CBD for Dogs: Everything You Need to Know

If you’re reading this article, then you’re probably a dog lover. Many regard their pooch as their best friend. They also favor them as companions and want the best for them. This is one of the main reasons canine owners are interested in CBD for dogs.

Just as your furry friends make you happy and aid your overall well-being, it’s unquestionable that you would do the same for them. 

So as you search for the best CBD for dogs and explore the various options of pet CBD, continue reading to gain some insight. We cover safety concerns, the dosage, what to use it for, and much more. Let’s begin!

What is CBD for dogs?

Before we explore the various options of CBD for petsand if CBD is safe for dogs, we need to look at CBD itself.

Cannabis has become increasingly popular since its legalization in various states, especially for medicinal use. CBD can be found everywhere you buy wellness products, including CBD for pets.

What is CBD? It’s a compound found in cannabis plants and hemp and is short for cannabidiol. CBD, just as CBD for dogs, is a non-psychoactive ingredient. THC, also found in cannabis and just as common, is a psychoactive compound.

Both these compounds interact with the body’s endocannabinoid systems (ECS) but affect it differently. They communicate with the neurotransmitters in our brain, which are responsible for transmitting signals between cells.

Although CBD does have psychoactive effects, it’s not similar to THC, which gives you the feeling of euphoria. CBD’s effects assist with conditions like anxiety, depression, and seizures and are present in CBD for dogs too.

It so happens that man’s best friend has the same endocannabinoid system as humans. This is why veterinarians and dog owners believe thatCBD can be used for dogs.

There hasn’t been much research done regarding the effectiveness of CBD for pets. However, there’s lots of evidence that proves dogs do indeed benefit from it.

The various illnesses that humans have also exist in pets, which CBD has benefited. Treatment of your furry friends can be quite expensive but yet you want the best for them.

CBD comes in various forms, such as CBD treats for dogs, oil, and capsules. Since CBD oil is the more favored form, let’s have a closer look at the benefits.

What does CBD oil do for dogs?

Just as in humans, CBD oil has many therapeutic benefits for our beloved canines. Many pet owners have resorted to using CBD oil for their dogs.

The lack of research doesn’t give us conclusive results, but there’s sufficient anecdotal evidence to support the effectiveness of CBD oil in your hounds.

CBD for dogs with anxiety

Anxiety is as common in our canine friends as it is in humans. Several things can trigger anxiety in pups, such as loud and unfamiliar noises or new and strange environments. 

Pets’ common anxiety symptoms are barking, chewing things, aggressive and often destructive behavior, and peeing inside the house. CBD for anxiety can alleviate these feelings by the relaxing effects it has.

Anxiety in pets can sometimes be caused by pain or inflammation. CBD oil for dogs has properties that can ease these disorders and indirectly reduce anxiety.

CBD for dogs in pain

Many dogs suffer from arthritis and intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). These conditions can subject your furry pal to a great deal of pain.

Being daring and very curious animals, they also tend to incur injuries and are left in pain. You canuse CBD for dogs with pain. 

In humans, a combination of CBD and THC can bring much pain relief, butTHC has been regarded as unsafe for dogs. CBD on its own is just as beneficial for dogs and can ease their suffering. 

Is CBD safe for dogs?

Treating your dog with CBD is generally considered safe—as long as you administer a low concentration of CBD in small doses.

When extracting CBD from the cannabis plant, it’ll contain some THC. Most of the time, the percentage of THC is more than 0.3%, which is too much for dogs.

CBD extracted from hemp has less than 0.3% THC. This amount is much safer. THC is toxic for canines. If you purchase any CBD for your dog, it’s best to check the details on the packaging. 

When pups are given CBD with increased levels of THC, they can develop adverse reactions. These responses include vomiting and diarrhea.

When looking for CBD oil for your dogs, avoid buying hemp seed oil. This oil is derived from the seeds of the cannabis plants, and although it has some nutritional supplements, it contains little to no CBD.

There’s been a fair amount of studies done into the efficacy of CBD for dogs. The following benefits were found in a 2018 study:

• CBD helps with osteoarthritis 
• CBD relieves pain
• CBD reduces inflammation

A study done in 2019 showed the following:

• CBD assists dogs with epilepsy
• Helps manage seizures in canines

Side effects of CBD oil in dogs

Based on evidence from studies done and confirmations from pet owners, there are no real side effects of CBD oil in dogs, even over a long period. However, like many other medications or supplements, your playful pal may experience some reactions.

The lack of or minimal side effects in your dog from CBD is why many other canine lovers have resorted to using this natural herb to assist their pets. To avoid any unexpected reactions or unwanted consequences, always read the instructions on the package.

When you give your dog CBD in high doses, then they may experience the following side effects:

• CBD can decrease the production of saliva, which results in your pet being extremely thirsty and consuming huge amounts of water.

• Increased amounts of CBD in dog treats or CBD oil can make your pet lethargic and sluggish. They may not be able to perform their daily routines.

• High doses of CBD can also lower your pet’s blood pressure and create lightheadedness.

• As your pup starts consuming CBD oil for dogs, they may have an initial reaction to the carrier oil. As their bodies acclimatize to the product, they might experience discomfort in their digestive system and even have diarrhea. 

The chances of side effects also depend on the manufacturer. Each brand of pet CBD oil differs according to the extraction method used or production formula.

How much CBD oil for dogs should you give?

There are a few facts to consider before administering your pet some CBD oil. Your hound’s size and weight play an important role in the dosage.

Your dogs’ activeness, health status, and age influence the way their body metabolizes the CBD. Healthier, stronger, and younger dogs have a faster metabolism than the older, unhealthy, or inactive ones. 

The dosage also depends on which condition you’re trying to treat in your pet. Most retail-bought packages of CBD oil for dogs have dosage instructions as a guide. You could also ask your local veterinarian for some advice.  

Since the FDA doesn’t regulate CBD, there’s no definitive rule regarding dosage. The suggested dosage among many manufacturers is approximately 0.2mg of CBD/lbs per day.

As in humans, it’s best to start with the lowest dosage of CBD for your dog and then gradually increase it over time. This approach is known as ‘low and slow.’ 

You could start with administering a dose once a day and then increasing it to twice a day after three days. Introducing CBD oil in this manner allows your pet to adjust to it, and you can monitor any side effects or adverse reactions.

By adhering to the recommended dosage on the package of the CBD oil for a week, you create a baseline to modify accordingly in the future. Introducing your pet to CBD and regulating the dose to one that suits them takes time and patience.

A safe guideline to use is 0.2mg per pound. So if a dog weighs 25lbs, then you could give them 5mg of CBD. You then need to calculate how much mg of CBD is in each ml of oil and divide the dose accordingly. 

If your CBD oil for dogs is a 30ml bottle with a CBD concentration of 250mg, you’ll have 8.3mg/ml and then administer the dose according to your dog’s weight. 

How much CBD oil should I give my dog for anxiety?

If you know of a stressful event that may create anxiety for your pet, you could give them 0.2mg/lbs, a regular dose, half an hour before you leave home. The same dose of CBD oil for dogs with anxiety can be given afterward as well.

The subsequent doses will also depend on how severe the anxiety is. In acute cases of anxiety, the dosage and frequency can be increased, or you can use a more potent form of CBD oil for dogs with anxiety.

How much CBD oil for a dog’s pain?

A regular dose, as indicated above, of CBD for dogs with pain can be administered twice a day. The frequency can be increased depending on the severity of the pain.

How to give CBD to dogs?

Although man’s best friends can be loving, kind, and very playful, they’re not entirely agreeable when it comes to ingesting the medicine. So getting your pet to take CBD can be very tricky. The following are some suggestions:

• A trick or two – Dogs love to lick things and people. This can be one method you can use to get your pooch to consume CBD oil by allowing them to lick it off a surface.

• Squirt it – If you use CBD oil for dogs, you could squirt it into your pet’s mouth or onto a soft, absorbent food and feed it to them.

• Reward system – One thing that works like a charm on pets, especially when you want them to obey you, is a reward system. This can also be used to ‘trick’ them into consuming the CBD.

• Alternative forms – If you find that it’s not easy to get your canine to consume CBD oil, then try CBD treats for dogs, soft chews, or capsules. There are also topical creams to apply to your pet’s skin.

How long does it take for CBD to work on dogs?

How long the CBD takes to work on dogs depends on the dosage, which form it’s in, and the method you use to administer it. When CBD oil for dogs is given directly into your pet’s mouth, it could take effect within 20 to 60 minutes.

If your pup consumesCBD in dog treats, it can take 45 to 90 minutes for it to get absorbed. This is because food takes a while to make its way through the digestive system. The CBD is then absorbed into the bloodstream.

The length of its effectiveness also varies. Some owners say it lasts up to 4 hours. Others have seen the effects in their dogs for up to 9 hours. There are, of course, various reasons for this which include the size of your furry pet and the dose administered.

How to choose the best CBD for dogs?

CBD can be found in both hemp and cannabis plants. You can also find THC in these plants, but the content is higher in marijuana than hemp.

In hemp, the THC content is no more than 0.3%. Since it’s a psychoactive ingredient that causes a feeling of euphoria or a ‘high,’ it’s not recommended for canines.

The best CBD oil for dogs is hemp CBD. When choosing a suitable CBD for your dogs, consider the following:

• Full or broad-spectrum hemp – This CBD product contains more than just CBD. It contains other cannabinoids such as CBC and CBG, both of which help with inflammation. CBC (Cannabichromene) helps fight cancer and has a positive effect on brain cells. CBG (Cannabigerol) protects eyesight and nerve cells and supports healthy bladder function.

A full spectrum also contains terpenes which are medicinal properties that occur naturally in hemp. These terpenes and compounds work together to boost their therapeutic benefits.

• CBD Extraction – Another thing to consider is how the CBD for pets was extracted from hemp. The preferable method of extraction is with CO2 (carbon dioxide). This method creates an oil with a higher concentration of CBD, making it a better quality of CBD oil for dogs. 

Other extraction methods sometimes leave solvent residue in the CBD oil, which is toxic for your dog. Even if safe solvents are used for extraction, they tend to strip away the plant’s waxes, making them inferior. 

• Certification – This certificate verifies the amount and type of CBD present in the product. It also confirms the quality of the CBD, ensuring you don’t buy any inferior commodity.

• Other information – Ensure that the product you buy is exactly the one you saw advertised. It’s important to read the packaging and verify the contents are what you require. 

It’s also essential to confirm there’s no THC in your product. THC isn’t good for your dog and has no health benefits for them.

Also, ensure that you can verify where and how the hemp was grown to ensure that it doesn’t contain any contaminants. Organic hemp is important.

FAQs

Do you still have some probing questions or concerns regarding CBD for dogs? Have a look at the following FAQs to see if we can clear up any final doubts.

Is CBD legal for dogs?

Although medical marijuana is legal in most states, CBD for dogs isn’t legal, as there are no CBD products currently approved by the FDA. CBD for pets is promoted as hemp in an attempt to avoid any concerns around its legality.

However, this hasn’t deterred individuals from manufacturing or purchasing CBD products.

Do vets recommend CBD oil for dogs?

Veterinarians aren’t allowed to prescribe or dispense CBD for dogs and aren’t permitted to encourage the purchase of CBD products. However, nothing prevents them from discussing the advantages and disadvantages with you.

If you need advice, it’s best to have a conversation with a vet who has some experience with CBD.

How expensive is CBD oil for dogs?

CBD isn’t an inexpensive form of treatment, whether it’s for humans or pets. The method used to extract the oil, the quality of the plant, whether it was lab tested, and the brand name all contribute towards its cost.

These factors may drastically increase the price of CBD oil for dogs.

Does CBD help aggressive dogs?

If your dog’s aggressive, it could easily be a symptom of some other condition. You could, however, treat your pet with CBD for dogs with anxiety. This CBD and the dosage should be able to calm them down and treat pain and inflammation that may cause this behavior.

Every dog has its day

There’s a reason dogs are known as ‘man’s best friend’. They’re undoubtedly the most excited living beings to see you when you get home and are there for you on good and bad days. 

That’s more than enough reasons for you to do all you can for your furry friend’s cause—admittedly, they too have bad days. With all the information and resources available on CBD, you’ll be able to make your dog feel a whole lot better.

At Homegrown Cannabis Co., we have a wide range of high CBD seeds available for home cultivation. Our website has a ton of useful information to help you grow your own cannabis and extract CBD oil for your dogs. Why wait any longer? Get your pup on the road to recovery with your homegrown marijuana today.