CBD Oil For Dogs: What You Need To Know

The use of CBD oil for dogs has become much more common and can be used to treat everything from anxiety to seizures! I hear people talking about it all the time! Some are using it to manage pain for joint problems, others to calm their dogs ahead of fireworks. It is also a holistic approach which many pet owners are embracing.

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What Is CBD Oil For Dogs?

CBD oil is an oil extracted from hemp or cannabis. The CBD is extracted from the plant and diluted with a carrier oil. Generally the carrier oil used is coconut or hemp seed oil. There is little or no THC in CBD oil so you don’t have to worry about your puppy having any mind altering experiences with it!

There is no real difference between CBD oil for people and dogs, except the potency and dosage used for dogs is different. Other ingredients such as supplements or flavors my also be added, such as cod or liver oil (which also provide health benefits!). The labelling may also be different.

What Does CBD Oil Treat?

It is surprising how many conditions can be treated with CBD oil! There are also more studies now being done to assess the effectiveness of treatment with CBD oil.

Forbes did a write up on a study done by Baylor College of Medicine that did research on osteoarthritis in dogs. You can read more on the study done here. But the research showed that a dramatic improvement in quality of life occurred in the dogs who had taken larger doses of CBD oil in only one month! And the results continued to improve even beyond the initial first month.

CBD oil has also been shown to decrease seizures in dogs. Another study found that dogs taking CBD oil had a significant reduction in the frequency of seizures. You can read more on the study in the Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association here.

And although there have not yet been a lot of studies to back the use of CBD oil for treating dogs, many more are being done so watch for updates in this evolving space!

Other conditions CBD oil is thought to help with include:

• Improvement in overall health
• Appetite stimulant and suppression of nausea
• Reduction in anxiety and depression
• Cancer and tumor treatment
• Lowering of blood sugar levels
• Increase in cognitive function
• Pain relief
• Heart health
• Muscle repair improvement
• Improvement in circulation

Is CBD Oil Legal?

The legality of CBD oil really depends on where you live. In Canada, CBD oil derived from hemp is approved for specific animals, but is not approved if derived from cannabis. For more information on what veterinarians are allowed to prescribe and discuss please refer to The College of Veterinarians of Ontario’s article here.

In the United States it becomes much more complicated. CBD oil derived from cannabis is not legal at the federal level but may be legal at the local level. And oil derived from hemp may not be legal in some states but is legal at the federal level! And with the environment surrounding the legality changing rapidly, it is best to check locally and check often.

Is CBD Oil Safe For Your Pet?

When used properly, CBD oil can be a safe and holistic approach to treat your pet. It is important to find one free of THC or with very low levels of it as THC is toxic for your pet. Also, please have a conversation with your vet before deciding to use CBD oil to treat your dog. Depending on where you live and the legal state of CBD oil there may be limitations as to what your vet can discuss.

Very few side effects have been noted so far but more research still needs to be done. In the Forbes article above they noted that in some cases it can cause an elevation in alkaline phosphatase, a liver value, but not enough to affect the overall health of the dog. Vomiting, diarrhea and nasal discharge has also been noted but it has not been definitively linked back to the use of CBD oil. In general, it is thought to be a safe treatment option.

What To Look For When Choosing CBD Oil

There are certain things to look for when choosing the right CBD oil for your dog (or cat!). Since THC is toxic to pets, make sure that you find one with very low THC. Or better yet, none at all!

You will also want to make sure you find one that has been verified by an independent third party. Otherwise there may be inconsistencies in the dose and efficacy since it is not regulated.

There are many extraction methods as well, including CO2, liquid extraction using ethanol or butane, oil extraction, winterization and distillation. For the safest product for Fifi look for ones that are extracted with CO2. The other methods could leave impurities in the oil which may not be safe for your pet.

Check to ensure that the CBD oil is derived from hemp, and from the whole product not just the seeds. Hemp seed oil does not contain any CBD! And an organic option if available.

Overall, although much more research is still being done it appears that CBD oil is a safe option for your pet! However, please ensure that you check with your vet to discuss this and proper dosage for your pet before beginning any new treatment. With my bears, they are prone to joint and hip problems due to their size. If we run into problems down the road this is an option I definitely have interest in considering!

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