Health Benefits of CBD for Pets!

The Health Benefits of CBD for Pets

By Debbie L.

Bay Mountain AG

 

CBD is a non-psychoactive, hemp-derived compound of the cannabis plant that has therapeutic and medicinal properties. It does not contain any THC and can be a valuable addition to your dog’s healthcare routine.

 

CBD works with our Endocannabinoid System, which is found in both humans and our canine friends. This interaction opens a wide range of wellness possibilities for our pets in the areas of:

 Fears, Stress, and Separation Anxiety.

Anxiety in dogs often shows as frequent barking, chewing, urinating or defecating in the home, tremors, and aggression.  Many dogs suffer from anxiety due to separation, loud noises, and changes in routine. CBD can help dogs alleviate anxiety by promoting a sense of calm, making stressful situations more manageable. 

 Pain Management and Inflammation.

CBD’s natural anti-inflammatory properties can assist pets in managing pain associated with conditions like arthritis, joint pain, or injuries, improving mobility and enhancing your dog’s comfort.

 Overall Wellness

CBD’s interaction with the endocannabinoid system can promote a state of balance and hemostasis in your dog, supporting their overall health and immune functions.

 Picking a CBD product for your dog.

 Have a trustworthy CBD source. The tincture should be designed for pets, with full ingredient transparency, no unnecessary additives, and third party tested for strength and purity. 

 Find a product that allows you to administer it in easy doses.

Consider what will work best for your pet. If a dropper of oil in mouth or on food is better for them than on a doggie treat, be sure there are graduated dropper markings (like ours) to easily match the CBD dosage to your pet’s weight.

 Dosage matters.

There is no ‘one size fits all’ CBD solution. Factors such as your dog’s size, activity level, metabolism, and condition with all impact how CBD works for them.  A CBD dose for anxiety may be different than one for joint pain.

 It is important to know how the dog responds to CBD under normal conditions, so you can use it effectively. Try to give the CBD dose at the same time every day, same amount for three days and watch how your pet responds at 30 minutes.

 As a rule of thumb, we recommend 2 mg CBD for every 10 pounds of body weight.  It’s ok to round up or down when determining dosage. If your calculations say your dog should get 5.6 mg of CBD, and it’s more convenient to measure 6 mg of CBD, then go ahead and do it.  CBD is safe and natural. Don’t worry if your pet gets a little more or less than needed while you figure things out.

 It’s best to administer CBD at least 20 minutes before meals, (on an empty stomach).  Most dogs start responding to CBD within 40 minutes.

 If your dog isn’t responding the way you want hoped, increase the dosage by half.  Continue until you find the dose that seems to work for their constitutions.

 CBD doses last from 4 to 8 hours. Depending on the severity of the pet concern, or on particularly stressful days, giving multiple doses a day is common. For daily support, it is usually sufficient to give a lower dose one time a day.

 If using CBD for stress or muscle pain, consider splitting the dose to two times a day to help with consistency.

 Finding the right dosage for dogs is crucial as its effectiveness can vary from one dog to another. Consulting your vet before starting a CBD program is advisable, especially if your pet has underlying health issues or is taking other medications.

 PS:  Just wanted to add for our busy/working pet parents (and who isn't?), that an anxious dog is sometimes an under-exercised dog!  If you are looking for someone who can help you there, we love Barks & Recreation! They are reliable, professional, and serve much of SE CT.  They are great with our pets!  Contact them at barksandrecct.com !