CBD oil an dogs: What to know

Are you asking yourself the question: can I give my dog CBD oil? Just like in the human medical field, CBD is growing in popularity for dogs and pets.

Popular dog medications such as NSAIDS may help with some issues but put your dog at risk for many unwanted side effects. CBD oil offers plenty of benefits without any of the harsh side effects. It makes sense people who believe in the power of CBD would want to use it to help their furry companions. If you’re asking, “can I give my dog CBD oil?” You’ll receive a mix of answers, and it’s best to speak with your veterinary.

People who believe in a holistic medicine approach will tell you CBD is safe for dogs. Others who question the limited research may disagree and recommend you avoid CBD.

Many factors play into the safety and benefits of CBD oil for dogs. Before you start taking your friends’ word, do your research and talk to your veterinarian.

Here’s what you need to know about CBD before you start giving it to your favourite four-legged friend.

What Is CBD?

Derived from cannabis’ sister plant, hemp, CBD oil is a non-psychoactive chemical. Hemp is a common plant used for rope, clothing and CBD oil.

In the human medical world, it’s gaining exponential popularity in treating anxiety, depression and pain. Since it’s non-psychoactive, there’s no worry about experiencing the high or side-effects of THC.

The legality of CBD oil is still up for debate. It’s legal in the UK and most of the US, but laws are regulating the process. CBD must come from EU-approved hemp and contain 0.2% or less of THC.

The effectiveness of CBD is still up for debate. Researchers continue to study the effectiveness of hemp-based CBD oil versus CBD oil derived from cannabis plants containing THC. Medical professionals are also studying the benefits and health risks of CBD on human health. As you can see, the CBD topic still has some muddy areas.

Can I give my dog CBD oil?

Talk to your veterinarian first. Even if you did your research and believe CBD is the best option for your dog.

The main issue with CBD oil in dogs and pets is how it interacts with other medications. Depending on the type of drug, CBD can enhance the effects of the drugs. In other cases, CBD can cause the cytochrome P450 enzymes to become inactive. These enzymes help metabolise many compounds found in medications.

Either one of these interactions can cause negative health effects in your four-legged friend. You must discuss any medications your dog is taking before giving him or her CBD oil.

Another issue with CBD is more people are diagnosing and treating their pet’s ailments on their own. This is never a good idea. Any symptoms your dog is showing could be a sign of another problem or something completely unrelated.

If you want your four-legged companion to live a long healthy life, consult your veterinarian.

The benefits of CBD oil for dogs

CBD offers plenty of benefits but it doesn’t always do everything retailers promise it will do. It is said to be helpful with a dog’s epilepsy. It may lessen the number and severity of seizures a dog may experience.

Like in people, CBD helps reduce the symptoms of anxiety in dogs. You’ll notice a calming effect in dogs with anxiety using CBD oils. Dogs struggling with chronic pain from arthritis or other ailments may find comfort in CBD. CBD oil can reduce pain and improve the quality of life. Other benefits of CBD oil for dogs include improving appetite, treating nausea and easing dog’s phobia of noises.

The side effects of CBD oil

While the benefits of CBD oil outweigh the side effects, there are CBD side effects in dogs you should be aware of. The good news is most side effects are minor and don’t leave any lasting symptoms.

The most common side effect your dog may experience is drowsiness. The natural relaxing properties in CBD can cause your dog to become less excited and more lethargic. If this happens, try reducing the amount or the strength of the CBD oil.

Dogs commonly experience dry mouth when using CBD oil. Giving your furry friend plenty of drinking water will help. If the dry mouth becomes too much for your dog, reduce the amount of CBD oil or talk with your veterinarian.

A less common side effect is dizziness. Some dogs may show signs of low blood pressure and act dizzy or light-headed. This may pass over time as your dog acclimates to the CBD oil.

In very rare cases, your dog could be at risk for overdosing on CBD. It’s difficult to overdose on CBD oil, but it’s possible. Never give your dog more than the dosage prescribed by the veterinary.

Avoid most of these side effects, particularly the more serious ones, by discussing CBD options with your veterinarian. Should you move forward with giving your dog CBD, start by giving him or her the lowest amount. As your dog starts getting used to the CBD, you can increase the dosage as recommended by your veterinarian.

Any time you give your four-legged friend a new medication, make sure they’re in a safe environment and keep an eye out for any side effects.

Give CBD directly to your dog

If your pooch is a picky eater, then giving CBD oil to your dog directly might be your best option. In this case, you can use a CBD oil, such as Innovet cbd oil, and give it directly to your dog. Use a dropper or spoon to apply a few drops of CBD in your dog’s mouth, ideally under the tongue. This option may be more difficult, but it is an efficient way to get CBD into your dog’s system. Adding CBD oil to the food or buying CBD-infused treat is another option: simply follow what the veterinarian tells you to do.

If you are still wondering if you can give your dog CBD oil, the answer is simple, speak with your veterinarian.

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