CBD for Dogs
If you are reading this I’m assuming you are a great mom/dad dog and want to help your pup so congrats on being a great parent! But, have you tried CBD for dogs?
I am sure you’ve heard of the craze of CBD. Ever since marijuana became legal in California (my state), companies have been taking advantage and creating many products with CBD in it. From beauty products, beverages, and now even CBD for dogs. If you haven’t heard of CBD, let me give you a quick intro.
What is CBD?
CBD is short for cannabidiol and it is a chemical compound from the cannabis plant. Since it’s found in plants, it is a naturally occurring substance. But what is it used for? Well, since it comes from cannabis or marijuana plant it is said to create a feeling of relaxation and calmness.
It is important to distinguish CBD from THC or tetrahydrocannabinol. These are the two main species found in the cannabis plant. The only difference is that THC will get you high but CBD won’t. Ok now that we are clear that CBD won’t get your pet high, let’s talk about the benefits.
Benefits of CBD for your dog
While CBD for dogs does have a lot of anti-inflammatory benefits, cardiac benefits, anti-nausea effects, appetite stimulation, anti-anxiety impact, and possible anti-cancer benefits, these have not been proven.
Here is a detailed list of some of the major benefits of CBD which can improve the health of your pet.
- Powerful Painkiller. Studies have shown that CBD can temporarily stop the absorption of anandamide, a chemical that helps dampen pain signals in the brain.
- Powerful anti-inflammatory. CBD’s anti-inflammatory effects are believed to be linked to its ability to interact with receptors in immune cells. By activating these receptors, CBD can evoke a wide variety of immune responses. One of these responses is to fight inflammation.
- CBD Reduces Anxiety and Stress. It’s important to note that CBD doesn’t just help deal with physical symptoms. Many studies have shown that CBD can help manage the symptoms of a variety of mental conditions, including anxiety.
- CBD May Slow Tumor Growth. A 2011 study conducted at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston showed that CBD can cause programmed cell death and hence inhibit the growth of breast cancer.
- CBD Promotes Homeostasis. New research suggests that the endocannabinoid system plays a key role in maintaining this balance, mainly because it is involved in such a wide variety of bodily processes. For this reason, many pet owners choose to use CBD not only as a medicine to treat a specific illness but also as a regular supplement to promote the overall health and wellbeing of their pet.
My Experience with CBD for Dogs
I have a 10-year-old Dalmatian named Tommy. (I also have two chihuahua mixed dogs but since Tommy was the sick baby, I decided to use the tincture only on him.)
Tommy’s age converts to a 60-year-old man. 😦He is the sweetest dog, loves long walks, and is pretty healthy. A couple of months ago he started having pain when getting out of bed. I could tell his body was hurting because when would try and pet him on his lower back or buttocks, he would cry. He has always been a pretty healthy dog so the first time it happened I assumed it was just his sleeping position.
After a while, I started noticing one of his paws was a little swollen. He would limp and stand on one foot because the pressure of standing would hurt him. I couldn’t bear to see him in so much pain so I decided to try CBD for dogs.
CBD for Dogs (Arthritis and inflammation)
After reading about so many great results people were having, I decided to give it a try on Tommy. I collaborated with Phyto Animal Health and decided to try their CBD tincture and CBD Cinnamon Doughnuts. I explained Tommy’s circumstances and they were nice and sent me a sample to try on him. (I am not getting paid or sponsored, these are my honest opinions.)
I started putting the tincture dose on Tommy’s food twice per day. Tommy eats in the morning and around 6 pm, so I put a full dropper on his food each time he ate. I also gave him the doughnut treats as snacks throughout the day.
Results From CBD for Dogs
After about a little less than a month from taking CBD daily, Tommy started feeling better. I noticed he stopped crying and limping like he was before. He even started to run around in the back yard without crying, something he had stopped doing while he was in pain.
When we go on car rides, he now can jump in the car with no problem; as opposed to before where he would take a long time. We get in the car, then get to our spot and walk 2 miles. I was so happy he was back to normal. 😃
I have only good things to say about CBD for dogs but not all brands are to be trusted. Only use CBD labeled “for dogs” or pets and not the ones that are for humans. Some CBD tinctures for humans come with added flavors that can be harmful to your dog. For example, chocolate is super bad for your pet and it can cause death, so be careful. Do your research and find out which brands can be trusted.
Which Brand to Choose
If you have decided to try CBD for dogs on your pet, that is great and I hope it works out well for you. Here are some tips when choosing CBD for dogs:
- Look for organic if possible. If the CBD oil is not organic, it at least should not contain pesticides, fungicides, or solvents.
- The manufacturer should provide a certificate that tells you the amount of CBD that is in the product. Many CBD oils contain only small amounts of CBD. You’ll also want to make sure there is little or no THC in the product. You don’t want your dog to get high.
- Chose CBD as a tincture. This way, you can adjust your dog’s dose drop by drop.
It is always advisable, when giving your dog something new, to start with small amounts and then closely monitor the effects. And always check with your veterinarian first.
Possible Side Effects of CBD for Dogs
- Dry mouth: Research has shown that CBD can decrease the production of saliva. For dogs, this would manifest as increased thirst.
- Lowered blood pressure: High doses of CBD have been known to cause a temporary drop in blood pressure. Even though the drop is small, it might create a brief feeling of light-headedness.
- Drowsiness: Dog owners have used CBD to treat anxiety. The calming effect of CBD can also cause slight drowsiness, especially when using higher doses.
CBD is not a Cure
Now, I would never just suggest you just mask the pain and never find out what’s really going on. It’s always better to find out what’s really the cause of the problem. Does your dog have arthritis, bone problems, inflammation problems?
Always get to the bottom of the issue. It is always advisable to consult with your Vet and make sure CBD is right for your dog.
I hope I was able to give you some useful info on CBD for dogs. I would love to hear your results and experiences with CBD for dogs or any pet you gave it to. Always remember to put your health first, or in this case your dog’s health. Congrats on being a great doggy parent. I love when I see other humans taking care of our furry ones.
PS: If your dog has fleas and you are seeking a natural way to treat them, check out my blogpost on 4 Ways to Naturally kill Fleas on Your Dog.
xoxo
Xio💚
Sources:
cannabissupplementsforpets.com
