CBD Oil for Dogs: All the information you need

Every good dog owner wants their dog to be healthy. This is why we spend so much going to the veterinarian to ensure that our canine buddies are generally healthy.

While there are so many drugs and wellness products that your vet might give and recommend for your dog, CBD is not one of such. Why is this so? Well, this article has a section dedicated to answering that question.

Apart from discussing why CBD oil is not recommended by vets, we will also discuss vital information you should know about this pet wellness trend. Every misinformation you might have heard will be cleared up to ensure that you know what you are getting into if you choose to use this product for your tyke.

Cannabidiol Oil: What it is

The cannabis plant which has various types including hemp and marijuana contains certain compounds known as cannabinoids. Cannabidiol commonly known as CBD is just one of these many cannabinoids. Although you can get CBD from hemp or marijuana, most manufacturers prefer to use hemp rather than marijuana. Check cheefbotanicals dog products to learn more about the kinds of dog products made from this compound.

The reason manufacturers opt for hemp is because it contains more CBD and less tetrahydrocannabinol also known as THC. On the other hand, marijuana contains less CBD and more THC. THC is also a cannabinoid; however, it is a psychoactive agent which means that it is responsible for the “high feeling” people get when they take marijuana.

As a result, marijuana-based cannabidiol products are unsafe for pets. Therefore, ensure that the CBD you get for your dog is extracted from hemp and not marijuana.

How does CDB Work on Dogs?

From the limited research available, it has been discovered that cannabidiol as well as several other cannabinoids function and specifically target what is known as cannabinoid receptors which are found in the endocannabinoid receptors. The endocannabinoid receptors, on the other hand, are in the central nervous system as well as the peripheral nervous system.

When cannabidiol enters into the body of your dog, it then affects these receptors, which in turn works to maintain normal body operation and function. This is why cannabidiol can be used to treat certain health issues.

Dangers of Giving your Dog Cannabidiol Oil

One of the primary dangers of administering CBD to your canine buddy is the risk of getting them high. The product you choose to give to your dog shouldn’t have THC that is above 0.3 percent. When such a product is given to your dog, it might cause them to act abnormally.

Apart from that, since CBD products (except for one) are not approved by the agency of Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the dosing chart is also unavailable. Visit https://www.britannica.com/topic/Food-and-Drug-Administration to learn more about the FDA. No fixed dosing chart exists, the ones that exist are just those that individuals have come up with which can be seen online. As a result of this, one can easily overdose their dogs unknowingly if one isn’t careful.

Overdosing is the major danger when using cannabidiol products. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) which is a bloodwork liver value has been recorded in some research papers to have spiked in value after a heavy dose of CBD was administered.

Overdosing has also caused dogs to be sleepy, lethargic, and even nauseous. The good thing about these negative effects is that after some time the effects will wear off.

As a result of these, when it comes to giving your dog CBD oil, you don’t have a manual or dosage to follow. Hence, it is to be done at your own risk; or better yet, at your dog’s risk because they will bear the brunt of your actions.

We recommend that you consult your veterinarian before administering the product to your tyke. This is all the more important if it is on any medication. Moreover, when you begin giving it to your furry friend, ensure that you start with little drops and observe their reaction to it.

Observation is very important because dogs react differently to cannabidiol. Therefore, to ensure their safety, check for any form of negative changes after you have given them the product. If you notice any negative reaction, you should stop usage immediately.

Why Veterinarians Don’t Prescribe CBD

Veterinarians are bound by law in the United States of America not to recommend, prescribe or even dispense CBD products. Furthermore, they are not to advise or encourage you to buy or give it your mutt. However, they are obligated to inform you of the dangers of administering it to your Fido.

How Much CBD Should you Give your Dog?

While there is no official dosage chart, available studies have given us an idea to allow us make an educated guess of what is right.

Canines suffering from arthritis or seizures can be given 2 – 8mg/kg dosage two times a day. Click here to read more about dog osteoarthritis. While we do not have sufficient data to discuss what dosage is appropriate for other issues, we can suggest this dosage range for other issues apart from arthritis and seizures.

Epidolex is a cannabidiol product approved by the FDA that allows it to be used for dog epilepsy treatment. The dosage for this particular product is stated; hence, there is no risk of overdosing except you don’t follow the instructions.

Conclusion

We have discussed all the important information you need to know about CBD oil for dogs in the article above. If you have further questions, kindly let us know in the comments section below.