The beauty of cannabidiol or CBD is, it’s versatile, and works not only for humans but also for animals. Furry friends also experience a lot of things, including pain, chronic diseases, and other ailments. More than these things, dogs also experience stress and anxiety. If your pet is starting to lose its energy, doing self-harm, and barking excessively, you need to consult with a veterinarian.

On top of the antidepressants and SSRIs, pet owners can also use an all-natural relief to ease the anxiety of dogs. CBD oil is among the awesome solutions to relieve the dog’s discomfort, general pain, and other issues.

Signs of Anxiety to Dogs

One of the challenging things about having a pet is, when something’s up, they can’t communicate with their humans. For this, pet owners need to be aware of the signs that demonstrate physical and mental conditions.

For anxiety, the signs vary depending on the dog. However, there’s a common denominator, which includes lack of energy. If dogs suddenly become distant, not eager to play with humans, and lost their appetite, it must be taken seriously. Consult the professionals and consult if using all-natural alternatives can help relieve symptoms.

Common signs of anxiety to dogs include the following:

• Excessive panting and pacing
• Shivering
• Constant digging
• Destroying furniture
• Inability to settle
• Cowering in a corner
• Barking when owners aren’t around
• Self-harm, including excessive chewing and licking
• Lack of appetite

Other subtle symptoms include excessive lip licking, showing whites of the eyes, lifting a paw, and mostly looking away. Subtle body language signals mild signs of anxiety that dogs pick up over time. Without paying attention, the symptoms can become severe, like detachment to humans and other animals, dribbling pee around the place, non-stop barking, and shaking.

What is CBD Oil?

Cannabidiol oil is an extract from the hemp plant. It doesn’t produce psychoactive effects similar to the feeling of being ‘high’, but it helps relieve pain, discomfort, stress, and other ailments. This oil is extracted from the flowers and buds of cannabis and hemp, and doesn’t contain any other chemicals like Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC.

THC is responsible for the psychoactive effects, while CBD only helps with pain and other mental conditions. A good thing to know is that, hemp from marijuana contains only a maximum of 0.3 percent of THC, while the marijuana itself contains as much as 30 percent of THC. Therefore, hemp-derived oils are legal in all 50 US states, while marijuana-derived CBD oil is still considered illegal in most states.

CBD oil is backed with a wealth of studies claiming it has anti-inflammatory effects that can help relieve aggression, pain, seizures, muscle spasms, anxiety, and other neurological conditions. With these studies, many vets recommend the use of cannabidiol oil to relieve anxiety symptoms.

CBD For Dogs

A few drops of cannabidiol oil can easily relieve the anxiety of dogs. The product reduces nervous behavior, and provides a calming or soothing feeling. If the dog is stressed, they can also feel more relaxed after taking the CBD oil. Long-term use can help them live more happy, energetic, and full of life.

CBD helps release the natural mood stabilizer chemical known as serotonin. It goes through the central nervous system, organs, and the brain, which then release the serotonin production. This is also similar to other medications, which increase the production of the happy mood chemical. When it’s released, aggression can be reduced, and dogs can feel more relaxed.

Takeaway

Pets like dogs also experience anxiety, pain, and aggression. To help them cope and relieve anxiety symptoms, pet owners can utilize natural remedies including cannabidiol (CBD) oil. The furry friend can feel more energetic and relaxed upon the administration of CBD.

CBD for pets has become all the rage recently. From calming anxiety to managing pain – CBD pets is said to have a wide range of benefits and advantages. Now, before you start giving your pet CBD, there are several things you need to consider first. Watch this video from veterinarian, Dr. Jones to find out more about CBD usage for your furry friend/s.

Many American individuals or households consider dogs, cats or other domesticated animals as part of the family. According to data published by the American Pet Products Association, 60.2 million US households own at least one dog, 47.1 million at least one cat and 12.5 million at least one freshwater fish in 2017-2018. In terms of pet population, freshwater fish tops the list with 139.3 million, followed by cats with 94.2 million and dogs with 89.7 million.

Americas’ Love for Pets

And these pets are not just a mere companion; they also receive lavish treatment just like a human family member. Americans, particularly millennials, prefer to choose pets over human companions and love interests. According to the Institute for Family Studies, instead of starting a family, many 20-somethings opt to buy dogs or cats. A study by the American Pet Products Association echoed this finding, saying that 73% of this demographic own a pet.

Not only that, since 2012, these cuddly companions are getting a greater share of the personal income of their owners. As of 2017, Americans are spending $70 billion a year on products and services for their pets. Now, pooches and kitties have their spa and grooming day. They also get pampered by their owners with expensive food. In a recent The Wall Street Journal report, millennials are feeding their pets with expensive food than even well-known brands like Pedigree or Purina. In another study, this time by Nielsen, households spend around 37% on pet food every year between 2007 to 2017. With this lavish treatment, dogs and pets are not just best friends for many Americans — they are “fur children” for this cohort.

Vet Health Care

As pampered “kids,” pets now receive the best health care than in the previous generations. From 1991 to 2015 spending for veterinary care ballooned from $4.5 billion to $35 billion. As the demand for veterinary care surges, experts also forecast the pet health insurance industry to double from slightly over $1 billion in 2017 to $2 billion in 2022. The market is growing at a rate of more than 14% per year.

Pet owners like you can use their coverage to provide treatment to pets, which are getting as costly and complicated as human health care. Nowadays there are diagnostic testing with an MRI machine that costs a whopping $400 per scan. Moreover, veterinarians are now providing treatment to advance clinical conditions in animals. They are now treating dogs for depression and other mental health issues. Cats suffering from arthritis and fractures can now get water therapy.

Not only that, some veterinarians are giving holistic medical treatment to our ailing fur friends. You can now hear clinics that administer acupuncture, aromatherapy, homeopathic, chiropractic, and laser therapy. Some veterinarians also prescribe herbal supplements to avoid the dangerous side effects that your furry friends get from traditional prescription medicine.

CBD Oil for Pets

Just as the pet healthcare industry is booming, so as the medical cannabis industry in humans. Both markets saw exponential growth over the past years, and there are no signs of slowing down. The cannabis industry — particularly cannabidiol (CBD) — is expected to generate $22 billion in total sales by 2022.

In humans, CBD and other substances from marijuana and hemp are providing a host of medical benefits. More and more studies about this wonder therapeutic substance are proving its efficacy. Now that 33 states legalize medicinal marijuana, more consumers are trying to incorporate this compound to their health and wellness regimen as many patients report improvement in their condition after taking cannabis products such as CBD oil and THC oil.

Many pet owners are also giving doses of CBD oil and other products to their pets after hearing testimonials in the news or from their friends and experiencing relief first-hand. They believe that their ailing pets will receive the same benefits just like humans.

The cannabis hype becomes more resounding after the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill that lifts the ban for hemp-derived products, including cannabidiol. Now, pet care companies are including CBD oil in their products. Because CBD has no psychoactive effect, it is regarded safe by medical organizations, including the WHO. The claim of CBD’s safety and its numerous health benefits for humans and mammals attract more and more dog owners to buy these products for their ailing furry friends, many veterinarians say.

While some vet healthcare professionals are still doubtful of cannabidiol’s potency to pets because of lack of scientific research, many cannabis researchers and veterinary health specialists prescribe CBD oil mainly for the following reasons:

• All Animals Have ECS

All animals have an endocannabinoid system (ECS). Even primitive animals like sea squirts are found to have cannabinoid receptors, which comprise a considerable part of the ECS. This system in our body is responsible for balance body functions including pain and appetite. It can also influence the development of neurodegenerative disorders, rheumatoid arthritis and even some types of cancer. The CBD can stimulate the ECS, which can result in improved homeostasis and reduction in pain sensation and inflammation.

• CBD has no harmful effect on animals

Unlike THC, the other compound from cannabis with health benefits, CBD gives no “high” on animals. THC oil and other products can be dangerous to animals, said Dr Gary Richter, a veterinarian of 20 years and a cannabis researcher for pets in an interview with GreenState. He said that even a minute quantity of THC in the blood of animals could lead to various complications, including death.

CBD Health Benefits for Pets

Veterinarians and cannabis experts who look forward to the CBD as medication for pets say the compound can provide the following health benefits for animals:

• Relieves chronic and severe pain

There is no other devastating sight for a pet lover than seeing a furry friend wriggling in pain. Injecting or administering CBD oil for pain can a potent relief to a suffering pet. The cannabinoid oil can temporarily stop the body from absorbing anandamide, a neurotransmitter that helps lower pain signals in the brain.

• Reduces anxiety

Just like humans, dogs and cats too, suffer from separation anxiety and noise phobias. Dogs that experience anxiety show symptoms such as aggression, drooling, panting, urinating or defecating in the house, destructive behavior, excessive barking, restlessness, compulsive behaviors, and depression. If not treated, an anxious pooch might either act aggressively toward people or become withdrawn or inactive. CBD calm the mind and relieve stress.

• Has a potent anti-inflammatory property

Cannabidiol also has an anti-inflammatory property. For many researchers and doctors, this property is one of the main reasons this substance is highly useful in healing a wide variety of health issues.  Aside from reducing the pain from arthritis, CBD can also treat multiple sclerosis, irritable bowel disease and other conditions brought about by inflammation.

• Stops Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea and vomiting can lead to many worrisome symptoms like lack of appetite, diarrhea, dehydration, rapid weight loss, and fatigue. Many studies have proven that CBD hemp oil can control nausea and vomiting while improving appetite.

• Treats Seizures and Epilepsy

According to estimates, around 5% of dogs suffer from seizures. Most dogs with seizures given drugs like phenobarbital and potassium bromide, which can be extremely harmful to their liver and other organs. One of CBD’s most popular uses is its capacity to help treat seizures, spasms, tics, and tremors. Some studies even showed the cannabinoid oil is instrumental in restoring order to neurons that causes the seizures.

• Promotes heart health

Cannabidiol is beneficial for the heart of both humans and pets. Studies found that this compound can limit the damage from dysfunctional blood vessels and irregular heartbeat. This compound can also protect blood vessels from getting damaged and dilation of the arteries.

• Protects the nervous system

Like humans, many dogs also suffer problems in their nervous system such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurodegenerative diseases. Cannabidiol has the amazing capacity to restore damaged brain parts.

• Slows down tumor growth

Like humans, cancer and malicious tumors affect pets. Many animals receive chemotherapy as a treatment for this fatal disease. However, this treatment can lead to a variety of side effects, including fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. CBD can relieve pets from these side effects. What’s more, some studies prove the compound has anticancer effects on their body.

Recommended Dosage

Giving CBD hemp oil to your pets should be guided by a veterinarian. First, you should consult a veterinarian to make sure that the compound will not interfere with your pet’s treatments, medications or health conditions.

Most veterinarians prescribe an initial dosage of 1mg of CBD for every 10 lbs. of the pet’s body weight, once or twice a day. You can gradually increase the dosage of CBD every week until you see progress in their health. Also, take time to monitor your pet for hours after giving them CBD to ensure they are okay.

CBD oil provides a wide range of benefits for humans and pets alike. Just make sure to consult with veterinarians to avoid putting your pet pals in danger.