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CBD for Dogs: Every Detail You Need to Know
CBD is becoming increasingly popular. It’s now commonplace to find cannabidiol in drinks, skincare products, snacks, and food. And while people use CBD for multiple reasons, did you know that cannabidiol could also enhance your dog’s quality of life?
What is CBD?
CBD is short for cannabidiol. It’s one of many cannabinoids in the hemp plant that people use for medicinal and supplementary purposes. Unlike THC, the most well-known cannabinoid, CBD does not have any psychoactive properties. It’s a non-intoxicating molecule that helps with sleep, anxiety, depression, skin conditions, and more.
How does CBD affect dogs?
Currently, researchers haven’t studied CBD’s effects on dogs. However, scientists do know that dogs have an endocannabinoid system just like humans do. This endocannabinoid system helps regulate a wide variety of functions, including sleep, mood, appetite, fertility, and reproduction.
When dogs take CBD, the receptors in their endocannabinoid system will interact with the molecule. Specifically, CBD will bind to the receptors in the central and peripheral nervous system, which helps the body stay healthy and balanced.
Will CBD get your dog high?
Because CBD is a non-intoxicating compound, it won’t get your dog high. CBD pet products come from industrial hemp plants, which have high levels of CBD and extremely low levels of THC.
Marijuana strains, on the other hand, have large amounts of THC and virtually no CBD. That’s why products from these strains produce a psychoactive effect. But because CBD pet products only come from industrial hemp plants, you don’t have to worry about your dog feeling high.
In fact, CBD products can only have 0.3% of THC or less to be federally legal. That small amount doesn’t produce an intoxicating effect, so your pet can enjoy CBD without any worries.
What are the potential side effects of CBD for dogs?
Thankfully, dogs should experience little to no side effects from using CBD. Again, formal research on CBD for dogs is currently non-existent. But based on the side effects that humans can feel from CBD, you can get a good idea of the potential side effects that dogs may experience.
Some of the common side effects of CBD are the following:
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
However, even though CBD can have minor side effects, the World Health Organization says “CBD is generally well tolerated with a good safety profile.” The organization also reported that adverse effects may be a result of interaction with existing medications.
What’s the best kind of CBD for a dog?
As with humans, your dog’s needs will determine what type of CBD you should purchase. If your dog’s condition requires high quantities of cannabidiol, then a high-potency full-spectrum CBD product might be best.
However, if you’d prefer to avoid a full-spectrum CBD product because you want to bypass the hint of THC, it’s okay to purchase a high-potency CBD isolate as well.
Regardless of what you choose, the most important thing to consider is the CBD brand. With so many fake products on the market, you must pick a credible company that carries reputable CBD products for dogs.
Our CEO, Kat Merryfield, recently spoke with a vet who explained that many of the dog owners who come into her office have purchased CBD products for their pup. But none of the remedies have improved their dog’s condition, and most of the pet owners had purchased products from the top brands in the industry.
With so many unreliable options on the market, Kat decided to create a pet line with the vet and a holistic vet tech. But if you’ve been disappointed by a CBD pet product or have heard rumors about its ability to work, should you even purchase another CBD remedy for your dog?
Why do pet owners want to use CBD for their dogs?
While there are a number of ineffective CBD pet products on the market, you should still search for the best CBD remedy for your pup.
One standout reason is medication. Most doctors prescribe medication to treat dogs with various conditions, but like many medications, there are negative side effects. Dogs can experience vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach ulcers after consuming certain medicines.
What’s worse is that the side effects aren’t worth the worry. More often than not, the medication doesn’t alleviate your dog’s anxiety, arthritis, or pain. However, cannabidiol can perk your dog right up.
Our CEO knows a woman whose dog was riddled with arthritis and tumors. Doctors said the pup only had a few months to live. But when the pet owner decided to give her dog cannabidiol, she not only saw improvement, but she also added two years to her dog’s life. Today, her dog is alive and happy!
But that doesn’t mean everything has been smooth sailing. On top of the woman’s struggle to find consistent CBD products, she also couldn’t get the remedy into her dog’s system. Even if she found a CBD product that worked, getting the product into her dog’s body was always a fight.
Top 4 CBD Delivery Methods for Pet Owners
Picture this: You’ve figured out what type of CBD pet product you want to purchase. You’ve researched various brands. You’ve made trips to multiple stores in search for the right CBD remedy for your four-legged friend only to have your dog refuse to take it.
Cannabidiol is only beneficial if your dog absorbs the product, but this can sometimes be tricky. If you want to get the remedy into your dog’s body, here are four delivery methods you can use:
- The best way to deliver cannabidiol is through a mucous membrane. For a dog, it’s more beneficial to get the cannabidiol underneath their lip. So, if you go with this method, pull down your dog’s lip and squirt some cannabidiol in it. Then, rub the sides of their face like you would when you hold their cheeks and say, “Good dog!” You don’t have to do this for very long.
- Mix the cannabidiol with a little bit of peanut butter or something that is going to last slightly longer in the dog’s mouth. Then, put the mixture into the dog’s mouth so the cannabidiol can absorb through the mucous membrane of the cheek.
- The ear is another excellent spot for cannabidiol absorption. There are many venous areas along the ear, so massaging cannabidiol into your dog’s ear is a great way to deliver the product.
- If your CBD product has a subdermal carrier agent, then apply the product to the back of your dog’s neck. However, please remember that without a subdermal carrier agent, the cannabidiol will not absorb effectively, and you will have better luck using one of the first three methods above.
Once you’ve learned the best method for administering the cannabidiol, it’s time to think about the CBD dosage for your dog and how frequently you should provide the remedy.
CBD Dosage for Dogs
Much like humans, each dog is different. Different dogs need different amounts of cannabidiol at different frequencies for different reasons. And it’s important to remember that the dosage doesn’t necessarily depend on your dog’s size or breed.
The safest recommendation is to figure out what dose of cannabidiol works for your dog. But start with the lowest dose suggested on the bottle. Then, raise it by a few drops every day until you see an improvement or reduction in symptoms.
CBD for Dogs with Various Conditions
If you’re giving your dog cannabidiol for several conditions, (for example, your dog has anxiety as well as arthritis), you may notice one improves faster than the other.
When our CEO started using cannabidiol, her quality of life enhanced little by little. Bodies repair different things at different times, so don’t expect your dog to show improvement in every area simultaneously.
For the first eight weeks, give your dog some cannabidiol twice a day. Then, for upkeep, drop the frequency to once a day. As long as you’re consistent, your dog will start to enjoy life again.
CBD for Dogs in Specific Situations
Some dogs may only need cannabidiol for specific scenarios. For example, if your dog gets really bad anxiety on holidays that involve fireworks, then keep a bottle of CBD and give them a dosage 30 minutes before the noise starts.
Finding the Right CBD Dose Depends on the Dog
Finding the right CBD product for your dog and administering the proper dosage can seem like a hassle—but it’s worth the trouble to improve your dog’s quality of life. With diligent research and patience, your dog can have a full and vibrant livelihood. It just creates a bit of trial and error, but your pup won’t mind the testing process once he or she starts to feel better.
Want to help another dog owner enhance their furry friend’s quality of life? Don’t wait – share this article with them before they purchase a CBD product that they don’t know how to!
