Is your dog struggling with pain, anxiety, arthritis, nausea, phobias or seizures?
Well you'll be glad to know that the powerful medicinal benefits of CBD oil that have been unlocked for humans, may now also be experienced by your dog.
And it's not only dogs that can benefit –cats, rabbits, horses and pretty much any other mammal can also experience relief from this powerful natural therapy.
If you have been worried about whether the CBD oil will make your pet “high” or fatally ill – in short, the answer is ‘No'.
If you choose a high quality CBD oil that is produced from organic hemp and that contains zero to very low trace amounts of the psychoactive component THC – then it is generally safe for your dog to consume.
Dogs have more of a higher number of cannabinoid receptors in the brain compared with humans – so high amounts of THC can actually be toxic for your dog.[1]
The latest scientific research has found that a high quality CBD oil is safe for most pets (given the correct dosage), with relatively minor or no observable side effects at all. More controlled long term safety studies have been recommended however.[2]
But don't expect your local vet to be recommending or prescribing it just yet – even in countries where medicinal cannabis is legal, the existing laws only allow for a human healthcare provider to prescribe cannabidiol to people…
The Best Type of CBD Oil for Dogs?
CBD or cannabidiol is a compound derived from the marijuana or hemp plant, which, on its own is non-intoxicating. In other words, although CBD is a part of the hemp or marijuana plant, it is not the part that gets you “high”.
“Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the major nonpsychoactive cannabinoids produced by Cannabis sativa L.”[2]
Rather, CBD is the part that provides the powerful medicinal benefits and has been used for thousands of years.
Pets generally respond well to cannabidiol and CBD oil for dogs is reported to help with pain, inflammation, anxiety, phobias, digestive system issue pain, arthritis, epilepsy, skin conditions, nausea, etc. [2]
However, for your dog to experience all the benefits of CBD oil you need to get a high-quality organic and full spectrum cbd oil from a reputable supplier.
The CBD oil business is booming and there are many companies that produce CBD oil products for pets, however, the quality of their products varies greatly.
Many CBD products on the market (for both humans and animals) are of a very low-quality. Some even contain dangerous contaminants, as well as THC levels that are higher than the recommended (<0.3%).
Although CBD oil comes with supposedly very few side effects, the potential risk of using a low-quality CBD oil could be dangerous and possibly fatal to your pet.
As mentioned previously,
…dogs possess more cannabinoid receptors (CB1) in the brain than humans and for this reason are extremely sensitive to the potentially toxic effects of THC. [1].
Fortunately the best organic CBD oil for dogs has zero or only trace amounts of THC.
Care needs to be taken, however, as there are hundreds of brands to choose from. The CBD market is still not stringently regulated and as there are no clear guidelines for CBD manufacturers.
Our Highest Ranking CBD Oil Brands For Pets
If you have decided that CBD oil is something you would like to trial, we have done all the research so that you can buy high quality CBD oil for your pet with confidence.
Here are our Top 5 CBD Oil brands for pets:
For a full review of these CBD oil brands take a look at our article HERE: https://www.organiccbdoilreview.com/best-organic-cbd-oil-for-pets/
Can CBD Oil Help with Seizures and Anxiety in Pets?
Epilepsy is the most common chronic neurological disorder in dogs, with up to 5% of dogs suffering from this condition. Although this percentage is likely to be much higher within certain breeds.[3]
One of the main symptoms of epilepsy is seizures and many dogs struggling with this condition can experience seizures several times a day. Obviously this is very traumatizing for both the dog and the owner.
Fortunately, CBD oil for dogs is an effective anti-seizure medication because it calms the neurotransmitters that are over-stimulated in epileptic pets. The best thing about using CBD oil for epileptic seizures is that it not only reduces the severity of seizures but reduces their frequency as well.
Some exciting results recently surfaced showing an:
…89% reduction of the frequency in seizures with dogs receiving CBD oil in a clinical trial.[4]
The trial involved a small subject size, however, the fact that the results were so promising suggests that CBD oil may be a go-to therapy for dogs with seizures in the future.
Although there is limited research on the benefits of CBD on dogs or pets for that matter, the benefits experienced by humans are expected to be similar for dogs. That being said, CBD oil can also be used to help highly-strung and fearful dogs and other animals deal with stress or separation anxiety. [5] This is achieved by calming the central nervous system and regulating serotonin levels in the brain.
Many pet owners use anti-depressant drugs for their dogs, including Prozac and Xanax, but these usually come with a long list of negative side effects and can be very expensive over the long term.
On the other hand, using CBD oil for dogs is not only a cheaper option for treating anxiety, but makes an otherwise nervous dog much easier to train.
What's the Right Dosage of CBD Oil for Dogs?
When it comes to the right dosage of CBD oil, the problem is that different brands recommend different ways of measuring the medication due to the concentration of CBD in the product.
What complicates things further is that the CBD oil for dogs comes in different forms such as capsules, creams, tincture, treats, etc.
Two factors that affect the dosage of CBD oil for dogs:
The quality of the CBD oil…
Although CBD oil is generally safe to use for pets, it comes with different concentration and purity levels. Using CBD oil of poor quality may not only be ineffective but could be potentially harmful to your pet because these oils may contain certain toxic residues and higher THC levels.
Your pet's reaction…
We are all different, and so are our pets. The way dogs react to medication depends on their body structure, size, overall health, as well as the condition they are being treated for. Bigger dogs usually have a higher tolerance level, but you should be particularly careful when administering CBD to small dogs.
It's advisable not to use CBD oil for dogs without consulting your vet first. However, if you feel confident that this could be of benefit to your pet – follow the recommended dosage for that product.
Generally it's 1-5 milligrams of CBD per 10 pounds of body weight.
To control pain, CBD oil for a dog is generally administered once every 8 hours. For other uses, once or twice a day has been advised.
4 Common Forms of CBD Oil For Dogs
1. Capsules
Capsules come in different sizes and contain a different quantity of CBD (i.e. anything from 5-20 mg). The exact number of capsules you need will vary from one product to another, but is usually taken as 1 capsule 1-2 times a day.
2. Creams
Topical application of CBD oil for dogs is recommended for dogs who suffer from painful joints, dry skin, inflammation, bug bites, and skin irritations.
3. Tinctures
These are administered in drops. However, the number of drops you'll use will vary from one product to another and will depend on your dog's size and condition. The usual recommended dosage is 2-4 drops a couple of times a day but follow the recommended dosage for the product.
4. Treats
These are usually peanut butter- or bacon-flavored dog biscuits with added CBD oil.
Whichever form of CBD oil for dogs you decide to use, it's important to follow the dosing instructions that come with the product.
You also need to watch closely how your dog reacts to treatment, and adjust the dose accordingly.
To be on the safe side:
…always start with a low dose, monitor their reaction and if necessary, gradually increase the dosage from there.
Pay attention to and seek veterinary help if your dog is exhibiting signs such as lethargy, extreme thirst or abnormal behavioral patterns.
High quality CBD oil for dogs and pets in general, has generally been found (from the limited scientific research conducted so far) to be as beneficial as it has been for humans for a wide range of conditions such as arthritis, anxiety and even seizures.
Make sure you source only the best organic CBD oil for your dog, that has zero or only trace amounts of THC.
Feel free to contact us with any stories or questions that you may have – we would love to hear from you…
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Organic CBD Oil Review or its staff. Always check with your veterinarian before starting your animal a new dietary supplement program.
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