A naturally occurring organic substance in the Cannabis Sativa plant species is cannabidiol, also known as CBD. Due to its advantageous qualities, its popularity has increased dramatically. Although we are aware of its benefits for humans, did you know that it can also be applied to dogs?
This is so because dogs share the same endocannabinoid system as people do. Usually, CBD works with the endocannabinoid system to bring about a number of advantageous health effects.
Table of Contents
What Is CBD?
The oils of the hemp plant’s leafy parts contain CBD (also known as cannabinoids) in their natural form. Dogs have Endocannabinoid System (ECS) receptors connected to them all over their bodies. These ECS receptors are activated by plant-derived CBD found in full-spectrum hemp oil, which stimulates your dog’s natural anti-inflammatory properties. Full-spectrum hemp oil has been shown in studies to significantly increase the immune system’s capacity to fight inflammation, which has a variety of positive effects on the health of dogs.
Full-spectrum CBD
Full-spectrum hemp oil is advised because, in addition to CBD, it also contains a number of other advantageous plant compounds that interact with your dog’s cannabinoid system. The overall health of your dog may not benefit as much from products known as isolates because they remove these other beneficial compounds to isolate the CBD.
Unlike the cannabis plant used to make marijuana, which contains psychoactive levels of THC, hemp used for CBD is a non-psychoactive plant, making it completely safe for dogs to consume. When traveling with your CBD products, be sure to check local laws because while CBD is legal in Tennessee, it is not in all states.
The FDA’s Stance on CBD Oil
Currently, the FDA disapproves of CBD oil for dogs, but many people still give their dogs A few of the most recent clinical study findings support the use of CBD oil. Although studies on the safety and efficacy of CBD oil are currently welcome by the FDA, approval may take some time.
The FDA recognizes CBD oil’s potential, but they are still unclear on its safety. And they also don’t want you to use CBD to treat serious diseases when you should take your dog to the vet for proper veterinarian care.
Before giving your dog a CBD product, you should always consult your veterinarian.
Why Dogs Need CBD
Any dog, even one that is completely healthy, can benefit from CBD! Some health conditions that can be improved are:
Epilepsy
A study found that CBD oil of 2.5 mg twice daily can reduce seizure frequency by 33%. Two dogs were removed from the study because they developed ataxia, despite the fact that the majority of the study’s dogs showed no negative behavioral effects.
Osteoarthritis
Clinical studies on cannabidiol treatment in osteoarthritic dogs found that 2 mg of CBD oil twice a day can significantly decrease pain and increase activity for dogs with arthritis. CBD oil had minimal to no side effects compared to NSAIDs, which have negative gastrointestinal effects.
For dogs with osteoarthritis, CBD oil develops into a practical, safe substitute for NSAIDs. An oral CBD oil tincture was the most convenient way to dose during the study. Quick absorption is possible with this technique.
Pain, Inflammation, and Soreness
Dogs’ reactions to discomfort brought on by an injury, aging, or a chronic illness can differ. Sometimes dogs show more subtle signs of pain by moving reluctantly or withdrawing from social contact. CBD oil may reduce pain and inflammation, allowing your dog to increase activity and sociability.
Studies are finding that CBD can reduce chronic pain and inflammation when adequately dosed. You should consult your vet about the proper dosage for your dog.
Anxiety
There are certain dog breeds that are more prone to anxiety than others, and the majority of dogs can experience anxiety due to their surroundings and separation anxiety. Pacing, panting, licking, trembling, hiding, urinating, and barking are common symptoms of anxiety.
To help their dogs cope with anxiety, many owners offer their dogs CBD oil because studies have found that CBD oil can have a calming effect on animals. These doses were at 2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg, which showed a reduction in anxious behavior. Higher doses had negligible impact.
How to Give CBD
If you want to give your pet CBD, there are several methods that you can use to administer CBD oil to a dog:
Place the Product Directly in the Mouth
This is regarded as one of the simplest and most effective ways to administer CBD to your dog. Apply CBD oil to your dog’s mouth directly, or you could use a dropper to get the mouthful of CBD for your pet. It should be noted that most CBD oil products are dosed. This might depend on how many drops you need to give your dog, the severity of the condition, and the dog’s size or weight. Continue using this approach if your dog accepts it. Just keep in mind to treat your dog gently; avoid gagging or squeezing their mouth too tightly. Give your pet a treat right away to encourage good behavior as well!
According to studies, the best way for your dog to absorb CBD oil for the best results is by giving it to him directly by mouth. Because a dog’s gastrointestinal tract can react differently depending on the breed, while treats and other methods can be effective, an oil tincture is best for absorption.
Mix the CBD With Food
If there’s one thing all dogs have in common, it’s that they LOVE food, and could eat all day if we let them. These four-legged animals will quickly clear their bowls if you feed them their favorite meal. If you want to give your dog CBD, then you can add CBD oil to his or her’s favorite meal. This helps to ensure that they will consume all the CBD.
This method usually works because the taste of With their food’s flavor, CBD is concealed. Dry foods are highly effective in masking the texture as well as the taste of the CBD product. Most wet foods may not thoroughly blend with this organic chemical compound. Your pet might immediately notice a change in the texture and flavor of their regular food as a result. Verify the food will pass for your dog’s regular food in order to avoid any confusion.
When you are mixing this cannabis compound with food, start by using a smaller dose. As time goes by, you can gradually increase the dose. It’s important to note that when you are adding the oil to food, give it a few minutes so that it can thoroughly soak in. You can proceed to feed your dog after that.
Mix It With Something Tasty
Since adding enough CBD oil to a treatment can be challenging, it might be simpler to combine CBD oil with a tasty substance, like peanut butter (so long as the peanut butter doesn’t contain xylitol, a sweetener that is toxic to dogs). Simply thoroughly combine the recommended dosage of CBD with the tasty substance and feed it to your dog as usual, whether that be from a spoon or in a treat to keep them occupied.
Present CBD Oil as a Treat
Many dog owners use dog treats to administer CBD to their canine companions so they can enjoy the benefits of CBD for dogs. This works best with porous dog treats because they can absorb CBD oil better than flat or rounded dog treats. When you have the right amount of CBD, apply it to the dog treat and let it sit for a while so it can absorb. To simplify the process, you can even use a dropper.
Or, of course, you can purchase CBD-infused pet treats. These are preferred for a variety of factors, including the fact that you won’t have to waste time applying the correct amount of CBD yourself!
Dilute the CBD Oil With Water
Your dog may have difficulty taking CBD tinctures, which are typically taken under the tongue. However, you can replace this method by diluting the CBD oil in water. Understand that quality CBD Oil is usually almost tasteless and odorless. You can add the oil to your pet’s water without them knowing. Just make sure that you put the appropriate dosage so that at the end of the day, your pet will get all the benefits of CBD.
Please take note that if your pet doesn’t drink water frequently, this method might not work. You can’t be certain that your dog will receive the correct dosage required for the oil to be effective by diluting it. And you’ll need to be careful to replace the water each time rather than adding more water and oil that might change the dosage.
However, if you have a dog who is extremely thirsty and you know it will drink all the water at once, this method will work for them.
Use Homemade Treats
It’s possible to make your dog treats from home. You know what your dog enjoys and dislikes as a pet owner. You can add or replace CBD oil in any recipe that you are using. This is especially effective when you are frying the treats.
Don’t add CBD oil to baked goods. The CBD oil may evaporate during the baking process. As a result, your dog might not reap the full rewards.
How Long Does It Take CBD to Start Working?
For CBD to start working, allow 30-45 minutes. Because there are fewer ingredients for furry bellies to break down first, oils typically start working a little quicker than biscuits or treats. The effectiveness of the two, however, is identical.
How Long Does CBD Last For?
Each dose, whether taken orally or as chews lasts between 4 and 8 hours. That’s a wide range, we know, but depending on the size, activity level, breed, and severity of the symptoms in your pet, the timeframe can vary greatly. However, it’s generally true that older puppies take longer to digest food than younger ones.
Find a Quality Cbd Product That Your Dog Will Definitely Love
As a pet owner, you know what flavors your dog loves the most. The best thing about CBD oil is that it’s versatile with its flavors. It is now simple to find a flavor that your pet will enjoy. Apart from the natural flavor, you can find CBD in the form of chicken nuggets, salmon, coconut-infused or cheese-infused Among other things, CBD oil, bacon flavor, and mint. The taste and texture of CBD are typically covered up with the aid of these flavors.
Examine the Quality of the CBD Oil
You want to purchase CBD oil products for dogs that derive from the industrial hemp plant because they should have little to no THC and should be safe for your dog. You’ll want to ensure the CBD Oil comes from a legal, reputable supplier that has been tested for safety. Additionally, you should confirm that it is free of toxins, fungicides, and pesticides.
CBD Dosage for Dogs
Regardless of how to decide to give CBD to your dog, it’s important to consider the dosage. The FDA does not regulate the selling and manufacturing process of CBD oil, which means that there is no universal dosage.
So how do you figure out how much CBD your dog needs? The crucial factors that can help determine the right dosage include:
- Weight
- The severity of their medical condition
- other elements, including their diet that day, their digestion, etc.
Most people, however, usually take weight into account when giving CBD oil to dogs. All you need to know is how much your pet weighs.
The general rule of thumb is 1-3mg of CBD per 10lbs of body weight. So, for instance, a 30lb dog can start with 3mg of CBD and increase to 9mg as necessary.
Keep in mind that larger dogs require more CBD oil, and vice versa.
If you know the weight in kilograms:
- The correct dosage can be calculated by multiplying 0.5 by the dog’s weight in kilograms. For instance, if your dog weighs 10 kg, he or she will require approximately 5 mg of CBD oil twice daily.
If you know the weight in pounds:
- pets weighing up to 20 pounds. or less: approximately 2.5 mg per ml of 75 mg CBD bottle.
- between 21 and 50 pounds: about 5 mg per ml of 150 mg CBD oil bottle.
- 10 mg per ml of a 300 mg bottle of CBD oil for people weighing 51 to 75 pounds.
- Over 75 lbs: 20 mg per ml of a 600 mg bottle of CBD oil.
Note: the larger the dog, the more CBD oil they need, and vice-versa.
Which CBD Product Should I Give My Pet?
The diet, preferences, and frequency of use of your pet must be taken into consideration when choosing a CBD product.
Find products that offer an appropriate amount of CBD by first determining how much and how frequently you want to give it to your pet. Most products will list the total CBD content of the product as well as the amount of CBD in each serving.
For instance, you would begin by giving a 50-pound dog 10 mg of CBD twice daily, for a total of 20 mg of CBD per day.
In this illustration, a bottle of 100 mg of CBD oil would provide 5 days’ worth of CBD, which is ineffective for a dog this size. A bottle of our 600mg CBD oil, on the other hand, provides you with a 30-day supply.
Side Effects of CBD Oil on Dogs
Most dogs will react differently to CBD oil. It’s critical to start your dog on the lowest dose and then gradually give more based on your dog’s reaction to the Some dogs may experience some side effects from CBD oil, whereas others may react more strongly. Possible side effects include:
- Lowered Blood Pressure: If CBD temporarily lowers your dog’s blood pressure, your dog might experience lightheadedness.
- Drowsiness: Higher doses may cause some dogs to fall asleep. Make sure to administer the appropriate dose of CBD oil for the size of your dog. Reduce the CBD oil dose if your dog starts to nod off too much.
- Dry Mouth: Your dog may become extremely thirsty as a result of CBD oil’s ability to reduce salivation.
- Vomiting: Vomiting is possible, though it’s rare. If so, stop giving your dog CBD and speak with your veterinarian.
- Soft Stool: If your dog’s stool softens, you may want to stop giving them CBD oil, or at least reduce how much they are taking.
FAQ
Can Too Much CBD Hurt My Dog?
Animals and humans both tolerate CBD well and it is generally regarded as safe. It cannot be overdosed on fatally by a dog. However, CBD can be overdosed and cause a few mild side effects, such as dry mouth, lethargy, appetite fluctuation, and diarrhea. Be patient and calm if your dog exhibits any CBD symptoms.
How Do You Know If the CBD Oil is Working on Dogs?
If your dog is given a proper dose of CBD oil, you should notice a more calm, relaxed demeanor within 30 minutes or an hour. Additionally, after you’ve been giving your dog the same dose of CBD for a few days or weeks, you’ll start to notice its advantages more clearly
What Are the Pros and Cons of CBD for Dogs?
Pro 1: The majority of veterinarians concur that CBD benefits animals.
Pro 2: Studies on CBD use in animals have produced encouraging findings.
Pro 3. CBD has been used successfully by pet owners to treat their animals.
Con 1: CBD pet products are not subject to regulation.
Con 2: There is insufficient scientific evidence to support giving CBD to animals.
Con 3: Taking CBD instead of prescription medication could hurt animals.
Wrapping Up
CBD is a highly beneficial organic compound. Most dog owners use it because it works well in treating a variety of health issues in dogs. Note that the efficacy of CBD varies depending on the type of medical condition, severity, and mode of delivery. Although the effects of oral administration may take hours, it’s usually the best form. With that in mind, your dog will definitely experience prolonged benefits from this compound.
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