Can CBD Help Dogs?
We give a lot of love and attention to our cats and dogs. They’re an extension of our family, and enjoy our undivided attention!
So it comes as no surprise that when these little creatures exhibit pain and anxiety, it is deeply felt.
It isn’t uncommon for pets to go through many of the same problems that humans experience, and this includes pain, anxiety, mental disorders, cancer, and so much more.
This is where cannabidiol oil (CBD) comes in. Any animal with an endocannabinoid system can greatly benefit from consuming cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.
CBD sparks the most interest among scientists because it does what traditional drugs fail to: alleviate debilitating and painful symptoms without causing additional side effects.
Do keep in mind that CBD does not cure cancer, AIDS, or other immunodeficiency disorders. The compound only alleviates the symptoms of these diseases and provides relief from pain.
As a reminder, cannabidiol is the non-psychoactive cannabinoid in the hemp plant. Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC is the psychoactive compound that gets you high.
How Does CBD Affect Cats and Dogs?
Scientists say that CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid receptors located in the peripheral and central nervous systems, which helps in maintaining proper balance and keeping the body in a healthy state.
CBD for dogs can be used to treat a variety of seizures, vomiting, control pain, nausea, stimulate appetite, manage anxiety, and arthritis.
No two endocannabinoid systems are the same, and individual experiences will vary. This means you should carefully observe your pet’s reaction to CBD.
Benefits of CBD For Dogs
The benefits of CBD are staggering, but we’ll uncover some of the most common issues plaguing pets: chronic pain, anxiety, and joint pain.
1) Chronic Pain
Studies have shown that rats suffered less pain caused by cuts or incisions when using CBD.
One such study showed the effects of CBD on chronic pain and concluded that neuropathic and spinal pain were significantly suppressed following administration of CBD. The study was performed on rodents.
2) Anxiety
Pets frequently undergo anxiety due to loneliness and separation from their owners. Studies show that administering 400mg CBD oil helps in reducing the anxiety levels in human beings. This can be applied to dogs and cats.
3) Joint Pain
It is not uncommon for pets to undergo extreme pain due to inflammation. This causes their joints to ache all the time, causing profound annoyance and even aggression.
CBD can provide a much-needed relief from joint pain, including arthritis in dogs. It reduces their pain levels and helps them finally get up and move around with greater freedom!
How to Administer CBD to Pets
Unfortunately, pets don’t take kindly to new treats they haven’t tried before. And chances are, your dog or cat would refuse to drink or eat CBD treats because they might not enjoy the taste or texture.
If your pet is giving you a hard time, here are a few ideas to safely administer CBD into their body.
i) Mix it With a Treat
Pets love to gobble up treats without a thought in the world. All you have to do is sneak your dog’s CBD oil (with the right dosage) into the treat and they’ll never catch on to it! Just don’t do it in front of them or they’ll wise up.
Make sure the treat itself is healthy and does not contribute to their current ailment. The treat should have a strong flavor to mask the taste of CBD oil.
While CBD treats are a win-win situation, there is one problem you have to contend with: the bioavailability.
The total amount of CBD entering their bloodstream is greatly reduced, which means you will have to experiment with a higher dosage.
There are several CBD dog treats in Canada to choose from.
ii) Find an Appropriate CBD Product
Many CBD products are designed specifically to cater to your pet’s specific palette. They share the same flavors and textures as many of those treats but with CBD oil infused into them.
iii) Directly Force it Into Their Mouth
If your pet is too smart and notices what you’ve been up to, then your only best bet is to forcefully feed them CBD directly.
Use a dropper or spoon to effectively introduce CBD into their bloodstream and help them out. You might feel a little bad about it, but it’s okay in the long run.
iv) Add CBD into their Food
Carefully sneak CBD oil into their food and treat it as usual. Most dogs and cats will clean up the bowl without worrying about a thing in the world.
It is much better to treat them a holistic diet than a few treats to ensure they stay healthy.
A few things you should remember though: wet foods may not accept CBD oil and may filter them in the bowl or plate.
Make sure your pet is actually getting CBD into their bodies by carefully observing the plate. Some pets, especially dogs, are known to do this.
What are the Side Effects of CBD?
Researchers have identified the following side effects that could be triggered in your pets, these include:
- Changes in mood
- Changes in Appetite
- Drowsiness
- Anxiety
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Dry Mouth
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
It is crucial to monitor your pet’s actions and behavior after you administer CBD into their system. If you feel something is not right with them after consuming CBD oil, they could be experiencing a few mild side effects.
These will subside you discontinue use of the hemp oil for dogs. Side effects are a sign that your initial dose is slightly higher than what is required.
Once the side effects have subsided, try experimenting with a lower dose.
You can gradually increase the dose to determine their tolerance for CBD before side effects start kicking in.
How Much CBD Oil Should I Give to My Dog?
The total dosage of hemp oil for dogs depends mostly on their weight. Experiment with a low dose and observe for 30 to 60 minutes. If you don’t notice a change, gradually increase the dosage until you observe improvements.
- The minimum dosage for pets weighing 10 pounds is 2 drops of 1 mg CBD. Strong doses of 10 drops of 5 mg CBD should be used if you don’t notice improvements.
- Increase the minimum dosage by 1 mg of CBD (2 extra drops) for every 10-pound increase in pet weight. The strong doses should increase by 5 mg CBD (10 extra drops).
- This means for a pet weighing 40 pounds, the min dosage is 8 drops of 4 mg CBD at the low end and a max dosage of 40 drops of 20 mg CBD at the high end.
Safely Administering CBD oil to Pets
The hemp oil industry is still largely unregulated, which means it is entirely possible for certain companies to advertise false amounts of CBD.
You should carefully research your product before choosing them for your pet.
You should target a tincture that is grown organically and non-GMO certified with zero (or 0.3%) THC.
It should be tested for things like heavy metals and bacteria.
Where Can You Buy CBD For Dogs Online in Canada?
Right here! At Magnolia, we love our furry friends.
That’s why we’ve sourced the best CBD pet wellness products for our Magnolia members. And don’t worry, these products will not get Fido stoned.
Start shopping for CBD oil for your dog on our online store.
