Our furry companions bring so much joy into our lives with their contagious excitement and carefreeness. However, we sometimes take their boundless energy for granted. Like humans, dogs can experience different ailments and bodily pains as they age, dimming their lively spark and quality of life.
At Verdes Cannabis, our cannabis dispensary shares a deep love for all puppy dogs! We understand how important our 4-legged family members are and know how much they add to our lives. We want to help you take good care of your furry best friends and give them the quality of life they deserve.
That’s why we’re here to educate you on how cannabidiol products (CBD) have been discovered to be beneficial in helping certain issues that our furry friends face. Let’s dive into CBD’s potential health benefits and how it can enhance your dog’s well-being.
What is CBD, and how can it be helpful for dogs?
Dogs can suffer from different issues as they go through life’s course, from anxiety to joint pain. Our worried clients often ask our cannabis dispensary staff if CBD may be as helpful for dogs as much as it is for them.
After looking at the current research, we’ve discovered that for some issues, CBD may offer excellent benefits for dogs.
CBD is the second most prevalent compound found in the cannabis plant. It is one of the major cannabinoids in the plant and has reported health benefits for pain, anxiety, and inflammation.
Unlike its cannabinoid cousin, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is also found in large quantities in the plant, CBD does not cause an intoxicating or ‘high’ feeling when used. With CBD, your dogs can get the benefits of cannabis without the psychoactive effects.
Because dogs are extremely sensitive to THC, the main psychoactive component in the cannabis plant, we recommend only CBD products with extremely small amounts to no THC in them for a greater margin of safety.
CBD works for dogs because, like us humans, they have an endocannabinoid system that cannabinoids can interact with. When the cannabinoids in the cannabis plant interact with this system, they offer relief for many different symptoms.
Here are some examples of CBD’s properties that can benefit your dog’s wellbeing:
- CBD is a potent anti-inflammatory agent that helps with pain.
- CBD is neuroprotective and may be helpful for neurodegenerative disorders.
- CBD exerts anti-anxiety properties.
These properties allow CBD products to help with symptom relief from various medical conditions.
What are the symptom-relief benefits of CBD for dogs?
CBD can offer relief for a broad spectrum of ailments due to its properties. Studies have shown the following benefits CBD may offer for dogs:
- Pain associated with arthritis
- Allergies and dermatitis
- Seizures
- Anxious behaviors
- Destructive behaviors
- Appetite issues
The most robust research has been on pain conditions with our canine companions, such as joint health. The results of these studies have shown that CBD offers good pain relief for dogs, especially those suffering from arthritis.
How do you properly dose CBD for dogs?
It’s important to consult with your veterinarian before administering any CBD product to your dog. There’s no one-size-fits-all dosing of CBD for dogs.
The main factors in determining the best dosage are your dog’s weight and the severity of their condition. We recommend starting with a very low or sub-therapeutic amount and increasing slowly at 3-5-day intervals until any benefits are seen.
Every dog’s needs will be different. Some dogs may need more, while others need less CBD to help with their symptoms. Starting with a low dose and slowly increasing it can help you find the amount that works best for your dog’s symptoms.
Below is a simple formula, based on studies, that you can use to help you find the best CBD dosage for your dog.
Dosing Formula
The starting dose is 0.2 mg of CBD per pound of body weight divided into 2 doses daily. The dose can be slowly increased once the pet has tolerated a certain amount of CBD for 1 week.
Here’s an example of CBD dosing for a 25 lb. dog.
25 lbs. x 0.2 = 5 mg CBD per day divided into 2 servings. This would make the starting dose 2.5mg twice a day.
After 1 week, you can increase the amount by small increments (1-2 mg per dose) at 3-5-day intervals until your dog starts to benefit from it. Your goal is to find the smallest amount of CBD that can help your dog’s symptoms.
If using it for an anticipated stressful event–like extreme anxiety from a car trip, thunderstorm, or loud noises like fireworks–you can give your dog a larger dose (0.5-2 mg per pound) 30 minutes to 1 hour before the anticipated stressful event.
Studies have shown that a dog’s system easily absorbs oil-based products, like pet tinctures. CBD oil for dogs can be used to calculate accurate dosages and is easy to administer orally by mouth or added to your dog’s food or treats.
What are the potential undesired effects of CBD for dogs?
If your dog experiences any of the following reactions, discontinue the use of CBD pet products and consult with your veterinarian:
- Vomiting
- Excitation
- Loss of bodily function
- Extreme over-sedation
Certain human foods can be toxic to pets including chocolate, xylitol, and macadamia nuts. For a more complete list, click here.
Keep all CBD products safely stored and out of reach of children and pets, and always read the ingredients to ensure they’re safe for your furry companion. You want to avoid adverse potential side effects rather than dealing with the aftermath.
To ensure that the products you use for your furry best friend are safe, get them from a reputable company like Verdes Cannabis.
Reputable dispensaries will have CBD products that are sourced from the USA and are third-party lab-tested to ensure that the amount of CBD in the product is accurate.
Shop Verdes CBD Products for Your Canine Companion
At Verdes Cannabis, we make CBD-rich tinctures in-house that may offer health benefits for your furry best friend. We third-party test all our products to ensure accuracy and safety and only use premium, all-natural ingredients. With us, you have peace of mind knowing that only the best human-grade ingredients go into your pet’s system.
Our knowledgeable staff is happy to explain our CBD products and would love to meet you and your 4-legged best friend! We get such enjoyment when our clients bring their dogs in for a visit with us, and we always have a supply of doggie treats on hand for these fun occasions. Helping you and your companion live healthier lives is our utmost priority.
Check out our selection of CBD cannabis products to help your dog feel at their best today!
As the Head of Education & Culture for Verdes Cannabis, a legacy cannabis company in New Mexico, Kelly is responsible for researching, creating, and delivering cannabis education to not only staff but also to clients and the community. She has extensively studied cannabis for the last 5 years, receiving several certificates from the Medical Cannabis Institute and Medical Marijuana 411. She continues her studies by attending medical cannabis conferences and monthly webinars with the top researchers and doctors in the field of medical cannabis. She enjoys being able to use her extensive knowledge and training in cannabis to educate and help others learn about this amazing plant.
