CBD and Your Dog
Holistic vets have been sending us some interesting reports about the benefits of CBD oil for dogs in their care.
A senior Staffordshire Terrier had a 6cm mammary tumor and metastasis that disappeared in 3 months and didn’t come back.
A Jack Russell Terrier had a severe heart murmur and painful arthritis and, after a month, he wanted to go for long walks and his murmur was much improved.
These are two examples of how Australian veterinarian Edward Bassingthwaighte discovered how CBD oil may be a critical part of his holistic veterinary practice. “I simply can’t explain the improved heart murmur,” says Bassingthwaite. “They normally don’t get better.”
CBD Oil For Dogs: What You Might Not Know
The results seem to be in … researchers are turning their attention to this herb and, so far, they’re finding there is a lot to like. And just as CBD may help humans, your dog may reap the same health-boosting (and even life-saving) benefits.
Let’s look at the 10 things you might not know about this often misunderstood herb and the research that shows its promise in helping dogs with a variety of common health issues …
1. CBD Is Not Psychoactive
CBD (cannabidiol) is a compound found in cannabis and hemp. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) can also be found in cannabis and it’s this compound that gives marijuana its psychoactive properties. Most CBD oils are just that … the beneficial CBD without the THC. And they typically come from hemp, not marijuana. In short, your dog won’t get “high” from CBD oil … he’ll get the relaxation without the intoxication.
And speaking of relaxation …
2. CBD Oil Reduces Anxiety
Does your dog suffer from separation anxiety or noise phobias? CBD has been extensively studied for its effect on stress and anxiety. In humans, it’s been found that CBD may:
Reduce anxiety caused by public speaking
Reduce anxiety in both healthy people and people with anxiety disorders
Be effective for panic disorders and post-traumatic stress disorders.
3. CBD May Assist in the Fight Against Cancer
CBD and other substances found in hemp and cannabis have been found to have an anti-tumor effect.
CBD may help the immune system’s killer cells to cause cancer cell death.
CBD may kill cancer cells by blocking their ability to produce energy.
CBD’s anti-tumor properties may slow and inhibit glioma cell growth.
CBD may help increase the efficacy of conventional cancer treatment.
4. CBD May Treat Seizures And Epilepsy
It’s estimated that up to 5% of dogs suffer from seizures. Most dogs with seizures are put on drugs such as phenobarbital and potassium bromide. While they may help control the seizures, they can be extremely harmful to your dog’s liver and other organs. And the drugs don’t work in all cases.
CBD may work well in drug-resistant epilepsy. In one study, 7 of 8 patients with epilepsy that was resistant to drugs saw a definite improvement within 4 to 5 months of taking CBD.
And a survey of children with treatment-resistant epilepsy found that 84% of the children taking CBD had a reduction in the frequency of seizures, indicating that CBD may be beneficial in the treatment of epilepsy.
5. CBD Relieves Pain
The cannabinoids in CBD work so well for pain that scientists are considering it as a new class of drug for the treatment of chronic pain. Studies show CBD may assist with:
Decreasing pain (including neuropathy and nerve-related pain)
Decreasing the impact of inflammation on oxidative stress (which causes degeneration and premature aging)
Decreasing inflammation in acute pancreatitis
Reducing inflammation
Reducing intestinal inflammation (associated with irritable bowel disease
6. CBD May Help With Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Animal studies show that CBD may prevent colitis (IBD) and restore normal gut motility in inflammatory bowel disease. CBD also has antibiotic properties, including Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA).
7. CBD May Reduce Chronic Inflammation And Autoimmune Disease
CBD may assist in decreasing the production and release of inflammatory cytokines that can cause allergies, hypersensitivities, and autoimmunity. It may also suppress something called Th17 dominance, which is a major cause of autoimmune diseases. CBD may also inhibit the production of inflammatory macrophages and decreases chronic inflammation.
8. CBD May Increase Appetite And Help With Nausea
If you have trouble getting your dog to eat, CBD may help. The National Cancer Institute reports that CBD increases appetite and carries this extra benefit, in addition to controlling cancer.
In animal studies, CBD may have assisted with vomiting and nausea, even when they’re the result of toxins and drugs.
9. CBD May Promote Cardiovascular Health
Just as veterinarian Dr. Bassingthwaighte discovered, CBD has been linked to heart health. Studies show it may assist in reducing the damage from damaged blood vessels and irregular heart rates, protect blood vessels from damage and dilate the arteries, and reduce heart rate and blood pressure associated with stress and anxiety.
Choosing A Good CBD Oil For Your Dog
Not all CBD oils are the same … you’ll want a high-quality CBD oil that works, so here are a few things to look for:
- Make sure the product is organic: If it isn’t organic, your CBD oil contains pesticides, fungicides or solvents.
- Don’t cheap out: The higher the quality and purity, the higher the cost. Don’t price shop … make sure your CBD oil is free of additives and has a good amount of CBD.
- Get the analysis: Ask for a lab analysis of the amount of CBD in the product. Many CBD oils contain only small amounts of CBD. The manufacturer should provide a certificate of analysis. You’ll also want to make sure there is little or no THC in the product.
- Buy CBD as a tincture: You can buy CBD in treats but the best form is in a tincture. This way, you can adjust your dog’s dose drop by drop to make sure he gets the most benefit.
CBD may be a healthy addition to the care and well being of your best friend.