CBD is everywhere, and apparently almost in everything.
You likely heard someone mention CBD if they live with a chronic condition like anxiety or pain. The power of CBD is so massive that its even 100% legal in some countries.
The most interesting thing about CBD is that it’s not only for humans. No, benefits of CBD are so wide that it’s commonly used in pets as well. First, let’s see what CBD is and why you should give it to your dog.
What Is CBD?
Cannabidiol or shortly CBD is just one of many active compounds that are found in the Cannabis sativa plant.
Another active compound is THC or tetrahydrocannabinol that is known for its psychoactive properties – also known as the compound that can quickly get you ‘high.’
However, CBD is free of any compounds that can get human or dog ‘high.’
CBD can actually help with pain, and many canine-related health issues, such as glaucoma and joint pain.
Ok, but is CBD exactly? Simply said, CBD is a non-psychoactive compound that offers various therapeutic benefits. Let’s see what the main advantages of using CBD are.
Benefits of CBD for Dogs
CBD comes with a wide range of benefits to dogs. Proper usage of CBD for dogs can offer a wide range of positive effects on a dog’s body, including its ability to treat specific conditions, including:
- Acute inflammation
- Chronic inflammation
- Chronic pain of joints
- Acute pain of joints
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Symptoms of cancer
- Symptoms of tumors
Still, it’s important to know that the FDA has not yet approved CBD for medical use, meaning that CBD is not meant to cure, treat, or prevent any disease, but to ease it. At least, that’s their stand at the moment.
Surprisingly, practice among dog owners speaks otherwise, and it’s more than promising. As expected, it has become one of the most popular health products on the market today.
That being said, it comes as no surprise that CBD comes in various forms. The most common forms of CBD for dogs are:
- CBD Oil
- CBD treats
Basically, when it comes to benefits, there is no significant difference between CBD oil and CBD treats, but dogs’ preferences.
Some dogs prefer snacks over oil, while others don’t like any new taste in their food. You have to know what are your dog’s preferences. So, how to choose CBD Oil or CBD dog treats?
How To Choose CBD Oil or CBD Dog Treats?
Since the CBD popularity is on the rise, it is easy to find CBD products on the market. However, it may be tricky to find the perfect one, especially since brands are selling CBD products for pets exclusively.
As a responsible pet owner, you should provide the very best to your pet, from food to medicine. That being said, you shouldn’t ever compromise on quality over price. Remember, not all brands are the same.
Some brands may focus on the product, while others make the strenght a big issue without giving what they advertise. Moreover, some brands may offer fantastic discounts, but it doesn’t mean that they are necessarily bad or good products.
You have to know how to recognize good CBD products. With that in mind here is what you should keep in mind while searching for high-quality CBD product:
1. Go Organic
Whenever you can go for organic products, they are marked as the best ones in every area for a reason. Moreover, organically grown compounds can only increase and strengthen your pet’s health.
If you can’t find organically grown CBD compounds, make sure that they are natural and without solvents or pesticides.
2. Affordable Is Not Always The Best Option
More affordable or cheaper options may seem like a great deal. However, they don’t necessarily have what’s needed.
The famous philosophy – less is more, is not fundamentally true here, because high-quality, and therefore, the best, CBD products are a considerable investment.
Next time when you think about CBD as an expensive product, you should look at it as an investment both for you and your dog. So, if you want the best for your dog choose the best CBD for pets.
3. Read The Product Label
Make sure that you read the product label before you give CBD to your dog. This way, you will know the exact dosage and the strength of the product.
Also, if you have any doubts about how much CBD you should give to your dog, you can learn proper calculation here. Still, it’s advised to check with your veterinarian about the appropriate dosage.
CBD Treats vs. CBD Oil for Dogs
As mentioned earlier, CBD oil or CBD treats are almost identical when it comes to the strength and benefits of CBD in dogs. Overall, CBD can be given to dogs in four different ways:
- treats
- oral microencapsulated oil beads
- oral CBD-infused oil
- CBD-infused transdermal cream
If you are searching for a faster option, you may think about CBD-infused oil. They are easy to dose and great to mix with any type of food, including grains, raw diet, and wet food.
The same applies to cats as well. However, it turns out that treats are significantly popular lately. These are the main reasons why treats are more popular lately:
- Treats have exact or less exact doses
- Overall, traits are easy to keep on the dosage
- Dogs love treats. As you may know already, dogs are such foodies. Therefore, they are appealed to treats
- CBD treats usually come in dog-friendly flavors
- Treats are usually crunchy, which makes them perfect for any dog
- Treats are usually packed with other natural extracts that can supplement a dog’s daily dietary needs
What can you expect when you give your canine CBD treats? You can expect to see a happier and calmer dog.
You can notice the difference in forts for 4 to 8 hours. This is a bit longer than tinctures used orally, but still a little less than edibles.
But… Are There Any Down Sides?
So far, there are no side effects when it comes to dogs and CBD in any form. However, it’s still a wise move to read the label first and even talk with your veterinarian. Hearing an expert’s opinion can’t hurt. Also, there are only a few downsides when it comes to CBD form.
- It can take longer for CBD to kick in if it’s given as a treat.
- Treats may interact with dog’s existing medicine. If your dog is on special therapy, talking with the vet first is a must.
- There are also a few things that you should mind when it comes to dogs and CBD.
- Anxious canine may refuse to eat if he knows that you might leave home afterward.
- If your dog is in severe pain, you should think about tincture.
Sometimes it can be better to give your dog a few treats every few hours, than all in one take.
Good to know: CBD-infused food, opposite to treats, will take much longer to metabolize. Therefore, it will take more time to get absorbed into the bloodstream.
Dogs don’t experience any type of life-threatening risks from the use of any CBD form or any CBD products.
Still, there is a possibility of an overdose if you don’t follow the label instructions. As you probably know already, dogs are very good at hiding illness symptoms, so it can be hard to spot any side effects.
Generally speaking, the unusual side effect of a disturbing symptom may be:
- Dryness of throat and mouth: if your dog is suddenly extremely thirsty, and a bowl of water disappears in only a few minutes, this is a read sign.
- Low blood pressure: your dog is walking funny, or it seems that his vision is shaken? His blood pressure may have dropped, making it challenging for him to navigate. You may lower the dose and contact the veterinarian.
- Sleepiness: if you notice that your dog seems drowsy or sleepy a lot, just like when he was a puppy, you might lower the CBD dose. The next step should be contacting your veterinarian.
The Bottom Line
The CBD market rich in various products and CBD products in multiple forms. At the moment, the CBD market is one of the fastest-growing markets for pets.
By 2024, the CBD market will be worth billions, because the products are so good. With that on the mind, manufactures are presenting new CBD products to the market every day. Therefore, it’s crucial to choose wisely.
Always search for the best option for your canine. Choose organic, high-quality, and natural products.
Remember: CBD can’t harm your pet as long as you follow the product label, choose wisely and advise veterinarians for a professional opinion.
