Did you know that CBD can treat various health conditions that dogs suffer from, including seizures and pain?
Most pet owners choose not to give CBD to animals that suffer from the same kinds of issues because they’re uncertain whether or not it’s safe for them.
Since there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that CBD can treat anxiety, inflammation, and skin conditions in dogs, it’s important that you get your facts straight before giving CBD products to your pets.
If you’ve been asking the question “can dogs have CBD?”, read on and we’ll fill you in on what you need to know.
The Basics of CBD
Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is a compound that comes from the hemp plant. Even though CBD has only started to become a popular compound for treating health conditions within the last few years, people have been using cannabis for many thousands of years.
It’s important to know that there is a difference between THC and CBD. THC (Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is an ingredient of the marijuana plant that has psychoactive properties, making people feel high.
Since the marijuana plant contains THC as well as CBD, many confuse these two compounds and then that CBD has similar psychoactive properties.
What they don’t realize is that hemp, a cousin to the marijuana plant, has plenty of CBD and has extremely low amounts of THC. This means that it’s easy to enjoy the benefits of CBD without having to consume THC.
If you’re a pet owner it’s therefore important to recognize that by giving your dog CBD you won’t be getting them high.
Why Give CBD to Dogs?
There are many parents of dogs who feel certain that CBD is helping their companions to be healthier and to feel better. There are many reasons for this.
One of the most common reasons why people use CBD for pets is to treat conditions related to pain. When dogs get older their joints become still and they start developing aches.
There are various medications that vets can recommend to treat these conditions. The problem is that they tend to become less effective over time.
This is why so many people are gaining an interest in using CBD oil for their dogs. Not only does CBD oil treat pain in dogs, but dog parents also report that it helps to reduce their anxiety.
There are many reasons why dogs experience anxiety such as when their owners leave them alone at home. Dogs can also experience anxiety when they’re exposed to disturbing noises such as fireworks, gunshots, or thunderstorms.
When other medications don’t seem to work, more and more people are therefore choosing to give CBD to their pets. If you give CBD to your pet as an edible you should expect it to start working in as little as ten minutes. Most pet owners observe that it can take several days or weeks for pets with anxiety to start feeling the compound’s benefits.
CBD and Dogs: How It Works
There are more similarities between humans and dogs than most people realize. Since we both have an endocannabinoid system, dogs and humans are both able to feel the effects of CBD.
Though experts aren’t sure how CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, they do know that CBD influences this system in many important ways. One theory is that CBD prevents endocannabinoids from breaking down.
Endocannabinoids are chemicals that the bodies of dogs and humans naturally produce. They help to make sure that the body’s internal functions run smoothly.
If there are more endocannabinoids in the body, researchers believe that it will operate more effectively.
Benefits of CBD for Dogs
Scientific studies on the effects of CBD on dogs are only in the early phases. Though the results are promising, much of the evidence about the compound’s effectiveness comes from pet parents themselves who observe changes to their pet’s behavior and health.
One of the most common reasons why people give CBD to their pets is to reduce the stress that comes from social anxiety and separation anxiety.
It’s also common for people to give CBD to dogs that don’t want to eat. This is an especially common condition for older dogs. People report that CBD decreases nausea, which therefore helps to improve dogs’ appetites.
Pet parents also report that CBD effectively treats pain in dogs, especially related to inflammation and arthritis.
Lastly, there is scientific evidence showing that dogs will have few seizures when they’re given CBD.
Is It Safe to Give Your Dog CBD?
It is completely safe to give CBD to your pets. The compound has no potential for abuse or for developing dependency. Even though research on the relationship between CBD and dogs is still in its early phase, there is no evidence that the compound is harmful to their health.
How Much CBD to Give to Your Dog
If your dog weighs less than twenty pounds, you don’t need to give any more than one milligram of CBD for every serving. It’s completely safe to give up to two milligrams to dogs that weigh up to forty pounds and you can give three milligrams to a dog that weighs sixty pounds.
When you’re using CBD dog treats it’s also important to know how often they should receive the compound. If you’re treating a chronic condition such as pain, you can give it to your dog every day. If you are treating a short-term problem like anxiety from a thunderstorm, you will probably only need to give it to them occasionally.
Can Dogs Have CBD? Know That It’s Safe
If you’ve been wondering “can dogs have CBD?”, it’s important for you to understand that the compound can effectively treat various health conditions. It is completely safe to give CBD to your dog and you can give it to your pet every single day.
Do you want to read more about caring for your pets? If so, then consider checking out the Pets section of our website.
