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Should We Give CBD to Our Dogs?

Yes, CBD for dogs is becoming popular.

By Jonathan GPublished 4 years ago 4 min read
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Cannabidiol is one of the most valuable extracts from cannabis in terms of health benefits, and it is sometimes being used in place of prescription drugs for humans. Considering that there is an overlap in what humans and dogs can consume, people are also using it for their pets in the same manner.

There is still no formal study on how CBD for dogs is a good idea, but there are quite a few anecdotal accounts out there that give us the impression that it’s safe & effective. This is why even dog treats are being fortified and sold on mainstream stores. There are still some considerations for pet owners before buying those CBD-laden treats.

Pure CBD Won’t Get Your Dog High

CBD is found in marijuana, but any decent veterinarian will talk you out of giving actual pot to your dog. This is why it’s essential to buy products made with pure CBD oil extracts, avoiding even cold-pressed cannabis oils that can have trace amounts of THC.

THC is the compound found in marijuana that gets us humans high, and it has somewhat of a similar effect in dogs. If your dog accidentally consumes a significant amount of it, they can become uncoordinated, hypersensitive with a slow heart rate. It’s an undesirable situation to be in, which is why pure CBD for dogs is preferred.

It should still be noted the potential side effects of CBD on its own, including drowsiness, dry mouth, or low blood pressure. To get an idea of a reasonable dosage of CBD for dogs, I recommend checking out the calculator provided by ShopCBD. Since side effects haven’t been thoroughly researched, a more moderate approach would be good to start with.

Chronic Pain

For senior or disabled dogs, chronic pain can be a common issue that leads some owners to put them down. In most cases, inflammation is the source of pain and CBD has been observed in various studies to reduce it.

There is another study showing how CBD slows down the progression of Osteoarthritis by preventing further nerve damage. The study also implicated that CBD can be used topically (perhaps in a cream or shampoo) to treat localized pain.

While it’s still considered controversial for this purpose, it can be a safer way to manage pain than using opioids or other drugs that are hard on the kidneys. While NSAIDs are also an alternative, they are quite hard on the stomachs of older dogs.

Anxiety & Bad Behavior

Dogs can get anxiety just like humans and it can manifest itself in a variety of ugly ways. Sometimes, will be quick to judge a dog’s unwarranted aggression without taking into consideration anxiety and past traumas. From separation anxiety, boarding an airplane, moving to a new home, or being around unfamiliar animals, pet owners may attempt to tranquilize their dogs to deal with outbursts.

One underappreciated application of CBD for dogs is calming their anxiety without having to resort to veterinary drugs. When it interacts with the endocannabinoid system, there is an increased availability of serotonin, which is the “feel-good” chemical produced by the brain.

Considering it only takes around 30 minutes to calm them down with CBD, it’s relatively convenient to have on-hand. It works just as fast as something like Alprazolam, but without the side-effects or dependency issues.

Seizures

There is one study from Japan that suggests CBD can be used to lessen the severity of seizures in dogs. The study had taken dogs of different ages, sizes, and breeds to test how they would react with a CBD extract in coconut oil. All of the dog owners that participated reported a significant reduction, but a complete stop, in seizures.

Considering that the CBD-based Epidiolex is the flagship product for humans’ epilepsy, perhaps there will be a similar drug produced for dogs.

Feeding

Dogs that have trouble eating, such as those undergoing cancer treatment, may have their appetites rejuvenated with the help of CBD. Marijuana (with THC) as a whole already has a strong association with the “munchies”, but CBD also works but in a different manner.

For example, dogs that don’t want to eat due to nausea from medications will see a more profound benefit from CBD. The anti-inflammatory effect of the substance can help with IBS and other digestive issues associated with inflammation.

The other issues discussed above, like anxiety, can also be indirectly related to why your dog isn’t eating. Tackling the lack of appetite directly may need the help of other tinctures or medications, but it’s still worth the experiment with CBD for dogs in less imperative circumstances.

Final Thoughts

Just like with any other treatment, it’s best to use CBD under the guidance of your local veterinarian. Even if it’s against their wishes and still a bit taboo, you will still want to make sure their blood work is under control and if it won’t interfere with any other medications your dog is on.

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Jonathan G

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