Decades of research and studies have concluded that cannabis can be used for medical purposes1. This is one of the reasons why more and more veterinarians are looking to use CBD oil to treat diseases in dogs.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol or CBD is a natural tincture or concentrated extract of cannabis plants. It has a high level of cannabinoids and little or no THC. These oils are often made using solvents such as butane, olive oil, alcohol, CO2 and ice water on the mature matter of cannabis plants.
When these solvents pass through the stems and leaves of the plant, an extraction process begins and cannabinoids, trichomes and terpenes are dissolved in the solution. Finally, these solvents evaporate, leaving an oily concentrate called CBD oil.
Is the use of CBD in animals healthy?
It is necessary to understand that CBD oil for dogs or the best hemp oil for dogs is not psychoactive. This means there is no way to get your pets to “position” themselves with these products2. That’s perhaps the best thing about CBD oil: it provides all the medical benefits without the psychoactive effects of marijuana.
The Benefits of Using CBD for Pets
- Combat anxiety
Depression and anxiety arise when there is chemical instability in the brain. Dogs are especially susceptible to this disorder. Documents recorded by various veterinarians and medical experts have shown that the use of CBD oil can help stabilize and normalize the chemical fluctuations that result from this type of health problem.
In addition, the components of CBD interact with the two receptors of adenosine and serotonin in your dog’s brain to make it work properly. Many people use CBD oil to help combat loneliness anxiety or anxiety generated by fireworks or storms in dogs.
- Combats cancer cells
Research evidence shows that CBD oil has a significant impact on preventing the growth and spread of cancer cells. Although laboratory studies have been conducted in rats and mice, numerous reports from medical experts and physicians have revealed several very promising results.
- Stops seizures
A seizure is an interruption in electrical activities that can lead to a violent tremor. Seizures often originate in the brain and can be very difficult to treat. Recently, some scientific studies have shown that the use of CBD can significantly reduce the number and intensity of these electrical interruptions in the brains of most pets.
- Pain Relief
Swelling and pain in dogs are regulated by the brain’s vanilloid receptor. When CBD interacts with such neurons, it has been shown to block and prevent the receiver from activating and giving the body the signal to feel the pain.
- Regulation of appetite
Research has shown that CBD can decrease nausea and stimulate appetite through interaction with multiple neurons in your pet’s brain. As a result, it encourages an already ill dog to repair itself, especially when your dog suffers from systemic diseases such as seizures or cancer6. The body always needs energy from food to fight these diseases, and if it cannot digest enough food, your pets may face many serious problems.
Can my pet overdose on CBD?
In general, you should be very careful with the dosage and administration of CBD to your dogs. When taking products with high percentages of THC, animals are likely to feel uncomfortable and sleepy.
The side effects of an overdose can last from several hours to a couple of days, depending on the dose. In these cases, it’s not unusual for your pet to lose their appetite and find even simple things like standing very difficult.
Pay attention to behavior regarding energy, appetite, and other activities after taking CBD. If you suspect that your dog has received an overdose of CBD oil, or that there are signs of it, please discontinue treatment and consult a veterinarian.
Do veterinarians recommend CBD for pets?
If you plan to purchase CBD products for your pet, we invite you to discuss this with a veterinarian. But please don’t be surprised if they are against treatment with cannabis. Although many scientific studies have yielded positive results, many veterinarians are not always up to date on the matter.
You should also inform and exchange information with other pet owners who have already used CBD oil. Keep in mind that the side effects of CBD oil are almost nil, so it won’t hurt your pet. However, if your pet does not react well to CBD oil after the first treatment, it is easy to stop it immediately.
It is important to choose a high quality CBD product that is completely extracted from organic cannabis plants. This is the only way to make sure it is free of mold, pesticides and heavy metals, which can be fatal to many pets.
How to use CBD with pets
CBD oils are usually given orally to pets, which means that the easiest way to use them is to put them directly in the mouth of your dogs with the help of a dropper.
However, this could be a challenge for dogs that are very lively and don’t sit still – so it might be much easier if you mix the oil with the pet’s food. Wait a few minutes until the oil is absorbed. The recommended amount is one drop of CBD oil per pound of food. However, do not combine this product with poultry, as it may upset the balance of fatty acids in your pet’s digestive system.
In addition, you can use a manual feeding syringe with a plastic dropper or silicone feeding tip to apply CBD oils directly to the back of the gum or cheek line or the middle of the tongue. For problems such as minor wounds, rashes, sores and hot spots, the application of CBD oil such as tincture or balsam may be a better option.
If all of these methods don’t work, try dripping drops into a container of water. Remember this is only a last resort, as oil drops can easily splash from a bowl.
How much CBD should I give my pet?
As mentioned above, CBD oil overdose could cause side effects and psychoactive problems in your pets.
Therefore, it is important to choose the right dosage for your pet. Unfortunately, research and studies on optimal dosage for pets are not yet complete enough to make a clear statement. The general rule currently recommended by many veterinarians is a 5% drop of CBD oil for every 5 kg of body weight.
