An essential guide to buying CBD oil for dogs. Read on to learn about the connection between cannabis and your dog’s health.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol CBD is a chemical found in marijuana and the hemp plant, Cannabis Sativa. CBD helps to manage various health conditions such as inflammatory and neuropathic pain. CBD is found in marijuana and the hemp plant (Cannabis Sativa plant). Hemp-derived CBD products do not contain THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the chemical in marijuana that causes psychoactive effects referred to as a high. CBD hemp oil and other CBD extract are primarily used for their wellness benefits.

Endocannabinoid System

The endocannabinoid system is comprised of a large network of chemical signals and cellular receptors densely packed throughout our brains and bodies. The “cannabinoid” receptors in the brain — the CB1 receptors — outnumber many of the other receptor types on the brain. They act like traffic cops to control the levels and activity of most of the other neurotransmitters. This is how they regulate things: by immediate feedback, turning up or down the movement of whichever system needs to be adjusted, whether hunger, temperature, or alertness.

Our bodies produce molecules called endocannabinoids to stimulate these receptors, which have a structural similarity to molecules in the cannabis plant. The first endocannabinoid discovered was named anandamide after the Sanskrit word ananda for bliss. All of us have tiny cannabis-like molecules floating around in our brains. The cannabis plant, which humans have been using for about 5,000 years, essentially works by hijacking this ancient cellular machinery.

What does the ECS do?

The endocannabinoid system regulates and controls learning and memory, emotional processing, sleep, temperature control, pain control, inflammatory and immune responses, and eating. This vital system is currently at the center of renewed international research and drug development.

The WHO has stated that CBD can have medical benefits to those who suffer from health conditions such as:

• Multiple sclerosis & Tuberous Sclerosis complex
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Huntington’s disease
• Schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders
• Inflammatory Bowel disease
• Crohn’s disease
• Arthritis
• Chronic pain
• Nervous system disorders & Nerve pain management
• Low & High Blood Pressure regulation
• Insomnia
• Epilepsy
• Seizures, Dravet syndrome, Lennox Gastaut Syndrome
• Alcohol addiction & prescription drug withdrawal symptoms
• Cancer treatment
• Dementia & Alzheimer’s Disease
• PTSD

Types of Extracts

CBD products can be created using three different types of CBD. To be considered legal under the 2018 farm bill, they must come from industrial hemp plants that possess less than 0.3% THC. Here, we have outlined the characteristics for each:

Isolate

CBD isolate is a powder that contains isolated CBD and no other cannabinoids. It is highly processed, thus not a great option for use with dogs.

Broad Spectrum

Broad-spectrum CBD oil for dogs seems like the best CBD oil option. It contains zero percent of psychoactive THC and a broad range of cannabinoids. It also produces very few flavors or aromas and is described as a natural flavor.

Full Spectrum

Full-spectrum CBD oil is made from the hemp plant that contains less than 0.3 percent THC and a small number of terpenes. THC can be toxic to dogs, so this is not a great option in regards to CBD oils for dogs.

History of CBD

The cannabis plant has been cultivated for more than 5000 years worldwide. The first recorded use of cannabis therapy was in China, 2737 BC. The emperor at the time was said to have brewed the first successful cup of CBD tea. It was being used to treat malaria, gout, and rheumatism. Years later, Queen Victoria was known to use CBD as a treatment for menstrual cramps.

Once modern medicine took its hold on western civilization, CBD was demonized along with cannabis and prohibited for use. It is only in the past three decades that its popularity has increased again. In 1985, the CB1 receptors were discovered. And then, in 1993 CB2 receptors were discovered making way for further research of the endocannabinoid system. Since California legalized cannabis for recreational use in 1996, CBD oil has become an increasingly effective treatment for chronic pain, insomnia, epilepsy, and more.

Is CBD oil legal?

According to the drug enforcement administration, the Farm Bill of 2018 made cannabidiol CBD legal as controlled substances in the United States. Prescription-strength CBD oil has been approved by the FDA for humans as a practical option for seizures and is often used to help patients with epilepsy. Research is ongoing to learn more about the varying ways CBD-derived products can be used as a tool for public health issues.

What is the difference between hemp CBD and cannabis-derived CBD?

Hemp-derived pet CBD oil

Hemp oil has a higher CBD content than marijuana, and many CBD products contain hemp-derived CBD. Hemp seed oil comes from the Cannabis Sativa family and has long been used to make clothing, paper, and cloth for medical purposes.

Cannabis-derived pet CBD oil

CBD is found in all strains of cannabis, both Indica, and Sativa. Marijuana contains a much higher THC content than hemp and contains other chemicals that can aid and bolster the effects of CBD. Cannabis plants also have higher levels than hemp plants.

The CBD molecule is the same regardless of where it is derived from; however, cannabis-based CBD products can contain higher levels of THC than the 0.3% hemp products have.

CBD Oil Benefits

Older dogs and even puppies can benefit from using CBD oil. Here are a few of the top ways dog CBD oil helps:

• Inflammation
• Arthritis
• Joint Stiffness
• Separation anxiety
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Appetite
• Nausea

Side Effects

There are a few mild side effects that can come along with pet CBD oil. Usually, a higher CBD dosage will render more side effects than lower doses of CBD oils for dogs.

Dry Mouth

Using CBD oil can decrease saliva production. In dogs, this can present as increased thirst and drinking more water. It’s best to make sure they have a fresh, full bowl of water when administering CBD oil for dogs.

Drowsy

The calming, relaxing effects of CBD can cause drowsiness. You may notice your dog taking more or longer naps, especially with higher doses of CBD.

Lower Blood Pressure

Higher doses of CBD can cause a temporary, minuscule drop in blood pressure. This may show up as light-headedness and dizziness for your pet.

Is CBD oil FDA approved?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration hasn’t approved CBD oil for dogs or issued a dosing chart. Therefore, we can’t be entirely sure the dosage size that would be toxic for dogs, but it’s important to remember that any medications can carry the risk of an adverse reaction.

When giving your dog a new supplement, we advise starting with small amounts and closely monitoring them for a few hours afterward. As pet owners, it’s crucial to discuss any medication changes with your veterinarian first.

Do vets recommend CBD oil for dogs?

CBD has been shown to have a range of health benefits for pets, such as chronic pain relief, anxiety disorder relief, and even help with muscle spasticity, seizures, and insomnia.

More research is needed in this area, so dog owners should discuss with their healthcare provider before using cannabidiol CBD oil or other CBD products on their pets.

Remember:

Please stay away from drug interactions with THC in them and have your pets taking CBD oil and edibles meant for them only. Hemp-derived products are made for both cats and dogs.

As with humans, the dosage for cannabis-derived compounds will be different for every pet, start small, and gradually increase.

Dosage

How much CBD oil should I give my pet? The right dose of CBD oil for dogs depends on many factors. The product and level of CBD contained and the tolerance and experience of the individual are all critical. A pet’s weight and body chemistry also play a role in CBD oil dosage.

At Leafy Mate, we recommend starting small with hemp seed oil to see how the body reacts to a quality CBD product and then increase to higher doses after getting comfortable with the results and you see how much CBD oil your pet can tolerate.

Can my dog overdose on CBD oil?

Is CBD oil safe? From a medical standpoint, pet owners need to know that dogs can not overdose on CBD oils. However, it’s important to remember that there are exceptions to every situation and adverse reactions can occur. Your pet should always be monitored when being given a substance.

While CBD does not interact with the brainstem or respiration systems, THC does and can be toxic so make sure to read labels on pet CBD products.

Best ways to administer

There are three main ways to administer CBD oils for dogs. First, for a more controlled CBD dosage, you can give them CBD oil directly from the dropper, alone, or with a carrier oil such as MCT oil. Next, you could mix in a broad spectrum hemp oil with crunchy treats, soft chews, peanut butter, or gluten-free homemade treats.

Finally, you can use CBD extract topically for skin disorders. There are many CBD dog products such as shampoos, balms, moisturizers, and more that could benefit your dog’s health.

How long will it take to kick in?

CBD oil for dogs takes approximately 30 minutes to an hour to kick in fully. The rule of thumb is that oils tend to kick in quicker than treats because there are fewer ingredients for their digestive system to break down first. However, there’s not a difference in ineffectiveness.

Best Strains for Dogs

These strains will be high in CBD and low in THC. Canines are much more sensitive to the psychoactive effects of THC than humans.

CBD-rich strains can help with stress, nausea, joint pain, inflammation, arthritis, anxiety, depression, moodiness, and general pain relief.

• Cannatonic
• Harlequin
• ACDC
• Sour Tsunami
• Ringo’s Gift
• Charlotte’s Web

Can the CBD Oils That Work for Crohn’s Disease Also be Used for Dogs?

Yes, the best CBD oils for Crohn’s disease can also be used for dogs. CBD is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which can help both humans and dogs with digestive issues. However, always consult with a veterinarian to determine the proper dosage and to ensure the safety of your furry friend.

Best CBD oil products for dogs

It’s important that any CBD products that are given are high-quality CBD oil for dogs. Whether that be broad-spectrum CBD oil, full-spectrum CBD oil, or if you revert to using CBD isolate..make sure it’s safe and will be effective for your furry friend.

Things to consider

Are you using broad spectrum CBD oil, full-spectrum CBD oil, or CBD isolate? It’s important to know about pet CBD brands. We recommend broad-spectrum CBD oil for dogs because this type of organic CBD oil does not contain THC components.

Are you buying organic CBD oil for dogs with organic hemp from a respected and trusted CBD company? Read on to discover our top dog CBD oil products and CBD companies.

Top CBD brands

• Honest Paws
• Royal CBD
• CBDfx
• Holistapet
• CBD distillery
• Medterra
• JustCBD

Homemade CBD pet treats

Four of our favorite dog CBD treat recipes for pet owners to try:

No-bake pumpkin and turmeric CBD treats

Berry Bliss ball dog truffle treats

Peanut Butter CBD cookies

Sweet potato and frozen yogurt CBD treats

CBD pet tincture recipe

Here’s a great dog CBD oil recipe with no harmful chemicals or additives.

Materials

• A double boiler
• Airtight storage container

Ingredients

• five grams of beeswax
• twenty grams of coconut-derived MCT oil
• High-quality CBD oil
• Half a gram of carrier oil
• 1/3 cup finely shredded coconut

Instructions

1. Place five grams of beeswax in a double boiler and melt it over low heat, stirring constantly.
2. Add twenty grams of fractionated coconut oil to the melted beeswax, continuing to stir.
3. Add natural CBD oil to the coconut oil mixture and continue stirring over low heat until thoroughly blended.
4. Remove from heat and cool.
5. Once the mix cools into a semisolid state, add 0.5 grams of essential oil to the mix in the double boiler.
6. Place the gluten-free liquid in a storage container while still pourable.
7. The CBD oil tincture will be good to use for wellness benefits for six months to a year. 

Summary

CBD can have a variety of health benefits for humans and pets. CBD is used in many different forms and settings, from pain management to inflammation and mental disorders. Research on CBD oil and its range of uses is ongoing.

Remember to know your state medical marijuana laws, always purchase products from reputable dispensaries and consult a healthcare professional if you have questions or concerns.

Leafy DOC can help you navigate getting a medical card, connect you with providers in your area and find deals on top CBD products and pet CBD oil.