Is CBD Safe for Your Dog?

Amidst all the turbulence of the pandemic, the pet industry has been thriving like never before. In fact, the estimated spending on pets in the US stood at a staggering $99 billion during 2020. There’s no better indication than that to demonstrate how much pet parents love their fur babies. And they seem to stop at nothing when it comes to treating their adorable companions.

This has led to a dramatic rise in pet products. Manufacturers are becoming ever more inventive in coming up with solutions to keep pets safe, healthy, and happy. CBD products are one of those latest trends, which has taken off at a rapid pace. This comes hardly a surprise, considering their widespread popularity among humans. From tinctures and capsules to soft chews and treats, today, there are a ton of pet CBD products to choose from.

But there are still many questions weighing on pet parents’ minds. Is it really safe? Are there any side effects? Can pets take CBD products made for humans? Naturally, if you’re a dog owner wondering whether to pick up that box of CBD-laced treats, it’s important to first understand what it could mean for your pet.

So, is CBD safe for your dog?

The therapeutic effects of CBD spawned the meteoric rise in CBD-containing products for humans. Now, it has entered the pet product market as well to help treat pain, anxiety, inflammation, and a host of other symptoms among canines.

But is it really safe for your pet? And do vets recommend CBD oil for dogs? Well, it all depends on who you ask. Vetinerarians like Paul Rowan, DVM at The Center of Animal Healing, are reporting positive effects in its use for treating seizures and various other conditions. But some vets are still reluctant to incorporate CBD into treatment plans. This is mostly due to a lack of scientific data on its efficacy and possible risks.

According to studies, CBD may lower the heart rate and blood pressure in animals experiencing stress. Another pharmacokinetic and clinical study has found that 2 mg/kg of CBD administered twice a day could help dogs with osteoarthritis. But the FDA has still not approved cannabis for animal use. Therefore, it does not ensure the safety or efficacy of products on the market.

And similar to any other chemical compound, CBD could cause drug interactions and side effects in dogs. These can include dizziness, vomiting, and diarrhea. So, it’s important to speak to your veterinarian before starting your pet on a CBD product.

Is pet CBD the same as human CBD?

Now, this is a common question asked by dog owners who are new to pet CBD. The short answer is yes. CBD in its purest form as an isolate is the same, whether it’s used in human or pet products.

However, this doesn’t mean you could share your CBD tincture with your furry family member. This is because many CBD products made for humans contain other ingredients. And these could have an adverse effect on your dog. Besides, the concentration levels used in human products are likely intolerable for a pet.

So, if you’re planning on giving CBD to your dog, it’s best to stick to pet CBD products designed for their consumption needs. And today, these come in lots of different formats and varieties, from peanut butter biscuits to bacon-flavored chewable treats, to make them much more appealing to canines.

Few things to remember before buying CBD for your dog

Before you go shopping for CBD pet products, spending adequate time to understand the effects, interactions, and how they could specifically help your canine is essential.

Here are some tips to help you with your purchase.

• Start with small doses. Product formats like tinctures will make it easier to control dosages compared to topical applications and edible treats.
• Read the label to identify ingredients, the CBD concentration, and dosage.
• Check for independent certificates of analysis to verify the quality of the product.
• Choose a reputed brand for added assurance. They would have likely carried out sufficient tests to verify the safety and efficacy of their products.
• Store products in their original air-tight containers and away from sunlight, heat, and moisture, which could all affect their chemical composition.

Remember, whether it’s a chewable treat or a topical lotion, CBD should not be a natural alternative to your canine’s regular products. You should only offer CBD if you feel confident that your furry companion could truly benefit from its therapeutic effects. Of course, speaking to your veterinarian and seeking advice should be a top priority before purchasing any type of product.