Can CBD Help My Pet? - CBD for Pets

Pets are your familt, we get it; we are dog owners to. In fact, when we got pregnant with our first son, we were scared we would have to give our pup Jax away. As of today, Jax has been taking CBD for the last two years, & he is no longer the anxious, restless, crazy dog he once was. He is still a ball of energy, but because of CBD's calming properties, his temperment is much more balanced, and we feel safe having him around 3 small children.

CBD (Cannabidiol), is a cannabinoid that is found in cannabis and hemp plants. CBD products on the market mostly come from hemp plants, especially in states like Wisconsin where marijuana is not legalized.

Cannabinoids like CBD are known for interacting with the endocannabinoid receptors in the body’s peripheral and central nervous systems. Cannabinoids and endocannabinoid receptors are part of a large regulatory system known as the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). When cannabinoids are plentiful and balanced within this system, they help keep the body healthy.

Pets Have an Endocannabinoid System too!

CBD came into our lives for human health reasons, but soon we discovered that pets could use it too. 

“The ECS is a regulatory system responsible for vital functions including immune support, mood regulation, memory, pain response, appetite, sleep, and more. Endocannabinoids may fall below a desirable level or become imbalanced. When this happens, we can experience many of the ailments people encounter every day (insomnia, mood disorders, pain, etc.). Supplementing with CBD from a natural plant source like hemp can be extremely beneficial to counteract these imbalances.”

As it turns out, all mammals have an ECS, and that is why utilizing CBD can be a safe, natural, and effective remedy for your furry friend.

CBD May Help Pets With...

Pain

CBD is effective at treating inflammatory conditions because it shares the same metabolic pathways that anti-inflammatory drugs have. Osteoarthritis is prevalent in dogs; 1 in 4 dogs will experience arthritic symptoms to some degree in their lifetime. CBD can also help treat other inflammatory pain in dogs, such as intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), known to cause back pain. 

Anecdotally, many pet owners claim that CBD has also helped treat their pets' neuropathic pain.

Seizures

CBD as a means of treating epilepsy and managing other seizure disorders has been one of the most studied forms of CBD use in humans; however, there are limited studies in the treatment of seizures in pets. Some research suggests that CBD reduces the frequency of seizures in dogs, specifically for the disease idiopathic epilepsy [1]. Yet, in this study, these benefits were seen while the dogs were taking regular anti-seizure medication, so it is unclear if CBD was the main factor in seizure reduction.

Anxiety

Fireworks, thunderstorms, loud noises, trauma, history of abuse, are all reasons that pets experience anxiety. We can’t tell you how many customers have thanked us for helping us bring their pets back with the addition of CBD. The thing is, in pets, the anxiety reduction may not be because of CBD’s anxiolytic properties. We think CBD relieves pet anxiety by reducing inflammation and other pain that creates distress, which brings on pressure. We believe that the CBD acts as a mild sedative rather than relieving anxiety directly, allowing the pet to feel more relaxed. Whatever the mechanism, it does seem to help pets that experience anxiety.

Cancer

CBD and other cannabinoids have been shown in various studies to reduce tumor size and reduce cancer cell proliferation. That being said, there have been minimal studies for the use of CBD in pets with cancer. However, CBD has proven to help with chemotherapy's side effects (such as nausea) in human cancer patients, rats, and ferrets in various studies. For this reason, we think CBD could very well be an effective anti-nausea treatment for pets undergoing chemotherapy.

Does CBD For Pets Have Side Effects?

It is highly recommended that pet owners follow dosing guidelines when treating their pets with CBD to limit any possible side effects. Currently, there's little research for side effects in pets. But, they are assumed to be similar to the side effects of CBD supplementation in humans.

• Drowsiness: A common belief is that CBD helps treat anxiety because of its calming effects. What we believe causes feelings of calmness is the side effect of drowsiness.
• Dry Mouth: Decreased saliva production is a known side effect of CBD and could cause an increased amount of thirst in pets.
• Low Blood Pressure: Temporary drops in blood pressure sometimes occur when people consume high doses of CBD. Though small, this drop could lead to feelings of lightheadedness.

Because of limited research, it is hard to determine if there are any long-term risks associated with giving your pet CBD. In large doses, some may become sleepy or mildly sedated, but this issue resolves over time. It can actually be helpful when addressing anxiety or stressful situations a pet may be in.

We always recommend checking in with your vet before starting a CBD regimen, especially if the pet is on any medications. So far, there are no drug interactions recorded between CBD and other medications in dogs. 

It is always important to be cautious when giving any medication or supplement to your pet.

How Do I Give CBD to My Pet?

With many types of CBD products designed for pets, there are different ways that you can administer CBD to your dog. With oils, topical, and treats all containing different levels of CBD, finding the best fit for your pet is a breeze.

• Oils: An oil is a concentrated form of CBD that is sometimes infused with other beneficial ingredients that helps the dog get their dose of CBD while supporting a healthy coat. The oil we sell comes with a syringe and dosing chart. The syringe can be administered directly into the pets mouth, or can be mixed in with their food.
• Treats: Edibles are a great way to give CBD to your dog because, well, what dog doesn’t like treats?!
• Topicals: These are salves, sprays or creams you apply to the animal’s skin. They can help reduce inflammation, ease itching or swelling, and soothe the area.

We are hopeful that there will be more studies regarding CBD and dogs and cats in the near future, and you can be sure that Happy Trails will update you with any relevant information. Make sure to check out King Kalm's Pet CBD Tincture & Treats for your furry friend!

If you have any questions, feel free to call us or come into a Happy Trails near you. Find our locations and more information at HappyTrailsCBD.com.

References:

1. Randomized blinded controlled clinical trial to assess the effect of oral cannabidiol administration in addition to conventional antiepileptic treatment on seizure frequency in dogs with intractable idiopathic epilepsy. - pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31067185