Giving Your Dog CBD? Here’s What You Should Know

The CBD craze isn’t just something to bark about. The substance has shown significant promise in alternative pet care for our furry companions. Pet owners have rapidly evolved the way their pets are cared for, from the pet daycare revolution to the rise of tech-based toys at home. Alongside these new pet products, the priority for natural remedies is a priority, mirroring what us humans are preferring for self-care. With that in mind, CBD for pets has taken hold of the pet care industry, popping up in foods, oils, tinctures and edibles, all created specifically with your pup in mind.

CBD for dogs may turn out to be a useful potential treatment for reducing separation anxiety in dogs with separation issues. Ineedmedic says that according to some studies, CBD may have the potential to help alleviate automatically fearful reactions or learned fear. In other words, CBD oil may help your dog relax and deal with separation issues.

This is great news for pet owners who have been looking for something wholesome to support their dog’s overall wellness or to target a specific behavioral need or physical ailment. CBD is known for helping with signs of stress, anxiousness, aches, pains and more. If you’re considering trying CBD as an alternative wellness supplement for your dog, here’s what you should know before getting started.

Where does CBD come from?

What you may know as Marijuana or hemp is the actual origin of CBD, or Cannabidiol. The plant, Cannabis Sativa, is where CBD oil is originally derived from. It’s the natural substance found within the plant alongside THC. Yes, THC is the substance that gets you high. But, not to worry, your golden retriever won’t come stumbling back inside after your walk, CBD only contains .3% THC and is the non-psychoactive component of the plant, meaning it won’t get your dog high. Every dog can react differently, so start small and monitor their behavior before gradually increasing. And, since CBD can build up over time, it’s recommended to continue using CBD over 30 days continuously to experience full results.

How does CBD affect my dog?

To give you a brief science lesson, CBD interacts with a dog’s natural endocannabinoid system. This is a complex network that we humans have as well. It regulates so much of the body’s functions, from sleep and memory, to pain management, cognition and more. The endocannabinoid system has receptors located throughout the body, and research suggests that CBD molecules bind to these receptors. That’s when your dog is able to feel the wide variety of effects from CBD.

How do I choose the best CBD product for my dog?

Similarly to humans, CBD has a wide range of applications and benefits for dogs. It all depends on your goals and what you’re looking to achieve with opting for CBD support. Are you looking to support everyday aches and pains? Does your dog suffer from stress or are they anxious from fear of separation? Or, perhaps you’re just seeking an alternative option from the myriad of other choices? Fortunately, CBD can help with a broad range of conditions and needs.

CBD is most commonly found in oils, tinctures (similar to an oil, but an alcohol base instead), edibles or topicals. For supporting stress and calm or aches and pains from everyday life, your dog might benefit from an edible or oil, an option that he or she can eat right up. Within typically 20 to 30 minutes, the effects of the CBD start to set in, and you’ll likely see induced calm and diminished signs of stress. For fussier dogs who may have trouble with an oil, edibles or CBD dog treats are a simpler option. There are a variety of tasty treats with meat flavors that your pup will love. Look for a reputable retailer and browse for a treat your dog will enjoy.

For helping with skin-related issues — like dry skin, inflammation or sore spots — or muscle aches, a topical solution may do the trick. Simply apply the topical ointment to the affected area as directed.

How much CBD do I give my dog?

While this is one of the most common questions when it comes to CBD, it’s not always the simplest to answer. It’s a process of trial and error and depends on different factors from symptoms to weight. For many conditions, starting with a lower daily measurement and monitoring their behavior is ideal. From there, increase as needed until you see your dog is experiencing the effects they need. Again, it’s recommended to continue use for at least 30 days and adjust as needed.

The concentration is the number in milligrams (mg) on the front of the CBD oil bottle or product. This notes the total amount of CBD per product, or bottle, not per serving. On the back, you can find the total amount of milliliters in the bottle and milliliters per serving to be able to calculate the amount of CBD per serving. From there, you can determine how many servings you’ll need in order to administer the appropriate quantity for your pet.

What should I look for when buying CBD?

With a rapidly-growing industry, it’s important to know how to pick out the quality retailers. Look for manufacturers that use cannabis grown here in the U.S., since the plants are grown under high-quality controls and have limited exposure to better pesticides. This means better growth quality and, as a result, better CBD for your pet. Look for “Broad Spectrum CBD” on the items you choose, as this means that the oil or product contains all of the naturally-occurring cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant — without any of the high — which means Fido will get the full benefit of the oil.

Now that you have the basics, it’s time to give CBD a try for your dog. And with a few drops or treats, you might see that tail wag wanting more.