We talk about it here regularly, CBD has many benefits for the health of humans, but did you know that it can also do good to your dog? Although the main CBD market is for both men and women, many products are coming out on the veterinary market, especially for dogs. This does not mean that CBD will not be suitable for cats or other pets but today we will focus on our canine friends.
Can CBD be dangerous for my dog?
To understand whether the use of CBD in pets is harmful, it is important to know that CBD has no psychoactive effects. The main cannabinoids found in cannabis plants are THC and CBD. THC is psychoactive, but CBD has medicinal, relaxing, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also beneficial for epilepsy and anxiety. Before giving CBD to your dog, it is important to know that you should ALWAYS consult a veterinarian or specialist, because not all animal organisms are the same and not all animals benefit from the same treatments.
How does CBD affect the dog's body?
Animals that have a spine are classified as chordates and have an endocannabinoid system, just like humans. Endocannabinoids (ECS) work by interacting with their corresponding receptors, called endocannabinoid receptors. The most important internal receptors are CB1 and CB2: CB1 mainly influences brain activity, and CB2 influences the activity of the immune system and interactions with the body's tissues and organ systems. Therefore, products containing the cannabinoid CBD can be used for almost all types of pets, such as dogs, cats, horses, and anyone else with a spine.
Thus, taking CBD for animals can potentially act on all aspects addressed by the ECS (mood, motor skills, sleep, appetite in particular). CBD could therefore have a role to play in cases of epilepsy, anxiety, stress, osteoarthritis, whether the consumer is human, canine or feline.
What beneficial effects can CBD have on my dog?
While there is no definitive scientific data on the use of CBD oil to treat dogs, anecdotal evidence provided by dog owners suggests that it can treat pain, especially neuropathic pain, and help control seizures.
According to Dr. Klein, the best CBD products for dogs and cats are also used because of its anti-inflammatory properties, cardiac benefits, anti-nausea effects, appetite stimulation, anti-anxiety impact, and possible anti-cancer benefits, although there is no conclusive data on this use.
The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) is sponsoring a study through colorado state university's College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences to evaluate the use of CBD in treatment-resistant epileptic dogs. The CHF hopes that this study will be the first to obtain scientific data on the use of CBD in dogs with this disease.
By introducing CBD-based therapies for animals, we can counter the pathologies or afflictions they suffer from in a natural and safe way.
CBD in pets works against epileptic seizures. These are interruptions in the electrical activities of the brain that can cause violent shaking in animals. Several studies have shown that CBD significantly reduces the number and intensity of seizures in pets.
Another benefit of CBD is that it relieves pain. The vanilloid receptor of the brain is responsible for the manifestation of pain. When CBD is consumed, it regulates and interacts with neurons and blocks pain receptors, thereby relieving discomfort. Ideal for elderly pets, having undergone operations or suffering from chronic pain.
To combat anxiety and depression, CBD is a great ally. Many pets suffer from anxiety when their masters are away for long periods of time or when there are fireworks at parties. Consuming CBD can help the brain's serotonin and adenosine receptors function properly. A healthy diet is essential for the health of our pets. CBD can decrease nausea and stimulate appetite through interaction with several neurons in your pet's brain.
Finally, studies on stopping the growth of cancer cells in chordate animals treated with CBD oil are increasingly promising.
CBD for dogs – What Risks?
When it comes to risks for dogs with CBD, consider that if your dog is being treated medically for another condition, the safe concentration of cannabidiol and the drug in question may be altered as they interact in undesirable ways. That's why it's important to inform your veterinarian before making the decision to use CBD. Since each dog may react differently, it's important to start with the lowest dose, monitor your dog's results, and adjust accordingly. Most products offer dosage suggestions. Also think that young animals need less CBD than older ones. But other than that, know that CBD has little risk for your dog. However, there are symptoms that could alert you and lead you to question your veterinarian.
- Dry mouth : Research has shown that CBD can decrease saliva production. For dogs, this is manifested by increased thirst.
- Low blood pressure : High doses of CBD are known to cause a temporary drop in blood pressure. Even if this drop is small, it can cause a brief feeling of dizziness.
- Drowsiness : Dog owners have used CBD to treat anxiety. The calming effect of CBD can also cause mild drowsiness, especially when using higher doses.
Are there any side effects of CBD on dogs?
There are not really any studies on the side effects of CBD for dogs but extrapolating those that exist in humans we can mention:
- Decreased saliva : it can manifest itself in an increase in thirst.
- Low blood pressure : High doses of CBD are known to cause a temporary drop in blood pressure. Although the fall is small, it can create a brief feeling of dizziness.
- Drowsiness : May cause mild drowsiness when higher doses are used.
- Elevation of alkaline phosphatase in blood tests : Many scientific studies have shown that, when administered at recommended and safe doses, CBD causes an elevation of a significant value for the liver in blood tests, called alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Although it is not yet known exactly whether the elevation of this liver value has any medical significance.
Other effects considered negative that we might observe are excessive panting, lethargy, vomiting, mild urinary incontinence or loss of balance. If your dog has any of these symptoms, it may be an overdose.
As any medication or supplement we give our dog carries a risk of reaction, it is always advisable, during the first administration, to start with small amounts, and then closely monitor the effects. And as always, consult your veterinarian first.
How to give CBD to your dog?
- CBD oil for dogs is usually administered orally.
- The most common format in which CBD oil for dogs can be found is in the form of a dropper.
- Avoid putting the dropper directly into your dog's mouth to avoid contamination. If this is done without precaution, clean it well afterwards.
- You can use a spoon or syringe to give it to your dog.
- If possible, try to administer it without food, for better absorption.
- For proper storage, keep the product in the refrigerator and avoid direct exposure to sunlight.
- Once opened, for use in the following months.
CBD for dogs – What dosage?
Dr. Robert Silver, an American veterinarian graduated from Colorado State University and an expert in CBD therapies for dogs and medical cannabis, who has conducted extensive research on the effects of medical cannabis and CBD in animals, recommends a maximum dose of 1 mg of CBD per kg of body weight. The maximum dose for a dog weighing 10 kg would be 10 mg of CBD per day.
He recommends starting with a dose of 0.1 mg/kg every 12 hours (twice a day), the lowest dose for a week, and observing the effects. Often, a low dose gives good results. If no effects are observed, it recommends increasing to 0.25 mg/kg twice daily or increasing as needed.
How do I calculate the CBD dosage for my dog?
Example for a product dosed at 3% with a concentration of 30 mg / ml (1.2 mg / drop).
If your dog weighs 10 kg, starting with the lowest dose of 0.1 mg/kg, he will receive 1 mg twice a day. Taking into account the concentration of each drop (1.2 mg/drop), we calculate: 1/1.2 = 0.8 drops, or about one drop every 12 hours.
Be careful to consult your veterinarian before dosing your dog's CBD.
How to choose a good CBD oil for your dog?
There are a few things to keep in mind when buying CBD oil. Not all oils are the same; a high-quality CBD oil will be more effective and safer.
- Purity and quality: The manufacturer must provide a certificate indicating the amount of CBD contained in the product. Many CBD products contain only small amounts of CBD mixed with other ingredients, which decreases the purity of the product.
- Although each product comes with a dosage guide from the manufacturer, knowing the exact amount in mg of CBD in the product per ml will allow you to better tailor the dosage to your dog.
- It is also important to make sure that it contains less than 0.2% THC.
- Make sure it does not contain pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, heavy metals or solvents.
If you and your veterinarian decide to try CBD as a treatment for your dog, there are a few things to keep in mind when buying CBD oil. Not all oils are created equal; you'll want a high-quality CBD oil to have a better chance of it working.
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- Look for organic products. If CBD oil is not organic, it should at least not contain pesticides, fungicides or solvents.
- Don't just buy based on price. Higher quality and purity are usually associated with a higher cost. A cheaper option could contain toxic substances such as pesticides, herbicides or heavy metals. Make sure your CBD oil is free of additives.
- Get the detailed analysis of the product. The manufacturer must provide a certificate attesting to the amount of CBD contained in the product. Many CBD products contain only small amounts of CBD. You should also make sure that the product contains little or no THC.
- Buy CBD in liquid form. You can buy dog treats that contain CBD, but the best form to administer is an oil or tincture. This way, you can adjust your dog's dose drip by drop.
Video report on CBD for Dogs