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What is CBD Oil for Dogs?
Similar to the CBD oil that humans take, CBD oil for dogs is meant to help calm any anxieties or reduce pain. But dogs should only take pet-specific CBD oil. Dr. Sarah Wooten, DVM, CVJ, and staff veterinarian at Pumpkin Pet cautions that CBD products for dogs should be either THC-free or less than 0.3 percent THC.
“CBD oil for dogs is usually sourced from hemp, not marijuana, and is THC free," says Dr. Wooten. “Dogs are more sensitive to THC than humans. [Too much] THC can cause temporary incoordination, incontinence, and coma in severe cases."
In general, CBD products are not heavily regulated by the FDA. So it's important to choose products that are certified by independent third-party laboratories to be pure and free of contaminants.“This means that what you see on the label may not be what is actually in the product," warns Dr. Wooten. “Looking for a National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) Seal of Quality on the label is a good place to start because this organization is a group that is trying to regulate the safety of supplements. In addition, a certificate of analysis is ideal."
What does CBD Oil for dogs do?
The most common uses for CBD in dogs include pain and anxiety management. It can also be used to help epileptic dogs reduce the number of seizures they experience. And it has been known to help dogs who suffer from allergies and skin conditions. Furthermore, CBD has also been used to help dogs cope with a loss of appetite and pain associated with a cancer diagnosis.
“The reason CBD is so effective in managing pain, anxiety, and other issues is because the body has its own endocannabinoid system," explains Dr. Wooten. “There are cannabinoid receptors in the liver, spleen, intestinal tract, brain, heart, muscles, bone, reproductive system, circulatory systems, and more [basically the whole body]. When the system becomes deficient in endocannabinoids, that is where supplementation with CBD oil comes in."
What amount of CBD should pet owners give to their dogs?
The amount of CBD dogs that should be given depends on both the concentration of CBD and the size of your dog. Each brand should have its own recommendations on the bottle. “The standard therapeutic dose range for CBD in dogs is 0.1 to 0.5 milligrams twice daily, however, dosing has been updated to 0.1 to 2 milligrams today," says Dr. Wooten.
She also explains that pain levels should be considered. Dr. Wooten recommends lower doses for neuropathic pain. But for chronic pain conditions, like osteoarthritis, higher dosages twice a day are a good start. Then owners can lower the dosage as needed to control pain.
Still, before starting any therapy regimen, it's important to check in with your vet. Not all dogs will respond to CBD the same way and dosages may need to be adjusted on a case by case basis.
How do you administer CBD oil?
While some products can be applied topically, like in instances of a skin condition, it is most common to administer CBD oil orally straight from the dropper once the dosage has been determined. You can also mix the oil into your dog's food.
“Oral administration of CBD oil seems to be the route that maintains the most consistent levels of CBD oil in the bloodstream," says Dr. Wooten. She also says that products applied to the skin have not been studied and can bypass the first-pass metabolism, so use caution when using CBD products that utilize this route.
The CBD oil strength you use for your dog will depend on a few factors including their size, age as well as the condition you are looking to address. Check with your vet to learn the exact parameters that you should look for in a CBD oil, including strength levels.
Many vets do recommend using CBD and hemp oils to help address anxiety, mobility, and skin issues in dogs. They also believe it can help dogs who are suffering from cancer symptoms and seizures. That being said, Dr. Wooten cautions, “CBD is processed through the liver, which means that if your dog is on other medications, CBD could affect the way your dog processes those medications, so check with your veterinarian before giving CBD, especially if your dog is on other medications."
Oral ingestion of CBD oil is considered the ideal method of administration for dogs. Both oils and chews can be ingested. The oil may be a faster way to deliver the ingredients, but not in all cases. Really, the choice between the two will come down to your dog's preference. If your dog is leery of droppers or won't take medication or oil from a spoon, a chew may be the way to go.
