CBD is a cannabis compound that is well known for the medicinal benefits it offers. CBD infused medications can help with various physical and mental conditions. The studies and findings on the therapeutic benefits of CBD have made pet owners curious.
In this article, we cover the findings suggesting the possibility of using CBD to handle various medical conditions in dogs.
What Is The Opinion Of Veterinarians About CBD?
It isn’t rare that veterinarians are asked about CBD by pet owners. But all veterinarians are not willing to discuss it as they could be penalized or even suspended according to the regulations in some states.
However, things are not the same in all states. For example, California state has passed a law that prevents authorities from penalizing veterinarians for discussing with their clients about cannabis use for pets.
How Does CBD Benefit The Users?
The studies done to explore the effectiveness of CBD on pets are much lesser in number when compared to studies on the effectiveness of CBD on humans. When it comes to humans, CBD is known to help with the symptoms of various conditions like epilepsy, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, chronic pain, and more.
In 2018, a study was conducted to analyze the anti-inflammatory and pain-relief effects of CBD on dogs with osteoarthritis. The dogs were given 2 to 8 milligrams of CBD per kilogram of their body weight.
In the study, 80 percent of the dogs showed improvement in their pain symptoms and experienced better mobility.
In 2019, a study was conducted involving dogs with epilepsy. The dogs were given CBD in specific doses. They were also given their regular epilepsy medication. When they were administered CBD, the dogs experienced lesser seizures.
How To Give CBD To Pets?
All forms of CBD taken by humans are not suitable for dogs. CBD administering methods like vaping and dabbing are not practical when it comes to pets. Pet CBD products usually come in the form of edibles, creams, and oils.
If you are to consider the ease of administering CBD to your dog, edibles seem to be the right option. Dogs are going to love CBD treats like gummies, candies, and more that come in hearty flavors.
CBD oils and tinctures can either be added to foods or administered sublingually. In sublingual intake, a significant portion of the contents of the tincture or oil reaches the dog’s bloodstream through its sublingual glands.
CBD topicals like creams and lotions can also be administered to your dogs for pain relief and inflammation relief.
What Dose Of CBD Should Be Given To Your Dog?
There is no universal dosage recommendation for pet CBD. The same applies to CBD for humans. It is recommended that you start by administering CBD in smaller doses to your pet and increase the dosage gradually until you figure out the optimal dosage.
How To Choose Pet CBD?
The wide selection of products available in the CBD category often makes CBD shopping a time-consuming task. To choose quality products, make it a habit to checking the third-party certificate of the CBD product that gives all of the important details regarding the product. They contain information about the percentages of cannabinoids and mention if the product contains microbial, metal toxins, and chemicals.
The details on the product label matching with the information provided in the third party lab certificate can be regarded as proof of the brand’s authenticity.
What Impact Does CBD Have On Dogs?
CBD can help offer pain relief, inflammation-relief, and relaxing effects. If you are giving CBD to your dog for the first time, you will have only a little knowledge of the right dosage. After administering CBD, wait for the results that could be positive or negative. If you notice your dog is resting in a relaxed state even during times when it usually panics, then you know CBD is working for it.
In case you happen to notice any issues like vomiting, loss of balance, and excessive panting after you administer CBD to your dog, it could be because you have given it an excessive dose. To avoid the negative effects, administer a lower dosage the next time.
Why Does CBD Work In Dogs?
Many studies have suggested that CBD might be effective for treating various medical conditions in dogs. How does CBD prove effective for humans and pets? Well, CBD works by interacting with the endocannabinoid system that is found in humans as well as animals (including dogs).
The endocannabinoid system influences various body functions including sleep, mood, pain perception, and appetite. CBD interacts with the receptors of the ECS to influence these bodily functions.
You have to be very careful when selecting CBD products for your pets because poor quality products and excessive dosages can risk the health of your dear pet.