CBD Oil For My Dog?
Yes! The benefits are vast! CBD oil for dogs and cats is becoming more popular among pet owners who want to help their pet without potentially harmful prescription medication. As people are taking a step back from prescription meds and exploring the benefits of the hemp plant for their own health needs, this healthy hemp-derived oil is proving it can help with a wide range of health issues in dogs and cats also, especially:
Immune issues (such as allergies and cancer)
Seizures and epilepsy
Joint pain and inflammation
Anxiety and stress
Dysbiosis and digestive issues
Please be aware, giving CBD oil to your dog is not the same as giving your dog marijuana. CBD does not have the properties to get anyone, or any dog, high. Conversely, marijuana, can be extremely harmful to your pets. Precautions must be taken to ensure that your furry best friend doesn’t have the opportunity to snatch that joint or pot brownie off the counter. This sounds obvious, but as emergency pet marijuana ingestion calls have increased by a disturbing amount in the past year, this warning needs to be heeded.
Is it safe?
CBD is generally considered to be safe and side effects are rare. This is why so many owners are seeking CBD for their dogs. Most reported side effects are from an interaction of drugs and CBD. So be sure to always check with your vet first, especially if your pup is already on pharmaceuticals.
“At certain dosages, THC can be toxic for dogs,” says Dr. Stephanie McGrath, a neurologist at Colorado State University’s James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital. “But CBD comes from the hemp plant, which has THC levels of .3 percent or under. Our findings tell us that such a small amount is absolutely safe for dogs.”
It is also extremely important to be meticulous when choosing your manufacturer. Some oils are higher quality than others; it is critical to ensure the oil is pure and free of toxic residues.
CBD Oil for pain
The most promising research on CBD is that done on pain. From nerve pain to arthritis, it seems to work very well and carry less side effects than traditional pain medication. CBD binds to both CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain and nervous system and this helps change the way your dog's brain perceives pain. As a bonus, CBD can help lessen the other symptoms that often accompany pain like sleeplessness and nausea.
**This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment of any animal ailment. As individual needs vary, always check with your veterinarian before introducing new treatments to your dog.