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Last Updated on February 5, 2024 by Thee Puppypreneur
CBD FOR DOGS
CBD for dogs is different from Marijuana and it is also different than certain regular Hemp supplements that you see for dogs.
In order for the CBDA cannabidiolic acid to become CBD it must be heated during extraction. 1Henry, Joshua G et al. “The effect of cannabidiol on canine neoplastic cell proliferation and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation during autophagy and apoptosis.” Veterinary and comparative oncology vol. 19,2 (2021): 253-265. doi:10.1111/vco.12669 The effect of cannabidiol on canine neoplastic cell proliferation and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation during autophagy and apoptosis – PubMed (nih.gov)
If you are interested in learning about the difference between hemp and CBD then check out our link to our other article about Hemp at the bottom of this page.
WILL CBD GET MY DOG HIGH AND IS CBD SAFE FOR DOGS
CBD is derived from the Hemp plant and is used for its active constituents. It does not get you high, what gets you high is the THC or psychoactive component in marijuana.
CBD for dogs is gaining popularity among both pets and humans for its potential therapeutic effects. It is often touted as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer. You can find CBD for dogs in the form of oils or chews.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF CBD FOR DOGS AND REASONS FOR USING CBD FOR DOGS
CANCER
Certain scientific studies have shown CBD’s effectiveness in treating cancer in conjunction with other drugs also known as combination therapy.
They have shown that CBD can not only be effective at slowing down the rapid growth of cancer cells but in initiating cell death in cancer and non-cancerous cells. 2Henry, J. G., Shoemaker, G., Prieto, J. M., Hannon, M. B., & Wakshlag, J. J. (2021). The effect of cannabidiol on canine neoplastic cell proliferation and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation during autophagy and apoptosis. Veterinary and comparative oncology, 19(2), 253–265. https://doi.org/10.1111/vco.12669 The effect of cannabidiol on canine neoplastic cell proliferation and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation during autophagy and apoptosis – PubMed (nih.gov)
ARTHRITIS
In another scientific study, dogs were given 2mg/kg or 8mg/kg of CBD oil for about 4 weeks. 3Gamble, L. J., Boesch, J. M., Frye, C. W., Schwark, W. S., Mann, S., Wolfe, L., Brown, H., Berthelsen, E. S., & Wakshlag, J. J. (2018). Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Clinical Efficacy of Cannabidiol Treatment in Osteoarthritic Dogs. Frontiers in veterinary science, 5, 165. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2018.00165
In this study all the dogs were determined to have less pain and increased mobility. They were also found to have no side effects from the CBD such as gastrointestinal upset.
However, when re-evaluating serum chemistry profiles in the blood they were also found to have higher levels of alkaline phosphatase.
“High levels of ALP in the blood may indicate bone, liver, or bile duct disease.” 4High Alkaline Phosphatase Symptoms & How to Reduce It – SelfDecode Labs
SEIZURES
In another study, where 16 dogs were evaluated on CBD oil in conjunction with antiepileptic medications.
Results were increasingly promising in reducing the frequency of seizure activity by up to 33%. The dosage was 2.5mg/kg given twice daily. 5McGrath, S., Bartner, L. R., Rao, S., Packer, R. A., & Gustafson, D. L. (2019). Randomized blinded controlled clinical trial to assess the effect of oral cannabidiol administration in addition to conventional antiepileptic treatment on seizure frequency in dogs with intractable idiopathic epilepsy. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 254(11), 1301–1308. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.254.11.1301
Again, as with the osteoarthritic dogs the seizure dogs’ ALP was also found to be elevated signifying possible elevated liver enzyme issues.
CBD was also not found to be effective in a study of reducing fear and anxiety in noise related issues in pets.
In this study cortisol levels remained unchanged in pets administered CBD and the reduction in cortisol was due to the administration of another drug called Trazodone. 6Morris, E. M., Kitts-Morgan, S. E., Spangler, D. M., McLeod, K. R., Costa, J., & Harmon, D. L. (2020). The Impact of Feeding Cannabidiol (CBD) Containing Treats on Canine Response to a Noise-Induced Fear Response Test. Frontiers in veterinary science, 7, 569565. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2020.569565
SIDE EFFECTS OF CBD FOR DOGS
CBD for dogs, products should only be used after consulting with a veterinarian.
CBD for dogs has the potential to inhibit other medications from being fully absorbed and interferes with the way a specific medication is intended to work in your pet which could cause severe side effects. 7CBD and other medications: Proceed with caution – Harvard Health
Some of the side effects of CBD for dogs are;
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Gastrointestinal upset
“CBD for dogs products are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration, but neither are common supplements such as glucosamine or fish oil; nor the majority of human-approved prescription drugs routinely prescribed in veterinary practice.” 8Does CBD Work for Dogs? – American Kennel Club (akc.org)
Check out our other articles to learn more information on related topics such as;
