For pet parents, one of the most important parts of their jobs is taking care of their pets and making sure that they are in good health and good shape. Part of this involves administering needed medications either daily or when their pet is ill. CBD is a drug that helps in this regard. It makes taking care of your dog easy and at the same time keeps them in good health.
CBD, otherwise called cannabidiol, is one of the substances found in the hemp plant. Other compounds found in the plant include tetrahydrocannabinol, terpenes, flavonoids, essential oils, and omega fatty acids. Of all these, cannabidiol is one of the most popular, most used and maybe the most important.
Cannabidiol can be obtained from almost all parts of the hemp plant including its flowers, stem, stalk, seeds, and leaves and it can be made into different products both for humans and animals. Products for animals like dogs can include CBD oil, chews, treats, pills, capsules, sprays, balms, etc. Depending on the kind of product obtained, CBD can either be used for your pet topically by directly applying to the skin, sublingually by putting drops of the oil in its mouth or ingesting it via chews, pills, and capsules. You can learn more about cannabidiol here.
Why CBD Oil Is So Effective
CBD oil is so effective in treating health conditions in your canine because of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This is a system that guides and regulates bodily functions such as eating and appetite, sleeping, digestion, mood, reproduction, etc. It also strengthens the central nervous system and the immune system.
Normally, the body needs a whole lot of nutrients to function properly and CBD oil comes with several of these necessary nutrients. Some of these include proteins, vitamin A, vitamin B complex, vitamin C and vitamin E. Others include zinc, magnesium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and so on. All these nutrients either help to strengthen the bone, build strong muscles, improve eyesight, and so on.
When CBD oil is administered, receptors in the ECS, absorb the cannabidiol with all its constituent nutrients and this in turn is used up by the body of your dog and it results in good health.
Some common ailments that can easily be treated with cannabidiol for dogs include:
- Allergies
- Pain and inflammation
- Arthritis
- Cancer
- Lack of appetite
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Epilepsy and seizures.
The above are mostly general diseases that plague canines. For other forms of diseases such as distemper, influenza, leptospirosis, etc., cannabidiol has also been found to be effective. You can find common dog ailments that CBD oil can be used to treat here: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cbd-oil-benefits. The reason for this is because it contains most nutrients needed by the body and it interacts directly with the ECS present in your dog.
What is the Right Dosage to Administer to Your Dog?
When it comes to giving your canine cannabidiol, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution but it is based on the weight and age of your dog as well as the ailments that you are treating. You can always get a dosage guideline from the manufacturer or retailer of the CBD product. You can also check online for dosage calculators you can use to determine what the best dosage is for your pet based on these three factors.
Are there any Side Effects?
So far, cannabidiol is not known to have any adverse side effects both in humans and animals. However, you may notice symptoms such as:
- Lethargy
- Dry mouth
- Restlessness
- Increased or decreased appetite
- Drowsiness and other minor reactions.
If you notice any of these, it may be because your dog is likely not used to taking CBD oil. If that is the case, in a few days, whatever symptoms you are seeing will disappear. If it persists, it may then likely be as a result of administering a poor-quality product. Discontinue its use and contact your vet as soon as possible. To avoid this, ensure you always buy high-quality pet hemp plant for dogs only from trusted sources. This will ensure your pet is using a safe product thereby preventing any harm that might be done as a result of using a poor quality product.
Conclusion
The best kind of any cannabidiol products is natural and organic. You can confirm from the retailer or manufacturer when buying to be sure. Also, avoid buying cheap products as they most likely contain additives which can be harmful. Some peddlers just want to make quick money off unsuspecting buyers. You can avoid being a victim by doing your due diligence and buying straight from a trusted source.