential Side Effects of CBD Oil?
5. How to Give Your Dog CBD Oil?
6. What to Check When Buying CBD for Your Dog?
7. In Conclusion
1. What is CBD Oil?
CBD is short for cannabidiol. It's a substance that is extracted from the hemp plant, and it has been shown to have a number of benefits for both humans and animals.
Unlike marijuana, CBD oil made for dogs does not contain THC–the psychoactive compound that gets you high. This makes it safe for both humans and animals to use.
RELATED: Hemp CBD Vs Marijuana CBD: There's a Difference
2. How Does CBD Work for Dogs?
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a messenger system in dogs' bodies that regulates a variety of functions, including sleep, hunger, pain, and immunity.
CBD oil acts upon the endocannabinoids found throughout the body, which activate various systems such as the neurological, digestive, and immune systems as well as the brain. This, in turn, can provide relief from a variety of conditions.
Related: Calming Treats For Dogs: A Natural Solution To Anxiety
3. What Are the Benefits of CBD Oil for Dogs?
CBD oil has a number of potential benefits for dogs. Here are just a few of the ways that it may be able to help your furry friend:
3.1 CBD Oil for Dogs with Anxiety
Anxiety in dogs is common and one of the main reasons people turn to CBD oil for dogs. (Click to tweet)
Anxiety can manifest in a variety of ways, including:
- Overreaction to loud/environmental noises
- Separation anxiety
- Aggression
- Fear
CBD use for dogs with anxiety is the subject of many studies as many pet owners want to find a long-term solution–something they can give their pet daily that doesn’t carry the dangerous side effects of prescription medications.
RELATED: Is CBD Oil a Natural Solution for Your Dog's Separation Anxiety?
In 2020, researchers examined the anxiety levels of rats being exposed to cats and evaluated whether CBD could be an alternative for chronic therapy of depression or anxiety. They found that the rats that took CBD for a sustained period of time had less anxiety than those given a single dose. [1]
WATCH: Heidi Reviews our Pet CBD for her dog's anxiety issues
3.2 CBD Oil for Dogs with Joint Problems, Pain, and Inflammation
If your dog is in pain from arthritis, hip or elbow dysplasia, sprains, strains, or torn ligaments… to mention a few, CBD oil may be able to help.
CBD is a natural anti-inflammatory that, unlike drugs, doesn't come with the same risks of side effects as most prescribed pain medications for dogs:
- deterioration in joints and soft tissue
- damage to liver or kidneys
- stomach upsets
RELATED: CBD Oil for Your Dog's Itchy Skin
Instead, it binds to CB1 & CB2 receptors which then stimulate the immune system to reduce inflammation and produce more cannabinoids naturally.
Additionally, these receptors also have a positive effect on how the brain actually processes pain signals.
Researchers at Cornell University found that dogs taking CBD for arthritis were more active and showed a decrease in pain. [2]
RELATED: Benefits of CBD Oil for Older Dogs
3.3 CBD for Dogs with Digestion Issues
If your dog suffers from digestive issues like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, CBD oil may be able to help.
CBD works with the body's endocannabinoid system, which helps to regulate a number of important functions, including appetite, digestion, and metabolism.
In addition, CBD has been shown to decrease inflammation in the gut, which can lead to a reduction in digestive symptoms. (Click to tweet)
3.4 CBD for Dogs with Cancer
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, one in four dogs will develop neoplasia at some point throughout their life. Almost half of all dogs aged 10 and older will get cancer. [3]
It's an unfortunate fact, but also the reason why CBD has been extensively researched for its potential to help in the battle against cancer.
We go on and on in this article about a natural alternative, but it really matters…
Cancer is aggressive and the treatment options are sometimes even more so. If a natural alternative can be found, that has none of the side effects, it has to be pursued.
Luckily, advancements have been made in the study of CBD's impact on cancer but we would be wrong to just make flat-out claims about CBD and cancer.
There are so many studies you could go and read, but here is a direct extract we pulled from the National Library of Medicine on studies on CBD and Cancer: [4]
"CBD has demonstrated robust anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects on a wide variety of cancer types both in cultured cancer cell lines and in mouse tumor models.
In comparison, CBD generally has milder effects on normal cells from the same tissue/organ. The anti-tumor mechanisms vary based on tumor types, ranging from cell cycle arrest to autophagy, to cell death, or in combination.
In addition, CBD can also inhibit tumor migration, invasion, and neo-vascularization, suggesting that CBD not only acts on tumor cells but can also affect the tumor microenvironment, for example by modulating infiltrating mesenchymal cells and immune cells.
The final step of developing CBD as an oncology drug is through extensive and well-designed clinical trials, which are urgently needed."
Furthermore, they also go on to explain how CBD can also help with nausea: [5]
"Recently, evidence from animal experiments suggests that cannabinoids may be especially useful in treating the more difficult to control symptoms of nausea and anticipatory nausea in chemotherapy patients, which are less well controlled by the currently available conventional pharmaceutical agents."
The evidence is very strong that CBD could be a cost-effective, kinder way to help dogs with cancer, we can’t say cure/treat, but you can look for information online and find out more for yourself.
3.5 CBD Oil to Give Your Dog's Immune System a Boost
As the endocannabinoid system modulates immune response and CBD acts directly in that system, it is thought that CBD oil may be able to help modulate the immune system, which could lead to a boost in overall health and wellness.
If your dog is immuno-compromised or just needs a little extra help staying healthy, CBD oil may be able to help. (Click to tweet)
3.6 CBD Oil for Dogs Suffering from Seizures or Epilepsy
A terrifying event for both dogs and their humans, seizures are one of the most frequently reported neurological conditions in dogs.
Often dogs are treated for epilepsy and seizures with antiepileptic drugs. However, these prescribed drugs come with a host of side effects and possible long-term complications. This is why researchers have turned to CBD, to find a viable solution.
Researchers at Colorado State University studied CBD as a treatment for epilepsy in dogs. The results were staggering: 89% of dogs that received the CBD had a reduction in seizures! [6]
CBD could reduce the frequency and severity of seizures because of how it interacts with the endocannabinoid system.
RELATED: How to Use CBD Oil for Dog Seizures
It’s believed that abnormal electric charges of the neurons in the nervous system cause seizures and the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties of CBD may help to reduce the frequency and severity of seizures.
CBD may also help to protect the brain from damage caused by seizures.
4. What Are the Potential Side Effects of CBD Oil?
While CBD is generally considered safe and has few side effects, it is still important to do your research before starting your dog on CBD oil.
The reports of side effects are very low, but some of the potential side effects could include:
- Dry mouth
- Low blood pressure
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
Note: CBD oil is well tolerated, and non-addictive and there is no evidence that it is possible to "overdose" your dog. However giving your dog a whole bottle, is generally not a good idea. If there are trace amounts of THC, they might feel a bit "high" and experience the side effects mentioned above.
RELATED: Pet CBD FAQ: How to Help Your Pet Live Better
5. How to Give Your Dog CBD Oil?
If you've decided to give your dog CBD oil, there are a few things you need to know.
Firstly, start with a low dosage and increase gradually as needed. This is because each dog metabolizes CBD differently and you want to be sure that your dog can tolerate the dosage before increasing it.
Secondly, choose CBD oils that are specifically designed for dogs. Human-grade oils may not be suitable for pets, so always read the label carefully before purchasing.
RELATED: Liposomal CBD for Dogs - This is How it Helps Them Chill Out
Finally, give the oil time to work; you may not see results immediately. After trying CBD oil, most dog owners report improvements within 2-4 weeks. However, every dog is different, so results may vary.
6. What to Check When Buying CBD for Your Dog?
Unfortunately, as CBD products are not regulated, it is a fact that there are companies out there, just looking to increase their bottom line and they do so by taking dangerous unethical shortcuts.
Always check the following when choosing CBD oils for dogs to make sure that you are giving your furry loved one the very best pet CBD oil:
- The hemp plant that CBD is extracted from pulls toxins from the ground, so make sure that the hemp is farmed organically, in nutrient-rich soil free from contaminants and heavy metals.
- Always make sure that the third-party lab results are published on their website. This certificate of analysis allows you to check for any contaminants as well as the exact amount of CBD in mg per dose.
- Check how they extract CBD from the hemp plant. The best CBD oils are CO2 extracted as this type of extraction does not destroy the nutrients like some other cheaper forms of extraction. Also, CO2 extraction is better for the environment!
- Check what they're using as their carrier oil. The gold standard is MCT oil as it is a source of healthy fats and when combined with CBD, the MCT oil enhances its absorption.
- Get a feel of the company, and read some of their reviews, on their website as well as on google/social media. Check their "About Us" page. You should be able to tell that they really care about their products and the people/pets who take them!
Tip: Good companies stand behind their quality CBD oil. Check for a 30-90 day money-back guarantee to make sure you're looking at only the best CBD oil for your dog. (Click to tweet)
7. In Conclusion
If you're considering giving your dog CBD oil, then hopefully this blog has proven to be a great starting point!
CBD oil is a natural supplement that has been shown to have many potential benefits for dogs. Some of these include reducing seizures, anxiety, and pain. (Click to tweet)
CBD oil is well tolerated by most dogs with few side effects, and it may be worth considering if your dog is experiencing any of these issues.
But remember, we always recommend that you consult with your veterinarian. CBD oil may interact with other medications that your dog is taking, so it is important to consult with your veterinarian before starting a CBD oil regimen for your dog.
If you have any questions, please get in touch! And don't forget that we offer a 60-day money-back guarantee so you can try it without the risk!
Sources:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7277553/#abstract-1title
- https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2018.00165/full#h1
- https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/petcare/cancer-pets#:~:text=How%20common%20are%20neoplasia%20and,rate%20of%20cancer%20in%20cats.
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7693730/#sec4-cancers-12-03203title
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21175589/#:~:text=Recently%2C%20evidence%20from%20animal%20experiments,currently%20available%20conventional%20pharmaceutical%20agents.
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/05/190521101450.htm#:~:text=Scientists%20have%20found%20in%20a,were%20treated%20with%20a%20placebo.&text=Promising%20and%20exciting.
