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8 Awesome Benefits of CBD Oil for Dogs

Benefits of CBD oil for dogs

Do you know that the benefits of CBD for dogs can be life-changing for them? 

As a pet owner, you know that dogs’ love is unconditional. In return, it is right to give them your love and care, especially when they are sick. 

Dogs are vulnerable to diseases like cancer, glaucoma, dysplasia, and the like. With this medicine that works like a miracle, your furry friends can have their chance to recover. Cannabidiol (CBD) is what you call this medicine.

This article will discuss the advantage of CBD for dogs and why they work. Before this discussion, you should know first what CBD is.  

Before we start: Understanding CBD

It is impossible to understand and trust the benefits of CBD if you do not know it. Hence, you should know what it is and how it is beneficial to the dog’s body. 

What Is CBD?

Contrary to several common beliefs, hemp is not bad for you or your dog. What makes hemp psychoactive is the THC found in this herb. Unknown to many, this herb contains another non-psychoactive compound called cannabidiol. 

Cannabidiol is the most important compound that you find in hemp. It has more than 113 cannabinoids that are beneficial to humans and animals.  

Unlike THC, CBD has no toxicity level. It is almost impossible to overdose on CBD supplements. 

How Does CBD Interact With the Dog’s Body?

All mammals have an endocannabinoid system (ECS). It is involved in several biological processes such as sleep, immune response, and memory. 

The ECS has two cannabinoid receptors called the CB1 and the CB2. These receptors interact with the natural cannabinoid called endocannabinoid. 

The ECS receptors also interact with the hemp’s cannabinoid. This interaction produces several health benefits for mammals. 

8 Most Common CBD Benefits for Dogs

CBD is beneficial all mammals so it can be used for other pets like cats. 

The basis of these benefits is the clinical studies conducted on rats and humans. 

• Anticancer Benefits
• Anti-Inflammatory
• Homeostasis 
• Strong Analgesic
• Fights Glaucoma
• Anxiety and Stress Reliever
• Anticonvulsant
• Antiemetic

Taking a Closer Look

Anticancer Benefits

Cancer can kill your beloved pets as it is as fatal to them as it is for humans. Chemotherapy is one of the treatments that kill the growth of a tumor. 

Even though chemotherapy is beneficial against cancer, its side effects are debilitating. CBD, like chemotherapy, slows the growth and spread of a cancerous tumor. A growing number of research and studies support these claims. 

Anti-Inflammatory

The anti-inflammatory benefit of CBD is the primary reason for its many benefits. Having inflammation causes several disorders in the body. It is due to the destruction of the healthy cells when the immune system malfunctions. 

The ECS has cannabinoid receptors, which are the CB1 and CB2. CBD helps in alleviating inflammation in the body. It interacts with the CB2 that is in the immune cells. This interaction promotes the body’s immune responses. Among these responses is anti-inflammatory. Therefore, CBD can help with inflammatory diseases like arthritis.  

Homeostasis 

You can use CBD as a supplement to maintain your dog’s body’s homeostasis. CBD helps in maintaining the balance and the normal function of the body. According to some research, CBD helps the body achieve homeostasis by ECS stimulation. 

Strong Analgesic

The European Journal of Pharmacology’s study in 1997 found that the role of ECS in pain management is that it stops anandamide absorption. As a result, anandamide increases. Anandamide, the brain’s lipid neurotransmitter, dampens the brain’s pain signals. 

Because CBD helps in reducing inflammation, it also helps in getting rid of the pain it causes.

Fights Glaucoma

Glaucoma in dogs is as bad as it is for humans. Glaucoma causes irreversible and permanent blindness in dogs. It is due to the pressure on the eye. 

CBD helps fight glaucoma by decreasing eye pressure in a natural way. Unlike, prescription medications, CBD has no side effects. 

Anxiety and Stress Reliever

Just like humans, dogs can become anxious which causes them stress. You can see and feel it through your dogs’ behavior. Some of the symptoms include:

• Tremors
• Persistent barking
• Chewing on rubbish, furniture, and the like
• Aggression
• Urinating or defecating anywhere

CBD helps alleviate the anxiety felt by your dog. Yet, the reason it is effective as a stress reliever is unknown. According to some research, CBD works similarly to anxiety medications. 

Medications work by targeting the serotonin receptor called the 5-HT1A. It increases the level of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is the brain’s happy chemical. 

Anticonvulsant

If you know Charlotte Figi, you are aware of the anti-convulsant benefits of CBD. Her story broke in 2013 and became popular worldwide. 

Charlotte Figi suffered from 300 seizures per week. Only a tincture of CBD oil, now Charlotte’s web, helped her to manage them. Aside from her experience, several studies support her claims. 

Studies found that CBD can help manage tics, tremors, and spasms caused by Tourette’s Syndrome. It can also help manage epileptic seizures and multiple sclerosis spasms. 

Despite several studies, nobody knows the direct relationship between CBD and convulsions. One study suggests that it helps in the restoration of the normal production of neurons. It is generally believed that seizures happen when the brain fires neurons uncontrollably.  

Antiemetic

Antiemetic refers to the medications used against nausea and vomiting. Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms of many conditions. One of these medical conditions is motion sickness.

Nausea and vomiting can also be the body’s response to medications. 

Dogs can suffer from these symptoms too. As a result, they also can suffer from a decrease in appetite, dehydration, and more. 

Even though you can give over-the-counter medications, you do not want your dog to suffer from the side effects. Studies show that CBD is effective against nausea and vomiting. Therefore, your dog does not have to suffer from side effects from other medications. 

Other Advantages of CBD

The benefits that have been mentioned above are only a few  of the benefits of CBD for dogs. There are dozens of other benefits not mentioned in this article. Among these advantages are the therapeutic benefits for digestive problems and canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome. 

What You Need to Know About CBD For Your Dogs

You can administer CBD when they suffer from disorders like cancer, arthritis, epilepsy, and the like. CBD has no side effects. To make you feel more at ease, talk about the benefits of CBD for dogs with your vet.

Is THC Bad for Dogs?

Have you ever considered giving your dog some hemp? A lot of dog owners have been thinking about this in recent years. Their main argument is that if THC products have some good medical benefits for humans, then dogs should be able to enjoy the same as well.

The question, however, is this: is THC good for dogs like it is for humans? In order to answer this question, there are a few things about that you have to know about THC first, before you attempt to apply it to your dog.

Pot for Pets: Is it Safe for Dogs?

Delta 9 Tetrahydrocannabinol, THC in short, is one of the main compounds found in medical hemp. In fact, most medical hemp today have been genetically altered to produce more THC oil than their more naturally grown counterparts.

When the body consumes hemp, the THC activates several receptors in the body, producing that trademark “high” or euphoric state in the person. In short, the THC in hemp is the one that produces the substance’s iconic psychoactive effects.

Dogs and other animals can also experience this state through THC. In fact, dogs can get high in a number of ways, which include:

• Directly – Ingestion of natural hemp, buds, and leaves.
• Indirectly – Consuming food infused with THC oil.
• Secondhand – Being exposed to smoke from THC-laced products.

Does THC Have Health Benefits?

Surprisingly enough, THC oil does pose some benefits for dogs. These would include the following:

• Relaxation – Due to the natural properties of THC, it is quite effective in treating dogs that suffer from anxiety and panic attacks. This also helps in treating dogs with disturbed or irregular sleeping patterns. It can also help dogs that suffer from seizure attacks.

• Appetite Enhancement – THC can stimulate the body’s metabolism, making it want to consume more. This is ideal for dogs that have an eating disorder and have lost their appetite due to an ongoing medical condition or treatment.

• Antiemetic Properties – If ingested in just the right amount, THC can also help a dog deal with nausea and vomiting. This is quite helpful for dogs undergoing treatment as some medications do cause imbalances in their body, leading to the symptoms mentioned above.

• Pain Relief – As THC attacks the neural receptors in the body, it can produce effects similar to an analgesic. It can help a dog deal with pain, especially if they have been recently wounded or are suffering from some internal discomfort like gastrointestinal issues. This also makes THC highly effective in helping dogs deal with arthritis, muscle cramps, hip dysplasia, and other mobility-affecting conditions.

The Effect of THC on Dogs

As with humans, dogs are not immune from overexposure to substances like THC. In fact, it is not recommended that you have a dog ingest THC on a regular basis as it could result in a number of symptoms, that include:

• Drowsiness – The dog can experience a decrease in physical activity and response to outside stimuli. This can be problematic for working breeds and other dogs that are known for their high energy levels.
• Hunger – If THC can stimulate the appetite, too much of it can make the dog hungrier than usual. If not addressed immediately, the dog could suffer from hunger pangs, which would affect them psychologically.
• Lack of Coordination – Dogs that consume too much THC are not as coordinated as you would expect them to be when they want to move. Some dogs even lose their sense of balance, which is why some prefer to just sleep it off.
• Incontinence – THC can make every muscle of the body relax, and this includes the ones nearest to the bladder and stomach. As such, dogs that are in a THC-induced high often have little or no bladder control and can experience diarrhea.
• Nausea – Perhaps one of the worst effects of THC, the euphoric state induced by the substance can negatively affect the dog psychologically, which can cause nausea. If the nausea is too strong, the dog can experience bouts of vomiting until it wears off.

Are Products that Contain CBD and THC Safe for Pets?

Like THC, CBD is a naturally occurring substance in hemp. However, unlike THC, CBD does not have the psychoactive effects of THC.

So, is a product laced with both THC and CBD good for your pets? The answer is No. The presence of THC only counters whatever advantage CBD offers.

It is recommended, then, that you use only one or the other for your pet so as not to expose the dog to more intense side effects. In fact, CBD is the better alternative for your dog as the worse that the substance can bring is diarrhea and lethargy (both of which rarely occur).

THC is not the most recommended hemp substance for dogs. However, that is not to say that you can’t have your dogs ingest it from time to time. The key here is to introduce the substance in small, controlled portions so its side effects can be minimized.

In other words, proper care and precaution are necessary if considering letting your dog have THC from time to time. Properly consulting with a local veterinarian before including THC in your dog’s diet is highly recommended.

What CBD-Based Products Can You Use for Your Dog?

If you wish on including hemp in your dog’s diet, it is recommended that you find the right brand.

Pet Hemp Company is one of such brands as they offer a variety of CBD-infused products for dogs of various breeds and sizes. They make sure that all of their products are made with the beneficial substances found in hemp. 

With this, only the best possible benefits can be experienced by your dog, while the worst side effects are avoided.

What is Medical Marijuana for Dogs?

If you’re looking for information on medical marijuana for dogs then this information should be very helpful to you. We will discuss how CBD derived from the hemp plant can help your pet.

We will go over how it works, safety precautions, a bit of history, its benefits, how to use it, and other details.
Based on our research and experience, we recommend the use of CBD for your dig. We will go over the reasons why we make this recommendation.

Medical Marijuana for Dogs?

You have probably heard of medical marijuana for human use. Similarly, the good news is that hemp can now be safely used for pets as well. It has the same medicinal properties, except that its dosage is different for dogs and smaller mammals. You will want, however, to make sure the remedy does not contain any THC, which is the active ingredient that creates the “high” associated with marijuana

A Little Bit of History

During the prohibition era, people generally thought of marijuana as a drug that you smoke to get high. However, over the past 50+ years, there has been a lot of ground breaking research on its benefits.

One of the most significant discoveries in this field of research was in 1988 with the discovery of CB1; a chemical receptor that the body produces naturally in the brain.

Another breakthrough came in 1993 with the discovery of CB2. This second cannabis receptor was found outside of the brain. These receptors are naturally produced by the body in order to process chemicals from the cannabis plant.

Further research involved the entire Endocannabinoid System (ECS), which includes anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol or 2-AG. Various studies confirmed that the ECS is involved in bodily functions and processes including appetite, metabolism, mood, as well as memory.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Research shows that chemicals from medical marijuana activates the body’s ECS. These chemical compounds are called cannabinoids and marijuana has around 113 of them.

Each of these cannabinoids has a different effect on the body. Of course, you don’t need every single one of them. You only need the ones that have been studied and confirmed by researchers.

The most important cannabinoids include cannabichromene (CBC), cannabigero (CBG), CBD, and THC. These are the chemical compounds in medical marijuana that we know of that produce all the health benefits that have been discovered thus far.

Is Medical Marijuana Safe for Dogs?

Dogs have the same Endocannabinoid System (ECS) as human beings. In theory they can also get the same benefits from medical marijuana that humans do, but there is an important factor that should be considered. Dogs are very sensitive to the effects of THC, one of the cannabinoids used in medical marijuana.

However, THC is only one of the many cannabinoids that can be extracted from medical marijuana. The one that we highly recommend and use is CBD. This is actually the best supplement that you can use for your pet.

What are the Benefits of CBD for Dogs?

There are several confirmed medical benefits of medical marijuana for dogs. They include the following:

• • Antitumor properties
  • Muscle relaxant
  • Antianxiolytic effects
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Intraocular pressure relief
  • Anticonvulsant effects
  • Pain relief

Let’s go over the major benefits in detail.

CBD as a Powerful Anti-Inflammatory

Inflammation can be a big issue for dogs. Unfortunately, anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen is toxic to dogs. Inflammation is an issue for dogs with arthritis.

CBD is a good alternative as an anti-inflammatory medication. This is one of the primary benefits of the CBD compound. Because it reduces inflammation it also produces pain relief for dogs with arthritis and similar conditions.

CBD as Anxiety Treatment for Dogs

Separation anxiety and other forms of anxiety are common issues for many dogs. Our pets can get very anxious when left alone or when traveling in a new vehicle.

Some dogs also experience anxiety during the 4th of July celebrations when there are fireworks being set off.
Many vets recommend CBD oil for dogs with anxiety issues. It may also help dogs overcome issues with aggression.

CBD Can Reduce Seizures

Watching your dog suffer from episodes of epileptic seizures can be devastating. It is really unfortunate that a lot of dogs have to go through such an ordeal.

The good news is that there is a growing body of research on medical marijuana, CBD in particular, as a treatment for seizures and epileptic relief for dogs.

Experts from the American Kennel Club admit that the science isn’t 100% there yet. However, the evidence suggests that the use of CBD as a form of treatment is very promising.

In one study conducted at the Colorado State University (source), researchers found that 89% of dogs that were administered with small amounts of CBD experienced reduced frequency of seizures.

Everything is still in an experimental stage as researchers still must determine possible side effects, proper dosage, dog breeds that benefit most from this treatment, and other factors.

It would be best to consult with your vet for dosage and other relevant instructions.

Anti-Tumor Properties

To hear your vet say that your dog has cancer is one of the most painful experiences that you or any pet owner can experience. Yet, it is one of the major causes of death among dogs today.

The good news is that there are plenty of studies being conducted regarding the use of medical marijuana for dogs with cancer. We must emphasize here that CBD, or any other similar compound, is not a cure for cancer in dogs.

There are studies, however, that suggest CBD can stop the growth of tumor cells. An example of that was in a 2016 report and study from the Cleveland Clinic Lerner School of Medicine.

These studies aren’t absolutely conclusive at this point and they weren’t exactly focused on treatment for dogs, But the results are again quite promising.

How to Use CBD with Your Dog

The best way to use CBD for your dog is to consult with your vet first. CBD is currently administered as a supplement since there are still no available dosing regulations from the FDA, to date.

Your vet can point you to a veterinary specific product. Your vet can also ensure that the medical marijuana is best suited for your dog’s state and condition.