CBD For Dogs | A Guide for Dog Parents
It is becoming clear that plant-based therapies for dogs are a valid alternative to some current therapies. If you are giving your pet a prescription drug for anxiety, pain or seizures with success, then cannabis products may not be the answer. For older dogs with failing body systems, prescriptions may be harsh on their liver for example. Just like humans, dogs can build tolerances for drugs and become dependent on them. It is nice to have a plant-based natural back up plan for your furry friends.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring molecule that is a non-intoxicating component of the cannabis plant. CBD is non habit-forming cannabinoid and helps to support normal health. Full spectrum cannabidiol contains over 100 naturally occurring cannabinoids and terpenes that work together to help the body reach equilibrium. Cannabinoids interact with receptors in the endocannabinoid system which is located throughout your dog’s body. It is located in the peripheral and central nervous system, which helps keep balance in the body. Full spectrum oil contains the popular cannabinoids, CBD and less than 0.3% THC, as well as minor cannabinoids such as CBA and CBN. Ways That CBD May Help Your Dog Currently cannabidiol is used by pet parents to decrease pain, anxiety, and seizures in their dog. Cannabidiol may be safely administered to most pets at a low dose for a variety of symptoms, however it is important that you speak with your veterinarian before use, especially if you are already giving your pet medication.
One of the most common uses for CBD is to relieve anxiety and stress in pets. Pet owners have reported that their dogs have shown less aggression toward humans when giving their dog CBD daily. Customers have reported less barking and more sleeping. Cannabidiol’s anxiolytic effect may affect the symptoms of epilepsy in dogs and humans Epilepsy in Dogs Epilepsy is the most prominent chronic neurological disorder in dogs and is the most common cause of recurrent seizures in dogs. Epilepsy may affect all breeds of dogs, from pure breeds to mixed breeds. Epilepsy can cause seizures that disrupt your pet’s life and can be harmful to their body. Currently over 25% of dogs receiving standard anti-epileptic therapy are not seeing great results for their treatment. CBD has been shown to have anti-convulsant properties, so it is an obvious option as an alternative for dogs that don’t respond to pharmaceutical treatment. Some pet owners administer CBD to their dogs with epileptic seizures and notice a considerable reduction in symptoms. It is best to keep your pet with severe seizures on their current medication and consult with a holistic vet to see if CBD could be an option for your dog.
Studies suggests that 2 mg of CBD or more twice daily can help increase comfort and activity levels in dogs with OA. Osteoarthritis (OA) is degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bone. OA may cause stiffness and pain in areas of the body such as the knee, thumb joints, and the hips. OA is a common issue for middle age to older dogs. One study found that with the correct dosage of cannabidiol may improve pain stemming from arthritis in your pup.
CBD is used as an analgesic, which is a substance that is used to relieve pain. The endocannabinoid receptor system is known to play a part in pain modulation and inflammation. CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors are distributed widely throughout the peripheral and central nervous system, which control how pain is processed and felt.
Administering CBD to Your Dog
We suggest that you either administer CBD oil tincture orally, add the oil to your pet’s food or water, or give them a CBD-infused treat. CBD in oil form (with a carrier oil) is the best method of administration for your pet, because you can easily regulate the amount you are giving them, and it metabolizes more readily than treats. Treats may be a better option if your pet is a picky eater, as the ingredients may mask the taste of hemp extract. CBD is not as easily absorbed into the gastrointestinal tract, but is easily absorbed through tissues in the mouth, which is another reason why CBD oil (tincture) may be a more effective method for ingestion. The quicker cannabidiol reaches your bloodstream, the quicker you will notice effects from the product. Finding the perfect CBD dose for your pet will take some trial and error. Your pet’s age, size and other factors will be determining factors in the correct dose for your pet. Make sure to start with a very low dose for your pet for the first week. This can be a few drops. Then slowly increase the dose each week to the recommended dose if you are noticing favorable effects. Make sure you closely monitor the effects on your dog after starting them on small amounts of CBD.
Possible side effects of CBD
Some possible known side effects of cannabidiol in your pet’s system are drowsiness with high doses and increased thirst. It is not recommended that you give your pet a high dose of CBD unless you give them cannabidiol regularly and you are trying to help them to sleep. If you notice symptoms of overdose in your pet, give them extra water and wait a day to give them another dose that is a significantly smaller dose than previously given. Speak to your veterinarian if you continue noticing symptoms of overdose with small doses. It may be best to seek advice from a holistic vet who has experience recommending cannabidiol products for pets. In some US states, veterinarians are not allowed to recommend CBD products for pets, but they can direct you to helpful information about CBD use for your pet. It is important to purchase cannabis products from companies that make their CBD testing available to customers so that you can be certain that there aren’t harmful pesticides in their oil. Also, it is best to purchase oil without harmful additives. Choose an oil with a carrier oil that will benefit your pet. Olive oil and coconut MCT oil are two of the most common.
Whether your young dog is experiencing separation anxiety, or you are trying CBD oil as a last-ditch effort to help your older dog with pain relief, CBD is a great option as it has very few known side effects. We care about the health of you and your pets. It doesn’t matter if your best friend is a dog or human, we are here to help. With the legalization of cannabis products across the US, and the uptick in CBD use by people and their pets, we will likely see continued interest in cannabidiol products and in research regarding CBD and dogs.
The Wakshlag/Cornell University study: Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Clinical Efficacy of Cannabidiol Treatment in Osteoarthritic Dogs Samara E, Bialer M, Mechoulam R. Pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol in dogs. Drug Metab Dispos. (1988) 16:469 Front. Vet. Sci., 23 July 2018 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2018.00165 Harvey DJ, Samara E, Mechoulam R. Comparative metabolism of cannabidiol in dog, rat and man. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. (1991) 40:523–32. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/cbd-oil-dogs/ http://150.214.110.170:8080/handle/10396/18547 Front. Vet. Sci., 23 July 2018 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2018.00165 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2018.00165/full http://150.214.110.170:8080/handle/10396/18547 Pet Behavior Science | 2019, Vol. 7, 11-16 DOI: 10.21071/pbs. v0i7.1180 https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/cbd-oil-dogs/