Cannabinoids, such as CBD and THC, are compounds structurally similar to the endocannabinoid molecules generated endogenously in all vertebrates. There are cannabinoid receptors all over the body. To maintain equilibrium and homeostasis in the body, endocannabinoids operate as master regulators, sending signals to other systems to ramp up or slow down as needed. The many cannabinoids found in cannabis all act on these receptors, albeit in slightly different ways. THC, on the other hand, is psychoactive, whereas CBD is not.
How Dangerous Is It?
While THC at human doses can be fatal for dogs, the worst that has been observed with CBD in dogs is diarrhea and alterations in certain liver enzyme results after several weeks. Most medicines are metabolized by an enzyme called cytochrome P450, which CBD blocks. CBD for dogs may reduce the effectiveness of a cure if that drug’s effectiveness depends on a metabolite. CBD for dogs might potentially lead to hazardous treatment amounts whose safety depends on its rapid elimination from the body. If your dog is already receiving medication, you should never give it CBD without first consulting with your physician.
Does It Have Any Effect?
Although studies with canines are still very rare, there has been a substantial amount of research (nearly 23,000 published articles!) on CBD’s effect on laboratory animals and people, with promising findings for pain, notably arthritic pain, itching, anxiety, and cancer. The results with dogs? The answer is “maybe.”
Multiple studies have found that CBD helps reduce the pain associated with arthritis.
Canine subjects in research conducted by the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine who received CBD for dogs at a dose of 4.4 mg per pound twice daily for 30 days reported substantial improvements in pain alleviation and quality of life. The study’s primary investigator, Dr. Joe Wakshlag, DVM, PhD, DACVN, said that after only a few days of treatment with CBD for dogs, several dogs who were so arthritic that their owners considered euthanasia were running around and even climbing stairs. A similar enhancement was observed in research conducted at Baylor University, indicating that CBD performed better when administered via a liposomal formulation.
Recent double-blind, placebo-controlled experiments on dogs show that CBD greatly reduces itching. CannPal, an Australian firm, conducted research that showed its CBD for dogs product decreased itching, inflammation, and skin lesions by 51% after eight weeks of therapy. The American firm ElleVet conducted research showing that their medicine, which combines CBD for dogs with another cannabinoid, CBDA, greatly reduced reports of itching from owners.
Cannabinoids have been linked to halting the spread of cancer and killing off cancer cells. CBD and a conventional chemotherapy medication suppressed cancer cell growth in vitro more than chemotherapy alone in a canine trial conducted at Cornell University. Veterinarians have reported anecdotal evidence that CBD has reduced cancer cell growth or induced remission in dogs.
Concerning behavior, CBD for dogs is often sought out by pet owners in the hope of alleviating their dogs’ anxiety, particularly about noise sensitivity. However, no controlled study has demonstrated its efficacy, despite anecdotal accounts to the contrary. One study by researchers at the Australia University of Western Australia may provide hope for aggressive behavior. After receiving CBD for 15 days, shelter dogs with aggressiveness issues showed reduced hostility toward people in behavioral tests. The University of Kentucky found no significant difference between CBD and placebo on physiological measures of anxiety in reaction to noise and that CBD for dogs was worse than trazodone (a drug commonly prescribed for concern). It is essential to remember that the CBD in this trial was given four to six hours before testing, which may have been too long.
Many anecdotal accounts praise CBD for its usefulness in preventing seizures in dogs.
However, the findings of the one controlled research were mediocre at best. The CBD group experienced 33% fewer seizures than the placebo group after 12 weeks of treatment, although this wasn’t the case for all dogs in the research conducted by Colorado State University. These scientists are currently conducting a bigger experiment with increased dosages of CBD for dogs. It’s important to remember that THC has been linked to the onset of seizures. Thus no seizure-controlling CBD for dogs products should ever contain THC. Never use CBD for dogs without first consulting with your veterinarian because of the potential for medication interactions due to CBD’s influence on cytochrome P450.
While studies in dogs are few, CBD for dogs has shown promise in a variety of other contexts, including bone repair, infection prevention, inflammatory bowel disease treatment, slowing the progression of degenerative myelopathy, reducing nausea, and reducing pain.
When administered to a dog, what effects does CBD have?
Except for the occasional symptomatic treatment of gastrointestinal disturbance, no therapy is typically necessary. Mild drowsiness, urine incontinence, hyperesthesia, and ataxia may develop at high enough doses due to the THC component; the pet should be restrained to prevent damage from misadventure.
How long does canine CBD use last?
Since CBD for dogs has a half-life of roughly four hours in dogs, it is possible for CBD for dogs to be present in a dog’s system for the full twenty-four hours, albeit it may be necessary to be present at a certain concentration to accomplish the desired effects.
What Should You Look for When Buying CBD for Your Dog?
It’s not simple to choose the finest CBD for dogs product from the hundreds now available because of the lack of oversight in the industry. Check that the product has a third-party certificate of analysis that details the product’s potency, lists all of its ingredients, and reveals the presence of any heavy metals, mycotoxins, or pesticides. The National Animal Supplement Counsel (NASC) Seal of Quality Assurance is a good indicator of this. Products intended for human consumption should be avoided, as they frequently include chemicals such as xylitol that are harmful to dogs.
In addition to cannabinoids, the cannabis plant also contains chemicals called terpenes. There is evidence that CBD for dogs is most effective when used with these rather than alone. Keep away from total spectrum products that include THC. You should aim for 0.1 to 0.2 milligrams (mg) per kilogram of your dog’s weight, administered twice daily. In certain cases, the reaction to CBD is biphasic, meaning that either too little or too much of it will not have any effect. Thus it is important to work up to higher doses gradually.
Can dogs be soothed with CBD treats?
CBD, fortunately, can help reduce anxious behaviors in canines. Your dog will be more at ease during storms because of CBD’s soothing impact and the relaxation response it induces.
What happens if a dog consumes too much CBD?
No amount given to a dog would be fatal. Dry mouth, tiredness, appetite changes, and diarrhea are some of the moderate side effects of an excess of CBD for dogs. Relax and wait for your dog to show indications of CBD for dogs if you spot any. In a few hours, you should feel better.
Is That Allowed By The Law?
Many veterinarians are hesitant to recommend CBD for dogs because they are unsure of its safety or are worried about losing their license if they are found to have recommended it. Joint supplements like glucosamine or fish oil; and the vast majority of human-approved prescription medications frequently recommended in veterinary practice do not have FDA approval for use in dogs, but CBD for dogs products do.
Despite the fact that selling hemp-derived products with less than 0.3% THC is lawful, the American Veterinary Medical Association did not support veterinarians recommending any cannabis products, including CBD for dogs, for patients until very recently. Even now, legal ambiguity leaves many veterinarians wary of the potential consequences of recommending CBD for dogs.
Some vets may be reluctant to propose CBD for dogs, but once you bring it up, nearly all will be happy to talk about it. Some vets, of course, know more about the benefits and drawbacks than others. The potential for negative interactions with medically-prescribed medications is the major cause for alarm.
In sum, there is substantial proof that CBD for dogs can ease certain symptoms. As the biggest system in the body, the endocannabinoid system also remains one of the least studied. Fresh discoveries yearly bring with their new claims. It’s the start of a promising new era in healthcare, but there will inevitably be setbacks and disappointments along the way. CBD for dogs isn’t a panacea, but it might be the answer to your dog’s prayers.
Find Out If CBD Is Safe and Effective for Your Pet
Research, discussion with your veterinarian, and perhaps even some testing are all necessary steps in determining which CBD for dogs product is best for your pet. Some pets respond better to CBD (and other cannabinoids) than others, and not all products suit all animals. If you think a CBD for dogs product may be suitable for your pet, it’s probably worth looking into. Below are some suggestions to assist you in selecting the correct items and consulting with your veterinarian.
Learn the requirements of your pet.
Your pet’s needs for maintaining its health and well-being must be taken into account while selecting the appropriate product. Anxiety, pain, arthritis, cancer, seizures, allergies, and other conditions are among the most popular for individuals seeking out CBD for dogs products. Stress in your pet may respond well to a systemic (whole-body) product, such as CBD oil. Consider looking into topical remedies if the issue is localized (such as a hurting elbow or a hot region).
Take advice from people you know and check reviews. It is worthwhile to inquire about their pet’s symptoms and which products worked or didn’t work with a friend, family member, or neighbor who has successfully used a CBD product. You can learn about the products that have helped other pets with symptoms similar to yours through internet reviews, forums, or conversations. Use this as a jumping-off point for your discussion with your vet.
Conduct an in-depth analysis of the firm. It has already been established that not all companies that produce CBD for pets are made equal. Find out more about the firm and how the product was made before making a final decision. Try to find forthright and honest brands about the testing they perform on their products. Find out where the firms you buy from get their ingredients by looking into their sourcing processes. Product formulations and endorsements from veterinarians experienced with CBD for dogs should be considered. Considering that you’ll be administering these items to your pet, having faith in the company behind them is essential. Doing your homework before buying a CBD product for your Dogs is essential.