Did you know that the cannabis plant contains over 400 unique chemical entities, at least 60 of which are cannabinoid compounds?
One of the most well-known of those cannabinoid compounds is cannabidiol or CBD. And while the CBD industry is booming among human consumers, so too is the market for CBD for pets.
The benefits of CBD oil for dogs include the potential for treating specific ailments such as anxiety and inflammation. But even if your animal is in good general health, CBD oil is a safe and effective way to promote overall well being.
Keep reading to learn more about all the benefits of CBD oil for dogs.
Table of Contents
Promotes Well Being
CBD promotes well being in both humans and animals through the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This biological system consists of endocannabinoids and their receptors.
The CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors interact with cannabinoids naturally produced in your brain. The purpose of the system is to create homeostasis. Homeostasis refers to internal balance, where all biological systems are functioning at their very best.
But those receptors can also respond to plant-derived cannabinoids. Cannabinoids like CBD work with the ECS in the same way as our natural cannabinoids. It’s capable of eliciting various positive responses.
The ECS is present in mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and possibly even invertebrates. So your dog has an ECS that functions in the same way as your own. Which is why CBD oil can encourage homeostasis for them all well.
In particular, CBD has an influence on your dog’s:
- Appetite
- Metabolic rate
- Energy
- Mood
- Immune responses
- Sleep habits
- Hormone production
It can also promote neurological health, cardiovascular function, and helps support healthy joints.
It’s Safe
Questions regarding the safety of CBD oil come down to the difference between CBD and THC. Whereas THC is tox to dogs, one of the biggest benefits of CBD oil for dogs is that it’s totally safe.
Like CBD, THC is a cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. But unlike CBD, THC is psychoactive. It’s the chemical compound that creates the mind-altering effects of cannabis.
CBD is non-psychoactive and doesn’t cause you, or your dog, to get high. This is why it’s important to look for CBD oil that derived from agricultural or medicinal hemp. Click to learn more about buying the best CBD oil for your pet.
The hemp form of cannabis is rich in cannabinoids like CBD but low in THC. In fact, to be legal, hemp-derived CBD must contain less 0.3% THC. In those amounts, there is no effect on your dog.
In addition to that, CBD itself is completely non-toxic. There’s also no way to overdose on CBD. Instead, the most severe side effect you’ll notice is sedation or an over-active appetite.
Full of Nutrients
There are two types of CBD oil: full-spectrum and isolate.
An isolate only contains CBD, and it’s been stripped of other cannabinoids and terpenes. A full-spectrum, on the other hand, contains all the original cannabinoids and terpenes of the cannabis plant. It also retains all the nutrients found in cannabis, including:
- B complex vitamins
- Calcium
- Essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Magnesium
With just a few drops per day, you can get your dog all these dietary nutrients. They’ll help your pet’s mind and body function efficiently and effectively.
Numerous Health Benefits of CBD Oil For Dogs
The health benefits of CBD oil for dogs are very similar to those from humans. We explain each of these health benefits in more detail below.
Pain Management
Perhaps one of the most well-known benefits of CBD oil is its pain-killing abilities. It’s believed that CBD works on pain through its effect on anandamide.
Anandamide is a chemical that dampens pain signals that go to the brain. CBD can temporarily increase the absorption of that chemical. In this way, the sensations of pain are reduced in both humans and animals.
Anti-Inflammation
Related to pain management are the anti-inflammatory benefits of CBD oil for dogs. By activating CBD receptors located in your immune cells, CBD creates a number of responses.
Among those responses is fighting inflammation throughout the body. This is how CBD treats the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, arthritis, IBS, and other inflammatory conditions and diseases.
Anticonvulsant
CBD can also help controls spasms, tics, tremors, and even seizures. Although researchers aren’t sure how it works, CBD is a powerful anticonvulsant. It can be used to treat dogs with seizures or even simple tics and spasms.
Antiemetic
An antiemetic is something that helps control nausea and vomiting. CBD is antiemetic that can replace other anti-nausea and vomiting medications for dogs. Many of the antiemetic medications for dogs have serious side effects, including:
- Lack of appetite
- Hypotension
- Lowered seizure thresholds for animals with epilepsy
- Lethargy
- Strong sedation
- Excessive drooling
- Diarrhea
Vomiting and nausea can have other consequences. They may lead to rapid weight loss, dehydration, and extreme fatigue. And not only does CBD prevent those side effects, but it’s also effective for stimulating the appetite.
Stress Reduction
Your dog can get stressed in the same way you do. Although it’s caused by different circumstances, stress carries all the same negative effects for dogs as it does for humans. And pets can have anxiety and phobias as well.
Your dog may be stressed if they show any of these symptoms:
- Chewing on furniture, shoes, etc.
- Persistent barking
- Urinating and defecating inside the home or in their crate
- Shaking or tremors
- Aggression
But CBD has a positive effect on reducing stress and alleviating anxiety. Whether your dog’s stress and anxiety are caused by separation, noise, or travel, CBD can help to calm them down.
Lifestyle Advice and Info
The benefits of CBD oil for dogs include overall improvements in well being as well as health benefits like anti-anxiety and anti-inflammation. CBD is completely safe and non-toxic and it’s also full of dietary nutrients that will promote better health. Just be sure to find a hemp-derived CBD oil for your dog and to talk to your vet before you start using it.
And for more lifestyle advice and info, be sure to check out our blog!
