The hype about CBD oil for dogs has been on the rise for the last couple of years, and CBD has even managed to get its own national day inside of the United States, which is on August 8. Still, not a lot of people really understand what CBD is all about and why it has become so popular, even among pet owners, but don’t worry, we are here to change that!
If you are interested in learning more about this particular form of medication, this article is definitely for you, especially if you are a pet owner considering the idea, maybe because someone recommended it to you, or you just read about it online.
We will talk about the main subjects you should know when it comes to cbd for dogs, and some of the things you should keep in mind if you are going to use it for the first time.
But before we get into those details, getting to know more about the scientific aspects of CBD, even if a little, can greatly help you understand what this compound is, and how it manages to provide benefits to both humans and animals.
CBD, One of the Most Prominent Cannabinoids
Just so you know, CBD comes from the word cannabidiol, which is a cannabinoid that can be found in the cannabis plant. The cannabis plant contains two main cannabinoids, one being cannabidiol, and the other one being tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC.
These two compounds are capable of providing health benefits which we will discuss later on in this article, however, the most important thing to understand is the fact that THC, contrary to CBD, has psychotropic properties.
This is the reason why recreational and medicinal cannabis are capable of getting people high, regardless of their presentation, which are commonly smokables, edibles, and oils. This particular side effect is what usually put off people from trying cannabidiol-based products, since they believe that, since it is somewhat related to the cannabis plant, it’ll cause the same effect.
Thing is… CBD is non-psychotropic! And of course, all products created mainly using CBD as a compound are also non-psychotropic! The logic behind is simple: All cannabidiol medication out there is created using a derivation of the cannabis plant that is known as the hemp plant, which contains minuscule levels of THC, only reaching up to 0.03% of its chemical structure, and mind you, this is not nearly as enough to cause an effect in people.
For Dogs, This is Essential
Now, let’s talk a little bit about why this happens. Both humans and animals have something that is known as the ECS, or the Endocannabinoid System.
This Endocannabinoid System is a complex combination of neurotransmitters that is capable of, to a certain extent, influencing several physiological functions of the body. Among them, it can influence things like:
- Appetite
- Stress
- Sleep
- Mood
- Inflammation
- Pain
- And the 5 senses
The reason why THC is considered a psychotropic compound is because it affects the endocannabinoid system far more aggressively than CBD, more specifically speaking, the 5 senses and the perception of reality and the environment.
For animals like dogs, this is essential, mainly because they have a much more sensitive endocannabinoid system that can be easily overwhelmed. If THC enters in contact with their ECS, side effects that might last for weeks and even months might happen, intoxicating them for long periods of time to the point of even causing them to lose their balance and become depressed.
On the other hand, cannabidiol is a lot more gentle, and it is still capable of influencing said physiological functions to provide benefits, making it the perfect alternative for animals.
Some of the Reasons Why CBD is Used in Dogs
Dogs, just like humans, can suffer from a lot of afflictions, both mental and physical. For example, when a dog becomes old, is injured or suffers from a disease, they might have to deal with a lot of pain that, at times, can even affect their mental health.
A good example of this is how senior dogs stop moving around as much because of joint pain, which in the end might cause them depression, and as showcased in this article, depression is capable of causing a lot of other side problems if left alone for prolonged periods of time.
Thanks to the way cannabidiol influences the ECS, it is capable of reducing the inflammatory responses of their body, causing an anti-inflammatory effect that also relieves pain in the process, greatly aiding pet owners taking care of dogs suffering from pain-inducing conditions or other inflammatory complications.
Another reason why pet owners use it is to help them deal with anxiety or other similar problems. Anxiety is a very common affliction in animals, especially when unknown circumstances are being presented in their lives, such as visits to a professional groomer, moving, or meeting a new pet companion.
Cannabidiol is capable of causing a relaxing effect that reduces the stress of the pet and allows it to deal with situations in a much calmer, gentle manner until they adapt to it.
Using it as a First Timer
If you have decided to use CBD oil for the first time, you have to know that, although it is a very safe form of medication, it can still cause some side effects. Although harmless, these side effects can be avoided pretty easily, as long as you take care with the dose.
That is why oils are often the recommended choice for beginners, solely because they are very easy to handle, manage, and measure. Ideally, you should start with small dosages while taking into consideration your provider’s advice. Make sure to pay attention to the way your dog reacts to it and reduce or increase the dosage accordingly!
Some side effects you should be on the hunt for include things like vomiting, diarrhea, dry mouth, and excessive panting! If you see these reactions, you know you might want to reduce the dose.
