Reasons for Treating Dogs with CBD

Last Updated on February 21, 2024 by Joshua Isibor

Why Dogs Should Be Given CBD

Cannabinoid products are quickly gaining popularity in the health and wellness industry, flooding the market with numerous claims of health benefits and curing properties. One of the most prevalent cannabinoids in the market is cannabidiol, also known as CBD. Both humans and pets are promised many health improvements when consuming CBD as a supplement and an alternative treatment option. 

However, with most evidence on CBD health value coming from anecdotal accounts amid lacking clinical evidence, users need to get more education on the effectiveness and safety of CBD. Thus, discussions on the products are currently occurring in human and pet wellness spaces. Here we discuss the ability of CBD to help pets with a variety of health concerns to give you a better idea of whether it’s worth trying CBD treatment with your small furry friend. 

What Is CBD?

Pet owners must understand CBD before introducing any CBD-enriched products to their dogs’ wellness or treatment regimens. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural compound derived from cannabis sativa. It is specifically sourced from the hemp variety of cannabis and does not contain the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) compound, which gives marijuana its psychoactive properties. Therefore, CBD dog treats are safe for animal consumption since they contain negligible to no THC and don’t bear the risk of intoxication. 

How Does CBD Work in the Body?

The human body naturally produces some amounts of cannabinoids through the endocannabinoid system. That system affects the human brain activities, eyes, stomach, and heart. It even helps regulate mood. 

Thus, since dogs and other mammals have similar biological structures as humans, their endocannabinoid system (ECS) works quite the same. As such, introducing CBD to the body affects the ECS regulation mechanism and initiates a wide range of effects, including improved digestion, sleep regulation, pain relief, mood enhancement, and mental stimulation.

What Is the Effect of CBD on Dogs?

The body of research on CBD is growing, but most of it is done with humans; only a couple of studies with dogs, rodents, and horses are currently available to evaluate the CBD impact on animals. Controlled lab experiments have been run on mice and other small rodents to understand the effect of CBD on mammals. Current research indicates that systematic administration of CBD can significantly suppress chronic inflammation and neuropathic pain through its analgesic properties.

Although research on the effect of CBD on dogs and humans is still inconclusive and ongoing, doctors and veterinarians are already prescribing CBD for treating seizures, prolonged indigestion, chronic pain, and mental conditions such as anxiety, stress, and insomnia. 

Will Your Pet Get Intoxicated by CBD?

Intoxication is the greatest concern of everyone considering CBD for their pet’s treatment. Most CBD products with full-spectrum CBD contain trace amounts of THC – less than 0.3% of the compound. However, this amount is negligible in terms of the high effect, so CBD-enriched products will not give your dog any high sensations or create erratic behavior as an after-effect. This way, your pet may enjoy the health benefits of dog treats without any fear of addiction or intoxication.

Health Benefits of CBD for Various Health Conditions 

Before buying anything for your dog’s consumption, you should understand the product’s implications on your pet’s health. Here are some of the benefits of CBD treats for your dog:

Pain Relief

Dogs are very good at hiding pain and discomfort from their owners, and it may take a while before you recognize that your pet is in pain. For that reason, many dogs are prone to chronic pain and long-term inflammation. 

Whether the pain or inflammation originates from a medical operation, accident, or injury, CBD products are an effective treatment plan for pain relief. The CBD compounds work towards reducing inflammation and easing swelling and pain. The components of CBD-enriched products promote the fast regeneration of healthy cells, which increases the speed of recovery.

Improved Mobility

As your dog ages, mobility issues begin to creep in incrementally. You may notice your dog needing help to climb stairs or continuously avoiding exercise and long walks. Mobility issues may also present as laziness and general lethargy in your dog. 

Whatever the situation your dog may be experiencing, CBD oil massages will help relieve stiff joints and muscles, which improves mobility. You can also use CBD dog treats for joint pain alleviation and get your dog walking and playing again within no time.

Stress Relief

Most dog owners are unaware that their pets experience mental overload, which can lead to stress. Some of the causes of stress for your dog may include changes in routines, moving to a new location, changes in the household layout, or loud noises. Leaving your dog at home alone raises the levels of anxiety and may lead to increased stress. 

Try using CBD dog treats for anxiety and stress relief since the product relaxes your dog’s nerves. Find the best-matching product from a reliable brand to ensure your dog gets the best treatment. 

Seizures

Systematic administration of CBD has been proven to reduce the frequency of seizures in dogs, especially when administered with traditional anti-seizure prescription. Dog CBD treats have been found effective in relaxing the central nervous system by lowering the number of electrolytes responsible for seizure conditions.

Immunity Boost

CBD products for animals come packaged in a wide variety of supplements and treats. Besides managing diagnosed illnesses, CBD treats are essential in boosting a dog’s immunity and enhancing the quality of the dog’s life. The products promote the pet’s heart and brain health, prolonging its life duration.

Are CBD Products Legal?

Medicinal cannabis, especially products derived from the hemp variant, is legalized in most states. To avoid controversies surrounding the legality of the products, you can read FDA regulations on cannabis-derived products and where to legally buy and use the products.

Conclusion

Pet owners are increasingly embracing the use of CBD dog treats due to their extraordinary impact on their pets’ health. Additionally, CBD is safe for dogs since it is extracted from hemp and contains negligible amounts of THC. Apart from treating specific conditions, the products have proven to improve health and wellness in pets. However, when introducing CBD products to your pet, ensure you introduce the products in small doses and track the side effects since animals respond differently to medication.

This article is written by Tia Moskalenko, one of the expert researchers and writers on cannabis at AskGrowers. She has interviewed over 100 cannabis industry brands on issues regarding the growth, production, and distribution of CBD products. Tia is a respected cannabis expert whose work has appeared in multiple publications. She has invested her time and works to understand the industry and all its aspects of it.  

Originally posted 2023-02-20 19:27:23.