In the recent decade, the usage of cannabis and cannabis-derived products has gradually and rapidly increased. CBD is an oil derived from the hemp (a cannabis cousin) or cannabis (marijuana) plants.
CBD can also be synthesized in a laboratory. While studies have suggested that CBD may have medical potential, there has not been enough research to determine its long-term safety, adverse effects, or effectiveness.
Although the only CBD product approved by the FDA is a prescription medicine to treat seizures in humans, CBD is used in people to treat chronic pain, anxiety, and inflammation and to aid in enhancing sleep. Although you may be tempted to give your dog CBD, it is not recommended without the consent of a veterinarian and a conversation about the advantages and, more importantly, the hazards to your dog.
The AVMA, American Veterinary Medical Association, takes positions on important issues and advocates for veterinarians and their pet patients. Its position on CBD use in dogs is that there is insufficient evidence to show that it may be beneficial to dogs.
Important Takeaways
Never give CBD to your dog without first consulting with your veterinarian.
CBD is still being studied to evaluate its benefits for dogs. The verdict is still pending.
If your dog consumes too much CBD or has an unpleasant response, contact your veterinarian right away.
What Exactly Is CBD?
Cannabis is a plant that contains over 80 physiologically active compounds. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the most common active element in marijuana, followed by CBD (cannabidiol).
CBD differs from THC in that THC has a psychoactive effect associated with the sensation of being “high,” but CBD does not. CBD is usually generally in the form of an oil, but THC comes in a variety of forms, including the green flower that most people are familiar with.
CBD is thought to have numerous therapeutic benefits. It improves some physiological processes by connecting to certain receptors in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), intestines, muscles, bones, liver, spleen, heart, and lungs.
Can Dogs Consume CBD?
There is currently insufficient data on the usage of CBD in dogs to determine if it is safe for dogs; therefore, it is critical to consult with your dog’s veterinarian before administering a CBD product. At that point, your veterinarian will examine the benefits and drawbacks of CBD for dogs and evaluate whether the risk is worth the gain.
CBD has been demonstrated in studies to influence liver enzymes that are involved in medication metabolism. This indicates that the risk is not only in the CBD itself but also in how it may interact with other medications your dog is taking.
There are presently no FDA-approved CBD products for dogs on the market.
Because CBD is widely available, it may be tempting to begin administering it to your dog for a variety of reasons. However, doing so is never advised unless you have your veterinarian’s clear approval and dosing range.
CBD’s Potential Benefits for Dogs
Some of the topics of previous and continuing studies to evaluate whether CBD has any beneficial use in dogs include:
- Arthritis-related discomfort
- Seizures
- Atopy (an increased proclivity to acquire allergic disorders)
- Fear-motivated aggression
- Anxiety and stress
- Cancer therapy, particularly inhalable CBD for lung cancer
- The metabolism of CBD and its impact on the liver
- Inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS)
CBD Toxicity (or Adverse Effects) in Dogs
Symptoms and Signs
CBD, on the other hand, has some negative consequences in dogs. If your dog consumes too much CBD or has a poor reaction to a CBD product, you may notice the following side effects:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Restlessness
- Heart rate (slow or quick)
- Breathing quickly
- Gums and mucous membranes that are pale
If your dog exhibits any of these symptoms or exhibits any unusual behaviors while taking a CBD supplement, contact your veterinarian immediately or bring them to the local veterinary hospital.
Should You Give CBD to Your Dog for Pain?
Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine conducted one of the earliest research with CBD and dogs. The research was designed to look into how CBD can benefit dogs with pain management. In the trial, more than 80% of dogs with osteoarthritis reported a reduction in discomfort. A reduction in pain like this makes a dog more comfortable and active.
While the results were positive, some people were concerned about CBD’s short-term safety because of the high dose. So, before reaching for a CBD product to relieve your dog’s discomfort, it is always recommended that your dog be assessed by a veterinarian and that traditional pain and anti-inflammatory treatments be tried first, depending on the underlying condition. Joint supplements and fish oils are also excellent supplements for dogs suffering from arthritis.
Should You Give CBD to Your Dog for Seizures?
Colorado State University (CSU) conducted a study in dogs with epilepsy or seizure disease using hemp-derived CBD.
The goal of utilizing CBD in dogs with seizures would be the same as it is with other anti-seizure medications: to reduce the frequency of seizures while having as few negative effects as possible. In this study, 89% of the dogs experienced fewer seizures despite the fact that all of the dogs were also on standard anti-seizure drugs like phenobarbital or potassium bromide while ingesting CBD.
Another study at CSU is continuing to assess CBD’s safety and efficacy in dogs with uncontrolled seizures, as well as its potential interactions with other drugs. CBD should not be given to dogs with seizures at this time because no conclusions have been drawn. Instead, seek standard therapies for your dog under the supervision of a veterinarian.
Should You Give CBD to Your Dog for Behavioral Issues?
Cornell University is still at the forefront of CBD research in dogs. A recent study gave dogs a CBD chew before a stressful occasion. 83% of the canines evaluated demonstrated a reduction in stress or nervous behaviors. The conclusion was that more research with different CBD products and dosages is needed to learn how to properly use CBD to treat anxiety in dogs.
A study in Western Australia is investigating the use of CBD for aggressive dogs and has shown potential to reduce aggression in shelter dogs. While these two studies may lead to the use of CBD in dogs for behavioral difficulties, it is currently recommended that you engage with your veterinarian to manage these issues through behavior modification and/or pharmaceuticals. Minor behavioral disorders in dogs can be helped by supplements such as Adaptil® Calm, Purina® Pro Plan® Calming Care, and VetriScience® Composure.
Can Dogs Have Too Much CBD?
While there have been some studies (and more are ongoing) studying CBD use in dogs, it is not currently suggested unless your veterinarian has approved its use as safe for your dog.
While many elements of CBD use in dogs remain unknown, studies are being conducted to answer those issues, and the results are encouraging. Even while research studies suggest that CBD use may be useful for dogs with specific diseases, it is necessary to know how dogs react to this supplement in a therapeutic setting, which is currently unavailable.
Veterinarians outline the benefits and drawbacks of CBD oil for pets.
CBD oil is seemingly everywhere and in everything. You’ve definitely heard about CBD, especially if you suffer from a chronic ailment like pain or anxiety.
As some states have begun to legalize both medicinal and recreational cannabis, the market has seen an increase in readily available CBD, such as CBD oil for dogs to treat anxiety, pain, seizures, and other symptoms in the family dog.
CBD is one of several active chemicals found in the sativa Cannabis plant. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is another active ingredient that is the most well-known due to its mind or mood changing effects – it is the chemical that causes you to become “high.”
However, much like the usage of CBD in humans, nothing is known about how CBD oil for dogs works – or if it helps at all. There have been no rigorous studies on how it affects dogs, according to the American Kennel Club, and our expert confirmed this.
“Does it actually help with pain, or just make them forget?” We don’t know, but they appear to be less receptive to low-level pain stimuli, like arthritis when they take the medicine,” according to Mark Verdino, MD, senior vice president and chief of veterinary staff of North Shore Animal League America. “And certain anxieties, they seem to be less reactive to certain things.”
CBD is non-psychoactive but has many of the same medical benefits as THC. This means you can provide therapeutic advantages to your pet without fear of their becoming “stoned,” which would be quite upsetting for a dog.
“The psychotic ingredient that makes people high is not present in CBD oil, and they’re not entirely sure how the CBD, Cannabidiol, actually works to do the things that they’re claiming it does,” Verdino explains. “We don’t know, but they appear to be less reactive to low-level pain stimuli, such as arthritis when they take the product.” specific concerns appear to be less receptive to specific things.”
The doctor mentioned that he uses CBD for his own dog, a senior who gets jittery in the evenings and that it seemed to soothe the animal.
“At night, when the lights are dimmed, it’s dark outside; they can’t see it well in the dark, and he gets a little scared.” And when I give him the CBD, he just seems to fall asleep.”
Of course, the question is how well it works. “So, is it helping with the anxiety?” Verdino asks. I’m not sure, but it seemed to help. So we have a symptom, and it aids in the treatment of that condition.”
Could there be dangers?
We don’t know right now. The FDA has not approved CBD for use in dogs (or people) and has not provided dosing guidelines. Because any drug or supplement includes the risk of response, it’s crucial to start with a tiny amount and monitor how your dog reacts to it.
If you decide to give your dog CBD, Verdino advises, “I recommend people use a pet-specific product just so that they know the concentration is appropriate, that there’s nothing else in it too… because look, this is a fairly unregulated industry.” Elevate for dogs, for example, is a tincture with a dropper that is easy to use to fill a pill pouch. There are also CBD snacks like MediPets CBD snacks, Hemp My Pet cookies, and King Kalm Crunch CBD treats available.
And for good reason: many human-friendly CBD products are available in gummy form. “There’s nothing stopping a CBD company from flavoring it with an artificial sweetener like Xylitol, which is toxic to animals.” So I would absolutely choose a veterinary-specific medicine and one that appears to be from a more trustworthy company,” the doctor says.
To Conclude
CBD products for dogs, whether in the form of oil or treats, have been found to aid with anecdotal issues like pain and anxiety, but there isn’t enough research to determine for sure. It’s advisable to consult with your veterinarian about your dog’s specific difficulties and follow the doctor’s advice.