CBD for Dogs
CBD is Not Regulated! This is why it is so important to learn how to discern what brands have quality products, correct concentrations in the bottle, and appropriate doses for your pet. Read on to learn what to look for in a pet CBD company to make sure the product you are buying is legit and not causing more harm.
“Because CBD products for pets are sold as over-the-counter supplements, they are not approved or regulated by a federal agency. That means quality can vary. In fact, one study showed that more than half of CBD products were not labeled correctly. Most contained more CBD than listed on the package.”
—Humane Society of the United States
What is CBD?
With all the information and misinformation out there, lets get the facts straight about CBD! Your veterinarian is the best person to discuss the use of CBD, and if it would be appropriate for your dog, so schedule a visit with them to discuss.
Cornell University has done some great research on CBD for companions animals, and they lay out the definition of CBD below:
CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is an oil extracted from hemp plants. Hemp does not contain a significant amount of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the psychoactive component in marijuana. Hemp itself usually has no more than 0.3% THC. (Cannabis, which is the marijuana plant, contains 12% THC).
Dogs do not metabolize THC like humans, so that is why they don’t do well when they get into their human’s stash ;) CBD has <0.3% of THC in it, so that is the preferred product for dogs.
Benefits of CBD
There’s all this hype around it, but what does CBD actually help with?
Inflammation: arthritis, post-surgery, joint issues, soft tissue (muscle, tendon, ligament) pain
Anxiety: fireworks, car rides, trips to the vet & groomer, situational stress
Cancer Side Affects: decreased appetite, pain, inflammation, nausea
Allery Symptoms: study showed decrease itching in 65% of dogs using CBD
Older Dogs: dementia, mobility, anxiety, pain
Seizures: decrease frequency and duration of seizures
Read on to know what to look for when choosing a CBD brand for your dog (there are a lot of bogus brands out there!), and which CBD companies I personally recommend.
What to Look for in Dog CBD Brands
Organic - Pesticides can get absorbed into the plant easily, so make sure the product is organic so you’re not adding in harmful substances to your dog’s body!
CoA - Certificate of Analysis. This shows the actual amount of CBD in the product and it should match what the label states. You’d be surprised at the number of products that don’t have the actual CBD amount that is written on the package! The CoA also shows any contaminants such as yeast, mold, heavy metals, or pesticides in the extract (these should not be present!)
Dosing - The product should have clear dosing instructions for your pet’s weight.
It helps to have a NASC (National Animal Supplement Council) Seal of Approval - this ensures they have quality control measures in place for a safe product.
Brands I Currently Recommend
There are a lot of great brands out there, so this is not an exhaustive list, just the ones I have used and are most familiar with.
ElleVet Sciences - This is my favorite! They have done extensive research with Cornell University.
CBD is a great natural way to support your companion in various stages of life, or with certain conditions. Be sure to know your dog’s exact weight for appropriate dosing. Side effects can be lethargy, or wobbliness. Talk to your veterinarian today about the benefits of CBD, and potential contraindications for your pet!