CBD for Dogs at a Glance: What Pet Owners Should Know?
More states are turning green, embracing the benefits that marijuana brings. And the benefits are rubbed onto your furry friend helping dogs manage symptoms related to certain conditions.
While there are studies that show the efficacy of CBD in treating, these are sparse and anecdotal. More clinical trials are needed to come up with factual evidence for a definite conclusion. Keep in mind that most studies of natural remedies don’t have the degree of research that synthetic drugs have due to lack of funding. Keep in mind that many of these naturally based treatments have been used for centuries with success before the FDA and synthetic drugs existed. Natural remedies, when appropriately prescribed, are more likely to have fewer side effects (if any) than conventional drugs. Natural remedies as CBD can be used to treat illness and disease as well as be used in conjunction to drugs to reduce the harmful side effects of conventional drugs.
One formal study presented favorable results in treating arthritic dogs, another formal study was successful in reducing seizures in epileptic dogs.
Many conventional vets do not prescribe CBD products as such treatment is not conventional and they are not trained in natural treatments as CBD.
What Is It and What Does It Do?
CBD or cannabidiol is one of the active compounds from the hemp plant. Although CBD as well as marijuana are both part of the same plant – the hemp plant, they are both very different. Others may get CBD products from KingKaninewhich Carrie’s excellent quality products. CBD has therapeutic benefits which are an essential component of medical marijuana. While it is an element of marijuana without creating a “high.”
There are clinical trials that show the efficacy of marijuana, but these are few, most are researches and anecdotal proofs, but those findings are helpful in treating ailments like insomnia, anxiety, epilepsy, anorexia, pain, inflammation, and glaucoma, among others. CBD products are sold as a natural remedy to treat dogs.
The effects on humans show favorable results in treating certain conditions, but only a few were done on dogs.
A 2018 clinical study sought the effectiveness of CBD oil in treating dogs suffering from osteoarthritis (OA). The study showed a favorable result, a dose of 2 milligrams per kilogram of body weight taken twice daily helps reduce pain and increase activity in dogs with osteoarthritis OA .One study recorded in 2019 administered oral CBD to dogs to treat seizures in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy. The epileptic dogs applied with CBD and antiepileptic treatment had a 33% reduction in seizure frequency.
More formal studies are needed to confirm the usefulness of CBD in dogs in order to satisfy conventional standards.
The advantage of the use of CBD is that it doesn’t cause the side effects and wear and tear on the organs caused by conventional treatment.
The Benefits of CBD for Dogs
Looking for a CBD pet treatment for your dog can be complicated because of the absence of regulation, the marking on the label isn’t always dependable. Check out products that were approved by the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) to verify that the items are made of high-quality ingredients. Although not all have NASC verification, it is important to check to see if the vendor supplies a COA (certificate of analysis) which is proof of third party testing and ensures the ingredients and all components are present. The COA should be readily available on the website and it is a good idea to check to ensure its authenticity. A COA also provides information regarding the presence of toxic ingredients like mycotoxins and aflatoxins. It also provides information to allow you to see how broad the CBD spectrum is.
There are studies that show the effectiveness of CBD in treating ailments, but more research is needed to verify it as a cure despite centuries of successful use.
Here are some ways your dog can benefit from CBD
Help de-stress your dog
CBD reacts with receptors in the brain, reducing the stress signals from having much effect on the body of your dog. For instance, fireworks popping and the sound of lightning will increase your pet’s anxiety, CBD will reduce it in a natural way.
Natural pain relief
Pain is often associated with swelling of certain body parts (internal as well as external). CBD has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce inflammation and in turn reduces the pain.
CBD Oil for Pet Rehabilitation
When movement is accompanied by pain, you have to visit a canine rehabilitation therapist. Other conditions where a dog patient can benefit from rehabilitation are:
- Recuperating from a bone fractures
- Took an orthopedic surgery
- An arthritic dog or suffer from the other joint condition
- Experience back pain
- Need assistance with weight loss
Veterinarians create and apply therapy plans to increase mobility and reduce pain due to injury or a chronic conditions. They use a variety of treatment options such as hot or cold compress to an affected spot, electrode stimulation, cold laser, massage, water therapy, treadmill, or exercise programs. Records are kept to monitor the dog’s progress, document the specific therapies, and modify the program as needed as well as the use of CBD as an individual therapy by itself or a complementary therapy. There is evidence that the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD can reduce pain due to swelling and give relief to arthritic dogs.
Improve appetite and reduce nausea
CBD addresses appetite issues and can used to improve appetite. Dogs can be treated with CBD to reduce nausea and vomiting as often. There is evidence to prove that CBD can help manage the digestive system.
What Dog Health Problems Has CBD Oil Been Used to Treat?
Cancer
Studies have shown that CBD seems to have almost identical effects in humans and dogs in treating ailments. Scientists are still conducting more research on the benefits of CBD for dogs. In time, science will discover the full potential of CBD.
Although there are few studies that conclusively say that CBD products will help, anecdotal evidence has shown that it treats some ailments.
The famous veterinary pioneer, Dr. Marty Goldstein believes that CBD can be successfully used to treat cancer as CBD is an enemy of cancer cells. He is a strong proponent of its use.
Arthritis
Osteoarthritis, shortened as arthritis, is a prevalent inflammatory condition in dogs and about 60 percent will exhibit symptoms of this disease in their lifetime.
Researches show that proper doses of CBD given twice a day will bring considerable relief in dogs with arthritis.
Pain
The anti-inflammatory benefits of CBD can also be seen in dogs with pain due to swelling, especially those suffering back pain from intervertebral disc disease (IVDD).
Cancer
People undergoing chemotherapy benefit from the anti-nausea effects of CBD, this has been applied to rats with favorable results, indicating that it will work in the same way with dogs receiving chemotherapy.
Anxiety
CBD has been used to treat anxiety in dogs and in humans. It has also been used to curb aggression in dogs and has been effective in many cases. Dogs as well as humans have what is called an endocannabinoid system throughout their bodies including the central nervous system. These are receptors respond to cannabinoids (specifically CBD).
2 Products I Recommend
I love King Kalm made by King Kanine. This manufacturer makes CBD oil and CBD treats. I have used it and I love the product. They have an excellent reputation and have been in the media (in a positive light). They have third party testing and a COA (Certificate of Analysis) for each product they sell readily available to consumers on their website. They also have a bunch of certifications including:
A Note About the FDA
I am not a fan when it comes to the FDA. Here are of reasons why:
It is a governmental agency that often neglects to protect consumers. Evidence of this is when you see all the commercials for lawsuits against pharmaceutical manufacturers. It is not uncommon for people to suffer damages due to the “regulation” this agency provides to us. If you look at many of the packaging inserts, it is possible that you will notice a litany of side effects listed. Therefore, many such treatments cause illness and disease. Hey, can you imagine an antidepressant that can cause suicide? Listen to the disclaimers in the commercials.
They test pharmaceuticals which are manufactured by big companies which have the money and backing to do their studies as a result, there is a great deal of money to perform formal studies on synthetic drugs.
Just because a natural medicine is not chemical or synthetic and as a result has not been verified by the FDA doesn’t mean that natural medicine has no merit.
Centuries of anecdotal information is available on natural (non-drug) medicines which tend to have fewer side effects. Unfortunately, only holistic vets and holistic doctors have the advanced training to integrate the two methods. It is sad that conventional vets and doctors lack this training is highly influenced by the convention drug industry.
