Discover the Benefits of Hemp for Dogs: A Guide to CBD Oil
Author: Lucie Garabášová
Is there a popular medicinal herb you can give your dog these days? Yes! It's called hemp. Dog owners are using it to help their pets with a wide range of ailments – from anxiety to arthritis to cancer.
Hemp vs. Marijuana: What's the Difference?
Are dogs going to pot? Not exactly. The cannabis dogs are taking is hemp, not marijuana. For a long time, hemp was illegal in the US and other countries because it got lumped in with other forms of hemp. Today, you can buy hemp products in your local grocery store – not just soaps and lotions, but hemp tea, hemp seed oil, hemp seeds, and hemp protein. However, the hemp that has therapeutic benefits for your dog isn’t the kind lining supermarket shelves. We’re talking about the whole herb of hemp and the extract from it - CBD oil.
How CBD Works
The cannabis plant contains a number of different chemicals, including CBD, phytocannabinoids, terpenoids, and flavonoids. Humans and other mammals have specific cannabinoid receptor sites, primarily in the brain and central nervous system, and in peripheral organs, especially immune cells. These sites make up the endocannabinoid system. Studies show that many cannabinoids have anti-inflammatory effects and can help with pain, tumors, seizures, muscle spasms, skin conditions, appetite stimulation, aggression, anxiety, and neurological disorders.
How CBD Hemp Can Help Your Dog
CBD hemp can help with both chronic and acute diseases. For chronic conditions, it can help with arthritis, compromised immune systems, stress responses, aggression, and digestive issues. Studies are also underway into CBD’s effects on Type 1 diabetes, organ diseases, and cancer.
Veterinarians are finding CBD hemp useful in treating acute ailments like sprains and strains, torn ligaments, bone breaks, and even during post-operative care to reduce swelling, pain, and stiffness. If your dog is taking conventional drugs for any of these conditions, CBD hemp oil may make it possible to use lower doses of the drugs to achieve therapeutic effects. Since conventional medicines do have side effects, this is a significant benefit of CBD.
Does It Work Fast?
As with any herbal medicine, you may not see an immediate effect for most ailments. You’ll need to be patient. Your dog may feel some pain relief in a few hours, but other symptoms like inflammation may take a few days to show improvement. Because of the low THC content, CBD hemp won’t make your dog high. The most common side effect is mild drowsiness, similar to giving your dog a Benadryl.
Case Examples
Australian Holistic veterinarian Dr. Edward Bassingthwaighte has reported success treating dogs with CBD oil. Here are a couple of cases:
- Senior Staffy with Tumor: A senior Staffy had a fast-growing tumor about 6 cm in diameter in her mammary gland. Chest x-rays showed possible metastasis. Dr. Bassingthwaighte treated her with CBD oil and other herbal medicines. The tumor shrank to nothing over three months, and she’s still going strong six months later, with no recurrence. She had multiple tumors surgically removed over the years, but it was the CBD hemp oil that made a significant difference.
- Old Jack Russell with Heart Murmur and Arthritis: An old Jack Russell with a severe heart murmur and painful arthritis received a whole plant extract containing CBD and some THC, diluted in cold-pressed hemp seed oil. After a month, he was much happier and more active, with a significantly improved heart murmur.
Dosing
Every dog is different. We recommend starting with a low dose and gradually working up to the recommended level to ensure your dog gets the right dose for their individual needs.
Start with 1 drop of CBD hemp oil per 10 lbs of your dog’s body weight per day. Give this dose for about a week, then increase to 1-2 drops per 10 lbs of body weight twice per day. As long as there are no side effects, you can increase the dose every 4 to 5 days until you see therapeutic benefits.
Possible side effects may include disorientation, hyperactivity, or excessive sedation. If you notice any of these effects, stop treatment and wait for them to go away, then restart at a lower dose. Be sure to observe your dog’s response. The key is to find a dose where you see results without side effects. With continued use, you may need to adjust the dose slightly over time to maintain therapeutic results.
Sources:
Dogs Naturally Magazine
Discover how CBD oil can benefit your dog and ensure their health and well-being.