CBD For Dog Seizures – Can It Help?

Written by: Bojana Radulovic
CBD can be given to dogs with strong pain, arthritis, digestive disorders, and even anxiety issues. But, can it help reduce dogs seizures? Read on to discover.

If your canine suffers from seizures, you are familiar with the feeling of helplessness and stress watching him suffer. We understand, it’s hard to see your dog suffering, especially when you don’t understand what’s happening and why.

Perhaps you have visited the veterinarian already and haven’t found any answers, or you just want to spare your dog future pain and troubles? Or maybe you’re looking for an alternative medication? Either way, if your dog is prone to seizures, you need to find a way to help him… And CBD oil may be the answer you’re looking for.

Seizures In Dogs

Seizures in dogs are the most common neurological conditions in dogs. A seizure may also be called a fit or convulsion, and it’s general – seizure is a temporary involuntary disturbance of normal brain function. In most cases, seizures are followed by uncontrollable muscle activity.

Causes and types of seizures may vary from several different factors. In general, seizures can happen at any time, during the feeding or even a small excitement, or as the dog is waking up or falling asleep.

Seizures in dogs often manifest as a twitch or uncontrollable shaking. They may be just a few seconds long or may last for several minutes. All in, causes of seizures may vary from dog to dog. Furthermore, several different things can cause seizures. The most common are:

  • Vaccines
  • Head injury
  • Electrolyte problems
  • Topical flea and tick products
  • Herbicides and pesticides

The most common underlying health conditions:

  • Liver disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Cancer

But, if your canine suffers from regular seizures, epilepsy might be the reason. Epilepsy means there are bursts of uncontrolled electricity in your dog’s brain. In most cases, there is no cure for this condition. Luckily, you can manage it naturally with CBD oil.

What Is CBD Oil?

CBD or Cannabidiol is a compound found in hemp. However, unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD has no psychoactive properties, meaning that your dog can’t get ‘high’ from using CBD. This is because of the way CBD is structured. CBD’s structure has a strong impact on the brain, nervous system and the whole body.

THC comes with a strong psychoactive effect from the way it binds with receptors in the brain. These receptors are known as endocannabinoids whom CBD also interacts in a certain way.

Endocannabinoids are found throughout the body and their highest concentration is in the brain, nervous system, and spinal column. In these systems and organs, CBD has the greatest potential for impact.

CBD Oil And Seizures

As soon as it was scientifically proven that CBD oil helps with a number of health conditions, CBD started circulating everywhere. Pet world was no exception.

Different studies were conducted and it was proven that CBD can help dogs with numerous conditions. Therefore, CBD oil for dogs can reduce risks of anxiety, cancer, and joint pains. At the same time, CBD is reducing the duration and amount of seizures.

We mentioned earlier endocannabinoid receptors. These receptors are important when it comes to CBD oil for seizures in dogs. There are two types of endocannabinoid receptors in the dog’s body:

  • The CB2 receptors are primarily located in the immune system.
  • The CB1 receptors are centralized in the nervous system and the brain.

CB1 receptors have the greatest impact on dog’s seizure treatment. According to studies the endocannabinoid system is altered by epilepsy and seizures. Furthermore, CBD improves seiyure control in patients with specific epilepsy syndromes, according to research.

Seizures can have profound effects on the endocannabinoid system and these effects can be mitigated heavily, if not altogether for many patients using CBD. Since the endocannabinoid system (ECS) occurs in all mammals, therefore these results can be realized in both humans and dogs.

Interestingly, it’s still unknown how CBD helps with seizures exactly. However, it’s known that CBD can affect the receptors which can help calm the neurons firing during a seizure. In other words, CBD oil can have a positive effect on your dog’s seizure activity. Also, if your canine feels any side effects at all, it will take the form of mild drowsiness.

CBD Oil For Dog Seizures

As mentioned earlier, CBD oil for dog seizures has little to no THC in it making it safe for your dog. Truth be told, CBD for dogs is most likely to be THC free (no harm for double check) and will be tailored to give the most benefits to dogs no matter what they are dealing with.

One more reason to choose CBD over seizure medication it that you won’t have to deal with unwanted side effects that may cause serious discomfort in your dog. On the other hand, CBD can have minor side effects of just possible causing temporary drowsiness.

Medications that are commonly used to treat epilepsy are diazepam, potassium bromide, phenobarbital, and other anticonvulsant drugs which can cause serious side effects in some canines. Even with medication, up to 30 percent of dogs with epilepsy continue to experience seizures. Moreover, these drugs can cause painful side effects or do not work well enough to control the seizures. Therefore, CBD can be an effective anticonvulsant.

How Much CBD Oil Should My Dog Have?

The CBD dosage is always connected with your dog’s size. As a general rule, smaller dogs require lower dosages, while larger dogs need a stronger dosage. These determinations can be based on your dog’s weight. Therefore, it’s best to follow the label directions on the product you buy. You will also want to decide which form of CBD is right for your dog. Some dogs prefer chewable tablets, while oil and tinctures work great for owners.

You need to be careful when you are buying CBD. With so many different products on the market, it’s not easy to choose the right one. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps when choosing a CBD oil:

  • You want to avoid any toxins contaminating the oil, so you should search for hemp grown in low pollution environments.
  • You should always choose the oil that was made without heat extraction methods. The logic behind this is that heat can damage CBD and be less effective. However, many suppliers use these methods because the cost is significantly lower.
  • Avoid isolates. CBD isolates are less effective and you want the whole plant extract, not just a part of it.
  • You should be careful when it comes to buying and you should learn who you’re buying from. Make sure that you check for company. Studying up on the company can be helpful. When you learn the company’s mission and vision you will be able to understand their process much better and how trustworthy their products are.
  • Look for a certificate of analysis and independent lab testing. These pointers should be available by the company if they are offering a high-quality CBD oil.

CBD oil for seizures in dogs is a natural alternative with a very promising future, so knowing your way around it should be an imperative.

How Do You Treat Dogs’ Seizures With CBD?

If you want to help your canine and reduce the frequency and the severity of seizures, give your canine CBD regularly. In most cases, the relief will be best achieved by dosing twice a day. As mentioned earlier, the dosage may vary from your dog’s size, but that’s not the only factor.

Dosage amounts can vary quite a bit from one situation to another one. That being said, it may be necessary to experiment to find the right amount, and how often to give CBD to your dog. Keep in mind that you cannot overdose and there is no toxicity associated with CBD. However, you shouldn’t push your luck and it would be great to stick to the recommended dosage of the manufacturer.

CBD oil for dogs is available in many handy forms. The extract can be given from a dropper bottle directly into the mouth, added to dogs favorite food, rubbed into bare skin, put inside the ears, or dropped as a treat. Moreover, you can even apply CBD oil to the dog’s paws so he can lick it off.

On the market, you can even find hemp CBD biscuits, capsules, and even honey with CBD, and topical hemp CBD ointments.

Overall, make sure that CBD product you choose is lab-tested so, you can be sure you’re giving your dog the best opportunity for natural relief with hemp CBD.

In addition, CBD may help ease your dog’s:

  • Lack of appettite
  • Excessive barking
  • Pain
  • Agression
  • Nausea from car rides
  • Lack of energy and vitality
  • Arthritis
  • Fear of fireworks, loud and strange noises, as well as thunderstorms
  • Anxiety
  • Trips to the groomer or the veterinarian

Interestingly, CBD oil can even help with grumpiness.

Unexpected Extra: CBD For Dog Seizures Is Legal And Safe

You can use CBD Oil freely and without any second thought about its safety. CBD appears to be safe even when it’s taken in high doses and for over extended periods. You can even give CBD to your dog when he is on other medication. Of course, it’s always advised that you check this with your veterinarian.

After all, most CBD oil for dogs and other pets comes from hemp oil, so it contains very small traces of THC or contains no traces of THC whatsoever. Because of this, hemp-based CBD products both for humans and animals are legal.

The bottom line is that CBD could be a healthy or even life-saving herb for your dog. More and more pet owners and holistic vets are drawn to CBD’s diverse health benefits. Plus, they love that side effects are mild.

CBD For Dog Seizures – The Takeaway

Using medication to treat seizures in dogs sometimes can be exhausting both for dogs and dog owners. After all, it’s not easy watching your dog panting, shaking, and having seizures, no matter how long and vivid the seizures might be. Therefore, it’s always great having an alternative. That being said, you should think about options that include CBD in seizures treatment.

You must choose the right oil and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for maximum effect. If you do so, you can expect to have a happy and healthy dog.