0 comments

Contents show

Did you know that just like humans, dogs have an endocannabinoid system? This is why CBD may also work for your pets. Dogs endocannabinoid systems work just like humans, the goal of the ECS is to achieve and maintain balance within the body. CBD may be an option for dogs dealing with issues, such as, inflammatory problems, seizures, pain, and anxiety. Humans may also use CBD for these exact same issues.

6 Ways in Which CBD Oil May Help Your Dog

1. Joint problems:

Some vets may prescribe NSAIDS or other pain medications to help with your dogs joint issues. But NSAIDS can cause deterioration in joints and soft tissue. They can also be damaging to your dog's liver. CBD on the other hand is a natural anti-inflammatory that doesn’t carry the same risks or side effects as many other drugs. CBD works by binding to the CB1 receptors in the brain. CB1 receptors stimulate the immune system to help reduce inflammation. These receptors also change the brain's response to pain. CBD also binds to the CB2 receptors which are also found in the immune system and nervous system. The body may naturally produce more cannabinoids, which may help reduce inflammation even more. Researchers at Cornell University found that dogs taking CBD for arthritis pain were more active and showed a decrease in pain. Some common joint problems for dogs that may make them a perfect candidate for CBD oil are, arthritis, hip and elbow dysplasia, sprains and strains, and torn ligaments.

2. Cancer:

Unfortunately about 50% of dogs will get cancer. It’s one of the biggest health challenges for our 4 legged friends. Cancer researchers are always looking for new ways to treat cancer, and to help the pain and nausea that comes with it. CBD has been extensively researched as a cancer-fighting substance. Studies have shown CBD may slow the growth of cancer causing tumors. CBD has also been known to kill cancer cells by blocking their ability to produce energy. CBD oil may also be helpful for nausea that comes along with many cancer treatments , as it’s known to be an excellent anti-nausea med. Studies have also shown that it may significantly reduce cancer-related pain as well.

3. Seizures and Epilepsy:

Most vets treat epilepsy and seizures with antiepileptic drugs, but these drugs can be extremely harmful to your dogs’ liver and other organs. Researchers at Colorado State University got excited when they studied CBD as an option for treatment in dogs with epilepsy. The results are astounding! 89% of dogs that received CBD had a reduction in their seizures. CBD may reduce the frequency and severity of seizures due to its interaction with the dogs endocannabinoid system.

4. Anxiety:

Anxiety is a common reason why dog owners turn to CBD. Anxiety in dogs can appear in many different ways, such as, noise phobia, separation anxiety, aggression, and fear. Of course there are plenty of medications that can be used to help with these issues, but CBD has been studied for these issues due to the fact that it doesn’t carry any dangerous side effects. Most humans use CBD for pain, anxiety, and depression issues, stating that CBD alone works very well in helping to control these issues. Just as in humans, animal studies show that the antidepressant effects are also true for dogs. Researchers aren’t exactly certain on how CBD relieves stress and anxiety, but it's thought that it helps regulate serotonin. Serotonin is a hormone that regulates mood, social behavior, digestion, sleep and appetite.

5.Pain:

Some of the most promising research done on CBD is for its effects on pain management. From nerve pain, to arthritis pain, CBD is said to have great benefits without the harmful side effects of other pain medications. Due to its ability to bind to both the CB1 and CB2 receptors. CBD may also help manage the other symptoms that accompany pain, such as sleeplessness, and nausea.

6. Allergies:

Allergies are on the rise in dogs, and are very hard to treat. Sadly allergies are a common reason that dogs get euthanized. Skin issues are one of the most common issues for vet visits in the United States. The endocannabinoid system is also found in skin, which is great news for dogs. CBD has been known to help relieve dry skin, and itchy skin, and it helps promote new healthy skin cell growth. CBD can be used internally for allergies, or externally for more hot spots.

What are the Side Effects of Pets using CBD

Now that we’ve discovered several different uses for CBD and dogs, you're probably wondering what, if any, are the side effects? The American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association surveyed dog owners to see what side effects they noticed from their pets who were taking CBD. The great news is that there weren't any major side effects reported. Below is a list of the most consistent side effects that were reported.

Sedation 19%
Overactive appetite 5%
Lack of energy 4%
Panic reactions 2.7%
Dry mouth/ excessive drinking 2.3%
Nausea 1.7%
Vomiting 1.7%
Increased seizures 0.69%
Impaired mental function 0.68%

This being said, the most likely side effect you may see in your dog is sleepiness. Just like humans, all dogs receive CBD differently because every endocannabinoid system is different. Always check with your veterinarian before using CBD for your pet, especially if your pet is taking other medications. CBD oil has many potential health benefits, but it can change the way your dog metabolizes certain medications, and supplements.

How Much CBD is Enough for Dogs

There is no right or wrong amount of CBD, however the quality of the CBD plus the severity of the issue plays a role in finding the proper dose. For example a dog with epilepsy may receive a higher dose of CBD than a dog with mild pain issues. The size of the dog also factors into how much CBD should be given. A dose of 5 mg may be a perfect dose for a yorkie, but may not for a Rottweiler. But don’t worry, because once again, there are no known dangerous side effects if given more than the recommended dose. There are no concerns regarding toxicity or overdose from medicine containing predominantly CBD.

THC vs. CBD for Dogs

Unlike CBD, THC may cause serious problems for your pet, one of the biggest concerns is THC toxicity. If you smoke, vape, or eat marijuana the “high” feeling you get may wear off in just a couple hours. This is not the case for dogs however, marijuana is a known toxin for dogs. Even in small doses, it can lead to very bad reactions, or even marijuana toxicosis. This is because dogs break down THC way differently than humans. Some of the symptoms to watch out for if your dog gets a hold of THC are, stumbling, or acting drunk, lethargy, dilated pupils, uncontrollable urination, vomiting, tremors, or shakes, agitation, sensitivity to touch or sound, and lowered heart rate. In more severe cases your dog may even go into a coma, depending on how bad the reaction is. The high and other effects on dogs usually lasts about 18-24 hours. Because of the fact that THC is so toxic to dogs, they aren't able to just “sleep it off”. Another big worry with animals and THC toxicity is respiratory depression, this issue needs medical attention and needs to be monitored closely for the safety of your pet.

In Conclusion

In conclusion CBD is an amazing alternative to pain medications, and other medications used for treating these issues in dogs. Studies have shown it has great medical benefits for both humans and animals. Always remember to check with your vet before using CBD on your pets. Also choose a good quality CBD with no THC, not even trace amounts are ok for pets. Here at Discover CBD we have oil tinctures just for pets. Our bacon flavored tincture has 120 mg of cbd in a 1 oz bottle, and our chicken flavored tincture has 300 mgs of CBD in a 1 oz bottle. We also have CBD dog biscuits, they are 5 mgs of CBD per biscuit and are pumpkin , peanut butter flavored. We get great feedback from our customers using our pet products for any of the issues talked about in this blog.

https://discovercbd.com/products/active-cbd-oil-pet-tincture-300mg-chicken-flavored