It’s safe to say CBD has gone mainstream and not only for people either. It’s the latest holistic pet trend too!
If you’ve not heard much about this all-natural option, we’ve got our quick run-through of what you need to know about CBD for dogs and the possible benefits for your four-legged friend.
What is CBD?
CBD is short for cannabidiol. It’s a compound extracted from the cannabis or hemp plant.
If you’re wondering why anyone would want to get their dog high, CBD isn’t the compound responsible for the ‘high’ feeling people associate with marijuana. That’s THC and you’ll find none, or only trace amounts of THC, in CBD oil.
This is because most reputable CBD oil is extracted from hemp plants. While they’re the same species of plant, hemp plants only produce tiny trace amounts of THC. The amount is so minimal that hemp is legal to manufacture in all 50 states.
What Does CBD Do for Dogs?
Like all cannabis compounds, CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). All mammals have an endocannabinoid system, including people and dogs. It’s found within the peripheral and central nervous systems.
The ECS is responsible for lots of things like regulating appetite, helping memory, and balancing our immune systems and metabolism. Because CBD interacts with this system, it may have a range of potential benefits.
The Benefits of CBD for Dogs
As it currently stands, a lot of the claims of the potential benefits of CBD in both pets and people are anecdotal. By this we mean, it’s not been fully researched to the levels it needs to to make a definitive claim about the benefits of CBD.
This said since the legalization wave over the last few years began, research has become more frequent. For example, a small study showed that giving a dog CBD reduced seizures in 89% of dogs.
As well as having the potential to help with seizure conditions such as epilepsy, CBD could help with a range of other conditions in pets.
This includes chronic pain conditions. This is because CBD has anti-inflammatory properties. So for chronic conditions like arthritis or dermatitis, CBD could be helpful in managing pain.
CBD may also help with mental health issues like anxiety and depression. This is because it interacts with the serotonin receptors. Serotonin is the hormone responsible for our feelings of happiness and well-being.
These same receptors influence our appetite. So CBD could help with issues surrounding the loss of appetite like nausea.
Because it promotes feelings of relaxation when it interacts with the ECS, CBD could also help with restlessness and other sleep issues.
As you can see the potential benefits are plentiful. But perhaps even more surprising is how minimal the side effects are, especially compared to certain prescribed medications.
Side effects can include dry mouth, drowsiness, and lowered blood pressure. These can be managed by administering the correct dose of CBD, proportional to your dog’s size. You can learn more in this CBD pet guide.
Do Your Research
The potential benefits of CBD for dogs are vast but need further research before anything is conclusive. With minimal side effects though, this natural treatment is well worth a try for conditions that are hard to manage. Make sure you do your research and find a reputable, organic supplier of CBD oil for dogs before purchasing.
We have lots more advice to help you with your four-legged friends, so check out our blog.