CBD : Is it a Dogs Life?
You love your pet, and you do everything you can to keep her happy and comfortable, as she is part of the family. Walks, food, and a comfortable bed. But what if you are one of those owners that has a little more to cope with than your average owner?
Of course, your vet is the first port of call if you have any ailments to deal with in your dog’s life. But do they stay abreast of all the latest medical developments, and alternative care regimes that are available in our modern world? (In some cases they are expressly forbidden to use such treatments – such as in the UK, with the VMC banning CBD use in pets)
If you are interested in trying out it for your animal, here is a short guide to introduce you to some concepts around the general useage of CBD.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound found in the cannabis plant family. In most cases this is extracted from industrial hemp plants on a large scale, although here at Bordighera Valleys we use only 100% natural techniques to hand rear our CBD Flowers.
Cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Everyone has an ECS in their body,including all mammals – fortunately for your dog! Your pet has receptors designed to interact with endocannabinoids (cannabinoids produced by the brain). They can also interact with naturally derived plant cannabinoids such as CBD, and the myriad other cannabinoids in cannabis.
It is important to note that your dog, or you for that matter won’t get ‘high’ from consuming this substance. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) “CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential.” they also state “CBD appears not to exhibit THC-like discriminative stimulus effects”. It is possible to give your dog too much CBD, this can induce sickness and diarrhea at extremely high dose levels, so don’t allow them access to the whole bottle!
Now you know a little about how CBD works inside your dog, what are the conditions that this can help you manage for your pet? (Remember, results may vary, and you have to experiment with dosage and timing to get the optimal result. Dogs, like humans, have different internal systems and react to supplements differently.)
Pain management – Read Cannabinoids in the management of difficult to treat pain
Appetite stimulant – If your dog is losing condition and weight, CBD can bring them back up to a more stable maintenance level.
Anti-inflammatory – CBD is also a fantastic anti-inflammatory, aiding the management of arthritis
Stress relief – Like humans, your dog can become stressed and anxious. CBD can help them to stay calmer and happier in their day to day life.
Anticonvulsant – Fitting can be extremely disturbing for both owner and dog. CBD has a fantastic track record in controlling epilepsy.
Wellness – Keeping your pet well with the promotion of homeostasis.
Possible tumor growth control – Two studies show that CBD can be effective in treating cancer in canines. More studies are required, but this is a very promising development.
How to get CBD into your pet safely?
Inside the dog’s mouth. If your dog is compliant, use the dropper to drip the dosage straight into the dog’s mouth. Some dogs even enjoy the taste (or associate it with symptom control)
Add to a treat. Find a treat that can absorb moisture such as a biscuit and drop the CBD oil onto it first, then feed it to your pet.
Mix into their dinner. This works best if you feed your dog wet food, rather than kibble.
This article has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information presented is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional.