CBD oil has become all the rage in the last decade and with good reason too. There are so many upsides to using CBD. On top of that, humans use it as medicine for many conditions.
Being that CBD oils come from organic sources, it’s only natural to wonder if dogs and other pets can use it. And the answer is, in most cases, a resounding yes!
Most animals have the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which means that they have the same neurological setup as we do. This means that they can receive more or less the same effects of CBD oil consumption.
Using CBD on dogs is safe and beneficial, but consult your vet before starting therapy just in case and if you want more details, read here. After all, a professional’s opinion is always a good idea.
When it comes to dogs, man’s favorite pets, they can benefit from CBD oil, but let’s dive deeper into how and why you should give them the oil.
Table of Contents
The benefits of CBD Oil for Dogs
First, let’s see how dogs can benefit from CBD and in what situations the use of the oil warranted. You don’t want to force your dog to consume CBD for just about anything. There are specific things that it can help with, but it is not a wonder drug that should be used regardless.
Like with humans, CBD can help with a variety of conditions which include:
- Anxiety
- Chronic pain
- Seizures
- Inflammation
- Skin conditions
These are the primary health benefits a dog can get from CBD use, but there are also secondary, less consistent, but apparent conditions which can be treated this way that include:
- Sleeplessness and insomnia
- Depression
- Glaucoma
- Loss of appetite
As you can see, there are quite a few conditions that can be resolved for dogs with CBD oil. Now that we know its intended use, we can now move on to technical stuff related to providing the right therapy for your dog.
Human Vs. Dog CBD Oil
There is no dog or human CBD oil – there’s only CBD oil. Still, the oil prepared for K9 use is different in the amount of concentrated CBD it contains and may lack some ingredients that usually go into CBD oils for human use.
The primary question is: “Can I use my CBD oil for my dog as well?”. The answer would be yes for UNFLAVORED CBD oil, but you need to know a couple of things.
First of all, most of our dogs have less body mass than average humans, so the dosage you give your dog needs to be adjusted for this. If you overdo it, your dog may experience some unpleasant side-effects.
Furthermore, CBD oil intended for human use may contain THC, which isn’t something dogs tolerate very well. Ensure that your oil doesn’t contain this substance to prevent THC intoxication, which can sometimes lead to an emergency vet visit.
Finally, pure CBD oil tastes bad, so human variants are flavored to mask the bad taste and make it easier to consume. Some of these flavors may contain substances that are bad for dogs, so make sure you read the ingredients on the label to see what’s in there and if your dog can use it safely.
If you stick to these tips, you should be able to give you dog CBD oil that you use, but if anything seems off or you are not sure about the dosage – get the dog CBD variant, it’s much safer that way.
So is CBD Safe for a Dog?
The only side effect your dog will receive from getting the right dosage of CBD oil is drowsiness. There are no additional side effects if the therapy is correct. There have been numerous experiments that test the legitimacy of use for dogs, and they show no harmful side effects.
CBD cannot get your dog high as it is not that kind of substance. Cannabis, on the other hand, is not safe for dogs and should not be used as an oil substitute.
Finally, a lot of people assume that CBD oil is an illegal substance – it’s not. CBD is not extracted from Cannabis; it’s extracted from hemp, which can have less than 0.2% THC in the EU or 0.3% in the US. Hemp CBD oil can be ordered online or be bought in a shop, just make sure it doesn’t contain any THC as that is not safe for dogs.
CBD oil and Xanax are not safe to take together
Finally, make sure your dog is not on a medication that interacts with CBD. For example, CBD is not safe to take with Xanax, also known as alprazolam. Don’t give your dog CBD oil if it is taking alprazolam, as it can cause sedation or dizziness.
Conclusion
When it comes to feeding CBD to your dog, there are a few ways to do it. Dripping the dosage in their food is one way, giving them treats soaked in CBD is another. The third and easiest is getting CBD for dogs that have been flavored to be appealing to dogs. The flavor is usually bacon or some kind of fish, so the dog doesn’t smell it and immediately runs away.
Nancy is a holistic health writer with a passion for CBD products.