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What you should know about CBD oils for dogs
As any dog knows, when it comes to new wellness trends such a CBD oil, it is always best to get as much information as possible before giving it to their pet. It may be easy to hop online and find the best CBD gummies or best CBD oils for yourself, but it’s a little trickier when finding the right CBD treats for our furry friends.
Dr Jerry Klein, the American Kennel club’s Chief Veterinary Officer, explains precisely what Cannabidiol is, what it does, and any side effects or safety concerns you need to be aware of.
What exactly is CBD oil?
Click here for our CBD 101 primer…but the short version is as follows: Cannabidiol oil or CBD is a chemical compound found in both hemp and cannabis. According to Dr Klein, pet owners should note that the vast majority of Cannabidiols either does not contain any THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). Many CBD oils will include tiny trace amounts, but none of these has the capabilities to produce the psychoactive properties of marijuana. Most commercially produced Cannabidiol products are not derived from cannabis; instead, they are produced using hemp.
What effect will THC have on dogs?
You will find it a challenge to meet a veterinary surgeon who will agree that giving THC to your dog is a good idea. Put it simply your pet will certainly do not experience THC in the same way you do, and it could prove to be very dangerous for them and others.
Why is CBD better?
As yet no definitive investigations have shown the effects of Cannabidiol on dogs. What the scientific community does know, however, is that cannabinoids do interact with your peripheral and central nervous systems endocannabinoid receptors. These help keep your body in balance and a normal healthy state.
Some studies are going on in some reputable veterinary colleges. The published results of these studies appear to be encouraging. We provided several links to these studies. It’s important to note that each of these studies was conducted on different formulations of Cannabidiol. The fact that not all CBD products are the same means that purchasing the best CBD product for your pet is not always straightforward.
Here is a link to an article published in Forbes about pet arthritis and CBD
Cornell University published this article, and it also studies the effect of CBD and arthritis
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2018.00165/full
this is the current luminary data is published from a study conducted on CBD and its use in the treatment of pet epilepsy the research was conducted by Colorado state university
CBS News runs a story on the study as mentioned above carried out in Colorado state
What health problems can CBD oil treat in dogs?
The vast majority of pet owners who support the benefits of Cannabidiol firmly believe that the CBD oils have helped to reduce their pets immobility, anxiety and pain. I’m not saying that these claims should be taken on face value, neither should they be discounted entirely. They are one of the significant reasons that veterinarians and scientists are eagerly studying the potential medicinal benefits of using CBD in the treatment of ailments in pets.
One study conducted at Cornell University has provided us with a legitimate source of valid scientific data. ElleVet Sciences produced the Cannabidiol formula they tested the study showed CBD had a significant impact on reducing the pain suffered by dogs with osteoarthritis.
The American Kennel Club and specifically their Canine Health Foundation are working with Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences to study CBD and its potential treatment of pets suffering from epilepsy. The CHF hopes to gain enough scientific data to support the use of Cannabidiol in the treatment of animals with these conditions.
Vice news has an excellent video below on the power of using CBD to treat anxiety in dogs:
What are the possible side effects of CBD on dogs?
As yet there is no precise scientific data to state that CBD has any adverse side effects on dogs. You should know that it has some potential negative impact on humans? Research has shown that the following side effects, but they can be reduced by taking the correct dosage.
- Dry mouth. Research into Cannabidiol usage in humans showed that it could impact the production of saliva. This could manifest in your pets as an increase in thirst.
- Lower blood pressure. Taking higher doses of Cannabidiol has caused a temporary reduction in blood pressure. Even the slightest drop in blood pressure could result in lightheadedness.
- Drowsiness, many dog owners are using CBD to treat their animal’s anxiety. One of the significant effects of CBD is that when taken in higher doses, it can cause drowsiness.
What risks are there attached to giving CBD to your dog?
The biggest problem is that there hasn’t been enough research conducted on CBD usage for treating pets. As yet the US Food and Drug administration that’s not published a recommended dosing chart. This means that clear data on dosage sizes that may be toxic does not exist.
All supplements and medication carry an element of risk because of this, most people who recommend you start by giving your dog smaller doses. This will allow you to monitor your animal closely. You should always consult your dog veterinarian first.
It’s also advisable to use a CBD product that has been specified for use in pets. There is a higher possibility that they have done some research into more suitable concentration levels. But this may not always be true because as yet the industry is relatively unregulated.
It is probably best to avoid giving your pets and he CBD products to come and gummy form because there’s nothing to prevent it containing xylitol which can prove toxic to dogs.
Choosing the best CBD products for your Dog
If you do decide to treat your Dog with CBD following a consultation with your veterinarian, there to a few things that you should know.
- Always trying to purchase organic oil.
- Do not shop based on price look for purity and quality instead.
- Make sure that the manufacturer of the CBD products you purchase is fully transparent with its analysis of the product.
- Avoid buying CBD treats and focus on liquids that you can give your pet in the form of either a tincture or oil.
Our Recommendations
Endoca
Endoca is the top-shelf brand in CBD and makes one of the best CBD Oils available anywhere. (Read our full Endoca CBD Review). Founded in 2008, by Henry Vincenty, Endoca is a Dutch-based CBD company, Their stated mission is to bring balance to people’s health by producing a range of organic hemp products and actively promoting the benefits of their usage. While Endoca doesn’t have a specific line of CBD treats for dogs, we like recommending them because their attention to quality and dosage is SO high…This is a great CBD to start introducing in low doses to your canine friend
Absolute Nature CBD
Absolute Nature is another one of the best CBD Oil providers we’ve come across (they also have the best CBD Gummies on the market). Though Absolute Nature CBD is a fairly new company, they’ve already seen huge success (click here for our full Review of Absolute Nature CBD). This is largely due to their compassionate business philosophy, customer-service based model of operation, and quality standards. As two passionate guys that set out on a mission to make high-quality CBD products available to everyone, Absolute Nature CBD is a down-to-earth company that cares about people before profit.
What do vets say about CBD oils?
Your vet will argue a cautious approach to CBD, which is prudent. You should always “start low and go slow”. A recent study conducted at Cornell University revealed that once you apply the correct dosage of CBD to your dog, it can help relieve some pain stemming from its arthritis. Vets are starting to become more enthusiastic about CBD treatments for dogs especially with the latest research coming out.
Will CBD help calm my dog?
As yet, the Food and Drug Administration has only approved CBD usage in the treatment of two types of epilepsy in children. But there is a growing body of research that indicates it can be beneficial in the treatment of anxiety. So if your pet suffers from anxiety CBD may help it.
How quickly might CBD work on my dog?
If you’re looking to treat situational pain or anxiety, you could see a change in your dog in 5 to 10 minutes. Occasionally it may take as long as 15 to 30 minutes. I after a half an hour nothing changes it may be time to administer a second dose.
Is it safe to give CBD oils produced for humans to my dog?
The answer is yes, but you need to exercise caution. Never treat your pet with cannabis oil at a higher THC level of 0.3%. And always be careful to use a dosage that is smaller than recommended on the bottle. Also, remember to avoid giving your dog any edibles because some of the additives might be toxic.
How much CBD should I give my dog?
This is one of the critical concerns of all pet owners before they start giving their pets Cannabidiol. Unfortunately, the answer to this question is not straightforward. Some fears are surrounding the size of your pet and its potential sensitivity to CBD.
Choosing the correct dosage will also depend on the type of condition you’re trying to treat
In the research conducted on a dog suffering from osteoarthritis, they were given to many mg of Cannabidiol twice a day no negative impact was reported at this dosage level.
Other studies gave up to 25-milligram doses of CBD per day. This is given to mice with no adverse known side effects. So choosing the correct dosage is undoubtedly not a simple thing to decide.
A useful CBD Oil Dosage guide
The Solomon dosage chart is based on a study conducted by Christine Ruggieri, New york-based nutritionist and she recommends the following Cannabidiol dosages for your dogs. The recommended dosages are based on your pet’s weight.
- 5 pounds 0.25 mg
- 10 pounds 0.5 mg
- 20 pounds 1 mg
- 40 pounds 2 mg
- 60 pounds 3 mg
- 80 pounds 4 mg
- 100 pounds 5 mg
- 120 pounds 6 mg
It is clear that smaller animals need smaller doses, and larger animals will need a more significant dose of CBD for it to be effective. But please bear in mind that this is just a basic guideline, anytime you give your pet a new supplement or medicine you need to can pre monitor any side effects and consult a Veterinarian first.
Your dog will also need to take regular doses in line with the above recommendations for them to prove useful. If you don’t see any changes, you can always increase or decrease the dosage levels,
