Cannabinoids aren’t just working out for humans but also your best friends – dogs. It may sound hard to believe for those hearing it for the first time.  But CBD has been a blessing for dogs worldwide, and many dog owners globally have claimed enhanced results for various issues for their dogs across different breeds.

Why should you choose CBD oil for dogs?

Since dogs are also vertebrates like humans, CBD reacts in the endocannabinoid systems in the same way in a dog, leading to similar results. While THC has been found to be dangerous, toxic, and even lethal, CBD has proved safe for dogs.

But remember to ensure that your dog consumes CBD only with the knowledge and approval of your vet, as it can have adverse reactions if your dog is taking any other prescription medicine.

Image Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/-Mh4ezg2jWA

CBD for dogs can be easily found as an oil, which is believed to have many benefits for our canine friends. Some of them are listed below:

• Easing anxiety in dogs
• Reducing pain
• Slowing growth of a tumor
• Treating seizures in dogs
• Joint issues such as arthritis
• Digestion problems

Now that we have looked into the various benefits, here are five major points you need to know about CBD oil for dogs

1. How does CBD affect dogs?

CBD reacts to the endocannabinoid systems in dogs like humans, working on the receptors in more or less a similar fashion. If you are giving CBD oil to your dog, you should look carefully for signs to note if they are comfortable with it or not.

Positive results include decreased anxiety from something that would usually tend to scare or excite it or decreased pain sensation in case of joint pain. On the other hand, the adverse effects could include slight disorientation during movement, unusual laziness, vomiting, or tardiness.

If you think your dog is not comfortable, ensure that a veterinarian sees the dog quickly and gives their recommendations accordingly.

2. Keep the dosage parameters in mind

While no official dosage parameters are followed worldwide, a study done on CBD for dogs recommends dosage parameters are 2mg per kilogram for the dog’s total body weight. Other factors include the kind of issue that CBD oil aims to treat and the severity of the problem. A few vets also recommend small quantities as 0.05 to 0.20 mg per kilogram of a dog’s body weight, to begin with, and if needed, the dosages can be increased as recommended by the dog’s vet.

Image Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/bPk6jTAhATk

3. Take a good look at the product you choose

There are many products available in the market, and here are a few crucial factors to note for choosing the best option:

• Don’t use hemp oil, as it contains minimal amounts of CBD or none at all.
• Choose CBD, a broad spectrum, as it has more beneficial elements such as CBC, terpenes, and CBG.
• Ensure that the oil is made using the CO2 extraction technique, which has no residue, instead of the solvent extraction technique.
• Ensure that the product is backed by a COA or Certificate of Analysis that protects your dog from poor-quality products.
• Ensure that there is no THC in the product, as it is highly harmful to dogs.
• Choose organic products as they have little to no chance of having contaminants in them.

Because CBD for dogs isn’t FDA regulated yet, many products can have various issues, which is where the above points will help you buy the best options.

3. There may be side effects

Many dog owners worldwide have noticed a few side effects of CBD, so it is best to be careful and get in touch with a vet in case you notice any. The side effects can include panic, sedation, tardiness, dry mouth, vomiting, and increased appetite. In a survey of dogs done by the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, the most common side effect was increased sleep.

4. Care is needed in case the dog is on other medication

If your dog is on any other medication or supplements, you should consult the vet before introducing it to CBD oil. CBD oil can increase or decrease their metabolism and can also impact the working of the other medication or supplement, which may lead to adverse reactions.

Image Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/ub02jeAho-M

Conclusion

Pet medication costs have increased significantly in the past year, and CBD oil is a great and affordable alternative. Many dog parents are choosing it as a medication, with a veterinarian’s consultation, of course. So, if your canine friend has trouble with common issues such as anxiety, bring up CBD in your next consultation with your vet and see how much your dog may enjoy it.

References

https://www.healthline.com/health/cbd-for-dogs#effects