CBD Oil for Dogs: What You Need to Know
Every long-time dog owner knows the feeling. It’s the Fourth of July and the constant firework explosions are making your dog hunker in fear under the bed, shaking uncontrollably. Or your once super active dog is trying to run around your backyard like he or she used to but is failing due to debilitating arthritis. For all of us pet lovers, it’s anything but easy to see them slowing down.
Instead of feeling helpless and watching your dog suffer though, there’s a solution that could significantly improve your ailing dog’s quality of life: CBD oil for canines.
What is CBD Oil?
Cannabidiol oil, also referred to as CBD, is a therapeutic substance derived from hemp plants. CBD oil has been used by humans for thousands of years to treat a variety of health problems such as insomnia, pain, seizures, and nausea. And nowadays, more and more pet owners are realizing the health-boosting CBD benefits for dogs.
We know what you are thinking, and don’t worry. CBD oil derived from Industrial Hemp is different from Marijuana cannabis as it is non-psychoactive. So your dog won’t be at the table begging even more due to a bad case of the munchies.
What are the CBD Benefits for Dogs?
In general, the health benefits dogs can get from taking CBD oil are very similar to that of humans. So in addition to the ones mentioned above, the top CBD benefits for dogs include treating anxiety, reducing inflammation, relieving joint pain, boosting immune system support, promoting better heart health, and increasing appetite.
In particular, stress caused by loud noises and separation anxiety are two of the most common problems that push pet owners to choose CBD oil as a treatment for their dogs. In the former case, loud noises such as fireworks or thunder often trigger a dog’s internal adrenaline and stress hormones—aka its “flight” reaction. CBD oils can connect to your dog’s endocannabinoid receptors and create a calming and sedating effect that eases its anxiety.
And the same holds true for other CBD oil for treatments for dogs as well. The multitude of compounds in CBD oil can play a huge role in balancing your dog’s overall health, not just help it cope with certain ailments.
Does CBD Oil for Dogs Actually Work
Sure, a lot more experimentation and research needs to be done to know for an absolute fact that CBD oil is beneficial for dogs, but from all indications, the results so far are extremely promising.
Two studies in particular highlight the efficacy of treating dogs with CBD oil. The first, carried out by Cornell University, found that using CBD oil to treat arthritis in dogs decreased pain and increased activity. The second study from Colorado State University found that treating epilepsy in dogs with CBD oil led to a reduction in the frequency of seizures in nearly 90% of the dogs tested.
Is CBD Oil Safe for Dogs?
In both of the studies mentioned above, there were no negative side effects observed by the researchers. On top of that, much of the anecdotal evidence about dogs having negative reactions to cannabinoids come in cases where the dog had too high of a dose of CBD or actually had psychoactive cannabinoids containing THC. In both cases, dogs might show signs of lethargy or vomiting, which is why it’s important to always give your dog the correct dosage amount.
Things to Consider Before Purchasing CBD oil for Dogs
To ensure you get the most CBD benefits for your dog—while always erring on the side of safety—it’s paramount that you always buy high-quality, all-natural, USA-grown CBD products from a reputable site.
Why are those things so important? Well, a lot of the times when people buy CBD oil for dogs from foreign and/or unregulated sellers, they often get low-quality CBD extracts that—in the best case—just don’t work effectively. In the worst case, these low-grade CBD oils contain harmful additives that could negatively affect your furry friend’s health.
Always, always, always make sure you are buying CBD oil specifically created for treating dogs. That way, dosing recommendations will be accurate and easy-to-follow.
