Is CBD Oil Safe for Dogs? Let’s Explore
CBD is the most recognized cannabinoid obtained from cannabis. In recent years, CBD has emerged as a wellness ingredient. People from all over the world have been incorporating CBD into their lifestyles for better health. Also, CBD products like oils and tinctures have become popular as pet health supplements. But, as most information about CBD for Dogs comes from the internet, analyzing the truth often becomes difficult.
Though CBD oil has become a dog wellness trend nowadays, pet owners often wonder whether the claim made by vendors regarding its safety is accurate or merely an exaggeration. This article will explore whether CBD oil is safe for dogs and what are its health benefits.
How Does CBD Oil Affect Your Dogs?
Scientists believe CBD acts on dogs by interacting with the endocannabinoid receptors in their central and peripheral nervous systems. Currently, scientific studies have only affirmed that CBD products get metabolized in your dog’s liver. However, more studies are necessary to understand the exact mechanism of action of CBD on your pet’s physiology.
How Can CBD Oil Benefit Dog Health?
It helps relieve arthritic pain.
CBD has analgesic potential that helps relieve pain and inflammation associated with arthritis. A veterinary medicine study conducted by Cornell University indicated that a dose of 4.4mg CBD per pound of a dog significantly reduces arthritis pain and improves their quality of life. Evidence shows that pups become more energetic and active after adding CBD to their diet.
It is beneficial for skin and fur health.
The antioxidative properties of CBD help to fight against the free radicals, which cause redness and itchiness of the skin. CBD also has antimicrobial properties, which help treat skin infection and rashes, and reduces parasitic infestations.
It helps reduce seizures.
A study published by the Colorado State University indicated that CBD could be an effective therapeutic agent for reducing the frequency and severity of seizures associated with epileptic disorders.
It is beneficial for gut and heart health.
CBD oil can help relieve digestive distress. While the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD help treat bowel inflammation, the analgesic properties of CBD help reduce stomach pain in dogs. Cannabidiol is also good for your pet’s heart health. It helps improve proper blood flow and relieve hypertension.
It helps dogs cope with anxiety.
Dogs often suffer from chronic anxiety for several reasons, such as separation from owners, age, or introduction to a new situation. CBD can help them cope with anxiety by inducing a sense of calmness and relaxation. CBD oil can also help relieve irritation and confusion in aged dogs.
Is CBD Oil Safe For Dogs?
CBD Oil is a relatively new ingredient in the pet wellness market. Scientists have not yet been able to study the safety and risk profile of CBD on dogs. As of now, research regarding the ill effects and proper dosage of CBD oil for dogs for anxiety is insignificant. We do not have any dosage chart that may guide dog parents about the correct amount of CBD oil suitable for their pets.
We advise consulting your vet if you want to include CBD oil in your pup’s diet. In addition, start with a smaller dose and closely monitor its effect on your pet. If any adverse symptoms appear, discontinue using CBD oil and rush your dog to the vet. Generally, CBD oil is well-tolerated by most dogs. However, some cases of adverse reactions to CBD in dogs get reported occasionally, such as:
- Dry Mouth: CBD can affect the salivary glands in dogs and decrease saliva production. Their mouths will feel dry, and they will feel thirsty more.
- Lowered Blood pressure: Consuming CBD products can lower your pet’s blood pressure and make them feel lightheaded and dizzy.
- Drowsiness: CBD shows a sedative effect when taken in higher doses. Consuming large amounts of CBD products might cause drowsiness.
- Changes in Appetite: Evidence shows that CBD can increase or decrease your dog’s urge to eat. It may also induce nausea and vomiting in dogs.
- Changes in Mood: Though CBD is not a psychotropic substance, it can bestow a feeling of relaxation, uplift mood, and reduce anxiety in dogs. However, if consumed excessively, CBD can trigger anxiety and irritability too.
What is the Right Dosage for CBD Oil for Dogs?
Pet owners often get confined about the correct dosage of CBD oil to be given to their pets. As mentioned above, no dosing chart can come in handy for dog parents. Generally, we follow a rule of thumb of giving 1-5 mg of CBD oil every 10 pounds of your dog.
It is advisable to start with a small amount of CBD oil. For small dog breeds, you can give a dosage of 1-5 mg of CBD oil. If your dog is medium size, a dose of 5-10 mg of CBD oil should be adequate. You can give up to 12-2mg of CBD oil for large breed dogs.
How Can You Add CBD Oil To Your Dog’s Diet?
Your furry friends can often be picky eaters. They may not like something new in their diet. Thus, if you want to add CBD oil to your diet, you might have to be a little crafty. You may add a few CBD oil drops to your dog’s favorite treat or peanut butter. You can also add CBD oil to chicken broth or water. Nowadays, CBD-infused dog treats are also available in the market. You can also use topical CBD oil spray for your dog’s skin health.
Lastly, though the safety profile of CBD is still under research, experts believe that it is safe to consume for dogs. Nonetheless, medicated cbd oil has been well-accepted as a health supplement for dogs. It helps relieve anxiety, induces a sense of well-being, and improves heart and gut health. CBD oil also helps treat epileptic disorders and improve skin and coat health. It is also beneficial for reducing discomfort associated with cancer and chemotherapy.
