CBD For Dogs?
We know that CBD can be very beneficial for people who are suffering from a number of health conditions, including anxiety, depression and pain, but did you know that your dog can also benefit from CBD oil? When used correctly, there are many issues that CBD can help to alleviate for your dog.
While there have been limited scientific studies done on using CBD for dogs, the studies that do exist have been optimistic. We outline the pros and cons of CBD for your dog below so that you can better understand whether CBD might be a good choice for your pup.
Pros:
CBD can be given to dogs in oil, spray or treat form.
If your dog suffers from chronic pain or health conditions, such as neuropathic pain, epilepsy, osteoarthritis, arthritis, inflammation, etc, CBD can be helpful with pain management and relief.
CBD has potential anti-inflammatory properties that alleviate conditions such as allergies and arthritis.
For dogs that suffer from intense anxiety, CBD can be a great option. We recommend giving your dog whatever the recommended dosage is of CBD a few hours before whatever stressful activity has been planned. For example, if your dog has a lot of anxiety about being groomed, we have heard anecdotally from our clients as well as experienced first hand that using CBD before a grooming session can help a dog be more calm and comfortable during grooming.
CBD has the ability to help with nausea and motion sickness, so it might be worth trying it out if your dog gets motion sickness in the car or is dealing with the side effects of certain medications.
Some dog owners have also had success with using CBD for their dog’s skin and issues.
Cons:
As noted earlier, there is not much scientific evidence yet regarding the efficacy of CBD usage in dogs. Most evidence at this point is in anecdotal form. However, early research and studies, such as a study done at Cornell University to see how effective CBD is in treating osteoarthritis pain in dogs, have shown that CBD was effective in pain reduction for more than 80% of the dogs involved in the study.
It is important to be very cautious when utilizing CBD oil for your dog. There are no regulations on dosage and there are no FDA approved guidelines or prescriptions yet.
CBD can affect the liver enzymes in dogs and cause interactions with other medications.
Be aware of whether your CBD product contains any THC–in large amounts, THC ingestion can lead to THC toxicity in dogs.
Some side effects of CBD usage for dogs include increased hunger and sedation.
If you’re thinking of trying out CBD for your dog, please be careful and cautious when determining the best plan for your dog’s specific needs. CBD can be a great product for pain and inflammation relief when administered responsibly.
What are your thoughts on CBD for dogs? Do you have any insights or stories you’d like to share? Leave a comment below!