Is it good to give CBD oil to dogs?
CBD for dogs ? Nowadays, more and more pet owners are turning to CBD oil to help their dogs with a variety of conditions.
But what is CBD? And why would it be effective in treating dogs? plus how do you find high quality CBD oil?
Medical grade CBD can have no mental effect on the user, although it may cause significant changes in the body and appears to offer substantial medical advantages( Cannabidiol (CBD)-what we know and what we don’t [1] (Harvard)
VIDEO: CBD for Dogs and Cats- Is it Safe, and Should You Use It?
Table of Contents
CBD is an all-natural product
Simply put, cannabidiol (CBD) is an all-natural product that comes from the hemp plant. Unlike its cousin THC (which can get your dog high), CBD has no psychoactive effects.
Hemp, a tall plant related to the marijuana plant, is a fast-growing, renewable source for raw materials which can be incorporated into thousands of products.
These include paper, textiles, clothing, biodegradable plastics, paint, insulation, biofuel and food supplements.
What happens when a dog takes CBD?
But it’s not all about the manufacturing side of things.
Many people are using hemp for themselves, too. CBD oil is quickly gaining popularity among pet owners who are looking for a natural remedy to help their dogs with a variety of ailments including joint pain, arthritis, seizures, anxiety and much more.
How does CBD work? The endocannabinoid system in animals body’s is what makes CBD so effective in improving a number of conditions in dogs.
The endocannabinoid system contains cannabinoid receptors that are responsible for the way your dog feels and functions on a daily basis.
When there is a deficiency of cannabinoids, this results in symptoms such as inflammation, arthritis and neurological problems, CBD works to solve this issue by attaching to cannabinoid receptors and allowing the endocannabinoid system to function as it should.
How much CBD can a dog intake?
Aim for about 0.1 to 0.2 mg per kilogram of your dog’s weight, given twice daily by mouth. Work up gradually, but beware that more is not always better with CBD, as sometimes the response is biphasic, meaning that it doesn’t work if you give too little or too much.
CBD Oil for dogs with Arthritis and other Mobility Issues
Many scientists have vouched for CBD’s potential in treating chronic pain, anxiety, and other ailments. There are many ongoing studies being done at a few different veterinary colleges, the results of some of these clinical studies have now been published and are looking very encouraging.
According to The AKC( American Kennel Club), there has been a breakthrough in CBD clinical trials, with further evidence from dog owners too, suggesting it can treat pain, especially neuropathic pain, as well as helping to control seizures {2}.
We’re also grateful to the American Veterinary Medical Association for providing us with genuine and verifiable scientific evidence demonstrating that, at least according to the CBD solution they tested, dogs with osteoarthritis do in fact benefit from significant pain relief.{3}
How does CBD work?
To comprehend why CBD is said to provide these health advantages, we must first understand the endocannabinoid system (ECS), found in ALL animals.
The endocannabinoid system plays a homeostatic role in the nervous and immune systems’ equilibrium.
According to research, a properly functioning ECS encourages hunger, sleep, mood stability, stride, pain perception, memory, body temperature, immunity, reproduction, and fertility in both people and animals.
Many negative physical symptoms are frequently observed in dogs when ECS is out of balance owing to a lack of adequate endocannabinoids, including digestive difficulties (vomiting, irregular bowels, diarrhea), poor appetite, sleep problems, stress and anxiety/fear, as well as aggressiveness, lethargy and lack of activity.
Poor balance and coordination, pain and inflammation can also occur too.
The cannabinoids that our brains (and dogs and cats’) produce attach to CB1 and CB2 receptors throughout the body, ensuring the healthy functioning of various nervous, immune, and organ body systems in our bodies.
These precise receptors can also be affected by plant-derived cannabinoids (such as CBD oil), which means they may be re-balanced to their optimal state.
Scientists have discovered that the endocannabinoid system and its receptors benefit from CBD Cannabinoids interacting with the central and peripheral nervous systems.
This is what allows CBD Oil for Dogs to maintain a healthy state by maintaining a positive equilibrium in the body and keeping it in balance, or homeostasis
Health benefits of CBD for dogs
The first thing to consider is that it can be a powerful pain reliever for older dogs with arthritic discomfort who have been taking traditional veterinary anti-inflammatory medications.
This alternative may help relieve arthritis pain in middle-aged dogs that have been on standard veterinarian anti-inflammatory medicines.
CBD has shown to provide certain advantages, including the reduction of arthritis pain( Forbes – New research backs canine use for osteoarthritis)
The second significant therapeutic advantage is that CBD oil has antiepileptic properties. {4}.
Around a third of dogs, in particular those being treated for seizures that don’t respond to traditional medicines are now benefitting from CBD oil.
There’s a current CSU study looking at the use of low-dose CBD oil as a treatment for canine epilepsy{5}
The 3rd biggest point is disease prevention. CBD is natural anti-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory properties that can help such things as degenerative brain diseases plus an array of organ dysfunction and disease leading to chronic illnesses
Recent CBD Trial boasts 93% Success rate for pain support in dogs
A recent study by the Journal of The American Veterinary Medical Association concluded with the following results{6}
The objective of the 90-day clinical trial was to assess the impact of a full-spectrum hemp oil infused with hemp seed oil on dogs with chronic maladaptive pain. The results were:
- 32 Dogs completed the study
- 30 Showed improved pain support
- 23 Taking Gabapentin before the study
- 21 Stopped or reduced Gabapentin after the study
Documented Benefits
- Over 93% of the dogs in the study demonstrated benefits from the addition of this hemp-derived CBD oil.
- Decreased pain scores
- Improvements in mobility
- Improved quality of life
Participant Comments
Several dog owners reported their dogs were more attentive, animated, and mentally engaged after starting the CBD oil.
94% of the owners indicated they felt their dogs’ quality of life had improved after starting the CBD product.
What type of CBD is best for dogs?
If you and your veterinarian decide that you should try CBD as a treatment for your dog, there are a few things to keep in mind when purchasing CBD oil. Not all oils are the same, you’ll want high-quality CBD. Look out for the following:
The source
What’s the origin of your CBD oil? Where did the plants come from? Has the vendor grown their own plants or purchased them from a low-cost seller?
Verified 3rd party testing
This is a quality control process where an independent organisation reviews a product to see if it meets certain standards.
Whole plant extract
This is Best due to the ‘entourage effect’ of the oil. You have over 100 separate ingredients within the cannabis plant and those can all interact with each other in a positive way giving more health benefits
Extraction Methods
Make sure that they are using green extraction methods such as Co2 to break down the plant to extract the essential oil, companies cutting corners will use solvents such as acetone which could be toxic.
Carrier oil
CBD is very concentrated from the hemp plant and needs to be diluted and preserved with a carrier oil. The ideal one is hemp seed oil which won’t cause digestive issues
Drug interactions
Cannabidiol is converted in the liver by cytochrome P450, and many of the veterinary medicines that your dog may be on are as well.
Fortunately, most dogs who take CBD are on a low dosage, but always talk to your veterinarian, especially if you’re going to start taking it and your dog is already on another regimen.
Topical absorption
CBD oil is typically taken orally, usually by rubbing the oil on your dog’s gums or placing a few drops under their tongue for better absorption (this bypasses the stomach), but this may be difficult with certain dogs, therefore you may wish to consider a topical oil instead-.
You would just rub it into their skin and from there it can be easily assimilated into the bloodstream.
There is a lot of scientific evidence supporting the health benefits of using CBD for animals and humans alike but we do recommend that you talk to your vet about the most appropriate treatment for your pet
Can CBD calm my dog?
To find out how CBD can help with your dogs particular health condition. Read our expert guides on:
- The Best Calming CBD for Dogs
- Best CBD for Dogs with Arthritis
- The Best CBD for Dog Joint Pain
- CBD for Seizures in Dogs
- Best CBD for Hip Dysplasia in Dogs
Did you know that a dog’s gut health has a significant influence on its overall health?
A recent scientific study reports that 70% to 80% of all illness begins in the gastrointestinal tract, and the majority of dogs are enzyme deficient as a result of being fed almost entirely on processed food!
Discover why this supplement is vital for your dog’s immune system and overall health-Full Bucket’s Probiotic supplements
References:
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/cbd-oil-for-dog-seizures/
- https://www.ahvma.org/wp-content/uploads/Use-of-Cannabidiol-Rich-Hemp-Oil-Sample-Article.pd
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4789136/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4789136/
- https://www.ahvma.org/wp-content/uploads/Use-of-Cannabidiol-Rich-Hemp-Oil-Sample-Article.pdf
