In recent times, CBD has become very popular among individuals who seek alternatives to alleviate conditions such as pain or anxiety. But this substance not only has positive effects to ease these problems in humans. CBD can also have benefits for pets, especially for dogs and cats. In fact, holistic veterinarians have started recommending the use of CBD oil for pets.
When dealing with CBD for dogs, a few questions may arise: Is it effective? What conditions can it alleviate? Is it safe? How should I use CBD for dogs? In this article, we’ll try to give an answer to these and other questions that you may have regarding this matter.
What Is CBD?
Before we explain how CBD can help your dog, it is important to understand what CBD is and how it works. CBD or cannabidiol is a cannabinoid that is naturally present in the Cannabis sativa plant. But, contrary to THC, which is the other main cannabinoid of the cannabis plant, CBD doesn’t hold any psychoactive properties. For this reason, CBD won’t make you “high”.
Secondly, CBD is typically extracted from plants that have been grown to contain very high levels of this cannabinoid but have little to no traces of THC.
But, how does CBD work? To understand this, we need to learn how the endocannabinoid system works. Not only humans but all mammals have an endocannabinoid system. This system participates in the regulation of important bodily functions, including pain, appetite, anxiety, etc.
So, using CBD will help activate the cannabinoid receptors of the system. And this happens not only in the human system but also in all mammals’ systems, including dogs.
Benefits of CBD for Dogs
One of the main questions that arise before using CBD for dogs is: Will my dog experience psychoactive effects when using CBD? The answer to this is plain no. As we explained above, CBD doesn’t hold any psychoactive properties, so you don’t need to worry about your dog acting weird.
But what are the benefits of CBD for dogs? CBD can be used in many ways. Cannabidiol has effects on your dog’s memory, appetite, and mobility. Moreover, dogs are believed to have many more CB1 receptors than other animals so the use of CBD will be more effective than in other species.
Cannabidiol for dogs can be used to alleviate the following conditions:
- Stress and anxiety
- Loss of appetite
- Inflammation and arthritis
- Epileptic seizures
- Cancer-related pain
- Skin problems
- Allergies
This way, CBD can be used to improve mobility in dogs who suffer from arthritis or inflammation and it can improve appetite. On the other hand, it will also help calm your dog in stressful situations, such as noisy places, fireworks, or for travel.
Is CBD for Dogs Safe?
CBD is a fairly safe substance not only for humans but also for dogs. Since CBD doesn’t hold any psychoactive properties, you don’t need to worry about your dog getting high. Additionally, cannabidiol has little to no side effects. And, most times, they are related to too high doses of the substance and they will go away after stopping the intake.
However, if you notice that your dog is experiencing any issues after taking CBD, you should stop its use. On the other hand, you should ask your holistic veterinary if your dog is taking any other medications, before using CBD, as it could interact with it.
Finally, consider that not all CBD preparations are the same. So, it is recommended that you use products that are specially formulated for pets.
How to Use CBD for Dogs
Typically, CBD comes in oil format in a small bottle with a dropper. The most common way to give CBD oil to your dose is by placing a few drops under your dog’s tongue or in the gum area. But, in some cases, this method can be difficult to perform. So, some people opt to add oil to the dog’s food. However, consider that this method will be less effective.
Regarding the dosage, it is not easy to determine how much CBD you should give to your dog as every product comes in different potencies and concentrations. However, a general rule of thumb would be a dose of 0.1 to 0.4 mg of CBD for 1 pound of bodyweight. But it is recommended to ask your veterinary what the ideal dosage would be considering your dog characteristics and the condition that you want to alleviate.
