CBD oil has become a popular health supplement – not only for humans but also for pets, like dogs. Many dog parents vouch for its amazing effects. But pet owners sometimes get confused about how to give CBD oil to dogs or how to choose the right CBD products.
CBD oil has been found to have many positive effects. It has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anxiolytic, and anticonvulsant properties. Unfortunately, what it doesn’t have is backing from science – as the research on CBD oil for dogs is extremely limited.
But preliminary studies on CBD oil and user feedback suggest that CBD oil for dogs is highly effective in many health conditions. It can give your fur baby a new lease on life and provide excellent balance. So let’s find out all about CBD usage for dogs.
What is CBD Oil?
CBD oil is a tincture used as a health supplement, with CBD or cannabidiol as the main ingredient. Cannabidiol comes from the plant extracts derived from hemp and marijuana, though according to the Farm Bill 2018, only hemp oil can be used.
Just like human beings, dogs have receptors in the body that are linked to their Endocannabinoid System or ECS, associated with various bodily functions. CBD oil reacts with some receptors to help and implore many health conditions and provide relief.
While studies on the effects of CBD oil on dogs are close to none, many dog parents have used CBD oil, as it is a natural product. It has been found that using CBD oil, especially full-spectrum tinctures, can reduce pain and inflammation, convulsions, stress, etc.
How Does CBD Oil Affect Dogs?
There is no proper research or formally published paper that discusses the effects of CBD oil on dogs. What we have are anecdotes from pet owners and some preliminary studies. Scientists know that CBD interacts with the Endocannabinoid System receptors.
The ECS receptors are located all over the body. It is present in the dog’s brain, immune system, glands, organs, connective tissues, and immune cells. CBD helps maintain the body in a healthy state. It can also make your four-legged baby more energetic and enjoy life.
Reasons Why Owners Give CBD Oil to Their Dogs
Pet owners who administer CBD oil to their dogs have found it to be effective in controlling a wide range of illnesses and their symptoms. These include the following –
Epilepsy
It is a common neurological issue that is often seen in dogs. CBD has properties that can help those with epilepsy and undergo convulsions frequently.
Osteoarthritis
Dogs often develop bone problems, including osteoarthritis that weakens the bones. The use of CBD oil for this condition is quite a helpful solution.
Pain, Inflammation, and Soreness
Perhaps the most common use of CBD oil is to treat chronic pain, inflammation, and soreness. These affect your dog’s movements.
Anxiety
Some dogs have anxiety due to genes, while others get stressed out because of the environment. You can administer CBD as it is helpful in calming dogs.
Many dog parents use CBD oil to treat or control these health conditions and have seen a change in their pets’ energy levels which suggests that the animals feel much better with the use of CBD oil. It can enable dogs to be playful and fun with nothing to pull them down.
How to Give CBD Oil to Dogs?
How can you give your dog CBD oil so that they don’t fight back or refuse to take it? There are many ways to administer CBD oil to dogs. They are as follows –
Direct Application to Your Dog’s Mouth
Direct application in the mouth yields the fastest results and lets you get the full benefits of CBD. You can draw a few drops and, using a dropper, put them into the dog’s mouth. But first, try this in small amounts so that your pet doesn’t get repulsed by the flavor.
Putting CBD Oil on a Treat
One of the most convenient ways of giving your dog CBD is by putting drops of CBD on the surface of treats that have a porous texture. The dog treats will absorb the tincture. But putting a whole dropper of CBD in treats may be challenging and messy.
Mixing CBD Oil with Something Tasty
Since it may not be easy to add sufficient amounts of CBD to dog treats, you can add it to other tasty items that your pet may love. It can be anything like peanut butter, wet food, etc. Their delicious taste will distract your pet from the strong flavor of CBD oil.
Adding CBD Oil to their Food
You can also add CBD oil to their everyday meals. Because it is usually wet, you will find it a lot easier to mix CBD with the food. But you must add small amounts so that our pet doesn’t immediately notice changes in the taste or smell of the food they’re used to.
Making Your Own Dog Treat
You can make your own CBD-infused dog treats at home by using CBD oil as one of the ingredients. But you have to be very careful here as CBD oil may evaporate due to high heat. You can also replace oil elements in the recipe with CBD oil for best results.
Diluting CBD Oil with Water
Adding CBD oil to your dog’s water is also an easy method of administering CBD oil to dogs. Your thirsty pet will likely lap up their drink without noticing the change in taste. But it is best to add a small amount first and gradually increase the dosage in water.
Find a Quality CBD Oil that Your Dog will Love
It’s true that for a dog friend, their furry baby is like their own children. If you feel that way about your pet, you will want nothing but the best CBD oil for dogs. At the time of buying CBD oil for your dog, check out the following factors –
Flavor
Choose flavors that your dog loves, like bacon, cheese, coconut, etc. Or simply use the natural flavor that goes with everything, from treats to the broth.
THC-Free
Make sure that the product contains only industrial hemp plant extract. It shows that the THC amount is little to none. Also, check lab reports.
No Harmful Chemicals
Check the ingredients list and third-party lab reports to ensure that the product doesn’t have pesticides, fungicides, or harmful additives.
It is essential to find a CBD oil brand that produces CBD in a legal manner and provides the reports of independently conducted tests in third-party labs. It should also provide complete clarity in terms of ingredients. You can go for full-spectrum CBD oil for the best results.
CBD Oil Dosage for Dogs
The dosage of CBD oil to be administered to your dog is a tricky business. That’s because there is hardly any published paper that discusses this crucial issue. You can consult your doctor about this because the dosage of CBD oil depends on various factors, like –
- Size and weight of the dog
- The severity of the health condition to be treated
- Other health issues like digestion, sleepiness, etc.
- Their regular diet
- Other medicines
The daily dosage of CBD can vary between 1 mg and 100 mg, depending primarily on your dog’s size, besides considering other factors. Generally, 1-3 mg of CBD is given for every 10 pounds of body weight. So a 20 lb dog will need 2-6 mg of CBD every day.
Side Effects of CBD Oil in Dogs
Your dog may experience some side effects after starting the CBD life. These are mild and temporary and can be minimized by starting at low doses. Side effects include the following –
- Low blood pressure and light-headedness
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth and thirst
- Nausea and vomiting
- Soft stool
If you notice these side effects, lower the dosage and see if it works out.
Final Thoughts
CBD oil is filled with healthy compounds that can help both humans and dogs. With dogs, it is essential to be careful with everything from administration to effects. Now that you know how to give CBD oil to dogs, all you need is the best CBD for dogs.
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