CBD for Pets: Everything You Need to Know
According to Banfield Pet’s studies, there’s been a 66% increase in osteoarthritis in dogs in the last 10 years. 20% of dogs over the age of 10 are impacted by osteoarthritis.
Characterized by inflammation of your pet’s joints, this illness can lead to pain. Osteoarthritis can make movements painful for your dog, and that can lead to weight gain.
Weight gain can lead to other health issues. It’s important to find ways to treat pain and other issues your dog is having.
If you’re interested in alternative treatment, you can look into CBD for dogs. Keep reading to learn more about what CBD can do for your dog.
What Is CBD?
CBD is a chemical derived from the hemp plant. CBD doesn’t contain any THC, the compound that creates a high feeling in people who take it.
Although a part of the same family, CBD can provide all the great benefits the hemp plant has to offer without the feeling of getting high.
CBD has become popular in recent years as an alternative form of treatment. Although not approved by the FDA, CBD products have proven to help both people and dogs with a variety of issues without the need for medications.
How Can CBD Help Dogs?
CBD has been used by thousands of pet parents, claiming that it has helped reduce a dog’s pain and inflammation caused by joint conditions like arthritis. In reducing inflammation and pain, CBD will help your dog regain range of motion and make exercise fun again. This is important in helping your dog maintain a healthy weight.
CBD is also known to help alleviate nausea in some dogs. CBD has also been used to help relax anxious puppies.
Some pet parents have found CBD helpful in alleviating dog seizure symptoms. CBD for dog seizures can reduce the dependency on prescription medication which can bring many negative side effects.
Some of the symptoms to watch out for if you suspect a seizure might be coming are restlessness or anxiety beforehand. During a seizure, a dog will typically twitch, foam at the mouth, or lose consciousness.
What Makes It Effective?
What is it about CBD that can help your dog and thousands of others with such a wide variety of issues? In the same way that humans do, dogs have an endocannabinoid system with cannabinoid receptors. This system works to keep your dog’s body functioning properly.
It’ll control everything from mood, to sleep, to how the immune system responds. When your dog’s endocannabinoid system isn’t working properly, neither are any other systems in their body.
As a cannabinoid, CBD will help bring your dog’s body back to homeostasis. This is why introducing it into your dog’s diet can bring about so many benefits.
What Do the Professionals Say?
Opinions vary from vet to vet, but for the most part, vets agree that a quality CBD product can bring some benefits to your dog’s life. While more studies need to be conducted on the effects of CBD on dogs, your pet’s vet isn’t likely to discourage you from trying to incorporate CBD into your dog’s diet.
Know the Proper Dosage
CBD dosage for dogs will depend on a variety of factors. Small, medium, and high dosages are indicated depending on the severity of the issue your dog might be experiencing.
Dogs with mild pain will most likely receive a small dosage while a dog that experiences multiple seizures per week might receive a high dosage. The dosage will also vary based on the size, weight, and age of your dog.
Always follow the instructions on the labels of the products you purchase. If your dog is new to CBD, it’s best to start with a smaller than recommended dosage and gradually increase it to see how they react to it.
Some Side Effects That Could Occur
While serious side effects are extremely rare, it’s still important to keep in mind that any new substance you introduce to your dog’s body can have possible side effects.
This list of side effects has been seen in humans who consume CBD more often but can occur in dogs as well. CBD can decrease salvia production and lead to dry mouth and thirst, so make sure you’re giving your dog plenty of water after giving them CBD.
CBD can decrease blood pressure by a small amount, so becoming light-headed is a possibility. Since CBD is known to reduce anxiety and increase calm, your dog can feel sleepy after ingesting CBD.
What Are the Best CBD Products for Dogs?
With the increasing popularity of CBD, more and more products are becoming available on the market. CBD oil for dogs is one of the most popular forms of giving CBD to a dog as administering the proper dosage is a lot easier with a dropper.
Topical CBD lotions are great for dogs who suffer from arthritis pain because they can be applied directly to the joints. CBD treats for dogs come in a variety of flavors that most dogs love eating.
Whatever CBD products you end up choosing for your dog, the most important thing to remember is that an organic, well-researched product will come free of any harmful additives. This can help you rest assured that you’re only giving your dog the very best.
The Facts About CBD for Dogs Explained
If you’re interested in purchasing CBD for dogs, there are important things you should know first. Knowing about the proper dosage and what kind of products to look for is key.
Did you find this article useful? Make sure you check out some of the other pet blogs on our site.