It can be painful when your dog is going through health issues and medications are not helping at all. Or perhaps you’re more interested in treating your dog with more natural alternatives. When everything else has stopped working, CBD for dogs is proving to give natural relief to dogs everywhere! CBD has remarkable benefits that can heal health problems like joint pain, anxiety, dog seizures, and even cancer. 

Many have claimed to see incredible improvements in their dog’s health after using CBD for dogs. But how does CBD, a component found in cannabis, actually do this for dogs?

 

 

What is CBD for dogs?

CBD or Cannabidiol is a chemical found in the cannabis plant called hemp. While most cannabis plants have THC or Tetrahydrocannabinol, the chemical which causes psychoactivity, CBD is different. CBD does not make your dog high or feel “stoned”, but instead provides lots of health benefits.

CBD affects the endocannabinoid receptors found throughout the body. Endocannabinoid is a regulatory system inside the body that signals other systems inside the body to stabilize. By affecting the receptors, CBD heals various ailments of dogs, cats, and even other animals that have an endocannabinoid system.

Did you know that all animals, including vertebrates (mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish) and invertebrates (sea urchins, leeches, mussels, nematodes, and others) have been found to have endocannabinoid systems?? Amazing! Learn more about animal endocannabinoid systems on the NIH website here.

 

How can CBD help dogs?

For dogs, CBD benefits can be deep and significant. It has shown miracles in treating inflammation, anxiety, seizures, and allergies, each in a different way. These are some common conditions that CBD can help with:

 

CBD for Dog’s Joint Problems

CBD has given remarkable benefits to the dogs with joint pain and arthritis. Even dogs with torn ligaments or hip dysplasia have found CBD to be useful. A study by Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine found dogs with arthritis showing significant improvement in pain relief and daily activity after using CBD for dogs. As a matter of fact, CBD works better than most anti-inflammatory medications to reduce inflammation! A big plus of using CBD is, unlike pain medicines, it does not cause any damage to the liver.

 

CBD for Dog Anxiety

A dog can become anxious for many reasons. Anxiety can appear in a dog because of separation, aggression, fear or due to noise phobia. This is why dog owners turn to CBD most of the time.

Studies up until now has shown CBD to work in dogs with anxiety in some cases. A study from the University of Western Australia has found dogs to show less aggression after using CBD. However, there is no proof of CBD helping dogs with noise reactivity yet.

CBD has also worked wonders in humans with anxiety and depression. Even children with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have found peace after using CBD. Research on other animals has also shown CBD to be helpful to reduce anxiety. A 2012 study shows that even rats who were exposed to cats had less anxiety after being given a single dose of CBD.

There is no certainty about exactly how CBD works, but researchers believe that CBD helps regulate serotonin, a hormone that regulates mood, behavior, sleep, and appetite.

 

CBD for Dog Seizures and Epilepsy

Seizures and epilepsy can be a terrifying problem for a dog and his owner. CBD has shown to treat seizures and epilepsies in humans to a certain extent. It also does the same in dogs.

A research done by Colorado State University found that 89% of dogs had a reduction in dog seizures after getting CBD. This is really promising as other anti-epileptic medicines have side effects that cause damage to the liver and other organs.

Seizures are abnormal electric charges occurring suddenly in the nervous system. As CBD interacts directly with the endocannabinoid system, it binds to the receptors in the brain. However, THC should not be included in CBD products for seizure control as it is known to cause seizures.

 

CBD for Dog Allergies

Itchiness and allergies are becoming common in dogs. Many dog owners run to the vets because of the skin conditions of their dogs. However, the endocannabinoid system is also found in the skin. This means CBD can also help with skin problems like allergies and itchiness.

A recent study by an Australian company named CannPal has found CBD to reduce itchiness, inflammation and skin lesions in dogs by 51%. Another study by an American company named ElleVet saw significant improvements in dogs with itchiness after using a combination of CBD and another cannabinoid called CBDA.

 

CBD for Cancer in Dogs

Cancer is a big health problem for adult dogs as 50% of them get cancer. CBD has been rumored to be a cancer-fighting substance but the research on that is still going on.

Studies show CBD to slow the growth of mammary cancer cells and increase survival time in mice with pancreatic cancer. Some reports suggest that CBD can kill cancer cells by blocking their ability to produce energy. While still not proven, this information regarding CBD is promising. CBD can also help dogs with cancer related pains.

 

How to use CBD for Dogs?

There are a lot of CBD products available in the market now. But with little regulation, not all products can be trusted, especially for your dog. Always choose a product that has the National Animal Supplement Counsel (NASC) Seal of Quality Assurance. Look if the product has all ingredients listed on the packaging and have disclosed if there are any heavy metals, mycotoxins or pesticides in the product.

It is best to consult with a vet before giving CBD to your dog. That way, you can be safe and can ensure the best way to treat your furry friend using CBD for dogs.

 

Conclusion

It is common to panic over your dog’s health issues. But with CBD for dogs, your days of worrying over pain, itchiness, or depression of your dogs are over. CBD is a blessing in disguise for many people, and dogs. So, if your dog has joint pain, arthritis, seizures, or other irritating health conditions, go talk with your vet about using CBD for your dog.