Cannabidiol, or CBD, as we all call it, is one of the most promising compounds that offer a multitude of benefits. Not only do humans are enjoying its therapeutic potency, but pets are also benefiting from this miracle compound.
Did you know that more than 45% of pet owners in the United States already use CBD for their pets? In fact, the owners are giving CBD oil to their pets for a variety of reasons. In this article, we’ll mostly talk about different ways of administering CBD oil in dogs.
Before that, here are a few reasons why dog owners use this ingredient for their dogs.
Top Reasons Why Dog Owners Are Giving CBD Oil to Their Dogs
While many say CBD oil cures ailments, let’s not go there yet. But it definitely helps to manage a variety of symptoms associated with:
- Epilepsy: As per the research studies, CBD oil reduces the seizure frequency by more than 33%.
- Osteoarthritis: Clinical studies proved that giving dogs around 2 mg of CBD oil twice a day significantly decreases pain in dogs with arthritis.
- Pain/ Inflammation: CBD oil reduces pain/ inflammation, thereby allows dogs to increase their activity.
- Anxiety: CBD oil provides a calming effect in dogs who show anxious behavior.
How Does CBD Help Dogs?
Everyone knows that CBD or any other phytocannabinoids have a role to play in helping the body achieve a state of “homeostasis.” That’s how it works in humans to provide them with a plethora of benefits.
Surprisingly, like humans, dogs also have an endocannabinoid system that handles various psychological mechanisms. Since EPEA, DHEA, anandamide, and 2-AG are endocannabinoids responsible for all those mechanisms, it is a good idea to give the dogs a source to produce these endocannabinoids intrinsically. This is why adding polyunsaturated fatty acids enriched diet is very useful to support a dog’s health.
And clearly, that’s how CBD also comes into the picture. When there is a disturbance in the homeostasis and the body is unable to produce enough endocannabinoids, including CBD enables the body to act in its usual self since it supports bodily functions like regulating the immune system, bone growth, metabolic stress responses. This is why it’s helpful in the management of a variety of medical conditions as mentioned before.
But how can you give your dog this ingredient? Let’s find out now!
Different Ways to Administer CBD Oil to a Dog
● You can give the product directly to the mouth: This is the easiest way and the best way to give CBD to your dog. This is because your dog will get the recommended amount of dog.
So, based on your dog’s condition, weight, and size, you can calculate the number of drops. For instance, if you give them the product mentioned on this site, https://thecbdhaven.com/collections/nuleaf-naturals/products/nuleaf-naturals-900mg-full-spectrum-hemp-cbd-pet-oil-60mg-ml-15ml, all you have to do is draw the oil and move in towards your dog’s mouth and squeeze the contents inside the mouth. Make sure to hold the dropper carefully to avoid making your dog gag.
● You can mix the oil with their food: Everyone knows that dogs love food. In fact, if you let them, they will eat it all day. So, if you want to give them CBD, you can add CBD oil to their favorite meal. Doing so will ensure that they eat it all. It will work because the food flavors mask the taste of CBD. Make sure to start with a lower dose when mixing with food.
If you think your dog is not consuming CBD oil, you can present them as a treat. So, when you start rewarding them with CBD oil as a treat, they will begin to associate them with something positive. Ideally, experts ask dog owners to go for dry treats since such options will absorb CBD oil better.
But how much is enough?
As per a study on dogs with osteoarthritis, researchers confirmed that the most effective dosage to increase your dog’s comfort and activity levels is around 2 mg/ kg or weight. However, this study might seem a little biased since every dog reacts to the CBD differently.
So, ideally you should start with a small dose, monitor your pet’s reactions and results. And gradually adjust the dose from there. You can also consult your veterinarian to understand more about dosing and the type of products you can use for your beloved furry friend.
Wrapping up
The importance of CBD in humans is well-known. In the past few years, its importance is also increasing in the canine world. Since CBD oil is very effective for your dog in many ways, you must opt for products that are high in quality. It’s better to opt for oils derived from hemp plants since they contain no THC, making them a safe product for your dog.
Make sure to purchase it from the right vendor online. Only then can you expect high grade products. Ideally, experts suggest buying products that come with third-party testing certificates. By doing so, you can ensure the authenticity of the product.
After all, you wouldn’t want to risk the life of your beloved friend by opting for low grade products.