CBD for Pets: What It May Help With

CBD for dogs and cats is mostly used for joint pain, anxiety and seizures, and early research plus plenty of owner reports suggest it may help, though the science is still young. Talk to your vet first, use a pet-specific product with little or no THC, and start with a low dose. Anyone with pets knows animals have a thousand ways of talking to us without words, and when they're hurting, we almost always notice. What's harder is figuring out what stressed them out or made them nervous, why they're acting the way they are, what exactly hurts and what can be done about it.

Obviously your vet is the first stop, but it's also worth knowing that CBD therapy may help pets with everything from chronic pain to anxiety symptoms. Keep in mind that the dose and how CBD is given can vary depending on the condition, the type of animal, its weight and so on, which is why you shouldn't medicate your pet on your own.

Vertebrates have a messaging network in the body called the endocannabinoid system. It helps regulate sleep, appetite, pain, the immune system and more. CBD interacts with this system's receptors and can influence the nervous, digestive and immune systems, as well as the brain. It can do that because the cannabinoids in CBD products are similar enough to the endocannabinoids your pet's body makes on its own. That's why CBD's potential benefits can be significant.

How CBD Oil May Help Your Pet

Joint problems: The painkillers vets commonly prescribe for these conditions can, over time, take a toll on your pet's joints, soft tissue and liver. CBD has natural anti-inflammatory properties and, according to early research, tends to have fewer side effects than conventional drugs. CB1 receptors in the brain work alongside CBD to support the immune system and reduce inflammation. They also change how the brain responds to pain. Dogs with arthritis, hip dysplasia, sprains, strains or torn ligaments, for example, may benefit from CBD therapy. 

Pets with cancer: Dogs are prone to cancer; it's often cited that close to half of dogs over 10 will develop it. Several studies on CBD and cancer have turned up promising findings, though almost all of them come from lab and animal research. One study in mice showed CBD slowed the growth of breast cancer cells. And in 2018, researchers found that CBD increased survival time in mice with pancreatic cancer. Other animal studies suggest CBD oil may have anti-tumor properties and could slow tumor growth.

Seizures and epilepsy:

Most vets treat epilepsy and seizures with anti-seizure drugs, but these medications can be hard on the liver and other organs. Researchers at Colorado State University ran a small study on CBD as an epilepsy treatment in dogs. 89% of the dogs that received CBD had fewer seizures.

Anxiety:

Anxiety is one of the most common reasons people try CBD for pets. Lots of things can trigger anxiety in a pet, like noise phobia, aggression, their environment and separation anxiety, among others. One upside of CBD for these issues is that side effects reported so far have been mild and uncommon. 

One big perk of CBD for pets is that it's quick and easy to give by mouth, using an oil or concentrate. It usually takes just 5 to 20 minutes to kick in.

Don't forget to always check with your vet before starting your pet on CBD, and remember that every animal needs a different dose and schedule. 

What Happens If I Give My Dog CBD?

If you give your dog CBD, keep in mind there's still a lack of conclusive scientific research on exactly how CBD affects pets. That said, some preliminary studies and plenty of pet owners' reports suggest CBD may have potential benefits for dogs.

CBD for pets, dogs included, has taken off in recent years as a natural option for easing discomfort and supporting overall well-being. Owners report that CBD helps reduce anxiety, calm stress and bring down inflammation in their dogs.

It's important not to confuse CBD with THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis. CBD products for pets are usually formulated with very low or zero THC, which means they shouldn't get your dog high. THC itself is a different story: it can be toxic to dogs, so keep your weed and edibles well out of reach.

Before giving your dog CBD, talk to your vet. They can assess your dog's health and specific needs and give you the right recommendations. It's also important to use CBD products made specifically for pets and to follow the manufacturer's dosing instructions.

How Much CBD Can You Give a Dog?

The right CBD dose for a dog depends on several factors, like the dog's weight, health condition and the concentration of the CBD product you're using. There's no one-size-fits-all dose, so check with your vet before giving CBD to your pet.

The general rule is to start low and go up gradually if needed. Pet CBD products usually come with dosing instructions based on the dog's weight. For example, some products recommend 0.25 to 0.5 mg of CBD per kilogram of body weight (roughly 0.1 to 0.25 mg per pound).

CBD for dogs usually comes as an oil or tincture. The dose is measured in drops, and it's common to put the drops straight into the dog's mouth or mix them into its food.

How long CBD takes to work in dogs varies. Some dogs seem to feel relief right away, while in others it takes longer to notice a difference. It's usually recommended to wait at least a week of consistent use to judge the results before adjusting the dose.

Which Animals Can Take CBD?

Mammals have an endocannabinoid system similar to ours, which suggests they may respond to CBD in a similar way. Still, every species and every individual animal can have different sensitivities and reactions to CBD, so always check with a vet before giving CBD to any animal other than a dog or cat.

Just like with dogs and cats, it's essential to use CBD products designed specifically for animals and follow the recommended dosing instructions. Veterinary supervision is key to keeping animals safe and healthy while they use CBD.

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