A Comprehensive Guide On CBD Oil for Dogs

There’s no question that there are a variety of prescription medications and over-the-counter treatment options available for dogs suffering from different health conditions. However, you’d be surprised to know that CBD oil is also fast becoming a legitimate option to treat dogs with major health conditions. It’s understandable to be a bit skeptical about CBD oil – after all, for people that don’t know much about CBD, it’s difficult to believe that there’s something that can adequately treat and/or manage your pooch’s symptoms without causing any side effects.

However, there’s no doubt that a lot of research has successfully identified and demonstrated the medicinal power of CBD oil without developing adverse reactions in dogs. The compound is renowned for minimizing symptoms linked to depression and anxiety in humans as well – and has properties that can help enhance your dog’s mood and overall behavior.

Moreover, CBD oil has also garnered incredible results in dogs suffering from seizures, calming their nervous system. Dogs have been studied to feel more happy and relaxed after being treated and it has also been determined that some dogs show a decline in symptoms associated with seizure disorders. In addition, CBD oil also has excellent anti-inflammatory properties, ideal for canines who require natural pain killers. Furthermore, CBD products also contain properties that can help enhance your dog’s skin health.

A Short Glimpse into CBD Oil

Short for cannabidiol, CBD is a chemical compound that’s derived from the hemp plant and/or cannabis. It’s important to keep in mind that CBD oil products that are made for medicinal use don’t contain THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is a psychoactive compound that’s found in pure marijuana leaves. A lot of CBD-based products are made from the hemp plant, not marijuana leaves.

Choosing the Right CBD Oil for your Pooch

There is a myriad of different CBD oils and products that you can use to treat your dog’s health conditions. However, because CBD isn’t as regulated as mainstream drugs and medications, you need to understand what to look for to buy something that truly suits your cuddly friend. Here’s how you can choose the best products.

Check Out Medical Reviews

It’s important to read about CBD oils and products that have authentic, medical reviews and have positive reviews by customers that’ve successfully been able to treat their dogs. And because customers love their furry friends and treat them as a member of their family, you’ll always find transparent and authentic comments and reviews about the efficacy and benefits of certain brands of CBD oils. They will never falsely tout an inadequate brand. And this is one of the best ways you can safely make an informed decision.

Check Whether the Product Has Been Tested in a Clinical Lab

It’s wise to make sure that the brand you’re opting for has been lab-tested and approved. Some products have been tested in in-house labs, but it’s better to go for products that have been tested and approved by third-party and independent labs. This goes to show that the company is willing to prove that its products are safe and offer genuine CBD health benefits. Moreover, independent lab testing offers impartial results and highlight how potent the CBD oil is and whether it can be safely administered to dogs.

Read Product Descriptions Carefully

Make a list of authentic products that you’ve researched and go through every brand’s product description. Analyze the ingredients used and see whether the company has made the product with natural resources. You will also know the type of farming practices the company uses and how they extract CBD oil from hemp plants. In all, reading product reviews will give you a good idea of what type of products will suit your dog best.

Tried and Tested

Another viable way of choosing the right CBD product for your dog is to check and see whether someone you know has tried using CBD oils to treat their dogs, how successful the treatment was, and whether the dog suffered any discomfort at all.

Types of CBD Products You Should Look For

After consulting with your veterinarian, if it’s decided that your dog needs CBD treatment, there are some important factors to consider before buying any product. You have to keep in mind that no two CBD products are the same. Moreover, you’ll need to opt for high-quality products, farmed with natural sources. Here are some tips you should keep in mind:

Search for Natural or Organic Products

Even if the products available aren’t organic, you still have to make sure that they don’t contain toxic chemicals or ingredients such as solvents, pesticides, and/or fungicides.

Price should never be an Important Factor

Keep in mind that naturally farmed CBD products will always be pricier. Affordable products may come with additional ingredients that may be harmful to your pooch. Read the label carefully and make sure the product doesn’t contain herbicides, heavy metals, additives, etc.

Look for a Dosage Certification

Quality CBD manufacturers will always provide a certification of authenticity about the amount of cannabidiol in their products. And many top-notch products contain a safe amount of CBD. In addition, stay away from products that contain THC.

CBD Liquids

Although there are a variety of different CBD forms like CBD doggie treats, it’s recommended that you go for liquids because you can carefully administer and monitor the dosage.

CBD for Dogs – How Will it Affect Your Pooch?

Apart from the fact that there are proven scientific research and studies that have shown the health benefits of CBD oils in humans, there aren’t a lot of studies performed to positively identify just how CBD affects dogs. In human studies, scientists have discovered that cannabinoids bind with the human endocannabinoid receptors found in the nervous system as well as peripheral nervous systems. This chemical bonding helps humans maintain a good mood and a healthy balance.

Types of Dog Health Issues that can be Treated with CBD Oil

There aren’t any proven scientific studies that indicate the types of dog health conditions CBD oil can treat. However, there have been some anecdotal studies that have indicated that CBD can help relieve pain in dogs – specifically neuropathic symptoms. Some studies derived from dog owners suggest that CBD can also effectively reduce symptoms associated with seizures.

Are There are any Temporary Side Effects of CBD Oil Usage in Dogs?

While there’s no conclusive scientific data on whether there can be side effects of using CBD in dogs, there can be temporary discomforts of using CBD. For example, it may cause:

Increased Thirst – According to research, it was determined that CBD usage can minimize saliva production in dogs. While it’s a temporary side effect, your dog will experience bouts of extreme thirst.
Drop-in Blood Pressure – Using CBD in higher doses can temporarily decrease your dog’s blood pressure. However, the fluctuation is less than nominal, but your pooch will feel a bit lightheaded.

Are There are any Potential Health Risks of Using CBD in Dogs?

There isn’t any research that can shed light on whether there are any potential health risks of treating dogs with CBD. That’s primarily because CBD is yet to be regulated and recognized by the U.S. FDA. This makes it difficult to know exactly what dosage quantities can prove to be harmful or possibly lethal.

However, if you think about it from a broader perspective, using any type of dog medication or supplements in higher doses can have problematic effects. So, like any medicinal treatment, it’s strongly recommended to start your canine friend with smaller doses so that it can acclimatize. Moreover, always consult with your veterinarian before administering CBD to your pooch.

Bottom Line

Now that you have complete knowledge of how to choose a CBD product to treat your dog and the types of products you can opt for, it’s important that you don’t start administering CBD treatments to your dog without veterinary consultation.