Short, sweet and lovely - this is the story of Bailey, a basset hound who lives in Shaw with his owner, Sandy Guillermo, and a third protagonist: CBD oil for dogs.
For a while, Bailey experienced bouts of nervousness that never seemed to slow down. She had sleeping problems to the point of using a white noise machine. Her owner could no longer stand the shedding and shaking, and just like you and me, she visited a vet with her favorite pet. The vet prescribed a dose of the sedative Trazodone.
So, did it work? Well, a little. But you can't solve one problem by creating another one bigger than the first.
The prescribed sedative overwhelmed the sweet Bailey. Sandy described her as "stoned and drugged". This was not what she wanted for her best and most loyal friend with a keen sense of smell. Sandy had experienced the benefits of CBD, but she hadn't thought to give Bailey this market-disrupting holistic health solution. It wasn't until her friends told her about the positive effects of CBD on their dogs that an interest arose for her to try it.
In short, Sandy and Bailey are among the many people who have built their health and wellness programs around the many benefits CBD offers to humans and dogs. Sandy is not alone; many may not know how CBD works for dogs. How about you? Do you know how your dog can benefit from CBD? This article takes you through the basics of CBD for your favourite animal companion.
What is CBD for dogs?
Is it the same as the one taken by humans?
You wouldn't expect dogs to chew mint, would you? CBD for dogs is actually very similar to what we take. However, the delivery system changes in some cases, as does the flavour. For example, some CBD products for dogs are loaded with bacon flavouring.
In case you're wondering: yes, humans can use CBD oil for dogs. However, concentration levels may be too low to make an impact. Conversely, CBD for humans may be too potent for your furry friend.
How CBD works for dogs
Your dog also has an endocannabinoid system, just like us humans. The diagram below shows your dog's cannabinoid brain receptors:
It's not just humans who can benefit from CBD. Cannabidiol works through the endocannabinoid system found in all chordates - animals with a spinal cord.
At present, there is no precise research on the exact functioning of CBD in dogs. However, preliminary studies are giving us a valuable clue.
As in humans, a dog's endocannabinoid system functions when endogenous cannabinoids interact with specific receptors to balance homeostatic processes. Through these processes, their bodies achieve optimal balance in a variety of biological functions, including sleep, feeding, mood and immune response.
Benefits of CBD oil for dogs
Here are five concrete benefits that many dog owners enjoy every day from using CBD oil for dogs.
Pain and inflammation
Probably the most proven benefit of CBD is its pain relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. Puppies are playful, which decreases with age. They run around and sometimes injure themselves or suffer from muscle inflammation. Certain disorders, such as arthritis, can also cause inflammation of the joints, resulting in excruciating pain.
Cannabidiol is known to increase the level of anandamide in the brain of dogs, which relieves pain. In a 2018 study, CBD was shown to boost the body's response to pain processing. Another research presented positive results on how CBD helps fight inflammation.
Stress and anxiety
Bailey's condition can easily be described as a degree of stress or anxiety. Your dog is not exempt. Think of past traumas or nights of heavy rain with rumbling thunder and blinding lightning, where you found your dog hiding under a table in terror. Sound familiar?
CBD for dogs may be the solution to this kind of problem. In 2012, researchers reported that cannabidiol can stimulate the hormone serotonin - the 'feel good' hormone. This means your dog can remain calm even in the face of adversity or natural events that cause your best friend to react negatively. Another study also found that cannabidiol can be used to treat anxiety disorders and insomnia in humans. Does it affect our pets in the same way? More studies are needed...
Anti-cancer properties
Do not listen to these misleading advertisements and renounce any cannabidiol product that is supposed to cure cancer. At this point, such claims are just marketing gimmicks. Here is the truth about CBD and cancer for your dog.
Cannabidiol has been shown toprevent metastasis to other parts of the body. The cannabis-derived compound is sometimes used to support the body's anti-tumor fight by stimulating natural programmed cell death. But that doesn't mean CBD can cure cancer! However, it can potentially help not only against the spread, but also against the pain associated with this disease.
Epileptic seizures / convulsions
Yes, some dogs have seizures or other forms of convulsions. There is not enough adequate research on the beneficial effects of cannabidiol on dogs with seizures, but the same cannot be said for humans. Around the world, several drugs have been approved for epilepsy. Here's what you need to know about CBD for your dog's seizures.
In a 2012 study, cannabidiol was shown to have anticonvulsant properties in animals. Animals that received doses of cannabidiol showed a reduced frequency of seizures at the end of the study.
Stimulation of appetite
It's nothing new that your dog sometimes doesn't finish his food. It's a shame when they don't give you those beautiful eyes for the last bite of your plate. There are many reasons for this, some of which may have already been mentioned above. Think about it: how will your dog eat with limbs that are barely immobile due to inflammation? Cannabidiol can help revitalise your dog's appetite with its various properties.
The disadvantages of CBD for pets
Note that veterinarians have complained about the lack of adequate research on the benefits and side effects of CBD oil for dogs. Dogs have a lower tolerance to THC than humans. CBD loaded with low amounts of THC can lead to unwanted cases of anxiety for your dog. This is why Naturalpes CBD Animals oil is a broad spectrum oil that is THC free.
How to dose CBD for dogs
This is a common question, especially for beginners. Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer, and you may wonder why this is so.
Well, your dog's response to CBD depends on a number of factors: the severity of the condition, age, weight and even gender. This explains why there is no conventional dosage chart for CBD for pets. However, here are some tips to help you get the most out of CBD for your dog.
The best way to take CBD is by microdosing. This means that you start with a minimum dose and increase or decrease it depending on the effects or benefits your pet is experiencing.
If you don't see any benefit in your dog with a small dose, you can gradually increase it after a few days until you see positive results.
What about possible side effects? As soon as you notice side effects with benefits, decrease the dose little by little until you reach a balance.
It is recommended that you consult your vet before giving cannabidiol to your dog for the first time. If you notice any adverse effects, it is advisable to inform your vet and seek advice rather than experimenting on your own.
Before buying CBD oil for dogs
So you've decided to improve your dog's well-being with the benefits of CBD, congratulations! But before you swipe your credit card for any purchase, here's what you need to consider.
CBD is derived from organic hemp: don't go for synthetic or chemical-laden cannabidiol, even if the price is more affordable. Organic hemp without additives is what will have the most effect.
Real versus ideal quality: Is the product you have chosen tested for purity and potency? The analysis allows you to know the amount of CBD and whether psychoactive THC is included. You can also determine if any harmful additives are included.
Liquid CBD vs. dog treats: Dog treats are also an alternative way to give CBD to your pet, but they can be difficult to dose. Liquid CBD is easy to administer and gives better results with a more manageable dosage.
What does the price tell you? Cheap cannabidiol products are often extracted and processed using non-compliant methods. On the other hand, an expensive CBD oil doesn't necessarily mean it's a quality CBD oil. Instead, choose an affordable, natural CBD oil of the right concentration, based on the above characteristics.
Points to remember
What have you learned about CBD for your dog? If you're considering introducing your dog to CBD, this article answers the most common questions: what is CBD for dogs? What are its advantages and disadvantages? And what is the best CBD oil for dogs? Your dog's wellbeing is important, and CBD can potentially help him or her combat conditions that are detrimental to their health.
If you still have questions about CBD oil and your dog, please feel free to contact us on our website (feel free to use our chat function!) - the Naturalpes team is here to give you any advice you may need on this subject.
