Thinking About Giving Your Dog CBD? Here’s Everything You Need To Know

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September 1, 2021 — 1:05 AM

Let’s face it. With their licks and cuddles and happy-go-lucky faces, our pups kind of take care of us, don’t they? So naturally, when our four-legged friends are having a health issue, we want to find the right solutions to make them feel better.

You may have considered using cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, for your pooch. We’ve got the details on what you need to know about how, when, and why to give dogs CBD.

“CBD has many uses,” says Sara Ochoa, DVM, a small animal and exotic veterinarian in Texas and a veterinary consultant for DogLab, a pet product review company. “It is used to decrease inflammation and help with joint pain. It also helps with anxiety, seizures, and skin issues.”

She adds that CBD is generally safe for dogs but pet parents should be careful to choose the right brands and dosage, and monitor their pups for any side effects. They should also consult their dog’s veterinarian before starting them on CBD.

Some people opt to administer CBD to dogs in place of traditional anti-anxiety treatments during storms, fireworks, or other situations that cause their furry best friends stress. Others use CBD to help pets cope with soreness, seizures, and other illnesses.

“Benefits commonly reported include a reduction in anxiety as well as destructive chewing, a calmer demeanor without being sedating, reduction in joint discomfort and other aches and pains, and an overall anti-inflammatory effect,” says Brian Larsen, co-founder and CEO of RestoraPet pet supplements. “Combined, there is a noticeable improvement in quality of life for many pets that use CBD.”

Like humans, dogs and other mammals have an extensive endocannabinoid system (ECS), according to research published in the journal Animals.

Through the production of molecules called endocannabinoids, the ECS helps keep other bodily systems (like the immune and nervous systems) in balance, explains an article published in PNAS. 

“There are cannabinoid receptors in the liver, spleen, intestinal tract, brain, heart, muscles, bone, reproductive system, circulatory systems, and more—basically the whole body,” says Sarah Wooten, DVM, CVJ, with Pumpkin Pet Insurance. “When the system becomes deficient in endocannabinoids, that is where supplementation with CBD (cannabidiol) oil comes in.”

CBD is a phytocannabinoid found in the cannabis plant that can help human and animal endocannabinoid systems run more smoothly.

While research on CBD oil and its effectiveness and uses in humans and pets is still evolving, a growing body of evidence suggests CBD can be helpful to dogs facing various ailments.

But it bears repeating: you should always check with your veterinarian before adding CBD to your pet’s regimen. This is especially important if your pup has a medical condition or takes medications. 

Wooten points to a study out of Colorado State University that looked at whether CBD could help with seizures. The study included 16 dogs, 9 who were given CBD and 7 who were given a placebo. The researchers found that 89% of dogs who received CBD had a reduction in seizure frequency.

But Wooten says to absolutely check with your vet before changing your dog’s seizure meds.

Wooten points to a 2020 study in the journal Veterinary and Comparative Oncology that suggests that CBD might help stop the spread of cancer in dogs, but more research is needed. 

“The main concern with using CBD products for cancer treatment is the cancer developing tolerance and resistance to CBD,” Wooten explains. “So always talk with your veterinarian or veterinary oncologist before administering CBD products to a dog that is undergoing cancer treatment.”

When using a reputable product, CBD is generally considered safe for dogs, but Wooten has this caveat. “CBD is processed through the liver,” she says, “which means that if your dog is on other medications, CBD could affect the way your dog processes those medications, so check with your veterinarian before giving CBD.”

Long-term use can lead to elevated liver enzymes, a common side effect when dogs are on traditional medications, as well, Ochoa adds. Short-term side effects of CBD use in dogs include diarrhea, vomiting, dry mouth, a drop in blood pressure, and drowsiness. 

The standard therapeutic dose for CBD in dogs is 0.1-2 mg/kg given twice daily, Wooten says. But some dogs may benefit from a slightly higher dose.

“Not all dogs will respond to CBD the same way,” she explains. “So this dosage needs to be adjusted on a case-by-case basis, and the best way to do that is with a veterinary professional that is well-versed in CBD products.”

We could gush all day about how much we love our furball besties and always want to do the best job taking care of them—whether that means reworking our houseplant game to ensure safety or finding the best enzyme cleaner for the occasional oopsie.

If your pup’s got aches and pains holding them back or occasional anxiety, CBD might be able to help bring relief. But, once again, if your pooch is being treated for a medical condition or takes medications, be sure to consult your veterinarian before adding CBD to the mix as a solution. Then, get back to those ear scratches and belly rubs, stat!