Is CBD Good for Dogs: Everything You Need to Know

In certain places, medical marijuana is an option people choose to deal with many ailments or seek relief. With new research coming into the picture, veterinarians and pet parents are finding many positive benefits associated with medical cannabis for dogs as well.

It doesn’t matter if your dog has anxiety, seizures, or cancer; CBD oil could be used as an alternative for helping treat the symptoms. If you are not aware of CBD oil, we are going to enlighten you in this article.

What Is Meant by Cannabis Oil?

Cannabis oil is a kind of liquid that is generated from a marijuana plant. There are several ways of extracting the oil, such as CO2 extraction. The marijuana flowers are known for containing trichomes, which are known to contain essential oils. Once you separate the gland from the plant, it can be formulated for finding the right ratio of cannabinoids.

The marijuana plant has 80 different cannabinoids, and THC would be one among them, but CBD is known to be the medical component that is useful to humans and dogs alike.

Hemp products are known to have less than 0.3% THC. Therefore, CBD oil could be quite useful in offering the “entourage effect”. Many researchers have mentioned that cannabis oil does not contain psychoactive effects on dogs, even when the doses are normal. The products usually do not contain TCH or very little amount of it, which will not be able to get your dog high.

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Difference between Marijuana and Hemp Oil

Before even considering getting CBD for your dog, it is crucial to understand the difference between hemp and marijuana. They both belong to the same Cannabis Sativa plant, but they have very different results and properties.

Marijuana is known for being a high source of THC, which is a psychoactive element. It results in a person getting high. On the other hand, hemp contains less than 3% of TCH and another substance called cannabidiol (CBD).

Benefits of CBD Oil for Dogs

CBD oil is quite useful in treating gastrointestinal issues, symptoms of cancer, back pain, arthritis, anxiety, stress, nausea, seizures, and so on. When the cannabinoids present in marijuana reacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, the body experiences relief. The cannabinoids interact with the body’s receptors and modulate things such as nausea, anxiety, pain, etc.

Unlike any other traditional pain medication for dogs, medical cannabis does not bring life-threatening side effects with the proper dosage. It does not damage the GI tract, liver, or kidney.

Potential Risks of CBD Oil for Pets

Similar to any other medication, overdosing could be a potential threat for pets. The most common risk would be THC toxicity, meaning that your pet is high. Depending on how significantly your pet has overdosed, the effect could remain for a long time, sometimes even for days. During such an episode, the pet may not be able to eat or stand. If you think that your pet might have overdosed, you will have to take him/her to a veterinarian immediately.

Life-threatening risks are quite rare among dogs due to medical cannabis. The toxicity is even more when a pet eats raisins, coffee, or chocolate. The THC toxicity may not be quite excessive, but it could result in problems.

Consuming marijuana in large quantities could be fatal in dogs. Therefore, it is essential to avoid overdosing at any cost.

According to experts, with the popularity of CBD oil and other cannabis products, pet owners might give in to the marketing strategy of the overly ambitious claims made by unreliable sources about cannabis oil. It could pose a threat to the pet.

With any medication, it is advisable to consult a veterinarian beforehand. It will also be the same in the case of CBD oil for dogs.

How to Administer CBD Oil to Dogs?

There are topical treatments available in the market, but people administer CBD oil orally to dogs. It could also be administered along with traditional treatments and medications. Emerging research has pointed out that there are chances of synergistic benefits between conventional medicines and marijuana being administered together.

However, there may be chances of drug interactions, and they could have adverse effects. Being aware of them is extremely important when administering CBD oil and traditional medications together.

Another essential element that needs to be kept in mind would be the correct dosage. It is true in case of any kind of medication. If the dosage is the right one, your pet will be able to experience the positive effects without any of the psychoactive effects at all.

But the problem is when there isn’t enough research regarding the correct dosage of CBD oil for dogs. Therefore, the best option pet owners have is to consult with their veterinarian to determine a dosage that could help treat dogs from various ailments.

Pet owners will also have to keep the brand of the CBD oil in mind because there are many fake sellers in the market, especially online. Therefore, it is best to go with manufacturers who are reliable, genuine, and reputable.

Where to Get CBD Oil for Dogs

If you plan on obtaining CBD oil, it totally depends on where you are located. Depending on the laws of your state, you will have sources to purchase CBD oil. However, there are many sources online that sell CBD products. Finding the right one can be tricky, especially with so many manufacturers claiming to be the best.

It is crucial that you do your research and go through the testimonials to get an idea of the website or store. Ask your friends and family and go with a store that appears to be the most reputable amongst all.

The health benefits are tremendous when it comes to CBD oil. However, it entirely depends on the pet owner whether to administer it on his/her precious furry animal.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes.