Cannabidiol (CBD) is the second-most prevalent compound in marijuana, the other being tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Medical marijuana doctors usually recommend CBD for pain management. However, studies indicate that the substance may help with other medical conditions, including anxiety and inflammation.
Cannabidiol’s numerous therapeutic properties not only make the compound beneficial to humans. CBD may also be helpful to our furry friends, particularly pets like cats and dogs.
But as you might expect, there are vital points to bear while sharing CBD with your pets. This article looks at the six factors to consider before giving cannabidiol to your dog.
Establish That Your Dog Qualifies For CBD Usage
Humans can use cannabis either for medicinal or recreational benefits. Even cannabidiol, which is inherently non-psychoactive, can be used occasionally for recreational benefits. That’s mainly if the compound contains significant THC levels (more on later).
However, animals should consume cannabis extracts strictly for medical purposes. That includes cannabidiol.
Therefore, start by establishing that your canine friend is suffering from a medical condition treatable using CBD. This may require a short visit to the vet to get your dog prequalified for CBD usage.
Go For High-Quality Products
Cannabidiol can potentially treat numerous medical conditions in dogs. However, your pooch will only benefit from CBD’s therapeutic properties if you insist on high-quality products.
One way to vouch for the quality of a CBD supplement is to buy the product from trusted vendors. You can establish a seller’s trustworthiness by checking for customer reviews. Over the years, CBD oil has become a household name in the cannabidiol industry. The company has been around for a fairly long duration, during which it has earned a positive reputation for dealing in high-quality CBD goods.
Another way to vouch for the quality of cannabidiol is to check for lab-testing reports. Products that have undergone testing by third-party laboratories are likely to be higher quality.
Understand CBD’s Health Benefits
Now that dogs should consume CBD only for medical purposes, the next question to settle is, ‘how will the animal benefit from this compound?’ Fortunately, there’s a long list of canine health issues that you can treat or manage using cannabidiol products. The most common one is pain. CBD relieves pain in dogs the same way it does in humans – by impacting specific pain-signaling receptors in the animal’s endocannabinoid system.
You can also administer cannabidiol for inflammation in dogs. CBD exerts its anti-inflammatory effects by blocking the production of cytokines and chemokines, two of the body’s leading inflammatory messengers.
Cannabidiol may also address anxiety and sleep disorders in dogs. That’s due to the compound’s potent anxiolytic properties. It doesn’t matter whether your pooch suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), separation anxiety, or insomnia. Administering a CBD supplement can go a long way in fighting these conditions.
Last but not least, the cannabidiol may be helpful in treating seizures in dogs. CBD’s sedating effects can help calm down overactive electrical signals in the brain, lowering the risks of attacks. Currently, there’s an ongoing study on the potential anti-seizure properties of CBD on treatment-resistant epileptic dogs. The research is sponsored by the American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Health Foundation (CHF) in conjunction with the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of Colorado State University.
Choose the Right Product Formulation
You can find cannabidiol products in a handful of formulations. Popular ones include smokable hemp pre-rolls, topicals, edibles, oral tinctures, and vape oils.
All these preparations will deliver CBD to your bloodstream. But when it comes to cannabidiol for dogs, you should choose from the following products – oral tinctures, topicals, and edibles.
Oral tinctures are preferred for their faster onset time. But they’re unideal for skittish dogs. If your dog is the fussy type, you will do well to give them CBD edibles. Lastly, topicals are suitable when treating localized pain or inflammation.
But whichever formulation you choose, remember to administer cannabidiol sparingly while keeping your eyes on any adverse effects.
Beware Of THC Levels
We have already emphasized the importance of giving your dog cannabidiol strictly for medicinal purposes.
Now, products formulated with pure CBD are non-psychoactive, hence won’t get your dog high. But the situation can change dramatically for supplements containing high THC levels.
While shopping for CBD products for dogs, insist on those labeled ‘isolates’ or ‘broad-spectrum.’
CBD isolate contains cannabidiol as cannabis’ only active ingredient, while ‘broad-spectrum’ CBD contains cannabidiol plus many other non-psychoactive cannabinoids.
Avoid full-spectrum CBD goods at all costs. While these products can offer compounded health benefits in humans, the mere fact that they’re high in THC makes them unsuitable for dogs.
Ensure CBD Is Legal In Your Jurisdiction
It’s illegal to possess cannabidiol products if CBD is presently criminalized in your country or state. Regardless of whether you intend to administer CBD to yourself or your pooch.
Therefore, always familiarize yourself with your local CBD laws before shopping for cannabidiol products.
Remember that most vets will not preapprove your dog for cannabidiol usage if CBD is presently illegal in your country. And neither will most suppliers ship to your address.
Summary
Incorporating cannabidiol into your dog’s wellness routine is one of the soundest health decisions you’ll ever make as a pet parent. However, your canine friend will only enjoy CBD’s health benefits if you implement the above-listed tips.
