With CBD growing in popularity as a natural means of treating several health conditions, it is natural that there would be many questions asked about CBD for dogs.
Many want to alleviate their four-legged friends’ condition, but some are unsure about CBD’s effectiveness or the product they are buying. In this post, we will answer some frequently asked questions about CBD benefits and CBD for dogs benefits and help you decide if it’s suitable for your pooch.
What Does CBD Mean?
Cannabidiol (otherwise known as CBD) is a cannabinoid extracted from the flowers, stems, leaves, and stalks of the Cannabis sativa plant (also referred to as marijuana). It should not be confused with THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) that produces the psychoactive effect, even though both are extracted from the cannabis plant.
After several anecdotal reports of CBD benefits, studies have been carried out on the potential CBD for dogs benefits from controlling pain and calming anxious pets to the treatment of epilepsy in dogs. Today, many pet owners use CBD, so knowing more about it to understand its potential risks is essential.
Is CBD For Dogs Legal?
CBD is completely legal in the U.S. if the CBD is derived from the hemp plant and contains 0.3% of THC or less.
Can I Use CBD For Dogs With Arthritis?
Yes. A recent study indicates that CBD can help dogs with Canine osteoarthritis – a painful, inflammatory condition that is also characterized by stiffness and loss of mobility. The new study examined whether different formulations and doses of CBD can help dogs with osteoarthritis. The outcome shows that it could. Another study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine agrees with these results and shows that CBD can reduce inflammation and pain.
Does CBD Deliver Any Psychoactive Effect?
No, your pet will not get high by consuming products with CBD alone. That is because they contain no THC that is associated with the psychoactive effect of the cannabis products. However, a dog who has consumed CBD may look high due to some possible reasons, which include:
- The CBD product ingested contains THC and has not gone through quality assurance testing.
- The pet consumed a large amount of a CBD product enough to cause THC toxicity. Hemp-based CBD products can contain 0.3% THC, which is the legally allowable amount. So, if a dog consumed a large amount of the hemp-extracted CBD product, a slight THC toxicity can happen.
- The pet ingested a product that contains both CBD and THC. The market is flooded with many different CBD products, and some CBD for pets comes with THC and CBD at varying concentrations. So, look up the product online or check the labels to know what it contains.
- The pet ingested some THC or marijuana edibles. Check if there are any other cannabis products around the home.
How Do You Know If Your Pet Has Ingested CBD; What Are the Most Common Signs to Lookout For?
The most common clinic signs (side effects) reported after pets ingested CBD products include diarrhea, inappetence, lethargy, and vomiting. If the pet consumed a large amount of CBD product, a condition known as ataxia could occur.
How Do I Manage These Conditions?
Most cases require no action and treatment. If gastrointestinal upset occurs, then your pet needs symptomatic care. If your dog ingests a large dose where the THC toxicity might be a factor, ataxia, hyperesthesia, urinary incontinence, and mild sedation could develop, and the dog should be confined to avoid injury from misadventure.
If you notice any THC toxicity symptoms, provide anti-nausea medication, IV fluid support, good nursing care as required, and treat the dog in front of you.
What Do I Need To Know About The Overdose On Pet Hemp Treat?
When a pet consumes soft chew products or hemp dog treats in large amounts, it can lead to an osmotic effect by pulling fluid from the pets’ body into its gastrointestinal tract. In minor cases, the osmotic effect can lead to dehydration and diarrhea.
Acidosis, azotemia, hyperkalemia, hyperglycemia, and hypernatremia can occur in severe cases. Pets with this condition require aggressive fluid therapy while monitoring the electrolytes and hydration status.
CBD Interactions With Other Medicines: Should I Be Concerned About Any Long-term Effects?
CBD can affect other drugs’ metabolism since it is a cytochrome P450 inhibitor. Although this does not seem to be clinically significant in most cases, it may have high clinical relevance when CBD is used to control seizures in a pet. The dosages of other anticonvulsant medications may have to be adjusted. However, pet owners may choose to stop using anticonvulsants if they feel CBD controls their dog seizures well, so this discussion is an important one to have.
Several safety studies have also shown that CBD causes dose-dependent elevations in liver enzymes. Although this condition has not been observed in acute overdose cases, it could concern dogs that consume CBD long-term. We recommend monitoring the total bilirubin in the pet and its liver enzymes. If your dog has an ongoing issue or illness, we recommend talking to your veterinarian before adding CBD to your dog’s treatment regimen.
