CBD Oil for Dogs — 7 Things You Didn’t Know

Our canine friends are so much more than pets to us. They are our loyal companions, the light of our lives, and precious family members. That’s why their health is crucial to us. Thus, when our furry friends need help, we don’t shy away even from something that is deemed to be a little controversial, such as CBD oil. But, what is it and can it help? Is it really a magical “fix-it-all” solution to any health issue our dogs may have? Or is it a well-executed hoax?

The endless testimonies of ecstatic dog owners can attest that CBD is clearly beneficial when it comes to canine health. But what are all the benefits of CBD oil for dogs?

What is CBD oil?

CBD stands for cannabidiol. It is a liquid compound, derived from the Cannabis Sativa. CBD is only one of the thousands of compounds in Cannabis Sativa, and, unlike its much more known cousin THC, CBD is a phytocannabinoid that doesn’t have any psychoactive effects.

Therefore, if you’re worried about getting your furry friend high — don’t be. All CBD oils have less than 0.3% of THC in them. Furthermore, some are even isolates that only contain CBD (without any traces of any other chemicals).

7 things you didn’t know about CBD oil

CBD oil can help with the secondary symptoms of many illnesses. What’s more, it can also alleviate the primary symptoms of chronic diseases.

Helps with pain relief

Unfortunately, our dogs can’t tell us when they are hurting, nor can they tell us where the pain is located. Therefore, when we notice that our furry friends are in pain, it’s vital that we give them effective medicine. What’s more, it’s important that the medicine we end up giving them can treat all types of pain. That’s where CBD can prove relevant. CBD oil can relieve chronic, acute, and inflammatory pain.

No long-term side effects (so far)

One of the great features of CBD is that, based on the studies done so far, it has no long-term side effects that traditional medication does. This is especially true for pain medication, which can damage vital organs and end up doing more harm than good.

Helps anxiety

Just like their human counterparts, dogs can suffer from anxiety, fears, phobias, and other mental health issues. Some dogs have separation anxiety or even issues with social interaction, while others have traumas that lead to anxious behavior. No matter the cause, CBD can help both humans and canines with panic and anxiety disorders, as well as post-traumatic stress. In fact, the effects that CBD has on anxiety, stress, and depression has been one of the most researched areas of impact.

Helps reduce inflammation

CBD can help the system fight pathogens. Fighting the pathogens causes inflammation. However, sometimes the system gets overactive, and inflammation gets out of hand. Allergies, autoimmune diseases, and general hypersensitivity are some of the reasons why dogs might experience excessive swelling. CBD oil can decrease this chronic inflammation. What’s more, it also relieves the pain that usually follows it.

Increases appetite

A healthy, steady diet is crucial for the wellbeing of our pets, which is why CBD is a godsend for many issues — loss of appetite being one of them.

Sometimes our pets simply won’t eat. They can be sick or taking specific medications that can cause a loss of appetite. Either way, regular intake of CBD can help increase their appetites.

Helps with bowel disease

Research shows that CBD oil has properties that might aid and relieve intestinal inflammation and other gastric issues. In other words, it exerts antiproliferative, antimetastatic, and apoptotic effects. What’s more, at the same time, it also aids wound healing, which is why it’s often used as an additional treatment for dogs with colon cancer.

Protects the nervous system

Some studies have shown that CBD might have a substantial effect on brain cells. Although scarce, preliminary research shows that CBD can protect brain cells from cell death. That means that it can potentially be used as an additional treatment for diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS, etc. CBD basically helps protect brain cells from toxicity and delays cell death both in humans and canines. Those of us who have older dogs know that even a slight potential of improving their quality of life is a true blessing.

Potential risks

While the benefits of CBD oil for dogs seem numerous, before you jump and run to the first dispensary, consider a few downsides as well. After giving your dog CBD, it might experience:

•     General drowsiness – while CBD will keep your dog calm, higher dosages might make it more than docile and leave it feeling drowsy and low on energy.
•     Low blood pressure – high dosages could cause a lower blood pressure
•     Dry mouth – your dog might feel a little thirstier than usual