The subject of CBD for dogs is at the top of every pet owner’s mind right now.
You may have seen CBD oil at your local pet store or vet, but do you know what it is? What are its benefits? How can it help your dog?
This blog post will answer all of these questions and more!
We’ll discuss CBD oil’s effects on dogs, dosage guidelines for dogs, things to look for before buying, and so much more.
Let’s jump in.
What is CBD Oil?
CBD is the abbreviation for cannabidiol, a chemical compound that can be found in marijuana and hemp oil plants.
It’s different than THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which causes people to get “high” or psychoactive effects from using marijuana.
CBD has gained popularity over recent years as it has been used by many who are looking for alternative ways of treating their pain without getting high.
There have not yet been any conclusive studies done on the benefits of CBD oil but so far there are promising results even though they are still very new at this point.
Some other known benefits include relief from anxiety, chronic disorders such as epilepsy, nausea, headaches/migraines/cluster headaches, arthritis, depression, and more.
CBD vs THC: What’s the difference?
CBD is found in both hemp and marijuana plants. THC can be found only in marijuana plants. While these two chemicals are similar, they also have major differences that make them unique from each other.
The chemical compound CBD has many medicinal benefits without any psychoactive effects whereas THC contains psychoactive properties which result in the “high” feeling when using weed to treat pain or anxiety but there are also some risks associated with this as well!
Also, there are very little to no side effects in the case of CBD while there are some mild side effects present in the case of THC.
Types of CBD with differences
There are three main types of CBD oils available. Each contains different levels and active ingredients. So it’s important to understand how they work before you buy a product for your dog:
CBD isolate powder
An isolated form of cannabinoid that is created by extracting the CBD compound from cannabis plants. It comes in an oily liquid, paste, or powder form. This type of CBD extract does not contain any other cannabinoids, terpenes (the compounds responsible for providing the flavor), or flavonoids (compounds useful for nutrient absorption). It is essentially 99% pure CBD without terpenes & other compounds.
Full-spectrum CBD Oil
Full-spectrum CBD oil is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that comes from the industrial hemp seed oil plant. Full Spectrum means the whole range of compounds found in cannabis has been extracted. Broad Spectrum means only certain parts have been isolated so you get more targeted benefits with less risk.
Full Spectrum CBD contains both THC & CBD at varying levels depending on what kind of compound has been separated out or not during the extraction process. It also includes CBG, CBN, terpenes, flavonoids, and other phytonutrients for added health benefits.
Broad-spectrum CBD Oil
Broad Spectrum CBD oil is mainly extracted from industrial hemp plants, which contains no THC. On average, the Broad spectrum has less of the other cannabinoids & terpenes compared to Full Spectrum so there are fewer health benefits and less flexibility with dosing, etc.
However, this kind of CBD does not contain any psychoactive properties or cause an adverse effect in humans that take it medically or otherwise. Making it a safer option in comparison to full-spectrum products derived from cannabis plants.
What does CBD oil do for dogs?
CBD works as an effective stress buster for dogs. It also helps to calm the dog down, reduces anxiety and tension in them by activating their brain’s serotonin production indirectly.
Studies have shown that CBD for dogs can be helpful against separation anxiety as well. Not only that, but CBD is also known to help with various types of motion sickness & eliminate pain that can be caused by arthritis or joint pain.
CBD oil for dogs can also help in reducing nausea, particularly the kind that is brought on by chemotherapy.
It works to stimulate appetite and gives relief from vomiting & nausea. This effect of CBD has made it a highly recommended product all over the world to increase appetite thereby resulting in weight gain for underweight dogs.
CBD oil can also help with other conditions like Canine parvovirus, diabetes, and many more. While CBD cannot treat any of these diseases by itself, it can surely improve the overall immunity thereby making your dog stronger and healthier than before.
Another benefit that you’ll enjoy is a reduced anxiety level in your dog because of the relaxing effect of CBD.
This can help you build a stronger bond with your dog or just keep it calm and relaxed when needed, for example during long rides in cars, trips to the vet’s office, etc.
They can be used as a mood stabilizer, sleep enhancer, and appetite stimulant too.
However, it should not be considered as an energy booster because the primary function of this oil is to relax your pet’s muscles and nerves so that they feel subdued.
One of the biggest benefits for giving CBD oil to pets is that there are absolutely no psychoactive effects since it does not contain THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol). Which will get into their bloodstream without causing any sort of high or intoxication whatsoever in your pet.
THC is responsible for giving us the ‘high’ feeling that we experience when smoking weed or cannabis, which dogs do not feel whatsoever.
CBD oil can be used to treat a variety of canine ailments without causing any adverse side effects. This is because it has no deadly toxins and chemicals in its composition, unlike other pharmaceutical medications for pets.
This makes CBD a safe and effective treatment option even if you have been using it over a prolonged period on your dog’s body with no signs of negative repercussions.
