We have all seen the rise in CBD products for humans all over the place. From massive retail chains like Kroger and Walgreens to small individual owned gas stations, there is no denying humans are looking for more natural ways to take care of our bodies.
So when human pet parents experience benefits from using CBD, it’s only natural to wonder if this would be a good fit for their pets as well. When my own dog was diagnosed with cancer, it was an avenue I personally took with my own dog to help her feel better in those hard times. I will make a note here that she was also taking prescribed medications from the veterinarian, so there is no way to tell what truly helped the most. Either way, from my experience I felt she was calmer, less stressed and more comfortable.
In this article I’m going to go over all the information that I found about CBD for dogs, so you can make the right decision if it is the best fit for you and your pet. Although I promise that I did as much due diligence as possible in my research for this article I need to emphasize that I am not a veterinarian. My hope is that you can take this knowledge to your vet, and work together to find what product is going to be best for your needs. Another note is that this information is only pertaining to dogs, no other animal. If there is interest in other animals I would be more than happy to write an article if I can find any information out there.
What is CBD? What is it used for?
CBD stands for Cannabidiol, and is derived from the cannabis plant. This part of the plant contains no psychoactive agents in it. Most CBD gathered for dogs comes from a hemp plant, which simply means they are a group of plants that contain less than 0.3% THC (healthline.com).
As I dove into the research for CBD consumption by dogs, I quickly learned that the research is still very new and not much has been done. Healthline.com and mbglifestyle.com both state that although the little research done is very promising, most has also been funded and done by the companies who make the products themselves. Healthline also stated that as of 8/1/2019, there were no FDA approved CBD products for dogs. However, when purchasing products you can always look for a seal from the NACS (National Animal Supplement Council). This group, along with other organizations have been verifying and approving cannabis-derivatives to assist with a variety of pet health and behavioral issues (Pet Business Magazine). I will link all the different places that I went to for research at the end of the article!
Just like people, CBD is given to dogs for a variety of reasons. After diving into articles in magazines and online, the main reasons I found were for: Joint pain and mobility, pain management for cancer, anxiety and stress, bowel and stomach issues and last but not least epilepsy.
Lastly, please do not give your dog people grade CBD products! The processes used to create products for people and dogs are different, along with how much dosage is in each product. Always read the packaging before giving any CBD products to your dog.
How should I give my dog CBD? And how much?
One of the most wonderful things about CBD for dogs is that it comes in so many varieties. In the article I found by Pet Business, I came across numerous ways to help your pet receive the benefits of CBD: Oil tinctures for dogs, treats, shampoos, soft chews, and supplements. I recommend looking into the effectiveness of each product before using it. In my research it seemed like oils/tinctures and chews seemed to be the most popular forms to give dogs but it depends on what works best for you and your dog.
When it comes to how much to give your dog, the product itself should have instructions for how much to give your dog. If it does not come with any instructions, I would stay away! There are plenty of quality products where the companies took the time to test their products to know their maximum efficiency.
Healthline.com referenced a 2018 study done on dogs with osteoarthritis, which showed that 2mg per kg of weight was the most effective dosage that saw a rise in comfort levels. Recommendations state to start with a low dose and slowly work your way up to a higher dose. Monitor your dog so you can gauge how much to give them and if a higher dose is needed. Do not rush this process, depending on the way the CBD is administered the way it affects the speed of how fast it works.
Food for thought/ Take always
Overall, from my findings I found that CBD does generally have an overall positive effect on dogs.
When first starting to give your dog CBD, give them the smallest dose possible and watch to see how they feel. Also note when you gave them the CBD and what you hope the results will be. There can be adverse reactions to CBD which can include becoming lethargic, panting excessively, vomiting and drooling. You can overdose your pet with CBD oil! Our bodies process it differently than dogs, so it is very important to make sure your dog is reacting fine to it.
Now that I have finished up this article, along with having my own personal experience giving my own dog CBD treats, I feel confident that CBD is here to stay and will only continue to grow in pet stores and within veterinary offices as more research is being done. Keep your eye out, and always stay up to date on trends and research! I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to talk to your veterinarian before starting any new regiment of supplements or treats with CBD oil.
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Resources
Chesak, Jennifer. “Thinking about Giving Your Dog Cbd? Here’s Everything You Need to Know .” Mindbodygreen, Mindbodygreen, 10 Sept. 2021, https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/best-cbd-for-dogs.
Lindenau, Kelly. “A Budding Opportunity.” Pet Business, Mar. 2021, pp. 60–62.
Mills-Senn, Pamela. “Focusing on CBD.” Pet Business, May 2021, pp. 39–42.
Peters, Alexa. “Treating Your Dog with Cbd.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 10 June 2020, https://www.healthline.com/health/cbd-for-dogs#effects.
