CBD Oil for Dogs - How Does It Work?
While most people have heard about CBD and its many uses as a modern health and wellness product for a growing list of reasons, there's more to CBD than you may think. In fact, dogs (and many other pets) can also use CBD products. CBD may be an option for dogs that are recovering from surgery, battling certain ailments or illnesses, or are in need of comfort due to separation anxiety or other potential stressful events or situations they may need to deal with.
Many dog owners have gained interest in the use of CBD for reasons including pain and inflammation, separation anxiety or situational anxiety, nausea, and general wellness needs for their aging loved ones. CBD isn't some magical cure, but it can help improve the quality of life for your dog, and the best part is that it's better than other pain pills and medications that may cause your pup to deal with a long list of unwanted side effects.
CBD Oil for Dogs is Gaining Popularity
Sure, it's not like every veterinarian is suggesting that owners start giving their dogs CBD oil to help them sleep or deal with separation anxiety, but it is becoming a popular question among dog owners that are sick of conventional medicines that typically make things worse. In fact, almost two-thirds of veterinarians report being asked about CBD oil at least once a month.
While owners may be slightly ahead of the curve on this one, veterinarians are coming around to the possibility of CBD as an alternative to traditional medicines. States are, too. The state of California actually went so far as to pass a law that prevents regulators from penalizing vets that discuss CBD options with their clients. Other states are also looking to pass similar laws that protect the discussion of CBD oils and other products as a viable treatment for dogs and pets.
That said, it's still uncommon for vets to recommend CBD oil for dogs or other pets because of the possibility of penalties and license suspension in some states, and other vets may simply lack the experience with CBD to make a helpful recommendation at this point. Even with states that have recreational cannabis laws on the books, most guidance and regulation has to do with the human consumption of cannabis products, so odds are your vet may be prohibited from advising you on the best course of action for your pet.
What We Know About CBD in Dogs
Research on CBD oil and other products for dogs is still in its infancy, but what we do know is that CBD has been shown to be an effective treatment for anxiety, epilepsy, irritable bowel disease and chronic pain in humans. One such study on the effects of CBD in dogs showed that four out of five dogs with osteoarthritis had an improvement in their pain and mobility after receiving a few mg of CBD per kg of body weight.
Another study on CBD oil for dogs showed that epileptic dogs had significantly fewer seizures when given CBD as opposed to receiving seizure medication or a placebo. While dogs also had a reduction with placebo and other treatments, the effects weren't as pronounced as those who received CBD.
How Can You Give CBD to Your Dog?
Because CBD comes in a variety of forms, like capsules, tinctures, treats & chews and topicals, there are many ways that you can implement CBD to your pup's health regimen. That said, one of the best is a CBD oil, which is much easier to give to dogs than dealing with messy creams or trying to get them to swallow an uncomfortable pill. Oils can be added to food and treats, or put directly in your dog's mouth to swallow. Oils tend to be the most effective because less potency is lost during metabolization in comparison to treats or capsules; and at least one study has shown that CBD oil given orally helped reduced seizures more than other CBD products.
How Much CBD Should You Give Your Dog?
At Naternal, we recommend a starting dose of approximately 4mg per every 10 pounds; however, not every dog will respond to CBD the same way, so it's always best to slowly introduce CBD to your dog until you're sure of how they'll respond to it. Starting off with a quarter or half dose can be a good idea, and then you can slowly bump up the dosing until you reach a full dose. Our CBD pet products have a helpful dosing guide on the packaging, to assist dog owners.
Choosing a CBD Oil for Your Dog
Many CBD oils are made to serve specific needs, and CBD oil for dogs is no exception. Rather than going with a CBD product made for humans, your dog will be much better off if you go with a product made specifically for dogs and other pets. Not only will the formulation be engineered for pets, but the ingredients and dosing will also be tailored to your dog's needs.
If you happen to pick up CBD oil that's made for humans, it could include ingredients that you may not want to give your dog, such as THC, which can be toxic for dogs and cats. That said, the lethal dose of THC is quite extreme, so it's more of a wellness issue than a strict health issue.
In many instances, it can be beneficial to discuss options with your vet if you're interested in giving CBD oil to your dog.
How Does CBD Affect Dogs?
While you can't really ask your dog how they're feeling after giving them CBD, you can monitor their behavior. And as their owner, you're uniquely qualified to make this determination. The most common side effect of new CBD use in dogs is mild diarrhea or upset stomach. This typically subsides within a day or two, but this is one of the main reasons why beginning with a low dose is recommended, as it slowly introduces the supplement to their body and allows for adjusting. The other most common side effect of CBD use in dogs in dry mouth, which will likely just cause them to be a bit more thirty than usual.
If you're ready to give CBD oil for dogs a try, check out our CBD for pets. As always, we suggest talking with your dog's vet prior to starting CBD to ensure there is no concern for interaction with other medications they may be taking.