The Ins & Outs of CBD For Your Dog
Colorado, home of Aspen ski resort, the Rocky Mountains, and most importantly? Hemp. CBD, THC, weed, marijuana, Cannabis, hemp. Names, products, effects seemed to have all been jumbled up in one way or another.
So, allow us to jump straight in with this blog about clarifying what CBD is and how it definitely won’t get you or your dog “high”.
Let’s put a stop to the “will my dog get high” myth
CBD (its scientific term is actually Cannabidiol) is a component derived from the hemp plant, a plant that is in the same family as the cannabis (marijuana) plant but by no means gives the same tabooed effects (Grinspoon, 2021). Due to its lack of Tetrahydrocannabinol (try and say it three times in a row!) or THC- the component that gets you “high” CBD is found to be legal in most states in the US (Grinspoon, 2021).
Don’t just take it from us. The World Health Organization (WHO) also released a statement saying that “CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential” (World Health Organization, 2017).
This said, little scientific research has been conducted on how CBD affects pets (i.e., animals). This blog will explore the (non-scientific) effects of CBD on your four-legged furry friend. What it has been claimed to treat and its possible side effects, before ending on a high (just kidding!) with where to get the CBD doggie treats!
How does CBD treat your dog?
Similar reports have been noted on the effects of CBD on cats and dogs as in humans. Once again, we’d like to highlight how even though not all these health effects are not backed by science, they are backed by pet owner results.
🐾 Inflammation & Pain Reduction: Pet owners have found (especially in old dogs) that certain dosages of CBD have shown a dramatic increase in activity, leading them to believe they are experiencing less pain. A similar claim was also proposed in a 2018 study, although the scientists concluded that despite “perceiving dogs to be more comfortable and active,” more studies we required for a conclusive result (Gamble et al., 2018).
🐾 Anxiety Reduction: Once again, anxiety reduction is one of the most common benefits of CBD you’ll come across (in humans and animals). Anxiety reduction is also one study that has shown positive results by scientists (Pisanti et al., 2017).
🐾 Suppresses Nausea: CBD oil has been claimed to trigger the hunger senses, alas causing your pets to eat. Especially in older animals, this is a key way to keep them well-nourished.
Can CBD cause side effects?
Though we, and everybody else for that matter, are not claiming CBD to be a medical treatment, like anything one chooses to consume (e.g., alcohol), CBD is known to have its share of side effects. These do not necessarily outweigh the benefits we’re claiming CBD performs, but even so, we’re here to be as transparent as possible and provide you with everything we know.
There are 3 side effects that come up again and again when researching CBD. However, these can be avoided/minimalized by ensuring you give your pet the proper dosage: (American Kennel Club, 2021)
1. Lowered Blood Pressure: high dosages have been shown to cause a dip in blood pressure (though only temporary), it is still possible to give a sensation of lightheadedness.
2. Drowsiness: Though CBD has been stated to decrease anxiety in (human) patients (Pisanti et al., 2017), it has been reported to cause drowsiness. Again, when taken in high doses.
3. Dry Mouth: Studies have found that CBD can decrease saliva production, alas increasing a dog’s thirst.
One thing to bear in mind, no CBD pet medication has been certified by the FDA, so your vet won’t be recommending CBD as a treatment for your pet.
Here! We’re a 100% organic, certified Non-GMO, Kosher brand. Plus all our goodies are produced in an organic facility! Why go anywhere else to get top quality CBD for your furry friend?
CBD is an ever-growing industry, its health benefits have been claimed by the rich & famous, pet owners, professional athletes, we’re just waiting for the scientists to tell us that we’ve been right all along!
Bibliography
American Kennel Club, 2021. American Kennel Club. [Online]
Available at: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/cbd-oil-dogs/
[Accessed 15 November 2021].
Gamble, L.-J.et al., 2018. Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Clinical Efficacy of Cannabidiol Treatment in Osteoarthritic Dogs. Frontiers In Veterinary Science, Issue 5, p. 165.
Grinspoon, P., 2021. Harvad Health Publishing. [Online]
Available at: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476
[Accessed 15 November 2021].
Pisanti, S. et al., 2017. Cannabidiol: State of the art and new challenges for therapeutic applications. Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Issue 175, pp. 133-150.
World Health Organization, 2017. Cannabidiol (CBD) Pre-Review Report. [Online]
Available at: https://www.who.int/medicines/access/controlled-substances/5.2_CBD.pdf
[Accessed 15 November 2021].
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