As dog owners, we have an obligation to ensure that our pets remain happy and healthy throughout their lives. We strive to feed them good diets and help them get the exercise that they need. However, sometimes our furry friends develop health conditions that require medical attention. Some of these problems may arise by chance, while others typically develop due to old age.

Luckily, CBD oil may offer a solution for some of your dog’s ailments. Let’s take a closer look at this therapeutic product and how it can help your pooch.

What is CBD?

CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is one of the active ingredients in cannabis. This substance is found in both marijuana and hemp. However, CBD products extracted from the latter contain little to no THC, the psychoactive compound that produces the “high” normally associated with marijuana.

Today, you can purchase a variety of CBD oils that contain CBD and other compounds, but with negligible levels of THC. Many of these products are created for dogs, and can help them in a variety of ways.

Why Use CBD?

While CBD may not produce psychoactive effects, it does produce a number of therapeutic effects. CBD is believed to offer relief for various ailments brought on by health conditions or diseases such as anxiety, arthritis, and seizures. These effects have been observed in humans. However, CBD is also believed to be effective for dogs.

Anxiety Relief

Like humans, many dogs suffer from anxiety problems. This could be separation anxiety, characterized by barking, howling, or destructive behavior when their owners are away.

Some dogs suffer from generalized anxiety that exists even when their owners are around. Such pets may exhibit symptoms such as:

● Aggression

● Drooling

● Panting

● Trembling

● Excessive barking

Dogs with severe anxiety are often offered treatment using antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications. However, these may produce side effects such as lethargy and decreased appetite. An alternative solution may be to treat your dog’s anxiety, stress & fear with cbd oil.

While there haven’t been any studies to definitively prove that CBD oil can relieve anxiety in dogs, there are plenty of studies showing its effects in humans. In addition to this, many dog owners claim CBD has helped reduce their pet’s anxious symptoms.

Arthritis Relief

Arthritis is a painful condition that develops in dogs due to abnormal joint rubbing, injuries, or simply old age. This condition may discourage your pet from moving around and also make them more grumpy. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for this condition.  

Vets may attempt to alleviate the severity of this condition by prescribing anti-inflammatory medications and special dietary supplements. However, the joint swelling and inflammation caused by arthritis may return quickly.

Owners who are concerned about their dog’s existing arthritis condition may be able to help them using CBD oil. CBD contains anti-inflammatory properties which may help reduce inflammation around the affected joints, and by connection the pain your canine experiences. 

These effects have been observed in CBD studies involving rats as well as humans. 

Reducing the Frequency of Seizures

Any dog can suffer from seizures during their lifetime. However, canines with a condition known as idiopathic epilepsy are more likely to experience them. This condition’s origin remains unknown, however it is believed to be an inherited disorder.

Seizures can be incredibly frightening experiences for any animal. In addition to losing control of their bodies, having multiple seizures within a short period of time can result in your canine’s body temperature increasing to dangerous levels.

Dogs that are prone to seizures are often prescribed medications such as phenobarbital and potassium bromide. However, studies have found that the frequency of seizures in canines can be further reduced with the help of CBD oil.

Types of CBD

If you are interested in giving your dog CBD, you should familiarize yourself with the different types of CBD out there. Most of these products can be classified as:

● CBD isolate

● Broad Spectrum CBD

● Full Spectrum CBD

CBD Isolate

CBD isolate refers to CBD products containing only CBD. These products are useful when the goal is to experience the effects of only CBD.

Broad Spectrum CBD

Broad spectrum CBD refers to CBD products that contain CBD along with other compounds found in the hemp plant, with the exception of THC. These other compounds are believed to boost CBD’s properties through a phenomenon known as the “entourage effect”.

Full Spectrum CBD

Full spectrum CBD contains the same compounds as broad spectrum CBD, but with a THC concentration of 0.3% or less. This concentration is negligible and isn’t likely to produce psychoactive effects, which makes full spectrum CBD legal to purchase and possess.

Is CBD Safe for Dogs?

As of yet, the FDA has not approved any CBD products for canines. However, there haven’t been any reports of canines being harmed by this compound. Some CBD users do report minor side effects including:

● Dry mouth

● Drowsiness

● Lowered blood pressure

None of these side effects are believed to be dangerous, unless your canine has pre-existing blood pressure problems. However, you should always check with your vet before providing your dog any CBD products. 

It is important to note that CBD should not be used as a substitute for any of the medications prescribed for your dog by a professional veterinarian.

Where Can I Purchase CBD Oil for Dogs?

While there are many CBD product manufacturers and retailers out there, very few produce CBD specifically for canines. You should offer your dog this special variety of CBD products as they have been produced and tested with canines in mind.

One of the best retailers canine CBD products is CBD Dog Health. You can check out their selection of CBD oils, salves, and CBD treats at their online store. For CBD oils, we recommend their Calm - 550mg Full Spectrum Hemp Extract (CBD) for Dogs with Lavender. 

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DOSING

CBD Dog Health tinctures are designed to contain the average effective daily dose for the average animal in a given grouping of ailments. This is a benchmark that works for most animals, however you may need more or less depending on the function of their endocannabinoid system and other physiological attributes.

The following is a SUGGESTED starting dose—by ailment—based on research and our experience with hundreds of animals. Stay consistent, track the dose given, and adjust as needed.

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