About two decades ago, cannabis was a plant that received bad press from almost every platform available. Nonetheless, today the tables have turned, and the script reads entirely differently as results of different experiments and research show that the plant also boasts beneficial CBD oil. The oil has been proven effective in treating almost anything from emotional disorders such as anxiety to physical illnesses such as arthritis. What’s even riveting is that these benefits extend to man’s four-legged best friend; your dog. As exciting and as beneficial as it sounds, it is easy to turn down the idea of giving CBD oil to your pooch, especially if it is the first time to hear about CBD oil for dogs. Fortunately, you are in good company because below is an outline of everything you need to know about this oil and how beneficial it is for your dog.
What is CBD oil?
As a dog parent, there is no doubt that you want nothing but the best for your furry best friend. It is therefore reasonable for you to wonder what CBD oil is, and why you should consider giving it to your dog. Well, for you to fully grasp what it is, it’s essential that you first understand the composition of the cannabis plant.
Studies show that this plant contains over 80 different chemicals, which are all known as cannabinoids. However, among all 80, only two of them are the main, namely; Tetrahydrocannabinol is commonly known as THC and Cannabidiol usually referred to as CBD. Now simply put, CBD oil is the extract derived from the second compound, which was discovered recently.
How CBD oil interacts with your dog’s brain
Just like you, your four-legged best friend also has an endocannabinoid system also known as the ECS, which comprises of cellular activators and receptors responsible for the regulation of various physiological processes such as mood, stress, sleep and many others. These receptor sites are often spread out in the brain, the central nervous system and the immune cells among other parts of the body. Put simply, CBD oil achieves all the positive effects that are listed below by binding itself to specific receptors in your pup’s ECS and then balances out whatever is out of balance by facilitating communication between cells. The results of this are that your dog starts feeling better.
Why should I consider CBD oil for dogs?
Although research on CBD for dogs is still limited, the various studies conducted up to now prove that there are many reasons why you should consider CBD oil for your pooch as shown below
It offers relief to pain and arthritis
Arthritis is among the most common ailments in dogs. Unfortunately, it is one which prevents your furry best friend from enjoying its days as a dog. Fortunately, you don’t have to bear with the sight of your pooch struggling to climb the stairs as CBD oil boasts anti-inflammatory properties which enable it to communicate with CBD2 receptors located inside the white blood cells. As a result, this helps ease inflammation which most of the times, is as a result of the malfunctioning of the white blood cells which causes them to attack healthy body cells. By alleviating inflammation, CBD oil helps provide relief to pain caused by arthritis.
It also eases other forms of pain in your dog by preventing the absorption of a chemical known as anandamide which often inhibits pain signals in the brain. As a result, the levels of anandamide increase thus reducing pain sensations and offering relief to your pupster.
Helps with anxiety and depression
Like you, dogs often suffer from anxiety and depression. For instance, when you leave for work in the morning or when separated from other pets, your pooch is likely to experience anxiety. Whatever the cause of these problems you’ll be glad to know that CBD oil for a dog will save the day. Studies show it achieves this effect by binding itself to serotonin receptors known as 5-HT1A, hence boosting the levels of this hormone in the brain and as a result, alleviates anxiety, depression and other forms of stress in your dog.
It boosts the appetite
Even though a dog rarely loses its appetite, when it does, it can be quite hard to figure out why. However, in most cases, it is often as a result of nausea, or a bowel imbalance. CBD is a natural antiemetic which means it can help control nausea and thus restore your dog’s appetite. CBD has also been proven to help restore normal bowel motility by easing inflammation. Besides nausea and bowel imbalance, your dog can at times lack the appetite for a meal it munches down within minutes when it is depressed or anxious. If this is the reason, again CBD oil has your back because as shown earlier, it helps ease depression, anxiety and other similar problems that may be preventing your pup from enjoying its favorite treats.
Helps with seizures and epilepsy
Studies show that approximately 5% of dogs struggle with seizures and epilepsy. In the past, such dogs had to struggle with lab-manufactured drugs which even though offered relief; they had adverse effects on organs such as the liver. Fortunately, those days are now gone as CBD oil has been proven to be a natural anticonvulsant hence effective in the treatment of epilepsy by controlling seizures and spasms caused by the condition. Even though it is not quite clear how the oil achieves this, multiple studies suggest that it does so by calming down overexcited brain neurons which often result in seizures.
Fights cancer and tumors
Unfortunately, our furry best friends have way too much in common with us. For instance, apart from having a similar ECS, and suffering from anxiety and stress, they are also susceptible to cancer and tumor growth. What’s even more unfortunate is that their immune system is not as strong as the human system which means that even a minor tumor growth can be fatal. The good news, however, is that you don’t have to lose your furry best friend to these conditions anymore as CBD has been shown as effective in fighting cancer and tumors. It does so in different ways. For instance, CBD oil triggers the killer cells in the immune system to attack cancerous cells hence blocking their ability to produce energy and as such, prevents them from growing and spreading. Another study carried out by a university in Madrid shows that for those who already have cancer, CBD prevents further damage by enhancing the effects of chemo and at the same time protects healthy cells by preventing the development of more cancerous cells and the spread of tumors.
Prevents neurodegenerative diseases and protects the CNS
The CNS in dogs is often highly susceptible to neurodegeneration and nerve issues. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, CBD usually keeps neurodegenerative diseases at bay by preventing inflammation caused by free radicals and other toxins that result in such conditions.
CBD oil promotes overall wellness
On top of all the benefits, CBD oil also ensures the overall wellbeing of your pooch. It achieves this by promoting homeostasis, that is ensuring that everything in your dog’ body is functioning as it should. Usually, when one part of the body fails to work as it should, it tends to affect all the other parts from functioning well, resulting in an imbalance. By interacting with the endocannabinoid system and binding itself to the necessary receptors, CBD oil helps maintain the balance by facilitating smooth sailing communication between different cells and thus ensuring everything is working properly. This keeps your dog healthy and happy. This is why you should use CBD oil to not only treat a particular problem but as a supplement.
Should I be worried about my dog being high?
This is one of the main reasons why most dog parents fail to give CBD oil to their dogs. They tend to think that the high effect caused by marijuana on their next-door neighbor is what their furry best friend will experience when given CBD oil. Fortunately, we are here to set the record straight. As mentioned earlier, Cannabis is made of two main components, which are; THC and CBD. Now simply put THC is the psychoactive compound which means it is responsible for the “high” feeling that most marijuana users experience.
On the other hand, CBD is non-psychoactive, and thereby it won’t get your pet high. Also, most CBD oil is derived from hemp oil, which contains little to no THC, thus besides being non-psychotic, it is also legal in all states. That also means you do not violate the law in any way when you give CBD to your pooch.
Any side effects?
CBD oil has no life-threatening side effects to your pooch. The most common side effect among most dogs are drowsiness and in some cases, diarrhea and lightheadedness. Other than that, there are no severe side effects. It is also important to note that your dog will experience such side effects during the first days which is why it is vital to start with a small dosage until you reach the recommended dosage for a dog. This enables your pup’s system to adapt to the changes slowly. However, like any other drug, excessive CBD oil is harmful and can even be fatal. Therefore, ensure you consult with your veterinarian first before introducing your pupster to CBD oil.
How to introduce CBD oil to your dog
There are various ways to administer CBD oil to your furry best friend. Below are the easiest ones
- Mix with food
- CBD oil treats such as biscuits.
- CBD tincture
How long does CBD oil take to be effective?
When it comes to effectiveness, it is crucial to keep in mind that dogs aren’t the same. Your friend’s pooch might respond rapidly while yours might take a while before you see optimal results. Therefore, don’t freak out and think that CBD oil is a fad because it has been proven to work. However, when given directly, most dogs take about an hour on average to respond, but when CBD oil is mixed with food or is given through treats, it might take about 45 to 90 minutes before you observe any response. For more severe issues, it might take around two to four weeks for you to see any optimal results. However, ensure you start with small dosages and again be sure to consult your vet first before you administer any CBD oil to your dog.
How to buy CBD oil for dogs
Since the legalization of CBD oil, there has been an influx of CBD oil products in the market. While this is a good thing, it is also bad because many manufacturers are in the market for the money and not necessarily because they care for the wellbeing of your pooch. This results in many counterfeit and low-quality CBD oil products in the market which is why you should be incredibly careful with the products you give to your dog. To buy the best always
- Go for organic. Ensure you read the ingredients and their source to confirm that it is indeed organic
- Buy from a reputable company
- Don’t go for the cheapest. Ask yourself why the product is so cheap first before you add it to your cart
- Read online reviews and testimonials as well as check ratings by previous customers to be sure.
Final Thoughts
CBD oil is now a mainstream product as more and more people realize the benefits it has for both humans and dogs. As a dog parent, get yours today to ensure your furry best friend remains strong and healthy throughout.
