CBD Oil for Dogs: All You Need to Know

With the quest for alternative health remedies gaining more popularity as the days go by, many have turned their attention to cannabidiol products. It has even gone beyond humans to the point where pets such as dogs and cats are administered CBD products to help them battle health issues.

Hence, with all the hype, it is important to calm down a bit and go back to the basics of what this product is all about. Having the correct information will save you from any health risk attached to the usage of these products especially for your canine buddy.

Therefore, our purpose in this article is to provide you will all the need-to-know information about cannabidiol oil for dogs.

Let’s begin…

What CBD Oil Is

CBD which stands for cannabidiol is a compound that naturally occurs in cannabis plants Plants because there are different types. Click here to see the main types/strains of cannabis. There are other compounds found in cannabis. The collective name for these compounds including cannabidiol is cannabinoids.

Cannabidiol; however, is one of the two most popular cannabinoids. The other one being tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The difference between both cannabinoids is that the former is non-psychoactive while the latter is.

When it comes to mass production of cannabidiol, the law says that only the hemp strain (type) of cannabis should be used rather than marijuana (another strain). According to the law, hemp is any cannabis plant that contains less than 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol. Anything above that percentage is regarded as marijuana.

Therefore, CBD oil is an extract of cannabidiol from hemp which in most cases contains less THC in the percentage mentioned above.

How Does Cannabidiol Work on Dogs?

Dogs have what is known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system is also found in humans and all mammals. While the research concerning this system is still relatively new, what has been discovered so far is that this system controls a lot of body functions.

Within this system are naturally occurring cannabinoids just like those found in cannabis plants which CBD is one of them. The system also has endocannabinoid receptors which are also found in the central nervous system as well as the peripheral nervous system. The receptors when they react with cannabidiol maintain regular body operations and functions.

Risk of Using CBD Oil for Dogs

The field of research surrounding cannabidiol usage on dogs is still new; therefore, not a lot has been explored. As a result, the full risks of this product usage are not known.

The FDA, therefore, has not approved any CBD-based product except Epidiolex. Visit https://www.fda.gov/news-events/ to read the FDA news release of the approval of Epidiolex. Since these products are still pending FDA approval; hence, no approved dosing chart exists. Therefore, knowing the right amount of CBD oil to give to your dog can be a bit challenging.

From some research papers, it has been discovered that when a particular dosage amount of CBD Is consumed, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) which is a bloodwork liver value increases significantly. Despite this, scientists have not been able to clearly identify the medical implication of this increase.

Lethargy and sleepiness are some effects that tykes who were given higher doses have been reported to experience. These effects wear off over time.

Therefore, the use of CBD oil for dogs is at the dog parent’s discretion. However, you can ensure that you are taking the right step by consulting your veterinarian. It is required you do this if your pooch is on medication drugs.

When you begin administering this product, it is advisable you start with little amount and then observe your pet’s reaction to it.

How Much CBD Should You Give Your Dog?

Due to the fact that these products are not approved by the FDA, an official dosage chart doesn’t exist. Nevertheless, from the studies available some individuals have come up with an estimated dosage.

One of the recommendations is that you should give your Fido CBD oil according to its weight. Hence, you will need to know your pet’s weight to be able to follow this recommendation. The guideline is to give 1mg to 2mg per every 10-pound weight. For example, if your hound weighs 20 pounds, then you should give it about 2mg to 4mg of CBD oil daily. You could choose to administer it once or twice a day.

Some have suggested a range dosage of 2mg to 8mg per kilogram weight of your dog. This is appropriate for dogs suffering from arthritis or seizures.

Can My Veterinarian Prescribe CBD for my Dog?

Veterinarians in the United States of America aren’t allowed by law to dispense or prescribe any kind of cannabidiol product. They are not permitted to advise you to buy or use it either.

What they are allowed to do is to advise you on the attending risk of using such products and the benefits of a treatment plan that you developed.

Possible Side Effects of CBD in Dogs

Why these side effects occur after CBD usage is as a result of overdosing. If you administer the right dosage; you shouldn’t have any of these issues.

Below are some of the possible side effects:

• Drowsiness
• Increased thirst
• Dry mouth
• Reduced blood pressure

Conclusion

In the article above, we have discussed all you need to know about CBD oil for dogs. If you have further questions, feel free to let us know.