Can My Dog Benefit From CBD?

German Shepard CBD

We understand that your dog is part of the family and you only want to give them the best. Did you know that CBD works for your dog the same way it works for you, by interacting with the receptors of the largest regulatory system in the body, the endocannabinoid system (ECS)? This regulatory system influences every essential bodily function including the processes responsible for pain perception, immune system function, inflammation, emotional responses, digestion, and more.

What is CBD Oil?

Firstly let’s answer the most basic question: What is CBD oil? CBD oil is made by extracting CBD and all the active cannabinoids from the hemp plant and then make into a highly concentrated liquid herbal extraction. The extraction is then diluted with a carrier oil, like coconut oil or hemp seed oil. The bottled oil can be made into different concentrations and have a natural flavor or have added flavors.

CBD or cannabidiol is just one of over 80 natural plant compounds found abundantly in the hemp plant. Cannabis Sativa is the biological name for hemp, which is a member of the cannabis plant family. Unlike marijuana which is another member of the cannabis family containing THC as its most active ingredient, the hemp plants most active compound is CBD cannabidiol. This means that there is none of the “high” psychoactive effects that are often associated with marijuana.

Is CBD Oil Safe For Dogs?

Questions when buying CBD for your pet to make sure you’re getting a safe, effective product.

One of the most common questions for pet owners, “Is CBD safe?” The short answer? Yes CBD is generally regarded as safe for dogs. If the CBD oil is properly sourced, manufactured & grown in USA, and third-party lab tested, then your dog should be able to use CBD without any issues. With so many unknown and unsourced pet CBD products flooding the market, it’s important to do your research, because not all products are made from the same process or origin.

  • Is the hemp organically USA grown?
  • Has the product been third-party lab tested?
  • Are all the ingredients clearly listed
  • Does it have instructions based on your pet’s weight?
  • Is it made with premium hemp-derived CBD?
  • Is the product THC Free or contain less than 0.3% THC, legal, non-psychoactive amount?
Dog Sleeping

Why Do Dog Owners Give Their Dog CBD?

The reasons people give CBD to their pets vary widely: to help older pets stay comfortable, support mobility, sustain overall wellness for both dogs and cats. Scientific studies are wide and numerous but currently running behind the growing popularity of CBD oil for pets. Soon enough, the trend of CBD and pets will no longer be a trend but commonplace. Like you, your pet has a built-in regulatory endocannabinoid system, geared to respond to the therapeutic potential of CBD products. Since so many people have seen positive results for themselves, it only makes sense that they want to provide their dogs the same benefits. CBD offers overall wellness support for both people and pets. Because dogs and humans have the endocannabinoid system, CBD can positively affect bodily systems in many of the same ways. CBD may offer several benefits, like supporting a sense of calm, helping manage daily stress, providing arthritic and joint support for an older dog, and complementing a pet’s regular wellness routine.

Hemp extract is a safe and natural product that provides benefits far beyond its reported ability to alleviate a significant number of symptoms. Your dog does not need to be experiencing severe symptoms to benefit from the health and wellness potential of hemp-derived CBD.

Why Your Veterinarian Might Not Want to Talk About CBD

Our trusted veterinarians should always be our first go-to resource for all essential health questions about our pets.

That being said many pet owners have reported being frustrated at their vet’s lack of interest or experience on the topic of CBD oil. In fact, it seems everyone is talking about CBD – except veterinarians!

Veterinarians are typically hesitant to recommend a supplement that they don’t sell themselves without some scientific backing and professional or personal experience. One of the biggest reasons your vet may not want to talk to you about CBD is some veterinarian boards prohibit them from discussing any cannabis related treatment. This prohibition is despite the fact that CBD from hemp is legal in all 50 states.

While your local veterinarian may not be up to date or able to talk about CBD, some prominent veterinarians are:

Dr. Karen Becker, one of the most well-know, well-loved, and respected holistic veterinarians in the world writes: “When it comes to pain management, there’s a significant amount of evidence that supports the use of CBD. And since cannabinoids work differently in the body than narcotics and also non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, they can be used together without the risk of drug interactions.”

Dogs Ranch

What Is the Best Way to Give CBD to Your Dog?

Some pet owners rely on CBD-infused dog treats for their CBD supplement. These pre-packaged treats are often manufactured using low-grade hemp oil that is heated during baking further reducing their efficacy. That’s why CBD researchers and knowledgeable pet lovers recommend using CBD pet tinctures. Pet tinctures allow pet lovers more say in the purity and potency in the products they give their canine family members. Plus, CBD pet tinctures are more versatile, with the ability to adjust the dosage.

CBD oil tinctures are an easy way to add by directly dropping over their favorite food or even make your own homemade dog treats and add some drops on top. The American Kennel Club weighs in with (more information on safety-AKC link) and advises using tinctures, especially when getting your pet started on the CBD products, as it is easier to control the amount you give your pets and introduce them to CBD. Of course, every dog will react to CBD differently, so always follow the recommended serving sizes on the package. CBD builds up in the system over time, so it’s best to use it regularly for 3-4 weeks before adjusting the serving size for desired results.

Should I Give My Dog CBD Oil?

After reading to this point, you may be asking, “Should I give my dog CBD?” If you have read this far, you’re in a better position to answer that question. Here are some pros and cons that may help you make a decision about CBD for your pets.

Pros:

  • Made from Nature
  • Can help with pain management for older pets
  • Non Pharmaceutical option
  • Easy to use, adjust and serve to your pet
  • Supports overall Health and Wellness
  • Available without a prescription
  • Can help anxiety from a variety of issues and stressors
  • Easy to adjust the dosage for maximum results
  • No reported side effects or drug interactions when used properly

Cons:

  • Some dogs may not react to CBD
  • Can cause drowsiness if they take more than recommended serving
  • Some CBD brands can be more expensive than others
  • Quality of product can vary from brand to brand
  • Not all CBD brands are lab tested to ensure potency and purity
  • Some veterinarians unwilling to discuss implementing CBD products

Where Do I Buy Pet CBD Oil Tinctures?

Now that you have a greater understanding of CBD, your next question may be where to buy CBD oil for your pet. You can buy CBD pet tinctures online, and in specialty retail shops like pet stores and dispensaries. One of the downsides of buying CBD oil at a retail stores like pet shops and dispensaries is the lack of quality control. Since retailers are often purchasing products from external extractors, they often don’t provide lab reports or purity analysis. If a company makes outlandish claims about their product, be aware. Only buy from companies that can provide the science behind their products. Much like social media advertising, anyone can claim to sell CBD oil.

When you purchase CBD oil direct from a companies like Nature’s Legend with information about their farming and manufacturing process and verified third-party lab reports, you know you’re getting the best in high quality CBD oil. The most important factor in choosing a brand is knowing the quality of the product. A Certificate of Analysis from a third-party lab helps ensure that the manufacture’s products are made to the exact specification that labeled are on the bottle. All of Nature’s Legends products have a lab report online and a QR code on each product guaranteeing potency and purity. Certificates of analysis are designed to help keep customers safe and informed, but also to help emphasize quality. This is one of the reasons Nature’s Legend is considered an industry leader in product quality, value, safety and consistency. Now that you know more about CBD oil for dogs, you should have a good idea of how to make decisions about using CBD oil with your own dog and how to get started. Here at Nature’s Legend we aim to help you in many aspects of pet parenting including finding the very best CBD products for your beloved canine companions. We all want our best friends to be and feel their best. Whether you have a high energy active dog, a lovable couch-potato pooch, or a canine companion that falls somewhere in between, CBD might be the perfect addition to their lives.