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Before getting into the health benefits for dogs, we must first understand what CBD oil is and its advantages.
It has been referred to as an herbal supplement and is derived from the cannabis plant, although CBD oil may also obtain it from other sources.
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is the chemical compound that causes the “high” effect of marijuana and relieves many other symptoms associated with this popular illegal drug.
Overview of CBD benefits
It is believed to have many healing properties and is currently being studied by pharmaceutical companies to treat severe medical conditions.
Cannabidiol is known because of its potential use as a natural remedy for a variety of medical conditions, including:
- Depression
- Glaucoma
- Epilepsy
- Chronic pain
- Nausea
- Seizures
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
Many of the benefits for humans also carry over to dogs, which we will discuss further down.
When was it discovered?
Scientists first discovered that cannabidiol, a compound derived from the cannabis plant, contains three essential compounds with some medical significance.
CBD was later found to be quite useful for patients who suffer from chronic pain, making it particularly interesting, especially for individuals who require chronic pain treatment, such as those who suffer from cancer or HIV/AIDS.
What is CBD oil?
CBD is also known as the, and it is believed that the compound can decrease neuropathic pain, reduce anxiety and mood disorders, and increase alertness.
Some users have reported it enhanced mental abilities and a feeling of mental clarity after taking small amounts of CBD oils. Medical researchers are currently investigating whether CBD oil may also help treat various types of cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other degenerative diseases.
There has been a large amount of discussion among consumers about CBD oil and its potential uses as of late.
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Issues differ from whether or not it is sufficient for weight loss, to what extent it might affect brain function and memory, and to what extent it might help alleviate some symptoms of depression.
Some of the more widespread concerns include whether or not CBD oil might have some effect on children. While there has been some limited analysis on this, there has been no conclusive evidence linking the CBD with any adverse effects on either pediatric patients or adults.
Additionally, as far as brain development’s effect goes, some parents have expressed concern that ingesting the compound might cause some short-term disruptions in children’s development.
Mechanism of action
CBD is different from marijuana and THC due to the way that CBD interacts with the chemical dopamine.
Unlike THC, which can become inactive in the body once it crosses the blood-brain barrier, CBD will remain active and contribute to the sensation depending on its metabolization.
Therefore, while CBD may not make you high, it will still provide a beneficial feeling, which may explain why so many people consider CBD a “cure” for chronic pain and anxiety.
Main health benefits for humans
A handful of anecdotal evidence suggests CBD has the potential to be extremely useful in combating the symptoms of some primary medical conditions, from Crohn’s disease and arthritis to cancer and chemotherapy.
As well, CBD can help with nausea and chemotherapy-induced vomiting. The list goes on, and it appears CBD has some strong healing powers.
One study testing the therapeutic benefits of CBD showed that it significantly reduces kidney disease progression in animals. Other recent studies have shown CBD has anti-inflammatory properties and may even help prevent or mitigate the damages caused by Parkinson’s disease.
Most people are familiar with the benefits derived from cannabis, THC included. However, recent studies have shown CBD has even more significant benefits.
It has been proven in human clinical trials to reduce the inflammation associated with multiple sclerosis, the chronic pain resulting from degenerative joint conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and even chemo-propelled colorectal cancer.
Even though most of these ailments are treated with pharmaceutical drugs, CBD proves to be a much better alternative.
How it is processed
CBD is produced when the cannabis plant is immature before it has reached its true and medicinal potential.
To extract the plant’s medicinal properties, extractors are heated in a kiln to a remarkably high temperature. The heating causes the cannabidiol to evaporate, and the oils are collected in a special filter paper.
Just a small quantity of the oil is wasted, and the remaining have been purified using additional methods before being used for topical applications.
The latest studies on CBD health benefits are being conducted using laboratory animals.
Some of the effects seen in the tests have been shown in rats, but researchers are hoping to conduct human studies on the benefits of cannabidiol.
Some of the preliminary results show the oils work on lab mice, but the study did not directly test the oil benefits on humans.
However, the preliminary findings were impressive enough to prompt Shanna MDMA, Executive Vice President of Aphria, to state: “The benefits of cannabidiol are enormous and will make this a very exciting area of study.”
She went on to state: “This is the first time in history that scientists can successfully administer a pharmaceutical-grade ingredient in a non-toxic format.”
Current clinical trials are looking at two of the essential areas of CBD use as part of the campaign to get more people to use cannabis oil. One of the areas of focus is how the oils can relieve pain.
It has been recognized for centuries that the cannabis plant has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, and this knowledge has made it highly desirable in the medical world.
In the last few years, two important scientific papers have come out confirming the beneficial medical properties of cannabidiol. This means the dream of the powerful pain reliever may soon become a reality.
So how does this all relate to dogs?
The main question is: can dogs take CBD oil? The resounding answer is yes. Moreover, the health benefits attributed to humans are also found when dogs ingest CBD oils.
5 Health benefits of CBD oil for pet dogs
Pain relief
As is true with humans, CBD oil can alleviate pain in pet dogs. Some dogs suffer from genetic abnormalities that cause chronic pain, and CBD oil can go some way in helping to reduce it.
The emergence of CBD has put the natural ‘pain relief’ market on notice, swiftly becoming the hottest natural pain relief medicine of late.
Though traditional pain management medication remains the most widely used chronic pain treatment strategy in 2021, recent studies have revealed exciting new medicinal applications for CBD.
In particular, CBD supplements are proving to be very useful in alleviating pain, especially in the area of sciatica. In older dogs, inflammation is often the leading cause of pain, and CBD oil can reduce this issue.
While long-standing and well-established medicinal use of this powerful natural plant compound is well-known among holistic practitioners, it is relatively recent that mainstream medicine has become interested in its potential usefulness as a pain-management solution.
In other words, if your dog is experiencing some form of ailment, then CBD is a viable alternative to synthetic pain medication.
Stress and anxiety
The calming effect that comes from ingesting CBD oil is also prevalent in dogs.
Dogs can become stressed out for a variety of reasons, including:
- Being left home alone
- Fireworks or loud noises
- Separation anxiety
These are just a few reasons for their stress, but it can often become a severe issue for owners.
If you’ve ever used CBD oil for anxiety, you know that it works wonders.
Using CBD oil for anxiety in humans is still at its early stages. Still, some substantial anecdotal evidence says it can help those suffering from general anxiety and panic disorders.
It’s not a get-rich-quick sort of thing – it’s not going to cure your anxiety forever, though it can certainly help you overcome it for the time being. However, you can remedy some health issues by taking CBD, so it is considered when conventional medication isn’t working for you.
In most cases, CBD is taken in supplement form. You can find CBD oils and extracts in foods like hemp seeds, hemp milk, hemp oil, and various other natural and organic sources.
However, the CBD is not psychoactive or intoxicating like most pharmaceuticals are, so you don’t need to worry about it harming your dogs.
Seizure regulation
Cannabidiol or CBD is an essential ingredient of CBD oil for dog seizures. Due to its pain-relieving properties, it can relieve the pain caused due to seizures.
It helps the nervous system function naturally, reduces seizures, and improves your dog’s overall health and quality of life.
CBD is used in dogs and is also found in some prescription drugs to treat cancer and various neurological conditions. It is more popular than other prescription drugs.
Moreover, CBD oil can help your pet to relax and become less aggressive. Besides, it is also a source of antihistaminic, anti-inflammatory, and sedative effects.
This is the most important thing you should keep in your mind while purchasing CBD pet oil.
Moreover, some other drugs are available in the market, reducing the frequency of seizures in your dog. Still, none of them has been proved to affect the illness’s root cause and only facilitates the attacks’ frequency.
This can make the treatment of your dog difficult and stressful. Therefore, it is recommended to consult your veterinarian before using it.
It is a must to avoid all the negative impacts of epilepsy in dogs and try out all the alternatives before using CBD oil for dog seizures.
Enhance appetite
If your pet is experiencing eating difficulties, then CBD could be the answer.
It has the effect of enhancing the appetite of your dog to make it eat more. You would only want to use CBD oil for this reason if your dog is not eating and you are worried.
If your pet is eating normally, then you may not want to administer the oil unless for the other reasons mentioned above.
Improve mobility in older dogs
The older a dog gets, the more likely it will slowly begin to lose its mobility.
This is just as frustrating to a dog as it is for a human. This reduction in mobility often stems from age-related inflammation, and as previously mentioned, CBD oil is a great candidate to reduce this issue without the need for harsh medication.
How much CBD oil should I give my dog?
When you want to know how much CBD oil should I give your dog, it is recommended that you consider the type of dog you have.
For example, dogs with specific medical conditions need a different dosage from other dogs.
Also, keep in mind that dogs do not have the same tolerance levels as us humans, so it is possible that some days CBD may not be effective.
If this happens to you, then it is recommended that you try to increase the dosage slowly. If you increase the dosage too quickly, then the CBD may not work at all, and you could end up with more harm than good for your dog.
Most pet owners find that CBD provides relief for their pets regarding pain, inflammation, joint problems, and arthritis.
Nevertheless, it is vital to keep in mind that it is not an instant fix and does not work for every case.
Therefore, if your pet has chronic pain or continues to experience pain, you should consult your vet to determine how much CBD oil dosage is safe for your dog.
You should consult with your vet about the correct dosage for large dogs bred for weight and muscle mass.
Again, it is essential to remember how much CBD oil dosage you should give your pet will depend on your particular dog’s medical condition.
Summary
People have begun experimenting with different ways of treating canine health-related issues with the hopes of one day having a safe and effective treatment for their beloved pets.
There’s still no official research on how CBD affects dogs though some studies have been done on rodents.
What scientists do understand, though, is that CBD acts like an endocannabinoid in your dog’s system, which works to control epileptic activity and maintain a steady brain chemical balance within the body.
CBD oil for dogs, which is available in both liquid and pill forms. While these substances are known to work on animals suffering from conditions similar to humans, they are a far more holistic method in treating and improving your pets’ health and well-being.