The cannabidiol wellness trend is probably the biggest thing to happen to the pet industry in a long time. Just search for CBD for dogs on the internet and you'll be surprised at the huge number of CBD products floating around.
In fact, it will be hard to go through the aisle of a good pet store without seeing new CBD brand, or product. CBD is officially everywhere—and it's just the beginning.
If you're the type that likes natural wellness products, chances are, you've given CBD products to your dog before.
Just like every new thing, CBD is confusing. That's the reason I created this guide to help you know more about CBD for dogs. But I'll begin with the need to know basics about CBD for dogs. So, let's begin with the definition.
What Is CBD?
CBD is a code word for cannabidiol, a compound found in cannabis and hemp.
I don't think there's any other clear or easy definition than this since research on CBD is in its infancy. Again, as at the time of writing this post, there was no government agency that regulated the use of the word “CBD”. In fact, there are currently no CBD products approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in animals—as a drug or as food. This means everyone—from brands to vets—has their own perception.
Right now, I'm sticking to the definition given by Healthline. According to them, “Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is a type of chemical naturally found in cannabis. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), it’s nonpsychoactive, which means it won’t produce a high”. This is to say that CBD products like CBD oil doesn't contain delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound that gives marijuana its psychoactive properties.
The above definition isn't a very simple one, but the fact is, most CBD products are derived from hemp and not from marijuana. As the innovation and science in the natural wellness product spaces change, so will my definition of CBD for dogs.
Is CBD Safe For Dogs?
I know that it's not easy to watch your adorable pooch go through pains and anxiety, but CBD for dogs aren't the only solution. Besides, CBD for dogs have not undergone the rigor of FDA approval and as such, they may not be safe for your dog.
Most of the researches that were done on CBD focused on humans. And anecdotal findings and limited case studies in humans do not constitute the wealth of information that is needed to establish these products as “safe” for your dog. For example, alcohol is safe for humans but dangerous and toxic for dogs.
Again, some producers of CBD for dogs do not put their hemps through sophisticated manufacturing processes that can remove all the THC in the product. Any CBD for dogs that contains THC is dangerous for your pet.
I know that you may be inclined to deem products that originate from plants as being “natural,” and thus rather arbitrarily “safe”. This can be harmful. Simply put, “natural” does not always equal “safe”.
Is CBD For Dogs Bogus?
Natural, the term commonly used in tandem with CBD products isn't regulated. So when you see a brand or product using “natural”, “organic”, “green”, etc., you should be a bit skeptical. Because scammers take full advantage of that fact by selling low-quality products that aren’t labeled accurately. This doesn't mean that the whole CBD or natural product industry is a scam. It means that some of them natural-wash (i.e make false natural claims) their products just to make money. This takes us to the next question.
Should Dogs Be Given CBD?
Depending on where you live, your vet may be unable to recommend CBD for your dog because their hands are tied with limitations.
Many dog parents have shown interest in CBD for dogs by asking their vets about the effectiveness of the products. Since words of mouth has always been a key driver of organic CBD marketing and growth, this consumer-initiated conversations with vets surrounding pet CBD will continue to grow.
In fact, recent study carried out by CBD and cannabis-focused market researcher
Brightfield Group found that 73% of consumers who buy pet CBD also use CBD themselves.
Looking at this number, it's important to educate dog owners about the benefits and dangers of CBD, so that they won't be tempted to seek answers from those without adequate knowledge in the field.
Anytime a dog owner ask me the question, “should dogs be given CBD”? I'm always quick to tell them that it depends on the dog's health condition.
If your dog's health condition suggest that they will benefit from the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD, then go ahead and get it. If your dog needs anti-anxiety, anti-nausea and appetite stimulation, you can also buy CBD for dogs. But I'll not advise you to buy CBD for dogs because of anti-cancer benefits because there's no conclusive data on that.
How To Tell If CBD For Dog Is Real
There’s no “class” or “guidebook” that covers how to decode an ingredient list, so unless you have a degree in organic chemistry, figuring out if something is actually CBD for dogs (and not just marketed as such) can be very tricky. To keep things simple, focus on the following:
1. US Hemp Authority Logo
Before you buy any CBD for dog, look for the US Hemp Authority logo on the product package or website.
The US Hemp Authority logo represents high standards, best practices, and self-regulation. The aim of the certification program is to standardize quality control and build a safer hemp industry from seed to shelf.
Since the Program was independently created to provide high standards, and guidelines pertaining to CBD, the group vet everything from a product’s safety to standard, so you don’t have to spend time and money in carrying out the checks.
The logo below tells you who’s doing their best to ensure that the CBD for dogs you're about to buy are safe.
Signifies that a company meets the US Hemp Authority Guidance Plan which provides some set procedures for growers and producers to follow which the industry has collectively agreed upon.
2. Certificate Of Analysis (COA)
If there's one thing you should check before buying CBD for dogs, it's the certificate of Analysis (COA).
The certificate of analysis on a CBD for dogs is an official document that proves that the amount and type of cannabinoids in the CBD product you're buying is authentic. With it you can make the best, most informed decision possible when buying CBD for your dog. This is because the document is loaded with need-to-know information that directly affects your dog.
Although companies are not mandated to show their certificate of analysis, it's your duty as a responsible dog parent to know exactly what goes into your dog's body. So, whenever you want to buy a CBD for dog, get a Certificate of Authenticity from the company you are buying the product from.
When you get the certificate, look closely at these three key things—potency, purity and third-party testing.
- Purity — some of the CBD for dogs are impure. They contain traces of other compounds commonly found in hemp, like THC. Although THC is in high demand because of its ability to make humans high, it's dangerous for dogs. So, endeavour to check the certificate of authenticity to be sure that the CBD for dog you're about to buy doesn't contain any other chemicals or ingredients like THC.
- Potency — you will know the strength and effectiveness of any CBD for dogs when you check the Certificate of Authenticity. Usually shown in milligrams (mg) per milliliter (mL) of the product, this number will help you know how much the dose for your dog will be. My suggestion is that you should always go for full or broad spectrum CBD for dogs. This is because they contain not just CBD, but other important cannabinoids that occur naturally in full-spectrum hemp. This includes CBC (Cannabichromene) and CBG (Cannabigerol). When you get the full spectrum dog CBD, begin with a smaller dose depending on the size of your dog and stick to moderate dose, since too much can be wasteful, and too little ineffective.
- Third-party testing — third-party agencies are sometimes unbiased when carrying out tests on CBD for dogs. So, always go for a CBD products that has undergone standardized and strict third-party testing.
How To Give CBD To Dogs The Right Way
CBD for dogs come in many of the same forms you're probably used to seeing for humans, including edibles — chewable treats and capsules, oils that can be added to food or placed under the tongue and topical creams or balms that are rubbed directly on the skin.
Study of CBD absorption in humans found that, each of these CBD appears to have different effect on the body. If what this study observed in the body of humans can be applied to dogs, it therefore means that oil can reach the highest concentration in the blood, stay in the bloodstream the longest, and perform the most consistently in different
types of dogs. Capsule can also perform well but cream less so.
Because of the different ways in which CBD for dogs appear to have effects, administering CBD for dogs is not as simple as most people think.
There are certain things you need to look out for, and rules you need to follow otherwise you won't enjoy full benefits of CBD for dogs - but when you know how to give it the right way, CBD can be effective.
Since CBD oils are more likely to accidentally enter the windpipe compared to pills or capsules and are also deem more effective, I'll dwell more on it in this section.
1. Before you give your dog CBD
Check the expiry date and make sure there are no openings in the container that can allow air to penetrate into the product.
2. Apply it to a treat
You can give CBD to dogs by applying it to a porous treat since they can absorb the CBD oil better than flat or rounded dog treats. After applying the CBD oil, allow some time for it to soak in or use a dropper to make the process easier. If you're not comfortable with this method, buy a CBD treat for dogs instead.
3. Use a dropper to release the CBD in a pouch between the teeth and cheek.
You can also give CBD to your dog by quickly squirting it into the pouch between the teeth and cheek using a dropper. After doing that, close the mouth gently and stroke the neck. You can also blow the nose sharply to encourage swallowing of the CBD. Avoid gagging or squeezing of your dog's mouth.
In order to prevent the dog from inhaling liquid into the windpipe, DO NOT tilt the dog's head backward.
4. Mix the CBD with dog food
You can give the CBD to your dog with food if it is in form of capsule. All what you need to do is make a “meatball” by placing the CBD capsule in the center of a small ball of canned dog food. Your dog will more likely gulp the “meatball” without chewing. But if he chews it and spit out the pill, the capsule will partially dissolve and become very hard to handle. In that case, you have to decide what works best with your dog.
What are the Side Effects of CBD for dogs?
A
research carried out to determine the single-dose oral pharmacokinetics of CBD, and to provide a preliminary assessment of safety and adverse effects during 12-week administration using a hemp-based product in healthy dogs and cats did not show any detrimental effect on the studied subjects. But there are potential side effects based on how CBD affects humans.
In order to safeguard the life of your dog, endeavour to stick to the proper dosage to avoid the following:
Drowsiness — the calming effect of CBD on dogs can lead to slight drowsiness if given in higher doses.
Dry mouth — study has shown that CBD can lead to a decrease in saliva production which can manifest as an increased thirst in dogs.
Lowered blood pressure — high doses of CBD have been known to cause a temporary drop in blood pressure. A slight drop in blood pressure can lead to feeling of light-headedness in dogs.
Conclusion
I hope this guide helps you to realize that CBD for dogs aren't as safe and natural as people want you to believe.
Even though CBD for dogs aren't regulated, your dog can still benefit from the anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, anti-nausea and appetite-stimulating property of the product. But for that to happen, the CBD for dogs must go through sophisticated manufacturing processes, stick to the standard and guidelines set by the US Hemp Authority, and have a certificate of analysis.
Don’t worry if you don't know how to give CBD to your dog. Just follow the guide on the label of the product and read this post in order to get started.
Begin by giving your dog smaller doses before adjusting to moderate dosage.
Follow all the instructions on the certificate of analysis and consult your veterinarian before giving any CBD to your dog.
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