CBD oil for dogs: can it help your pooch?

For many of us, our dogs are our pride and joy, and as a result, we strive to provide them with the best life possible. The CBD wellness trend has taken off over the last few years to the point where CBD is now a bandwagon.

Just about everyone is trying CBD to see if it can enhance their health, and the fur babies aren’t excluded from this. So how exactly can CBD help you in your mission to enhance your dog’s wellness? Let’s look at CBD oil for dogs in terms of how it could help them and how to start their CBD journey.

What are the benefits of CBD oil for dogs?

Many of our customers purchase products from us specifically for their dogs. What’s more, we receive excellent feedback from them on how our CBD oil has helped. So, let’s look at whether CBD oil for dogs has any benefits.

Anxiety

According to a report from 2020, anxiety is a very prevalent issue among canines. The report states that over 70% of dogs display signs of anxiety. The most common anxiety among dogs is fear-related anxiety. This involves the dog feeling overwhelmed by loud noises, strangers, new environments, and other various situations. A perfect example of this fear-related anxiety would be a trip to the vet’s office where numerous dogs cower in fear.

One of the most common reasons people consider giving their dog CBD is anxiety. The anxiety overwhelms dogs, making them feel upset and frightened, and can also result in destructive behaviors as a means to cope. There is not a tremendous amount of evidence to suggest CBD can help dogs with their anxiety; it is mainly anecdotal. However, research has found CBD can have a calming effect on humans with anxiety. While humans and dogs are not the same, we both have an endocannabinoid system which is how CBD affects the body.

Hear it from one of our customers: “We have a rescue dog who gets really anxious and wound up, especially at night. Since using the animal CBD from Greenheart, she is calmer and sleeps better” — Sacha Donnelly.

Aggression

Unfortunately, some dogs are fearful due to anxiety or past trauma, and this fear can manifest itself into aggression. Aggression in dogs can be the result of numerous reasons. For example, resource guarding, territory guarding, feeling threatened by strangers, experiencing pain, and of course, being frightened.

As you can see, it is not exactly the dog’s fault and usually the result of a much bigger picture. Like how some dogs cower about visiting the vet, others may start snapping when the vet tries to examine them. Research on using CBD oil for dogs’ aggression is limited. However, some research has been conducted on the impact of CBD oil on mice. The study found a strong link between CBD and reduced aggression.

Pain and discomfort

Arguably one of the most common reasons owners revert to CBD is because their dogs are experiencing pain and discomfort. Just as you want to give your dog the best possible life, it can be hard to watch them in pain. We’ve all been there, ready to do just about anything to help them.

A number of our customers have given CBD to their dogs for arthritis and back pain with excellent results. Research shows CBD could be useful in easing pain and discomfort for dogs with arthritis. It is said to do this by soothing the inflammation, a big part of what causes the pain.

Hear it from one of our customers: “My dog has been suffering from arthritis in his back legs and not sleeping comfortably. I was recommended to try CBD oil so I started with just a small drop each day and within a week, he was walking and running around the house like a new dog. His sleep pattern has improved and he is back to his playful self already” — Colin Shaw.

Skin condition and coat

Many dogs struggle with dry skin, and usually, the solution is to apply some sort of cream. However, dogs often lick these off which means they do not get the opportunity to actually nourish the skin in order to ensure healthy hair growth. Due to its suspected anti-inflammatory properties, CBD may help improve your dog’s skin condition and as a result, enhance their coat too.

There is also some anecdotal evidence to back this up, with some CBD users claiming their dog’s coat has never felt softer. However, further research into CBD’s effect on dogs’ skin is needed. Hempseed oil has proven to be an excellent moisturizer for skin too, and horse and dog owners alike have sworn by it. This could also help if your dog suffers any cuts or abrasions from running around too eagerly! Therefore, it might be a good idea to select a product like our Animal CBD which is a special blend of hemp seed oil.

Muscle Recovery

There’s nothing more satisfying than watching your dog fall into a deep sleep after going for a walk or chasing a ball for half an hour. Usually, their muscles and joints are tired, and similar to humans, they too have to recover. Given the research around CBD as an anti-inflammatory, it could speed up your dog’s recovery by soothing these sore areas.

Seizures

CBD is definitely not a treatment for seizures. However, research has discovered it can help in reducing the number of seizures an epileptic dog experiences. A 2019 study reported that when CBD was administered alongside seizure medication, the dogs suffered fewer seizures than dogs given the medication and a placebo.

In saying that, those in the group that did not take CBD still had fewer seizures. While this does illustrate CBD’s potential, further research is needed. Additionally, some CBD users have also claimed it helped lessen their dog’s seizures.

Does CBD oil have side effects for dogs?

Most studies have confirmed that CBD does not have any severe side effects for dogs. However, some minor side effects could occur if a dog is given too high of a dose.

Some of these include:

• Dry mouth
• Vomiting
• Tiredness
• Drowsiness
• Lowered blood pressure
• Upset stomach

The best way to avoid these side effects is to ensure you administer the correct dose. Sometimes it is not that easy, though, as what works for one dog might not work for another. Therefore, the first couple of weeks could be a bit of a trial and error period.

Another essential thing to note here is that CBD should not be seen as a replacement for your dog’s medication. You should always consult your vet before administering CBD to your dog. If the vet advises CBD, it can be used in tandem with other medications and methods they advise.

How to calculate CBD dose for dogs?

Calculating the CBD dose for dogs is not too challenging. The recommended dose of CBD for animals is 6.5 mg of CBD per 10 kgs of the animal’s body weight. Therefore, you should try and get as close to this as possible. What’s more, each dog is different so depending on yours, you may find yourself having to adjust the dose accordingly.

How to choose CBD oil for dogs

The CBD market these days is oversaturated, and let’s be honest, it can be a bit intimidating. You’re likely wondering what I should look for and how I know whether this product is suitable for pets? Like yourself, your pooch deserves the best, so here are some things to consider when shopping for pet-friendly CBD.

• Organic all the way: It is so crucial that you try to seek out organic CBD products. At the very least, look for products that do not contain any solvents, pesticides, or fungicides.
• Look for the Certificate of Analysis (COA): Under no circumstances should you give your dog CBD that contains THC. This is because it can cause seizures in dogs. The Certificate of Analysis (COA) shows you the exact THC levels in the product so you can rest knowing you are not putting your fur babies at risk.
• Ensure the products are lab tested: You must opt for products that have been third-party lab tested. This provides further proof and transparency for you as the owner and shows you are only buying the purest CBD products for your pets.
• Read reviews: Whether you are shopping online or in a traditional brick-and-mortar store, it is vital to check out the reviews.
• Try not to be negotiated by price: Generally, higher-quality products come at a higher cost. Cheaper options can often contain additives like heavy metals and pesticides. These are unnecessary and may pose separate issues.
• Stick to liquids: Try to stick to liquid forms of CBD. They are much easier to dose for dogs since you can administer directly into the mouth using the dropper or mix in with food. The dropper also allows you to easily adjust the dose depending on what works best for them.

Can I give my dog CBD oil for humans?

Not all CBD brands have a specific CBD product for dogs or animals. Therefore, so long as it has zero THC in it, is organic, and has been third-party lab tested, it should be suitable for your dog. At Greenheart CBD, we have a range of CBD oils, and all are organic and contain no THC making them safe for dogs. However, we also have our specific Animal CBD Oil, a unique blend of 2.5% Hemp Seed CBD oil specifically formulated for animals.

To sum it all up

In summary, you can give your dog your CBD oil, and users of Greenheart CBD have discovered some benefits to doing so. However, you must ensure you buy a suitable product for your dog that will not cause them any harm. That’s where Greenheart comes in; we sell some of the best organic CBD oil for dogs.

You can rest knowing you are using a high-quality product that contains zero THC or additives. Furthermore, it has been lab-tested, making it both safe and pure for your furry children.