Everything You Need to Know Before You Give Your Dog CBD

With news about the benefits of CBD cropping up everywhere, it’s no surprise that this holistic pain and anxiety treatment is now being marketed towards dogs, cats, and even horses. It makes sense that the therapeutic benefits of this toxin-free, plant-based compound are being considered as a means to alleviate the aches and pains of arthritis in animals.

And who wouldn’t want to make it easier to help Buster the dog get around in his golden years if an easy-to-take, chemical-free answer is just a few drops away? Pet CBD can help address some of the same health issues that humans face.

Want to help your pet stay calmer or promote better skin health? By reducing overall inflammation, your pet is likely to experience improved mobility and less pain, making day-to-day living a bit brighter for Man’s Best Friend.

A 2018 study at Cornell University suggests that two mg/kg of CBD twice daily can help increase comfort and activity in dogs with osteoarthritis. The results were significant with over 80 percent of the dogs taking the CBD oil showing “significant improvement in discomfort levels and quality of life” without discernible side-effects, researchers said.

In fact, the AKC Canine Health Foundation recently announced that it would fund more than $2 million in research to study the use of CBD in treating drug-resistant epilepsy in dogs. According to Dr. Stephanie McGrath, a board-certified veterinary neurologist at Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, as many as 30 percent of dogs that receive standard anti-epileptic therapy (pharmaceuticals) still have seizures.

CBD offers hope. This non-psychotropic component of the Cannabis sativa plant has already been shown to have anticonvulsant properties and is an ingredient in the FDA-approved epilepsy drug Epidiolex for the treatment of seizures associated with two rare and severe forms of epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and Dravet syndrome.

The Colorado epilepsy study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial study that will be used to prove the effectiveness of CBD.

But what does it all mean? Mostly that CBD may become a documented and valid option in the future for treating an array of ailments in pets.

“The timeliness and importance of research into the role of Cannabis in veterinary medicine cannot be emphasized enough,” stated Dr. McGrath. “With the changing public perception of Cannabis, it is time that we put science behind the stories and claims. We need to know if this drug is safe and if it works. If CBD is effective for treating epilepsy, it has the potential to save the lives of dogs around the world.”

Much is still not known about the benefits of CBD, a born-in-nature extract that has proven to be beneficial to humans in treating anxiety, pain, stress, and sleeplessness. It would stand to reason that the same cannabinoids that interact with the nervous systems of humans would have similar effects in pets. Cannabinoids help maintain balance in the body and keep it in a normal healthy state in humans, and it is predicted to be the same in pets.

It’s important to remember that CBD is unregulated and not FDA-approved at this time, and that an official dosing chart hasn’t been issued. As a result, check with your veterinarian before using it, and then give your pet small, closely-monitored amounts to make sure it is well-tolerated.

DOSING YOUR DOG

So how do you figure out how much CBD oil to give your pet if there aren’t official FDA guidelines? Manufacturers suggest that pet owners proceed with caution and watch their pet’s reaction to the product carefully. In other words, go slow.

Mission Farms suggests administering 2.5mg of CBD per 10 pounds of your pet’s weight if the animal is experiencing moderate discomfort or stressed behavior. If the discomfort is more severe, Mission Farms suggests doubling the dose, noting that the effects of the CBD tend to last four to six hours.

CBD oil can be placed directly into the pet’s mouth, squeezed onto a plate, added to their food, or mixed with a treat like peanut butter, the website states.

WATCH FOR POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS

CBD-related side effects in pets are possible but little research has been done on the subject. It’s best to dose your pets modestly and watch them closely afterward to see how they react. The following are some possible side effects to watch for:

1. Dry mouth: For dogs or cats, watch to see if they are drinking more. Studies have shown that CBD can decrease the production of saliva.
2. Lowered blood pressure: Temporary drops in blood pressure have been documented in relation to CBD use. A minor drop in blood pressure might create a sensation of lightheadedness, but it could be difficult to detect in a pet.
3. Drowsiness: The calming effect of CBD, which is often used to treat anxiety, could cause sleepiness, depending on the dose.

SHOP CBD PET PRODUCTS: CHECK OUT THESE 11 TRUSTED COMPANIES

NULEAF NATURALS

This Colorado-based company was founded in 2014 and is committed to creating the world’s highest quality CBD products in their most pure and potent form. The company offers full-spectrum CBD oil which contains no additives and is made from organic hemp, extracted with CO2 technology.

Their pet products include CBD oil for pets ranging from 300 mg to 1800 mg in strength.

NuLeaf uses independent labs to ensure the purity of its CBD and to guarantee its products contain the optimal amount of cannabinoids and terpenes. The company’s organic hemp is grown in Colorado.

• Local hemp
• Free shipping
• Good testing practices
• One potency
• Strict return policy

This South Carolina-based company was founded in 2018 and is known for its high-quality, American-grown, USDA-certified organic hemp and certified-organic MCT oil. The dosage is slightly lower at 10 milligrams per milliliter. Founder John Roulac has been working in the industry for 20 years and is a firm believer that healthy soil creates healthy plants. The company curates only the highest quality, golden, full-spectrum, plant-based hemp extracts from organic U.S.-grown hemp. Their Certificate of Analysis (CoA), or lab results, is posted on their website.

Their pet products include a hemp tincture for pets.

The company practices regenerative agriculture, a holistic land management practice that leverages the power of photosynthesis in plants to close the carbon cycle and build soil health, crop resilience, and nutrient density.

• USDA-certified organic
• Robust testing
• Solid return policy
• Only one pet option
• Newer company

JOY ORGANICS

This Texas-based, family-founded CBD company was started in 2018 and is a member of the U.S. Hemp Roundtable that works with the best growers, manufacturers, and distributors of the hemp-derived phytocannabinoids in the United States.

Their pet products include CBD dog treats and CBD oil tincture for pets. Their website says their farming processes include water-saving practices as well as implementing the “sea of green” approach in which they grow hemp plants that mature quickly in higher density. The process is aimed at reducing herbicide usage.

Joy Organics’ extraction facility is cGMP compliant. They use a proprietary hemp extraction and purification process that involves supercritical CO2, creating the highest quality broad-spectrum hemp oil available. They also perform third-party lab testing and offer certification of analysis available online to consumers.

• Reliable return policy
• Two potency options
• Newer company

CBDMD

This North Carolina-based company was founded in 2015 and offers a special blend of cannabinoids and terpenes drawn strictly from non-GMO, Kentucky-grown hemp. The brand received special permission from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture as a member of their Industrial Hemp Pilot Program.

Their pet products include CBD oil tincture for dogs and cats in dosages ranging from 150 mg to 3000 mg in strength.

The base of all their CBD oil tinctures is Superior Broad Spectrum CBD extract and pure MCT oil. Each CBD tincture batch includes precisely measured amounts of CBD, cannabigerol, cannabinol, and all the other benefits of hemp, while still staying THC-free. Some of their products are also vegan, gluten-free, and organic. The company also does third-party lab testing.

• Reasonable prices
• Many options
• Unclear testing practices

CHARLOTTE’S WEB

This Colorado-based company was founded in 2011 as a hemp cultivar that was bred by the Stanley Brothers to have high levels of non-intoxicating CBD. The company’s hemp provides CBD, CBC, CBG, and other beneficial phytocompounds in their full-spectrum extract tinctures. According to the brand’s website, “over 50 percent of Charlotte’s Web cultivation fields are in process of being certified organic by USDA recognized agencies, and are expected to receive this designation for the 2019 harvest.” Also, their “remaining fields are transitioning to organic certification.”

Pet products include CBD calming chews for dogs, hip & joint chews for dogs, chews for senior dogs, and canine hemp-infused balm.

All of Charlotte’s Web’s manufacturing processes and facilities are third-party verified for compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices. Charlotte’s Web doesn’t use chemical pesticides or herbicides on their plants and in accordance with current good manufacturing practices (cGMP), they perform a full battery of tests including microbiological contamination, heavy metals, potency, and residual solvents. They do not use GMOs in any of their ingredients or extraction processes. The company also offers consumers a certificate of analysis (COA) for cannabinoid potency that supports their label information.

• Trusted brand
• Solid return policy
• Moderate pricing
• Only one potency

SPRUCE

This North Carolina-based company was founded in 2018 and is a family-owned business. The company website describes the business as being founded “in the belief that modern medicine is broken and in need of alternatives to dangerous pharmaceuticals.” The website says the company produces American-made, highest quality, lab-grade CBD that is third-party tested.

The company’s pet products include CBD oil for dogs.

The website says their CBD oil for pets is the same as their human lab grade, full spectrum CBD oil but bottled especially for dogs. Their 750 mg Dog CBD Oil is formulated with MCT coconut oil, thought to be gentler on an animal’s stomach.

• Excellent reviews
• Ships to all 50 states
• Subscribe and save program available
• Limited amount of products
• Lack of educational information on the website

MISSION FARMS

This Oregon-based CBD producer was founded in 2018 with a mission of crafting blends of cbd oil with essential oils and terpenes. The company’s aim was to help people experience relief from discomfort, inflammation, stress, stress, insomnia, skin rashes, and other issues in an all-natural way.

Mission Farms cites a philosophy of “Farm-to-Family.” “This means we own and manage our farms, cultivating the highest quality hemp plants with our hand-harvested care. We bring our artisan, full-spectrum CBD products directly to you, without a middleman, so you get the highest quality at the best price,” the website states.

Their pet products include pet CBD oil.

Their products are organically farmed and non-GMO, grown in the nutrient-rich, volcanic soil of Oregon State, soaked with the natural sunlight of our summer climate, fed daily by the waters of the Deschutes River, therapeutic-grade for the most medical benefits, pesticide-free, chemical-free, and all-natural and planted, tended, and harvested by hand.

• Sourced from Oregon
• Trusted brand
• Seed to shelf operation
• Cats may not appreciate the beef flavor as well as dogs
• As it is full-spectrum, it contains trace amounts of THC

4 CORNERS CANNABIS

This Colorado-based company was founded in 2013 by two brothers who had spent years perfecting their growing techniques. All 4 Corners Cannabis Hemp Flowers and CBD products are third-party lab tested for purity and potency. The founders began experimenting with CBD genetics in 2013 after decades of working with other cannabis strains, focusing on CBD dominant cannabis genetics.

Their pet products include a pet tincture, which contains no added limonene (a terpene some animals are sensitive to) and comes in three potencies.

• Several potencies
• Trusted company
• Strong hemp flavor
• Strict return policy

BESPOKE EXTRACTS

This Florida-based company was founded in 2017 and offers products that are available as full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolates, all with unique properties. All of their hemp is grown responsibly in Kentucky and Colorado. Bespoke Extracts chooses to operate from an FDA registered cGMP manufacturing center that’s also a licensed USDA organic facility. This ensures their products are manufactured to specific requirements including identity, strength, quality, and purity.

Bespoke’s pet products include a bacon-flavored CBD tincture in 500 mg. Bespoke Extracts uses CO2 extraction technology to pull CBD from the hemp. This is an environmentally friendly process that ensures consumers will receive the best purity and potency on the market. The company’s hemp extractions are safe, allergen-free, organic, and vegan. They are also ethically sourced, responsibly manufactured, and tested for unsurpassed purity and potency. The company also uses an independent third-party to double test their oils so consumers know that they are buying the purest, most effective, premium CBD oil on the market.

• Trusted company
• Two flavors of tinctures in two strengths
• Limited number of products

This Colorado-based company was founded in 2016 with a mission to de-stigmatize hemp. According to their website, Populum’s high-end products have earned them a reputation as a leader in the CBD Industry with a high level of transparency and third-party lab testing results. The company offers a risk-free 30-day trial on its products.

Pet products include calming hemp oil and hemp pet chews. The pet CBD oil is formulated at a lower potency to meet the unique needs of breeds of different sizes, and it comes in two concentrations— 150 or 300 mg.

• Easy dosing
• Reputable brand
• Restrictive return policy
• High cost per milligram

HEMPLUCID

This Idaho-based company was founded in 2016, built on the premise that “lucidity builds a community of trust.” The company offers batch-numbered lab reports and extensive product information, so consumers know exactly what they are getting.

Pet products include a full-spectrum CBD chicken-flavored tincture for dogs and a full-spectrum CBD fish-flavored tincture for cats.

• Great customer reviews
• Complete lab reports
• Free shipping
• More expensive than most

IN CONCLUSION

Remember, if you decide that CBD products are right for your pet, make sure to choose products that are high-quality, tested, and chemical-free. Not all CBD products are created equal and it’s important to do your research and purchase the products from a reputable company. Organic products should be free of pesticides, fungicides, and solvents. Also, make sure to look for the manufacturer’s certificate that states how much CBD is in the product. Verify that there is little or no THC in the product. It’s also better to purchase CBD as a liquid because liquids are easier for adjusting dosages. However, dog treats do come in chews.

You love your pet and want them to live healthy, happy lives. CBD products are just another therapeutic way to make your pet’s life even better.