CBD for Dogs: The Benefits of CBD Usage for Dogs

If you have looked up for CBD products, you probably saw other products in stores and online that were designed for pets. Although this may be amusing to some, CBD can actually provide several benefits to improve the quality of life for dogs. Read on to find out more about how your dog can enjoy the benefits of CBD.

How Does CBD Work in Dogs?

The way CBD works in dog’s bodies is very similar to how it works in the human body.

Just like humans, dogs have an endocannabinoid system. The system contains two types of receptors. CB1 receptors are located in the brain, nervous system, glands and organs. CB2 receptors are located in the regulatory cells of the immune system.

When CBD enters the body, it targets the immune system to restore balance when things are out of whack. That’s why it’s great for treating ailments and the symptoms that come with them.

What Conditions Does CBD Target in Dogs?

During a dog’s life, he or she may experience certain ailments that can reduce the quality and length of their lives. CBD can work to relieve these ailments and their related symptoms to make life more pleasant. Here are some common conditions that occur in dogs and are treatable with the use of CBD.

Pain and Inflammation

CBD is known to work on CB receptors to minimize pain and inflammation.

Dogs are likely to have a number of conditions that cause pain and inflammation. These include:

• Arthritis
• Hip Dysplasia
• Cancer
• Sprains and strains
• Torn ligaments
• Recovery from surgery

CBD works to suppress and interrupt pain signals in your dog’s brain to alleviate acute and chronic pain. It can also reduce inflammation that causes pain in the first place.

Most veterinarians will recommend drugs like NSAIDS to treat pain and inflammation. However, these drugs can cause adverse effects. CBD is safer for your dog and is a preferred treatment for relieving symptoms associated with these conditions.

One study conducted in 2018 showed CBD oil to be effective at relieving pain and inflammation in dogs suffering with osteoarthritis. Dogs treated were said to seem to be more comfortable and happier overall and showed no signs of unpleasant side effects.

Cancer

Sadly, many dog’s lives are shortened by cancer. Not only is the disease life threatening, it can result in several symptoms that can make your dog uncomfortable. These symptoms include pain and inflammation as well as nausea and vomiting that can be a result of methods of cancer treatment.

CBD has also shown to work as an effective antiemetic, or a medicine for nausea.

As for treating cancer itself, some studies have concluded that CBD can slow the growth of tumors. Another study shows cancer cells become more sensitive to treatment because of CBD.
Although more research is needed to support these claims, things are looking promising.

Anxiety and Stress

A lot of dogs suffer from separation anxiety when their owners are not home. Other sources of stress for dogs can include loud noises, crowded areas or even riding a car.

Dogs that are stressed may experience the following symptoms.

• Reduced appetite
• Digestive issues (diarrhea or constipation)
• Behavioral changes (keeping to himself more or becoming more aggressive)
• Excessive panting, shaking or licking

CBD has been shown to work on CB receptors to reduce anxiety. This may be due to its ability to raise serotonin levels to produce a calming effect.

One study has shown CBD to reduce anxiety behaviors and with promising results that suggest it may be effective in treating conditions like PTSD, GAD, PD, OCD and SAD with no notable side effects.

Obesity Issues

Many dogs suffer from overweight. Excessive fat is of course unhealthy for dogs and result in several conditions can negatively affect their quality of life. These conditions include:

• Stress on the joints that can lead to pain and arthritis
• Increased risk of heart disease
• Increased risk of cancer
• Increased risk of diabetes

While CBD will not work as a fat burning supplement for your dog, it can be effective in promoting weight loss and controlling appetite in other ways.

One study has shown cannabidiol to promote browning in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The inducing of this phenotype, along with its ability to promote lipid metabolism makes it a promising therapeutic agent for the prevention of obesity.

CBD has also been shown to decrease appetite. When used on rats, one 2012 study showed it to alter feeding patterns to reduce intake.

CBD has also been shown to break down fat in an indirect way. A 2008 study has shown it to help balance the EC system to reduce fat accumulation which can help fight obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Finally, CBD works to reduce pain and inflammation which may be keeping dogs from being as active as they would like to be.

Skin Conditions

Because your dog has fur, you might not be able to see skin conditions that are lurking beneath the surface, but if he or she is licking or scratching themselves often, they may be suffering with an allergy or chronic disease.

It is not uncommon for dogs to develop allergies or suffer from atopic dermatitis (eczema) that can result in excessive dryness and itching.

If your dog is suffering with eczema, steroid hormones may be effective in treating it, but these often produce unwanted side effects. In the case of allergies, it is often a difficult process for owners to determine its source which can result in a lot of trial and error until any conclusions can be made.

Luckily, CBD can be effective in treating these skin conditions.

Studies have shown the CBD can be effective in relieving itchy and dry skin and promote the growth of healthy skin. Based on these findings, it is promising that CBD will begin to be used as an active ingredient in many skin treatment ointments.

Because CBD results in limited side effects, it is ideal for long term use.

Seizures

Many dogs are prone to seizures. Seizures can occur in dogs for several reasons including the following:

• Genetics
• Vaccines
• Liver or kidney disease
• Low or high blood sugar
• A head injury
• Brain cancer

Seizures may not cause your dog to experience pain, but it can lead to confusion, fear, anxiety and even brain damage.

There are many medications that treat seizures, but most produce unpleasant side effects. CBD is a great natural alternative.

There have been many studies conducted concerning CBD and its effectiveness in treating seizures. One study found that 7 of 8 patients with epilepsy experienced a reduction of seizures within 4 to 5 months of taking the drug. Another study showed 84% of children treated to have a reduction in the number of seizures they experienced.

Tips for Using CBD on Your Pet

If you think CBD might help improve your pet’s quality of life, there are some guidelines to keep in mind to ensure safe use. These include the following:

Start slow: When shopping for CBD for your pet, you will find that most companies will have products available for smaller for larger dogs. While a company’s guidelines can be helpful, every pet can react differently, and some may require different dosage amounts depending on the type of treatment they need.

On average, most pet companies will recommend one milligram of CBD for every 10 pounds of animal weight, but it is a good idea to start slow and see how your animal reacts. Then, increase or decrease dosage as needed.

Use Oil: There are several products available on the market for your dog including treats, oils, topicals, capsules and more. Oil is preferred by most pet parents. It can be easily mixed into food to be absorbed in the liver where it produces longer- lasting, less intense effects.

Monitor Your Dog: After giving your dog CBD, you will want to take note of his or her reaction. It is best to keep a log of how much of a dosage your dog is being given and what their reaction is. This will make it easier for you to adjust over time.

Go Organic: Many websites that sell CBD offer organic products. Make sure your go with one of these companies. Pesticides are not safe for your dog and should be avoided at all costs.

Consult with a veterinarian: While it’s easy enough to buy CBD without a prescription, it is always best to consult a veterinarian to help you decide if this is the best option for your pet. A lot of vets are educated about the benefits CBD can provide and can give you good advice concerning whether this the right choice for your dog. If they don’t mention CBD as a possible treatment, bring it up yourself!

As mentioned earlier in this article, there are a wide variety of options when it comes to finding CBD for your dog. Products come in the form of oils, capsules, edibles and topicals. Evaluate your dog’s size and ailments to find which product and dosage is right for them. Then look forward to seeing an improvement in his or her quality of life that is sure to bring a brighter outlook to the entire fanimaly.