CBD Oil for Dogs: An Overview for First Timers

While some people may consider dogs as ordinary pets, some dog owners don’t see them as ordinary at all. In fact, they are treated equally with every other member of the family, which is not a bad thing. Of course, just like the way parents would go out of their way to ensure that their kids are healthy, pet parents also try to do all they can to keep their pets energetic, and healthy.

It is because of this responsibility to keep their pet healthy that many dog owners today, especially those with dogs that suffer from anxiety, are turning to CBD oil treatment for their ailing pets. Don’t get me wrong, other types of anxiety treatments exist, they work great, and are prescribed by vets, however, in the long-term, they often cause damage to certain organs, and may not be as effective as CBD treatment.

If you’re a dog parent and are new to CBD, CBD oil, and everything about this chemical, we’ll try to address all the major concerns or questions you may have in this article. Chances are that like many parents who were skeptical at first about this chemical, you may be too. Let’s get started!

What is CBD?

Of course, if you’re new, you may still be unclear about what this chemical is and why it is suddenly on the lips of many consumers. Well, CBD is the short form of cannabidiol. Cannabidiol is a cannabinoid that exists naturally in cannabis, in fact, it is one of over 100 other cannabinoids, and one of over 480 chemicals that occur naturally in the plant. Click here to learn more about cannabinoids.

Although it has grown in popularity as an effective treatment for anxiety, the chemical has been found to also be effective in treating several other illnesses, including cancer, epilepsy, and arthritis, to mention a few. Cannabidiol like many other cannabinoids is therapeutic, however, it is one of the most talked-about cannabinoids.

Is it Legal?

Cannabidiol is legal, in fact, it is legal in all the states in the U.S. today, but it wasn’t always so. The legal status of this cannabinoid was heavily debated until 2018 when the Farm Bill which legalized the usage and consumption of hemp was passed into law. While cannabidiol is legal, because the law is relatively new, some states still have state laws on the use and consumption of the chemical.

What’s the Relationship Between CBD and Marijuana?

This question gets asked a lot by people who are yet to fully understand cannabidiol, and by those who although may have read all there is to know about the chemical, just prefer to allow the controversy to hang around. To set things straight, the only connection that CBD and marijuana or weed have is that they are both associated with the cannabis plant.

They are different from each other in the sense that CBD is a cannabinoid (a chemical), while marijuana is an actual plant. Marijuana is one of two popular species of the cannabis plant.

Will CBD Get My Dog High?

This particular concern is understandable because marijuana which a lot of people seem to think is the source of CBD is known to produce a high when consumed. However, unlike weed which contains a psychoactive chemical, cannabidiol will not cause a high.

Cannabidiol cannot produce a high because as mentioned, it is not psychoactive like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Tetrahydrocannabinol is also a cannabinoid like cannabidiol, the main difference between the two being that THC is psychoactive. Both THC and CBD occur naturally in marijuana, however, the former is more abundant and is the reason you get high when you consume weed. Visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetrahydrocannabinol to learn more about THC.

So, where is CBD Actually Gotten From?

Like we mentioned earlier, cannabis has two popular species, namely marijuana and hemp. Hemp is the primary source of commercially available cannabidiol. This is because, unlike weed which has an abundant supply of THC, hemp is mostly composed of CBD and has only about 0.3% THC, which according to research is too small a quantity to cause any serious effect to the brain.

What Illnesses Can CBD Help Treat?

Most people know cannabidiol to be a type of anxiety treatment, however, it can be used to treat several other illnesses like:

• Cancer: Cancer is a major concern in dogs, especially older dogs. But several studies and research have found that the chemical can slow down, and in some cases, halt the growth of cancer cells in dogs. It has also been found to treat cancer symptoms like pain and vomiting.
• Arthritis: There is a significant number of dogs that suffer from joint pains and some pet owners whose dog falls into this category have turned to CBD treatment. These dog owners report that after they began administering the treatment, the pains reduced, and their pet became livelier. A study carried out by researchers at Cornell University also revealed that dogs receiving cannabidiol treatment showed a decrease in pain.

What is CBD Oil?

CBD oils are one of the many cannabidiol products available for pet owners to choose from when considering CBD treatment for their pets. That said, oils are a more popular choice because they appear to be the best way to get the dosage right. Also, the effect of the cannabinoid seems to be felt way faster than when it is consumed in form of treats. You can check out some pethempcompany dog products to get started on the best hemp products for your dog.

There are two types of cannabidiol oil available on the market. They are:

• Full-spectrum cannabidiol oil (contains THC, which makes it not suitable for dogs)
• Broad-spectrum cannabidiol oil (doesn’t contain THC, makes it the best choice for dogs)

Conclusion

When it comes to cannabidiol, the dosage is extremely important. The dose you administer to your dog determines if you’ll get the desired result without any side effects, with side effects, or no result at all. No need to panic, the side effects are not life-threatening, they are usually stomach aches and slight drowsiness which will only be experienced when you administer a high dose to your pet.