CBD, often known as Cannabidiol, is one of the latest hot topics. It is gaining popularity due to its therapeutic health benefits.
CBD is available in a variety of forms, including oils & tinctures, gummies, and lotions. This medication is used to provide a sense of relaxation and calm without giving you the "high" that comes from THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.
You might be thinking, "If I can get these benefits, can my pet get them too?" This article will explain what CBD is, how it can benefit dogs, how CBD makes dogs happy and how to safely provide CBD to your dog.
CBD is an active ingredient found in hemp plants but it doesn’t cause a ‘high’ as THC does. CBD has a range of potential health benefits and is always advertised as providing relief from chronic pain, anxiety, depression, insomnia etc.
Cannabidiol is safe to take in proper dosages but it has some risks, such as dry mouth, diarrhea, and change in appetite, which are often well tolerated by pets.
CBD oil is a great option for anxious dogs and keeps them happy and healthy. It also provides a variety of other health benefits for pets.
Why Give CBD To Your Dog?
CBD is often recommended by many dog owners and there are numerous reasons for this. The most common is that many dogs experience aches, discomfort, and anxieties as they age (as humans do). There are countless medications available to treat these diseases, but many people find that they lose their efficacy with time.
This is where CBD oil comes to play a major role.
CBD oil can relieve dogs' anxiety, particularly separation anxiety or noise phobia (thunderstorms or fireworks). It can also alleviate pain and inflammation.
If you choose to give your dog CBD in the form of edible oil, it can start working within 5–20 minutes after ingestion. Research suggests that giving CBD gradually over time is more effective for stressed dogs.
Benefits of CBD for Dogs
CBD affects the ECS in our pets, just like it does for us. Many researchers believe that our dogs can benefit from CBD because of our similar endocannabinoid system. The CBD compound of the cannabis plant can do its magic on our pets just as it does on us.
CBD provides the following benefits for dogs:
- Reduces Stress and Anxiety
It has been reported that CBD oil can reduce the stress associated with anxiety in our dogs.
- Improves Appetite
CBD activates brain receptors that boost your dog's appetite, it can help to reduce nausea symptoms and relax the central nervous system, making eating better for your dog's digestive tract.
- Reduces Pain & Inflammation
It reduces pain, especially inflammation and pain caused by auto-immune illnesses such as arthritis.
- Prevents Epilepsy or Seizure Episodes
According to a recent study, giving CBD oil to dogs reduced seizures by 89%.
- Better & Soothes Skin Conditions
CBD can help alleviate skin issues by repairing the skin barrier so that germs and allergens have a lesser impact on your dog’s skin.
- Helps with Noise Phobias
CBD products can help your dog keep calm during a thunderstorm or fireworks. They also help with noise phobias.
Though there isn't enough evidence to suggest that CBD is safer than standard medicine, one key selling point for many people is that CBD has few to no harmful side effects in dogs. Many people stated that their dog’s condition started to improve in as little as a few weeks.
CBD Oil Can Make Your Dogs Happy
It's challenging to have anxious and stressed dogs, the most common causes of anxiety in dogs include abandonment, fear of being left alone at home, loud noises and being around strange people, or other animals. Also, we've observed anxiousness in dogs who have experienced abuse or neglect.
CBD oil helps a lot for dogs who are stressed, it can help to reduce the anxiety that many dogs experience and keep them happy and active. It also provides a variety of other health benefits for dogs such as improving appetite, reducing pain and preventing epilepsy.
Is CBD Safe For Dogs?
CBD is safe for dogs, according to World Health Organization (WHO) research, and there are no known adverse effects associated with CBD. The study also found that CBD can help dogs with anxiety, stress, and nausea symptoms.
However, more studies and research are needed to support the detailed benefits of CBD on pets.
It's important to note that CBD metabolizes in the dog's liver (much like it does in humans), and some veterinarians have stated that feeding CBD to dogs in excess can cause liver problems.
If you want to give CBD to your dog, make sure you know how much CBD is needed to alleviate disease. Finding the right CBD dosage is important, just like with any new drug or nutritional supplement.
It is entirely up to you how frequently you give CBD to your dog. Some recommend giving CBD to your dog once a day, while others recommend giving CBD to your dog every 8 hours. The severity of your dog's symptoms will decide the appropriate dosage. Start with a low dose and gradually increase to a higher dose if necessary.
How Much CBD Oil Should You Give Your Dog?
Here, we've provided a helpful guide on choosing the best quantity and bottle for your dog.
Small Dog: Use the 75 mg bottle if your small dog weighs 20 lbs or less
Medium Dog: Use the 150 mg bottle for medium dogs weighing 21 to 50 lbs
Large Dog: Use the 300 mg bottle for large dogs above 50 lbs.
Possible Side Effects of CBD on Dogs
There isn't any scientific data on the negative effects of CBD use in dogs but there are potential side effects based on how CBD affects humans.
As consuming too much CBD can cause dry mouth in humans, it can also happen in dogs. Make sure you are using the recommended dosage to avoid any unwanted negative effects.
- Dry Mouth: CBD has been shown in studies to reduce saliva production. This might occur as increased thirst in dogs.
- Lowered Blood Pressure: High CBD doses can result in low blood pressure and a feeling of dizziness.
- Drowsiness: CBD has been used to relieve anxiety in dogs. CBD's soothing effect can cause mild drowsiness, especially at higher dosages.
Can a dog overdose on CBD oil?
CBD is safe and well tolerated by dogs and can’t be overdosed on dogs. If you give too much hemp-derived CBD to your dog, it may cause gastrointestinal adverse effects in your pet.
Your dog won't die from taking too much CBD. However, if your dog consumes a lot of CBD, there could be unfavorable side effects like diarrhea, dry mouth, and changes in appetite.
How long does CBD stay in the dog's system?
Dogs can digest CBD more quickly than humans due to their faster metabolisms. In general, CBD will remain in your dog's system for up to 24 hours but it depends on the dosage quantity, the severity of your dog's illnesses, and metabolism, your dog may require more or less than the whole recommended daily dose of CBD.
FAQs
How does CBD feel for dogs?
CBD has been used to alleviate anxiety and restlessness and produces a calming effect in dogs. When high doses of CBD are provided, one of the negative effects of CBD for dogs is that it might produce minor sleepiness.
Will CBD relax a dog?
CBD calms dogs and makes them happy and healthy by reducing anxiety.
It can also help reduce discomfort and inflammation, giving an arthritis-affected dog a better quality of life.
Can CBD make dogs energetic?
CBD does not have the same high effect as THC, but it can make your dog more energetic. Remember that CBD won't cure your dog's hyperactivity, but it can prevent it and promote a calm demeanor even when they hear thunderstorms or fireworks.
Key Takeaways
According to research, Cannabidiol (CBD) may benefit dogs and other pets that suffer from diseases like anxiety, chronic pain, and seizures. If your veterinarian suggests CBD for your dog, make sure to avoid products with doubtful chemicals (such as artificial sweeteners) and follow their dosage guidelines.
CBD oil is an effective supplement for supporting your dog's fitness and overall well-being, as well as providing comfort when needed. CBD can stay in your dog's system for up to twenty-four hours, but depending on the dosage quantity, your dog may require more or less than the whole recommended daily dosage of CBD.
Because there haven't been many studies on the use of CBD for dogs, it's important to consult with a veterinarian who is familiar with CBD to see if it's a good option for your dog.
