CBD is one of the cannabinoids contained in the marijuana plant. Depending on the strain, we will find some flowers with little CBD and others in which this is the primary cannabinoid.
CBD is the most used cannabinoid, leaving aside the consumption for recreational purposes. Cannabidiol (CBD) has healing properties that can help you heal or control various ailments.
However, a topic rarely discussed is whether this effect can also be observed in our pets or if it is best to avoid using this cannabinoid to treat your four-legged friend.
Tinctures, oils, and CBD dog chews are only a few ways in which your pet can enjoy the benefits of cannabidiol, and the market for CBD-based pet products is growing as legalization is trending.
CBD & Animals
Decades of research and study have shown evidence that cannabis contains medicinal properties, which is the apparent reason why veterinarians are interested in using CBD oils for cats and dogs, as they both have an endocannabinoid system, which makes them capable of processing CBD.
The use of CBD for pets is now widely legal and available in most countries.
Just as for humans, CBD oils for pets come in various forms to treat multiple ailments. CBD is a natural approach to treat common health issues in animals, like epilepsy or arthritis. The advantages of using CBD outweigh the risks, making it a safe and effective solution.
CBD oil for dogs is not psychoactive. There is no way our pets get high on these products. That’s perhaps the best thing about CBD oil: it brings all the medical benefits without the psychoactive effects of marijuana.
What Do Vets Say About Treating Pets With CBD?
More and more veterinarians are in favor of cannabis supplements. Unfortunately, for legal reasons, many of them cannot prescribe or promote cannabis-derived products for pets.
For example, in the United States, federal law still considers cannabis (except for hemp) a Schedule I controlled substance.
However, many states have legalized cannabis for recreational or medical use. The legalization means that many people with pets can access cannabis products. Understandably, questions arise for them about their safety and effectiveness.
Unfortunately, veterinarians can have trouble answering those questions given the legal complexities involved, not to mention the lack of conclusive research.
Still, many people turn to CBD to help their pets cope with the daily challenges associated with aging, certain illnesses, or environmental stressors.
Potential Benefits Of CBD On Animals
Depression and anxiety are psychological disorders triggered by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Our pets can suffer from these conditions, especially in the case of dogs.
Although there’s not much scientific research supporting this claim, anecdotal evidence indicates that CBD may help with noise aversion and reactivity, which happens to 40-50% of dogs.
Also, this study published in November 2020 suggests that CBD may be effective in hindering neoplastic cell proliferation, thus, helping palliate cancer effects.
In addition, science has begun to investigate how stimulation of the endocannabinoid system with CBD and other cannabinoids could offer concrete benefits for treating a wide variety of inflammatory diseases.
These include pancreatitis, neuropathic or nerve pain (often caused by trauma, neurological conditions, and viral infections), diabetes, and even skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis.
And these are just a few of the ways in which CBD could potentially support your dog’s well-being.
However, much is still unknown about how CBD affects the body, so there is no guarantee that this cannabinoid will alleviate the symptoms your dog suffers from.
Proven Benefits Of CBD On Animals
CBD Helps Immensely With Pet Seizures
Canine epilepsy is a brain disorder that leads to a series of uncontrollable physical reactions in dogs, ranging from seizures, muscle stiffness, sphincter relaxation, drooling, vomiting to disorientation, and lack of response stimuli.
Although the exact prevalence of epilepsy in dogs is unknown, specialists estimate it to be between 0.6 and 0.75 percent of the canine population.
Researchers conducted several studies on how CBD affects humans with epilepsy finding fantastic results. This topic is also the most studied regarding CBD treatment for animals.
One of the most widely-known studies on cannabidiol and dog seizures started in 2018 in the hands of the University of Colorado.
The researchers remarked a significant improvement in the frequency of the episodes, even achieving complete elimination in some cases.
In Argentina, the University of La Plata scientists also ran a study on the same topic, getting the same results.
CBD Reduces Pain
The following study demonstrates the benefits that CBD oil can provide our pets as an anti-inflammatory. According to the study, cannabidiol can significantly reduce pain caused by arthritis or osteoarthritis and reduce inflammation.
CBD works in dogs with other types of inflammatory pain as well, such as back pain due to intervertebral disc disease, neuropathic pain, or other pain of chronic origin.
CBD Increases Appetite And Helps With Nausea
CBD can also help get your dog to eat. The National Cancer Institute reports that CBD increases appetite and carries this added benefit, and controls cancer.
In animal studies, CBD has also been shown to help with vomiting and nausea, even when it results from toxins and medications.
CBD Promotes Cardiovascular Health
As veterinarian Dr. Bassingthwaighte discovered, CBD improves dog heart health. Studies show it can reduce damage to damaged blood vessels and irregular heart rate, protect blood vessels from damage and dilate arteries, and reduce heart rate and blood pressure associated with stress and anxiety.
Should You Treat Your Dog With CBD?
Although we point you to promising studies regarding pet treatment research using CBD, much scientific work remains to be done to bring to light the full benefits of this potent cannabinoid.
Just as it does in humans, CBD can help your pet treat certain conditions. In the case of refractory epilepsy, we can affirm that CBD is undoubtedly an effective treatment.
However, we must recommend that you consult with a veterinarian before giving CBD or any other medication or chemical to your pet.
