How Cannabidiol Affects Dogs? Dog Health Issues that can be treated with CBD Oil for Dogs. How Much Cannabidiol can be given to Dogs? CBD oil for dogs is a pet wellness trend that in our opinion won’t be going away any time soon. Just a search on the internet with the words “CBD oil” will show you how much fuss is out there about it. And truth be told, a lot of misinformation abound concerning it which is why you need a truthful article such as this. Moreover, you can visit this site to find the best cbd oil for dogs.
What is CBD Oil?
Let’s begin with the most basic and important question; “What is CBD oil?”
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the many compounds known as cannabinoids that are found in the cannabis plant (hemp specifically). CBD oil is free of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) which is the cannabinoid that makes marijuana psychoactive.
In fact, this is the major difference between hemp and marijuana. While hemp does not contain THC but has a lot of CBD, marijuana contains THC and less CBD. Hence, most cannabidiol products including cannabis oil for dogs are gotten from hemp.
How Cannabidiol Affects Dogs?
Based on limited research (which is due to the relative newness of this field), scientists have only been able to confidently say that all cannabinoids including CBD act on the cannabinoid receptors within the endocannabinoid receptors.
These receptors are found within the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. And they help in the maintenance of normal body function and operation.
Risk of Cannabidiol Oil Usage for your Dog
As we mentioned above, research in this field is still limited, hence, the risks have not been fully researched. This is the reason the FDA has not given approval on cannabidiol products except one and neither has it given a dosing chart. And since there is no dosing chart, knowing the amount to give isn’t fixed.
Certain research papers show that administering certain doses of CBD Oil for Dogs causes an increase in the bloodwork of a liver value known as alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The medical significance of this value increase hasn’t been determined.
Also, reports of sleepy effects on dogs who received a large dose of cannabidiol exist from many quarters. Nevertheless, these effects disappear after a while.
Hence, the usage of cannabis oil is left to the discretion of the dog owner. Therefore, proper consultation with your veterinarian is necessary. This should not be neglected especially if your dog is taking certain medication drugs.
And if you are to use it, we recommend you begin with small drops and ensure you monitor your dog closely to determine the effects it has.
How Much Cannabidiol can be given to Dogs
As we just mentioned, there isn’t fixed dosing, however, based on the available studies, we can estimate what is appropriate.
A dosage of 2 to 8mg/kg has been found to be suitable for dogs that have seizures or arthritis. And this can be used twice a day. It is said that this dosage might not be appropriate for other conditions apart from the two mentioned because of limited research.
While the FDA doesn’t approve CBD products, it did approve Epidiolex which is used in the treatment of dog epilepsy. This product can be properly administered using the right dosage. You can visit accessdata to find out if a drug is approved by the FDA.
Dog Health Issues that can be treated with CBD Oil for Dogs
Despite the potential risks, much anecdotal evidence has suggested that the oil is safe and even offers several health benefits. It has even been reported to treat certain dog health issues.
Pain
One of the major health issues CBD has been used to treat is pain. It has been used for both acute and chronic pain. Reports have even said it works on neuropathic pains.
In treating pains in humans, it has been observed that a combination of CBD and THC tends to work faster and more effectively. However, the lack of research on the usage of THC on dogs means it shouldn’t be given to canines.
Seizures and Epilepsy
The approval of Epidiolex by the FDA is an indication that cannabidiol has the potential to treat epilepsy and seizures in dogs. Nevertheless, the use of CBD products in treating this issue must be administered alongside anti-seizure medications for maximum results.
CBD Oil for Dogs Cure Cancer
Cannabidiol has been said to possess anti-tumor properties. Hence, it has the potential to prevent the growth of cancer. However, this has not been fully proven scientifically; hence, keeping a close lookout for cancer symptoms can save the life of your furry friend. Click here to learn more about dog cancer symptoms.
CBD Oil for Dogs can resolve Other health issues that can be treated include anxiety, nausea, and low appetite .
Potential Side Effects of Cannabidiol in Dogs
The side effects listed below are those that have been observed in humans. Side effects in dogs do not have scientific data backing at the moment. However, these effects are bound to be experienced by dogs:
- Dry mouth and increased thirst
- Lowered blood pressure
- Drowsiness
Do Veterinarians Prescribe Cannabidiol for Dogs?
According to the law, veterinarians in the U.S are not to prescribe or dispense cannabidiol products. They are not allowed to encourage or advise dog owners to buy such products.
Nevertheless, they can advise you concerning the risks involved as well as the benefits of any self-devised treatment plan.
Last Word on CBD Oil for Dogs:
While there are no solid scientific data to prove the claims of the effects of CBD oil, the general belief is that they are safe for your dogs. Choosing to use one is left for you to decide…