8 Tail-Wagging Benefits of CBD For Dogs
CBD burst onto the scene a few years ago and many of the folks who boarded the train have never looked back. Although it contains the same natural compound found in marijuana, it doesn’t create the dangerous high that THC – the hallucinogen found in marijuana – can.
This natural supplement has caught the interest of people who are looking for a more holistic approach to medicine. And, while many of its claims to aid in a variety of ailments aren’t fully substantiated by the medical world, it’s hard to debate its many proponents.
Let’s see why so many pet owners are interested in the benefits of CBD for dogs.
What Is CBD?
CBD is short for cannabidiol. It’s one of the active ingredients in marijuana. However, marijuana contains the potentially dangerous hallucinogen, THC, and CBD does not. That’s because CBD is derived from the marijuana plant’s cousin, the hemp plant.
Much of the medical research on CBD oil for dogs is still being developed. And you have to take a lot of it with a grain of salt. But, by and large, people are touting its positive effects on their four-legged friends.
The one thing to note is that CBD isn’t a one-hit-wonder. Your pet won’t just take a dropper of it or chew a CBD treat and instantly be “healed.” Rather, it often takes some time for the property to build up in their system before its effects can be evaluated.
What Are Its Side Effects?
It’s not likely that CBD is some sort of health fad that will fade in time. It’s probably here to stay. With that said, it is still a relatively new health phenomenon, so medical professionals don’t know everything they need to know yet.
Some of the reported side effects of CBD for pets include:
Drowsiness; Dry mouth; Upset stomach; Lower blood pressure; Infertility
This is why it’s important to speak to your veterinarian before pursuing any course of treatment, especially if your dog is already on any other prescription medications.
It’s likely your vet won’t object to this course of treatment because most of the research is favorable. But, you still want to be as prudent as possible before introducing anything new to your pet’s system.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at eight possible benefits of CBD for dogs.
1. Reduced Anxiety
One of the best ways to provide an animal with a loving home is to rescue an abandoned or stray dog at your local shelter. So many of them deserve the love and warmth that only you can provide.
The risk, however, is that you’ll take home a fine, furry friend with a bit of baggage from their difficult past. All this can be mediated with a healthy dose of love. But, sometimes, the strangest things can set them off like a thunderstorm, a group of kids, or even the vacuum cleaner.
One way to mediate that overarching sense of anxiety is to introduce CBD into their diet. Research suggests that CBD may activate the area of their brain that releases serotonin.
You can drop a little bit under their tongue in the form of a tincture if you think you’ll be able to pull that off. Or, you can research delicious treats that they’ll gobble up each and every day.
2. Fewer Instances of Fear-Based Aggression
This ties into anxiety. Again, our poor rescues of the world often struggle with fear-based aggression because they’ve been through so much trauma in their lives. They don’t mean to lash out. It’s just, well, their animal instinct.
The best way to explain CBD in these instances is that it might help them “mellow out” and not feel like they’re in danger in even the most benign situations. Over time, you may even be able to help them make a friend or two!
3. Reduced Inflammation
This is a popular one. You won’t be hard-pressed to find testimonials of dog owners who give their fur babies CBD to reduce inflammation and pain in their joints.
Certain breeds of dogs are even prone to this, as well, like German shepherds, huskies, and staffordshire terriers.
Two of the cutest bullies out there on YouTube, Noah and Lincoln, receive CBD treats from their parents all the time. Mom and Dad buy the tincture, treats, and CBD peanut butter to get it into their everyday diets.
4. Reduced Arthritis Pain
Sadly, arthritis is one of those things that can’t exactly be cured. But, with the proper course of treatment, the pain can be alleviated and brought down to a manageable level.
Since CBD may possess those anti-inflammatory properties, it’s a great option to discuss with your vet as your dog enters the stage of life when arthritis becomes a real possibility.
5. Reprieve from Nausea
It’s interesting that upset stomach, diarrhea, and nausea are listed as possible side effects for CBD when it’s also touted as a possible anti-nausea alternative.
This is, again, why it’s so important to monitor your pet closely with the aid of your veterinarian. It’s worth a discussion to see if CBD might help with recurring stomach problems and maybe even motion sickness if you like to take your fur baby with you on car rides.
6. Help With Inflammatory Bowel Disease
When you consider the anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea properties of CBD, it won’t come as a surprise that it’s listed as a possible aid to pets struggling with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Interestingly, if a dog has persistent issues with nausea, it may be a sign of IBD. With the right dosage, you may be able to relieve your beloved pet of not only one, but possibly two afflictions.
7. Lower Frequency of Seizures
You also won’t have to go far to find case studies that demonstrate CBDs impact on pets struggling with seizures. And here’s part of the reason why we have to be well-informed before taking on this course of treatment: scientists don’t actually know how or why CBD helps with seizures. They’ve just seen the evidence come to light through various case studies.
One theory is that it prevents the nerves in the brain from firing off too often. Another theory is that it lowers the number of electrolytes in your dog’s system, which are sometimes attributed to seizures. Still, if it’s a possible course of treatment to ease your beloved pet, it may be something to consider!
8. Aid in Cancer Treatment
You do hear a lot about the potential benefits of not only CBD, but full-blown marijuana for people suffering through cancer. It may never be touted as a cure for cancer, but studies suggest it can slow the growth of cancer cells. When used in tandem with chemotherapy or radiation, it may give those harsher courses of treatment a better chance at winning the battle.
Anything to win, right? Also, if it’s true that CBD has other healing properties with regard to anxiety and nausea, it could be a win-win for your whole family.
How Will You Know If It’s Working?
Since it’s not likely your dog will tug you on your t-shirt and say, “Mom, my stomach’s upset,” it will, admittedly, be a little hard to tell if your pet is reaping the rewards of this course of treatment.
Still, you know your pet well enough. You’ll be able to detect encouraging changes in behavior such as an increase in energy levels or appetite. They may start to act like they're getting back to their old selves” You may also observe fewer side effects during those thunderstorms or interactions with other pets.
Keep an eye on things. You may want to keep a pet journal the way we often keep food journals when we’re embarking upon a lifestyle change. But, don’t give up hope if you don’t see immediate results.
Remember, it often takes some time for the supplement to work its way into their systems. And, sometimes, it’s as easy as doing some more research to find some other brands to try. See what people are recommending online. You never know when the tide will turn.
Explore the Benefits of CBD for Dogs Today
When you consider that quality CBD products are essentially holistic, it’s not a bad avenue to pursue. Take some time to speak to your veterinarian first because there are a lot of factors to consider, such as dosing amounts and frequency.
Still, if your fur baby has recurring problems with any of the ailments above, this could be a nice alternative that may improve their quality of life.
And, who knows; maybe you’ll even start to explore the human varieties of CBD and bring an increased level of contentment to your entire household!
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