CBD (cannabidiol) oil supplement for both pets CBD is derived from the hemp plant but does not contain THC, the psychoactive component in marijuana. It makes it non-intoxicating and generally safe to use. CBD oil has gained particular traction among dog owners to relieve their pets’ anxiety, pain, seizures, cancer symptoms, and more.
Relieving anxiety and stress
- The top reasons dog owners are using cbd oil for dogs are to relieve anxiety issues like separation anxiety, noise phobias (especially those loud, scary fireworks on the 4th of July!), travel anxiety, and generalized anxious behaviors.
- Dogs have a system that produces natural cannabinoids that interact with cannabinoid receptors in the nervous system. It helps regulate mood, pain perception, inflammation, sleep, memory, and more. CBD supplements enhance this system to help get anxiety under control.
- Studies indicate that CBD affects serotonin receptors in the brain which influence social behavior and feelings of fear and anxiety. One study on dogs found over 3 quarters showed improvements in anxiety symptoms after taking CBD twice a day for only a month. These calming effects help dogs stay relaxed rather than becoming overwhelmed by stressful situations.
Pain relief
Canine joint pain and arthritis are other common reasons dog owners reach for the CBD. Just like humans, dogs suffer from acute injuries, hip and elbow dysplasia, and general joint degeneration leading to chronic pain. This not only reduces their quality of life but causes them to act out with aggression or anxious behaviors. There’s evidence that CBD relieves inflammatory and neuropathic pain in dogs by reducing the release of pro-inflammatory substances in the body while activating pain-relieving receptors. One Cornell study found over 80% of dogs had pain relief and increased activity levels after taking CBD oil for osteoarthritis.
Fighting cancer
For dogs suffering from malignant cancers like lymphoma or hemangiosarcoma, many owners are also now exploring CBD as an adjunct treatment. There is early research in lab animals indicating CBD stops cancer cells from growing and spreading while promoting tumor cell death. However, more studies still need to be done to confirm anti-cancer effects. In the meantime, CBD is excellent for reducing cancer symptoms and side effects in dogs. The potent anti-inflammatory properties help minimize swelling, stiffness, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, etc. This can dramatically improve quality of life by stimulating appetite and reducing pain. The calming effects also control anxiety in noisy, over stimulating veterinary clinics.
CBD is especially helpful for mitigating the effects of chemotherapy and medications without interfering with their efficacy. Best of all, CBD provides palliative pain relief without the extreme sedative effects of most prescription pain medications. Dogs can remain comfortably awake and mobile which dog owners strongly prefer.
CBD is 100% natural – Made directly from hemp or cannabis plants, CBD oil contains all the beneficial cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes of the plant without any artificial or risky additives. This makes it very appealing for health-conscious pet owners looking to treat a variety of issues safely long-term without the concerns of typical pharmaceutical interventions.
Less expensive than meds – A high-quality CBD supplement costs anywhere from $0.05 to $0.20 per dose for a 50-pound dog. Compare this to common prescription medications like Prozac or NSAID pain relievers that easily cost over $2 per dose – and require much more frequent dosing. The savings add up fast while keeping dogs happier and healthier.
