June 16, 2022 5 min read

CBD is a chemical present in the plant, Cannabis Sativa, commonly regarded as hemp or cannabis. In the United States, one type of CBD is approved as a seizure medication. CBD oil has now become a trendy natural medicine for treating a variety of diseases in humans, including chronic pain, anxiety, and other ailments.

Hemp-based CDB could help your dogs, too, because they possess the same endocannabinoid system as people. They can help your fluffy pets with pain management, mental health issues, joint health management, seizure disorders, and even offers gastrointestinal support, among others. The market today offers a diverse selection of CBD-infused dog treats for pet owners.

This article talks about the merits as well as demerits of giving your dogs CBD-infused treats and discusses whether CBD treats are good for dogs.

Dog with CBD treat

What Is Referred As CBD? 

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a chemical component that can be found in cannabis and hemp plants. CBD is generated from hemp (the rope and fabric stuff) or cannabis (the marijuana plant). It's quite easy to obtain, is said to have beneficial properties for your dog's health, and is available in a variety of forms, including pills, oils, and specialist chews and treats. CBD is commonly provided in the form of oils or soft chews, which can be consumed orally, although additional items like cookies and pills can also be obtained online. Most importantly, it will not make your dog high, unlike THC (CBD's psychoactive relative).

Dog taking CBD

 

It is important to note that dog CBD oil does not usually include delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the component in marijuana that contains psychoactive properties. In fact, the majority of CBD products are made from hemp rather than marijuana. It has also been approved for the treatment of epilepsy, which is why CBD products (mainly hemp oil or CBD treats) are slowly becoming popular among pet owners.

Is CBD Safe For Dogs To Consume?

CBD for dogs

 

CBD is completely safe for pets and showcases several potential benefits for them. According to WHO research, dog CBD has no potential for misuse or dependency in animals, and it may be an effective treatment for a variety of medical ailments ranging from anxiety to sickness.

However, it's crucial to keep in mind that there isn't a lot of scientific proof to back up its exact advantages for your pet.

While CBD may not be the ideal dog food, most scientists agree that CBD appears to be safe for the consumption of dogs.

Extensive research explored how dogs might react to a 12-week course of CBD treat given twice daily in a small 2019 trial. The dogs got 2 milligrams (mg) of CBD per kilogram of body weight for each dose, equating to around 27 mg of CBD for a 13.6 kilogram (30-pound) dog.

The researchers used blood testing throughout the study to see if the canines had any negative side effects. The findings revealed that the dogs seemed to have no negative effects, implying that this amount of CBD is safe for canines.

However, it is important to note that you must feed your pets CBD products in a limited amount. Higher amounts are not recommended.

In a 2018 study, researchers fed dogs either 10 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg of CBD on a regular basis. In other terms, a 13.6 kg (30 pounds) dog would receive 136 mg or 272 mg per day, depending on its weight.

Every one of the dogs in the higher dose study had minor diarrhea. A third of the dogs had higher levels of specific liver enzymes. However, none of the dogs experienced any major side effects, such as liver failure.

CBD For Dogs Comes In A Variety Of Forms

The CBD market is booming. You may get CBD pet care products for your dog in a variety of forms, including:

  • Tinctures of essential oils

  • Dog snacks/treats laced with CBD

  • Capsules

  • Skin cream with CBD

Oils or fatty goodies like peanut butter-based treats might be more effective for your dog than some other CBD types like dry capsules since CBD molecules break down in fat. It could take a little practice to determine which CBD your dog can tolerate. Some dogs may not mind ingesting CBD oil, whereas others require bribery in the form of food.

Why Do Dogs Need CBD?

Dog taking CBD liquid

 

CBD (cannabidiol) is a substance found in hemp and cannabis plants. For its many medical characteristics, it's used in oils and foods for both humans and pets. CBD has been shown in studies to help your dog relax, as well as relieve discomfort and strengthen the immune system.

CBD can relieve pain, particularly neuropathic pain, or assist control seizures in dogs. It is often prescribed as a resolution for a variety of illnesses, such as pains, arthritis, anxiousness, seizure, and even cancers, and for its health benefits.

CBD is also utilized for its anti-inflammatory purposes, cardiovascular advantages, anti-nausea properties, hunger stimulation, anti-anxiety consequences, and also anti-cancer impacts.

  1. Arthritis

CBD has a lot of commonalities with medicines that treat inflammation. So, CBD treats can surprisingly help treat inflammation and joint pain even in dogs.

Among the most prevalent inflammatory illnesses in dogs is osteoarthritis, sometimes known as arthritis.

When administered twice daily at suitable levels, dog CBD treats have been demonstrated to provide significant pain relief in dogs with arthritis, especially older dogs.

  1. Pain

The benefit of reduced inflammations shown in arthritic dogs may be viewed in dogs suffering from other types of inflammatory pains, such as back pains caused by intervertebral disc disease (IVDD).

When consumed properly and regularly, CBD products can help relieve your dog's pain that it might be experiencing due to numerous factors like fracture, surgery, or as discussed above IVDD.

  1. Cancer

The term "cancer" is an umbrella phrase that refers to a wide range of distinct disorders, each with its own group of beneficial therapies.

CBD has been investigated in humans for its potential use in cancer patients, both to cure the tumor(s) directly and to relieve the side effects of cancer and chemotherapy.

CBD's anti-nausea properties have been observed in rats and hamsters, indicating that dogs undergoing chemotherapy may profit from CBD medication.

  1. Anxiety

CBD could help with anxiety relief that may be brought about by chronic pain, inflammation, separation, or even car anxiety in a dog. Just make sure you are consulting a veterinarian before feeding CBD products to your pets.

CBD's Potential Negative Impacts on Dogs 

Dog taking CBD treat

 

Though there is no scientific evidence that CBD dogs treat dogs' adverse effects, there still are possible side effects depending on how CBD influences humans. Ensure you're getting the right dosage to avoid any unpleasant side effects.

Parched mouth: CBD has been proven in studies to reduce the production of saliva. This might be shown through more thirst in dogs. 

Low blood pressure: Consuming larger quantities of CBD has been shown to help induce a reduction in high levels of BP for brief durations. While the dip may be minor, it may still help with light-headedness. 

Lethargy: CBD is popularly opted to treat the anxiousness of dogs. CBD's relaxing properties help make your pet sleepy in short durations, especially when consuming greater doses.

In Place Of CBD Treats, What Should You Give Your Dog? 

Forget the treats and search for CBD oil for dogs if you want your dog to reap the benefits of CBD. However, ensure the CBD oil you buy is made from hemp and other organic ingredients rather than cannabis (marijuana). THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, is essentially non-existent in hemp. Your dog can reap the benefits of CBD oil made from hemp without the unpleasant high.

Conclusion

Whether you wish to feed your four-legged buddy with CBD-infused treats or not is completely up to you. CBD oil has a variety of benefits for humans and can prove beneficial for your dog too. However, we highly recommend you take this decision after consulting your veterinarian.