Holistic pet treatments are becoming increasingly popular with pet owners looking for more natural and safe ways to help their pets. One such treatment is CBD oil for dogs and CBD oil for cats, which is rapidly gaining popularity among veterinarians. Numerous pre-clinical studies suggest that it has many benefits for your four-legged friend.
What is CBD Oil?
CBD stands for cannabidiol, a compound found in hemp. CBD oil is a phytocannabinoid that can help regulate sleep, appetite, pain, the immune system and more.
Read more about what the endocannabinoid system is and how it works.
Benefits of CBD oil for dogs
Let’s take a look at some of the potential benefits of incorporating cannabidiol into your pet’s daily routine.
Anti-inflammatory
A common problem is inflammation associated with joint pain. Arthritis, hip and elbow dysplasia, sprains and strains, and torn ligaments are just some of the conditions that can be treated with daily doses of CBD oil.
Hip dysplasia is a common condition in dogs that causes pain, inflammation and loss of mobility. The condition occurs when the hip joint does not develop properly. This can lead to more rapid wear and tear of the joint, which in turn can lead to arthritis and other degenerative conditions. In many breeds the problem is congenital, but in others it can occur at an early age.
Traditional treatment includes surgery, physiotherapy and medication to control pain and inflammation. However, more and more pet owners are turning to CBD oil as an alternative.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics found that CBD oil was effective in reducing pain and inflammation in dogs with hip dysplasia.
Another study published in the European Journal of Pain found that CBD oil was also effective in reducing pain and inflammation in dogs with osteoarthritis.
Antiepileptic
Epilepsy is a common neurological condition that affects dogs, causing seizures and other symptoms. There are dog breeds where epilepsy is more common (e.g. Labradors). Although traditional medications can sometimes be effective in treating epilepsy in dogs, in recent years many pet owners have turned to CBD oil as an alternative treatment option.
Cannabidiol has been successfully used in many cases to control and reduce epileptic seizures in humans (e.g. the drug Epidolex). For this reason it is becoming a popular remedy in veterinary medicine.
Important!!!
Cannabidiol is extracted from hemp but does not contain the psychoactive compound THC.
One of the main ways that CBD oil is thought to help with epilepsy in dogs is by reducing the frequency and severity of seizures. A study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association found that 89% of dogs given CBD oil had a reduction in seizure frequency, and a study published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics found that CBD oil was effective in reducing seizure severity.
Calming the nervous system
Anxiety is a common condition in dogs that can manifest itself in a variety of ways including separation anxiety, noise phobia, fireworks and general anxiety. It can cause nervousness, anxiety and stress, which can often lead to destructive behaviour, loss of appetite and other health problems.
Traditional treatments for anxiety in animals include behavioural therapy, medication and, in some cases, pheromone therapy.
Studies published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics and the Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association found that CBD oil was effective in reducing anxiety in dogs.
CBD oil is also thought to help with other symptoms associated with anxiety in dogs, such as loss of appetite and destructive behaviour. A study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association found that CBD oil was effective in increasing appetite in dogs.
Important!!!
CBD oil is not a cure for the aforementioned conditions: epilepsy, hip dysplasia, arthritis and anxiety in dogs, but it may help alleviate the symptoms associated with them.
Consult a vet before giving your pet any form of CBD oil, as the appropriate dosage may vary depending on the size, weight and individual reaction of the animal. Some dogs may also be allergic to CBD and it is important to monitor them for any signs of adverse reactions after ingesting the oil.
It is also important to choose a high quality CBD oil that has been formulated specifically for dogs. Not all CBD oil products are created equal and it is important to choose a product from a reputable manufacturer that provides independent lab reports and clearly states the amount of CBD in each product.
What are terpenes and how do they affect our dogs?
Terpenes are a diverse class of organic compounds that are found in many different types of plants, including the hemp plant.
They are responsible for the unique flavours that plants produce and are known for a variety of therapeutic properties. Some of the most common terpenes found in hemp are limonene, myrcene and beta-caryophyllene. Each terpene has a unique chemical structure and properties and can interact with the body in different ways. Cannadoca’s CBD oils for dogs have a terpene profile specifically designed for our best friends.
In addition to their potential therapeutic benefits, terpenes also play a role in the entourage effect. This is a phenomenon where various compounds found in hemp, including terpenes, work together to enhance the therapeutic effects of CBD and other cannabinoids. This means that a CBD oil that contains terpenes may be more effective than an isolated CBD oil that contains only CBD and nothing else.
As for dogs, research on the effects of terpenes on dogs is limited, but some studies have shown that terpenes may be beneficial to pets in certain ways. For example, some terpenes, such as limonene and linalool, have been found to have anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) properties that may be helpful for animals with anxiety.
Other terpenes, such as myrcene, pinene and caryophyllene, have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that may be useful for pets with chronic pain, inflammation and arthritis.
It is important to note that research into the effects of terpenes on dogs is still limited and more studies are needed to fully understand their potential benefits and risks. The studies to date are preclinical and further studies are needed to confirm their results.
CBD side effects
The most common side effects of CBD in dogs are mild and include:
– Drowsiness: CBD can cause drowsiness, which can be helpful for dogs with anxiety and insomnia.
– Dry mouth: CBD can cause dry mouth, which can lead to increased thirst.
– Low blood pressure: CBD can lower blood pressure, which can cause dizziness and lightheadedness.
– Interactions with other medications: CBD can interact with certain medications, such as blood thinners and sedatives, which can cause the medication to increase or decrease in effectiveness.
Quality matters
When it comes to buying CBD oil for your pet, quality is paramount. Make sure you look for a product that is full-spectrum or broad-spectrum hemp-based. The difference between the two is that a full-spectrum product will also contain other important naturally occurring cannabinoids. In addition, terpenes are also beneficial as they act synergistically with cannabinoid compounds to enhance their effects.
When buying CBD oil for your dog, it is also important to look at how it is extracted. Generally speaking, CO2, ethanol and olive oil extractions are the safest options as they produce a higher concentration of CBD without the use of harmful solvents. Propane, butane and petroleum-based solvents should be avoided as they can leave toxic residues in the final product.
And make sure the product comes with a certificate of laboratory analysis.
This document will tell you exactly what kind of cannabinoids are in the final product and in what concentration. As this certificate usually comes from an independent laboratory, it will help protect you and your dog from poor quality products. If you can’t find a certificate on the company’s website, ask for one before you buy.
All Cannadoca CBD oils for dogs and cats go through 5 different levels of testing. Not only for cannabinoid profile, which is the most common certification, but we also do additional analysis for microbiology, terpenes, heavy metals and over 180 types of pesticides.
Conclusion
CBD oil can provide pet owners with natural and holistic ways to maintain the health and well-being of their pets. Cannabidiol may offer a promising solution for improving mobility in pets suffering from conditions such as osteoarthritis and anxiety-related mobility problems. It may also have a number of other benefits, such as reducing inflammation, relieving pain and improving immune function.