Introduction to CBD benefits for dogs
When it comes to dogs, we can never really control their behavior. We can teach them how to generally act and to follow commands, but in the end, they have their unique personality that makes them loveable yet hard to handle sometimes. For this, we do not have to instantly resort to drastic measures. Nowadays, pet owners are advised to use all-natural methods that are completely safe and organic for their dogs. One of the most popular choices is to use dog treats or oils that are made from CBD which is short for cannabidiol.
What is CBD?
CBD or cannabidiol is a substance made with cannabinoids derived from various plants that are mixed with oil. These are gathered from multiple plants such as cannabis, black pepper, rosemary, and more. These are gathered naturally and mixed with oil, with the safest and the best for the environment being coconut oil. When mixed together, the resulting product is a calming and relaxing oil. This can be taken by both humans and dogs orally. For dogs, it comes in either dog treats or with oil droppers that mix it usually with flavors such as beef, bacon, and chicken to make it easier to ingest for them.
How does CBD work in dogs?
The bodies of most animals, including dogs, have an endocannabinoid system or ECS that has been discovered by chemist Raphael Mechoulam. This system of the body is responsible for ensuring that the homeostasis or the condition of being stable will be maintained in the body. This contains several enzymes and receptors which it can then send to various parts such as the brain, vertebrate, immune system, and more. They can also react with the immune and gastrointestinal system. Through this, they can directly interact with the symptoms that dogs feel such as pain, allergic reactions, swelling, and even anxiety. If you want an ever more in depth explanation of how CBD is absorbed and works in dogs’ systems, make sure you check out our full article for more info.
By directly drinking or eating CBD, we promote the function of the endocannabinoid system. Because of this, we can easily minimize the issues faced by our dogs and generally promote the improvement of their physical and mental wellbeing.
Dogs that are given this treatment tend to return to their youthful selves. They become more energetic, sociable, and playful. Aside from having less pain that they may get from neurodegenerative disorders or arthritis brought by age, they also have a better condition mentally which can make them easily more sociable and easier to get along with.
When should you use CBD with your dogs?
When the CBT takes effect still depends upon factors such as the breed, size, and the age of the dog. However, it generally takes effect within the week of administering it as long as you give it regularly. This is because regulation of the ECS takes time as it is responsible for homeostasis and is not instantly reactive. Because of this, it is best to give CBD a week ahead of a week full of celebrations that may involve a lot of people, loud noises and events, and the likes for your dog. In case you want the effect to be regular, it is best to give it in its pet treat form that you can give almost every day in its proper dosage.
How do you give CBD to your dog?
As stated above, it first comes in the CBD form as an oil. This can be packaged with a dropper and is usually partnered with a flavoring to make it more enticing for dogs. You can then either drop it directly on their mouth or put it on their food. The former is more recommended to ensure that they will receive the full dosage.
Another form of this is through dog treats that have also been given a flavor. These are given directly piece by piece. This is best given as a form of reinforcement for dogs to make it good for both their health and for their training. If your dog is very picky, like ours is, you might have to do a couple of different tricks. Check out our guide on how to get a picky dog to take cbd products right here, to see what has worked for us.
These come with proper labels which can teach users about how to administer it properly. They will be given a dosage that will depend upon the size of the pet. For example, a single drop of the CBD or 1 to 2 pieces of the treat may be enough for a smaller dog while bigger ones may need more.
Are there any risks from using CBD with your dog?
CBD contains materials coming from cannabis which is why some may worry about its safety. After all, humans can overdose from marijuana which may be lethal and addictive.
The good news is that the CBD given to pets is free from THC which is the part of marijuana that is responsible for the feeling of being “high” and getting its nasty side effects. When you administer CBD to your pets, they won’t be addicted or feel dizzy after using them.
If you also accidentally give them too much dosage of it, they won’t have any lethal complications. The worst symptom may just be having diarrhea and an irritated bowel movement. If you happen to see allergic reactions from it, though, you may be advised to simply avoid using it.
Final thoughts on using CBD with your dog and the benefits it may have
CBD is effective for relieving symptoms of anxiety and chronic pain for dogs. It is all-natural, safe, and legal to be used for them which is why it is fully recommended. If you are new to CBD products and not sure where to stop we suggest you take a look at our reviews on dog products. We have ranked CBD products that we have tested out the best CBD dog products for Canadians. While our results might differ from yours we can say for sure that our top rated product has changed ours, and our dogs, lives’.