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CBD for Dogs: This Is How to Give CBD to Your Pet

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Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard all the buzz about CBD. Heck, maybe you’ve even tried it yourself. But did you know that they also sell CBD for dogs?

If you think your dog could benefit from CBD, you probably have a lot of questions. One of the big ones is: what’s the right CBD dosage for my pooch?

It’s important to understand that the world of CBD research is still young. There haven’t been a whole lot of studies regarding the effects of CBD on pets. That being said, it is thought to be generally safe with few side effects so long as it doesn’t contraindicate with any other medications of your furry friend.

That being said, let’s take a look at what we do know about CBD oil for dogs.

What Is CBD?

CBD is short for cannabidiol. This is an active compound that occurs in the cannabis plant. There are many other active compounds in the plant, which are all known as cannabinoids.

You’ve probably heard of the most prevalent cannabinoid in cannabis: THC. This guy is responsible for the world-twisting, wacky, mind-altering effects that are so often associated with marijuana. A part of what’s so exciting about CBD is that it seems to offer some of the same benefits as marijuana without the feeling of being high.

CBD became legal at the federal level in 2018 with the passage of the Farm Bill. This piece of legislation allowed for the cultivation and sale of industrial hemp. Industrial hemp is the same plant as cannabis, technically, but it needs to have under a certain percentage of THC to be legal.

CBD is extracted from this perfectly legal, non-intoxicating version of cannabis. You can read more here about giving CBD to pets.

CBD For Dogs: Does Giving CBD to Your Dog Make Sense?

When you search around online, you can find arguments both for and against giving your dog CBD. Because there isn’t much in the way of research on this topic, it comes down to what both you and your vet think is right for your dog.

If you are going to buy CBD products for your dog, though, you’ll want to keep a number of things in mind.

For one, you should look for organic products. If you aren’t able to find an organic product you are happy with, make sure that it doesn’t have any fungicides, pesticides, or solvents.

You’ll also want to buy from a company that performs third-party testing. This can help you know how much CBD is in the product and ensure there isn’t more THC than you wanted.

It can be tempting to shop based on price when buying CBD oil for dogs, but that’s not a good idea. Options that seem to present a great deal might actually have heavy metals, pesticides, and herbicides.

It’s also best to buy CBD oil for dogs in liquid form. This makes it easier to adjust the dose than it is with treats that contain CBD.

CBD Dosage: What You Should Know

The recommended dosage for CBD for dogs is actually pretty easy to remember. The average dose for a dog should be about .5 mg per pound your dog weighs. This means if your dog weighs 10 pounds, you’ll give it 5 mg, and 40 mg if it weighs 80 pounds.

You will want to talk to your vet about how much CBD you should give your dog. The best bet is to start with a small dose and work your way up to the average dose. This way you can make sure that your dog won’t have an adverse reaction.

You could consider starting with a dose that is one-tenth mg per lb. This would mean you start with 1 mg for a 10 lb dog or 8 mg for an 80 lb dog.

As you increase the dose, keep an eye out for improvements. What it means to see an improvement has to do with why you are giving your dog CBD. For example, if you’re giving them CBD for anxiety, keep an eye out for a reduction in their nervous and anxious behavior.

Benefits of CBD For Dogs

People give their dogs CBD for a lot of different reasons. At this point, there aren’t many studies about the effects of CBD on dogs. There have been some studies involving humans and more involving lab animals. Researchers do believe, however, that dogs can benefit from CBDs interaction with the endocannabinoid system much like humans can.

Some of the reasons that people commonly give CBD to their dogs include:

  • Epilepsy
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Inflammation, pain, and soreness
  • Anxiety
  • Age-related discomfort
  • Immune function

It is thought that CBD might be able to help manage the symptoms of these and other conditions.

CBD For Dogs: Is It Right For Your Dog?

There are a few potential side effects of CBD for dogs to be aware of. These include drowsiness, dry mouth, and lowered blood pressure. That being said, CBD is thought to be generally safe, though it is known to interact with some medications.

For that reason, it’s always a good idea to talk to your vet before you start adding it to the health regime of your best furry friend.

There is a lot more research to be done regarding the potential benefits of CBD for pets and humans alike. We can expect to see more studies published in the coming years and decades. That being said, there is genuine optimism about the potential medicinal and therapeutic benefits of CBD for both people and pets.

Did you find this article about CBD for dogs interesting? If so, be sure to check out the rest of our blog!

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