CBD oil has taken over the world! It has crept into almost every aspect of life.
But humans are not the only ones that can enjoy the possible advantages of CBD. As it turns out, CBD can also increase a man’s best friend’s wellbeing and make his tail wag once again with CBD oil for a dog.
The possible health effects of CBD for pets resemble those claimed for humans. These include joint pain, inflammation, appetite enhancement, epilepsy, fatigue, stress, distress, signs of cancer, and stomach disorders. However, as in human beings, research is still in its infancy, and much of the proof of its benefits is through observation only.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of several active ingredients present in the plant, Cannabis sativa. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is yet another element present that is best known for its psychoactive effects and is the compound that makes you “high.”
Of course, you want to do what’s best for your four-legged friend, which leads to the question: What do I need to learn about dog CBD oil?
What Is CBD Oil?
CBD is one of over 80 separate chemical elements termed “cannabinoids” obtained from cannabis (marijuana) plants. CBD is not psychoactive, unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
CBD shares essential metabolic functions with a family of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen. These mechanisms regulate multiple functions in the body, from allergic reactions to clotting of the blood.
CBD-based dog products can help raise your dog’s quality of life when used in combination with other treatments.
What Can CBD Oil for A Dog Treat?
CBD is also referred to as a helpful treatment for several disorders. While the use of CBD in treating any of these disorders is under-researched, there are differing degrees of clinical support for each case.
Suffering From Arthritis and Inflammation
As mentioned before, CBD shares metabolic mechanisms with anti-inflammatory medications, and it makes good sense that it will assist with arthritis, which is an inflammatory disease.
Osteoarthritis also referred to as arthritis, is one of the most frequent inflammatory diseases in dogs. One in four dogs will have arthritis in their lifespan, and, according to some figures, as many as 60 percent of dogs will have some degree of illness.
Research has shown us that CBD can significantly relieve pain in arthritic dogs by administering doses of drops twice daily.
Helping With Pain Management
Theoretically, the anti-inflammatory impact seen in dogs with arthritis may also be seen in dogs with other forms of pain, particularly back pain due to intervertebral disc disease (IVDD).
Initial human trials have found that combination-drugs containing both CBD and THC are more effective for pain management than when either drug is offered independently. But no such testing has been conducted on dogs, so they should not be given THC as the side effects are not known.
Epileptic Seizures in Dogs
Seizures are perhaps the most researched use of CBD in humans, but insufficient evidence exists for dogs. In dogs, seizures can be affected by a wide variety of root causes.
Specifically, concerning idiopathic epilepsy, some research suggests that CBD could help lower seizure incidence in dogs. However, these benefits are found only in dogs who are administered conventional anti-seizure drugs simultaneously as CBD.
Ongoing Cancer Treatment for Dogs
Like epilepsy, the word “cancer” is a general term that applies to an immensely complex set of particular illnesses, each with its own set of beneficial therapies.
CBD has been tested in people for potential use in cancer patients. Both for the treatment of tumors and the treatment of secondary effects of chemotherapy and cancer. Little research has been conducted on the use of CBD in dogs with cancer.
However, the anti-nausea benefits of CBD observed in patients undergoing chemotherapy have also been reported in rats and ferrets. That indicates that dogs undergoing chemotherapy may profit from CBD therapy.
Anxiety and Stress in Your Dog
Anxiety can definitely be crippling, and it affects not only humans but animals as well. To diagnose and treat your dog’s anxiety symptoms, it is crucial first to consider the root of the problem.
There are three major sources of anxiety in dogs: uncertainty, separation, aging, and general wellbeing.
Many of us have things that we fear, but for our four-legged companions, noisy sounds, unfamiliar circumstances, and weather shifts can be overwhelming. Unable to tell us precisely what causes their anxiety, dogs rely on us to interpret their problems and, most importantly, to make them feel secure and happy. But CBD supplements are helpful in treating your dog for anxiety.
It’s essential to recognize whether your dog is nervous or anxious. If you pay a great deal of attention, you’ll be able to see it in their body language or actions. They will probably show one of these actions:
- Spontaneously peeing or pooing inside the house
- Showing destructive behavior
- Tucking their tail between their legs
- They have dilated pupils
- Over panting
- Pacing up and down
- Whimpering and whining
- Avoiding eye contact
- Fidgeting and fretting
- Hiding or escaping
- Extreme trembling
- Excessively licking
While all of these habits can be considered “natural,” they may cause alarm if they are taken to extremes. If not treated at the start, a normal reaction to an unfamiliar thing can transform into an irrational fear or general anxiety.
Fear of Separation in Our Four-Legged Friends
Some dogs just hate to see their ‘humans’ leave and stress when they’re left behind. While there are no easy remedies to your dog’s separation anxiety, there are ways you can help to change their actions.
The following 5 ideas will help you make it more manageable in helping with separation anxiety:
- Taking your dog for a walk before you leave the house
- No touching, no talking, and no eye contact
- Say your goodbyes long before you leave
- Stay calm and decisive
- Start out with little steps by leaving your dog alone for ten minutes at a time and getting him used to this
Leave the dog alone for small amounts of time, then stretch the time to twenty minutes, then one hour, and so on. Continue this way until you can leave your dog for a full workday.
Other Age-Related Dog Problems
Studies have shown that CBD and hemp oils help relieve joint inflammation and increase older dogs’ mobility. If you have an old dog with joint pains, try using approved herbal remedies as pain relief for your dog’s problem.
It’s never pleasant to see our dogs suffer from pain, stress, and fear. By recognizing your dog’s suffering, you will help them enjoy a longer, healthy, and happier existence.
Dogs With Nausea and Vomiting
If you’re the owner of a dog, you’ve certainly had the experience of your dog vomiting. That is unavoidable as we know that dogs eat and drink anything, including garbage and old food. There may also be a fundamental medical condition requiring serious treatment.
A reasonable assumption is that if your dog vomits once, it will recover. However, if your dog has any of the below symptoms:
- Vomits several times
- Too much
- Brings up blood
- Has diarrhea
- Has seizures
It would be best if you took your dog to the vet immediately.
There are considerable studies into how CBD can help reduce nausea and vomiting in humans. Dog research is limited but increasing.
Nausea and vomiting are part of the dog’s metabolic processes to prevent the absorption or digestion of potentially toxic substances. Over-vomiting can be a symptom of health problems such as liver injury or stroke. In cases like these, the quicker you get your dog to the vet, the better chances of healing.
Stomach Disorders and Pain in Dogs
Abdominal pain is common to stomach disorders.
Symptoms of stomach pain in your dog include uneasiness, protecting or spinal decompression of the belly, arching of the spine, or front legs on the floor, back legs spread out. If you find any of these symptoms, it is important to take your dog to the vet to ascertain the discomfort’s root source.
Stomach pain can be treated with medications and CBD, depending on the cause. CBD can help relieve discomfort, and pain allowing your dog to feel more relaxed and not so agitated.
Dogs Who Suffer From Inflammatory Bowel Disease or IBD
Inflammatory Bowel Disease or IBD in a dog is similar to irritable bowel syndrome in humans.
If your dog has recurrent bouts of diarrhea and vomiting, damage to the digestive and intestinal tract can occur. That is a sign of IBD.
When your dog suffers from IBD, your dog could also experience appetite loss and weight loss even though it may seem okay. Drug and CBD treatment will assist with your dog’s IBD pain by easing inflammation in the stomach and intestinal tract.
Human studies show that CBD has anti-inflammatory powers for different disorders, including IBS. That research is encouraging for dogs as they have the same endocannabinoid pathway as humans.
CBD Oil Used For Dogs and Their Side Effects
Although there are no clinical studies on CBD’s adverse effects on dogs, there are possible side effects centered on how CBD impacts humans. To avoid any possible side effects, make sure you give your dog the right doses. Here are some possible side effects:
- Dry mouth and increased thirst
- Lower blood pressure and dizziness
- Drowsiness and being tired
These are some of the possible side effects of CBD on dogs. It is best to speak to your vet for his advice on CBD products for your dog.
Is CBD Oil for A Dog Safe?
The effectiveness and drawbacks of using CBD for dogs are in the ‘starting blocks’ stage.
Approval and dosing have not been approved by The US Food and Drug Administration. So, what dosage is toxic is not known at this stage.
Any medicine or supplement carries the hazard of a reaction to it. It is always a good idea to start out giving small doses and monitor the effects, but always get your vet’s advice first.
Which CBD Dog Product Should I Buy?
Should you decide to try CBD as a cure for your dog, there are a couple of pointers to look out for when buying CBD oil:
- Look for organic CBD oil that does not contain fungicides, pesticides, or chemicals
- Don’t go for the lower price as it could contain toxic elements such as harmful chemicals or heavy metals. Make sure there are no additives
- Check the insert of CBD to see the amount of CBD in the product. You must also check that there is no THC.
- A CBD product as a liquid is the easiest to administer. However, there are other products you can get.
The question is, which CBD dog product should I buy? Not all CBD oils are the same; you will want to use a high-quality CBD oil to have a higher and safer chance of it working.
Get That Tail Wagging Again!
The controversy persists on the use and consequences of CBD-containing materials. There are a lot of people who support CBD usage for themselves and their dogs.
Although interest in CBD oil for a dog is increasing as a new herbal therapy, it’s also wise to do as much research as you can into hemp oil for dogs and its side effects and make sure your pet is safe during your dog’s CBD walk.
It is always best to speak to your vet before administering CBD.
Why not visit our page to read reviews regarding the use, health facts, further information on vaping, e-cigs, and cannabis.