CBD Oil for Dogs: Everything You Need to Know
Hey dog owners! Word on the street is that CBD oil is the remedy to all dog illnesses. How true is that? Is CBD oil even legal for dogs? As a Cynophilist, I’m not just concerned about the temporal healing of my dog, but also the long-term effects of CBD oil. The lack of proper research is the reason most dog owners lose their dogs to severe diarrhea, vomiting, itching, and drowsiness — the effects of CBD oil overdose.
How Much Cbd Oil Should I Give My Dog?
This guide contains everything you need to know about CBD oil for dogs. Here are the benefits of CBD oil for dogs;
How CBD Works in Dogs
The endocannabinoid system of dogs is quite similar to humans ECS. Like humans, dogs have CB1 and CB2, the two major cannabinoid receptors. These receptors can be found in the liver, pancreas, galleries bladder, bone marrow, brain stem, amongst others. The biochemical illustration given above shows how CBD oil works in normal dogs. What about dogs with ailments.
Below are the ways CBD oil reacts in dogs with various diseases:
CBD Oil for Dogs With Anxiety
The symptoms of a dog with anxiety ranges from loss of appetite to pacing and panting. CBD reduces nervousness in both humans and dogs by acting on the biological endocannabinoid system (ecs).
CBD Oil for Dogs With Arthritis
Seeing your dog suffer from arthritis make your eyes teary. Don’t panic! Arthritis is a term for joint diseases characterised by pain, joint inflammation, swelling, and immobility. CBD oil has anti-inflammatory properties that cure arthritis that reduces inflammation and swelling of joints. It also has pain-relieving features that reduce chronic pain, thereby making your dog happier.
CBD Oil for Dogs With Kidney Disease
The idea that CBD oil cures kidney disease in dogs is not scientific or factual. CBD oil reduces pain in dogs with kidney failure. However, CBD oil for dogs does not solve kidney issues. Dogs suffering from kidney disease also experience loss in appetite and CBD products helps stimulate appetite.
CBD Oil for Hyper Dogs
What are hyper dogs? Hyper dogs are dogs diagnosed with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Short attention and high impulsiveness are the major symptoms of hyper dogs. Dogs with ADHD can’t focus on a task for long. And CBD oil is popularly known for increasing focus. Though there’s little evidence backing the use of CBD oil for ADHD, research shows that CBD oil reduces the effects of ADHD in dogs.
Discovery of Dog Endocannabinoid System
The foremost cannabinoid receptor — anandamide — was discovered, in 1988, by two NIMH researchers, Allyn Howlett and William Devane. They noticed that anandamide was more concentrated in the brain (of a rat) than other receptors. The research that led to the discovery of anandamide was aimed at discovering more facts about CB1 and CB2 receptors.
Types of Endocannabinoid Signaling Molecules in Dogs
The dog endocannabinoid system is made up of two main signaling molecules, namely;
2-AG ( 2-Arachidonoylglycerol)
- This is an endogenous agonist that is synthesized from the biochemical reaction of omega-6 fatty acid, arachidonic acid, and glycerol.
- 2-AG can be found in high proportions in the dogs’ central nervous system. It is responsible for immunomodulation, neuroprotection and other neuromodulatory effects in the dog’s brain.
Anandamide
- Anandamide aka bliss molecule binds to the same receptors as THC. It is associated with many brain functions; mood, appetite, pain, memory, and memory function.
- Anandamide is the major cause of runner’s high. A feeling of reduced anxiety coupled with euphoria and reduced ability to feel pain. Most people experience runner’s high after a lengthy exercise.
- Note: Anandamide and 2-AG molecules are relevant to the functionality of CB1 and CB2 receptors. They activate CB1 and CB2 by fitting into the locks.
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What Does the Food and Drugs Administration Say?
Though we know little of the effects of CBD oil on drugs, the foods and drugs administration haven’t placed a ban on its use for dogs.
According to Dr. Klein, a former director of the FDA’s controlled substances and founder of controlled substances scientific solutions LLC, “the FDA has placed no restrictions on extra-label use of Epidiolex (cannabidiol) in animals.
Veterinarians must follow the principles discussed in the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act (AMDUCA), as well as any state and federal regulations for the handling of the drug.”
Based on the factors I’d explain, as we move further in this article, CBD usage for dogs is a great deal of harm and not fair to these lovely creatures. If dog owners aren’t careful enough, they might lose their dogs to ignorance.
“The FDA has issued significant warning letters to companies selling CBD products, including some that market their products for pets.” Emphasized Dr. Klein.
Why CBD Oil Is Not Safe for Dogs: The Bitter Truth
As we stated in the use of CBD oil (for humans), there’s no agreed formula for measuring the appropriate amount of CBD oil for humans let alone dogs. If at all, there’s a glimmer of hope that CBD oil is a potential treatment for dog illnesses, we have to ask ourselves three important questions;
What’s the CBD Oil Limit for Dogs?
The fact remains that human beings can withstand CBD oil overdose up to 750 mg, but these innocent dogs may not withstand such. Unless your dog is spunky, it can’t tell you how it feels about the dose you administered. You’ll only get to know it was overdosed when health issues arise. Since there’s no prescribed dosage for dogs and they can’t tell us how they feel, no dog owner, who loves their dogs should treat their dogs with CBD oil (for now).
What’s the Source of the CBD Oil? Cannabis or Hemp?
There’s little accountability when it comes to CBD oil production. Most producers have no interest in making sure they educate the world about their products. To make the matter worse, promoters know little of the great difference between CBD oil derived from cannabis and hemp. CBD oil obtained from marijuana contains a significant amount of THC, which is toxic to dogs. Ask yourself sincerely — can I distinguish cannabis oil from hemp oil?
What Are the Long-Term Effects of CBD Oil Overdose on Dogs?
It could be scary or mild, but the problem is we don’t know. Those who love their dogs shouldn’t risk their dogs lives for the unknown.Below are the risks involved in CBD oil overdose in dogs:
- Dry Mouth: CBD has been scientifically shown to reduce the production of saliva in dogs. This will result in increased thirst in dogs.
- Low Blood Pressure: CBD overdose has been reported to cause short-term decrease in blood pressure. This temporary drop in blood pressure has been associated with lightheadedness in dogs.
- Drowsiness: When too much CBD oil has been administered for dogs with anxiety.
Final Thoughts
CBD Oil for dogs has a number of great benefits for dogs with chronic pains, anxiety, hereditary issues, hyperactive, and other medical conditions. Side effects of CBD Oil for dogs do range and dosages should be measured out and suffice for your type/size of dog(s). Given that we can’t interview dogs to know what dose they prefer, why risk their lives on the altar of anonymity? It’s best we stick to what we know, pending the time veterinary doctors discover the best dosage measurement for different dogs. And don’t forget there’s only one thing we say to the God of drug overdose — not today.
