With all the new CBD oil products flooding the market, you may be wondering if CBD oil is as good for pets as it seems to be for people.

Does CBD oil have any health or wellness benefits for pets? Is there anything in particular you need to know about how to dose or use CBD oil for pets?

This is an important topic, especially since it can be hard to find effective products that are specifically designed for use with pets.

In this article, we walk you through an overview of what veterinarians and animal experts have to share about CBD oil benefits for pets.

What Does the Research Say About CBD Oil for Pets?

Right now, there has been relatively little formal research that has tested the benefits of CBD oil for use with pets. But this will likely change in years to come.

However, as the American Kennel Club (AKC) points out, dog owners are reporting that CBD oil can potentially help to ease pain and neurological symptoms such as seizures.

One organization that has done research to look at how CBD oil might help pets with arthritis is Cornell University.
The Frontiers in Veterinary Science study results were published in 2018.

Researchers learned that dosing with CBD helped dogs diagnosed with osteoarthritis by reducing pain and increasing mobility and activity. Most promisingly, researchers noted that side effects seemed to be absent.

Another 2018 research study supported by Colorado State University's James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital delivered equally promising results for dogs with seizures.

Dosing with CBD was able to reduce the frequency of seizure episodes in 89 percent of canine research participants.

What Do Veterinarians Say About Using CBD Oil for Pets?

Although research studies on the topic of CBD oil for pets are still few and far between, this doesn't mean the topic isn't being discussed.

Quite the contrary, as a matter of fact. The Veterinary Information Network (VIN) reports that nearly two-thirds of veterinarians are having discussions with pet owners about using CBD for pets on a regular basis.

However, other than California, which has taken an open stance towards allowing veterinarians to discuss CBD products with pet parents, most other states are still quite strict in their restrictions.

Veterinarians who do not abide by state protocols risk losing their right to practice in that state.

You can always ask your veterinarian for guidance. This is particularly wise if your dog is already taking other medications or is elderly or immune-compromised. If your state's laws do not allow your veterinarian to offer guidance, they will let you know.

What Are Benefits of Using CBD Oil for Pets?

One fact is clear: there would not be so much discussion and interest in CBD oil benefits for pets if there were no benefits!

In fact, the two existing research studies on this topic - CBD for canine osteoarthritis and CBD for canine seizures - both showed tremendous promise.

In both studies, canine research participants received noticeable benefits, including a reduction in pain, an increase in mobility and a reduction in seizure episodes.

Are there other benefits that your pet might gain from using CBD oil?

One of the main ways that pet owners and researchers are approaching the possible benefits of CBD oil for pets is to look at similar human studies to see if there may be similarities.

PetMD outlines five categories that are generating a lot of interest in the potential benefits of CBD oil for pets: pain, arthritis, seizures, anxiety and cancer.

Pet pain and CBD oil.

Pet pain can be particularly hard to treat. Dogs cannot tolerate some human medications and some dogs in particular are very sensitive to medicines.

This makes CBD oil a potentially valuable alternate treatment for pain relief.

CBD oil can be combined with a massage, which is a well-researched and studied method of providing pain relief for arthritis, inflammation and chronic stress.

Pet arthritis and CBD oil.

Arthritis is incredibly common in pets. The American College of Veterinary Surgeons reports as many as one-quarter of all dogs may suffer from arthritis.

CBD oil may be beneficial both in reducing pain and increasing mobility, which in turn can boost quality of life.

Pet seizures and CBD oil.

VCA Animal Hospital states that pet seizures are one of the most common neurological health issues in pets today.

CBD oil may be beneficial in reducing the number and intensity of pet seizures.

Pet anxiety and CBD oil.

The American Veterinary Medical Association has written extensively on pet anxiety. Separation anxiety is one of the most common anxiety conditions for pets.

Treatments to date have delivered only sporadic results. This makes CBD's well-documented anti-anxiety properties for humans of great interest to canine researchers as well.

Pet cancer and CBD oil.

The Animal Cancer Foundation reports that pet cancers are increasing. Animals are often treated in similar ways to how people with cancer are treated.

CBD oil may be useful for management of symptoms and side effects from cancer treatments and medications.

If you want to try CBD oil with your pet, always reach out to your veterinarian first to see if it is possible to receive guidance. As an alternative, start with the lowest manufacturer-recommended CBD oil dose until you see how your pet responds.

The chances you have heard about the potential for the medicinal benefits of CBD is excellent. CBD oil has been featured on the news, internet and even in magazines. This is the reason close attention is now being given to CBD by the researchers. CBD has become available in many different locations. Although most people are aware of the benefits for humans, they are not aware many of these benefits are applicable for their pets as well.

It is important to note no scientific studies regarding the use of CBD on pets have been conducted. Despite this, veterinarians and holistic doctors have both stated CBD is usually safe when consumed by pets such as dogs and cats. The possible side effects are generally lethargy or an upset stomach. Most side effects will disappear once the pet has become used to the CBD. If any side effect persists, you can simply stop giving CBD to your pet.


The biggest issue according to the medical community is the dosage your pet receives. In order to make certain your pet is safe and receives all of the benefits, you must ensure you are using the correct dosage of CBD. This will provide your pet with the best possible results as opposed to any undesirable consequences. CBD will help your pet with many of the same issues experienced by humans.

What is CBD?

Over 100 different, natural chemical compounds have been identified in cannabis plants. CBD or cannabidiol is the compound used most frequently for medicinal purposes. CBD and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are different compounds of the plant. There is a lot of confusion regarding these compounds. THC is what provides users with a psychoactive or high feeling. Unlike THC, CBD is derived from the hemp plant. The THC content is so low, the CBD does not provide any mind-altering effects.

Despite how well CBD products work for animals, there is an issue regarding the legal classification of CBD. Even though the legal status remains somewhat unclear in numerous states, you can purchase CBD oil all over the country. CBD has been in legalized in numerous countries, but the restrictions differ. You do not need a medical cannabis card to purchase CBD in many different parts of the world. The position of the various governments is generally based on where the CBD was derived.

In the United States, the distinction is whether the CBD was derived from marijuana or hemp plants. If the THC content is below 0.3 percent, the CBD product is classified as hemp. There are currently no restrictions on hemp. The majority of CBD products you can purchase for your pet were made using hemp. This means your pet can safely consume these products.

Giving Your Pet CBD Safely

Both CBD and marijuana offer potential medical benefits. The most important aspect is they are both considered safe. In certain U.S. states, CBD is illegal. You should research the laws for your state prior to giving your pet any CBD products. There are a lot of dog and cat owners who have stated CBD made an extremely positive difference for their pets, but the available research in this area is still limited. Your best option is to discuss the correct dosage for your pet with a vet.

If CBD is legal in your state, you can simply purchase products intended for pets. Some of the places you can purchase CBD such as online will provide you with dosage recommendations based on the weight of your pet. Ensuring you give your pet the correct dosage is incredibly important. The correct dosage offers your pet numerous medicinal benefits. An incorrect dosage may be ineffective or result in side effects.

The Importance of the Ingredients

For the most part, CBD is unregulated. This means finding the right product for your pet can be challenging. Whether you own a dog or a cat, you should read the label prior to purchasing the product. The ingredients should be clearly listed with no contaminants in the product. Your best options have labels stating Good Manufacturing Practices are being followed.

Whether the product is intended for humans or animals, every high-quality CBD product has a certificate of analysis. The creation of this document is performed by a third-party, independent lab. The document shows all of the lab results for the product. This includes the percentage of both THC and CBD in the product. The results of contaminant testing are also included. You should think twice before purchasing any product without a certificate of analysis.


The Behavior of Your Pet

The most important step you can take is paying close attention to the mood or behavior of your pet after they have consumed CBD. Side effects from CBD are generally not significant, but there is a potential reaction if your pet has been prescribed any drugs. If you see any changes in your pet, you should make an appointment with your vet. Your vet will know how to proceed. You should also research any potential reactions between CBD and any drugs you are giving your pet.

"She would do the same for me." is what a stranger with a heart of gold told Bryan Thompson, while out on a walk through the beautiful Shubie Park in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

This stranger, who is actually a pet health expert named Rodney Habib, has a beautiful white Shepherd named Sammie. This snow white 12 year old dog stole Rodney's heart and holds it captive, her unconditional love inspiring him to go above and beyond to give her the best quality of life imaginable.

On a cold winter day in Nova Scotia, Rodney bundled his faithful white Shepherd up in a bed with blankets and pillows, and pulled his precious cargo for a sunlit walk through the park. Her nose was busy sniffing all of the scents on the crisp air while her eyes absorbed the beautiful light of day while her devoted human gently pulled her along in her custom throne on wheels.

 Although Bryan had no idea who this kind man was, the dog world on Facebook recognized him instantly as his post went viral. Rodney has devoted years of his life to pursuing knowledge that helps his fellow pet parents and dog lovers take the best care of their furry family members possible.

Rodney runs an amazing, giving foundation called Paws for Change. Their mission is powerful: "Dogs & Cats deserve to live long, vibrant, and joyful lives. Together, with you, we're making this happen."

The world is in awe of Rodney's selfless, loving devotion to his beautiful dog. He even recently threw her a birthday party in her favorite park! With this story, we all wish Sammie a wonderful 12th birthday! Happy birthday, special girl!

To our dogs, we are everything. We are their source of everything good in the world, and most importantly we are their family. They rely on us to love them, take care of them, and keep them safe. Nobody can take care of them quite like us! Which is why this emotional ad hits close to home.

Your dog won't understand why you didn't come home last night... they won't understand that you didn't simply abandon them. Your dog won't understand any of it, and will feel the terrible sadness and anxiety of your sudden long (forever) absence. Make sure to make safe decisions for transportation during and after your celebrations! Stay safe, have fun, and arrive alive... you have a precious friend waiting for you to come home!

According to American Humane more than 100,000 pets (mostly dogs) die every single year due to pet owners letting their animals ride loose in the bed of their truck - completely unsecured! The bed of a truck can be one of the most dangerous places for your dog to be when traveling by vehicle. There are countless terrible things that can happen to them there.

Not only can they slip, jump or fall out of the bed of a truck, but any debris or object can hit them while you're moving. The majority of dogs jumping from truck beds ends fatally, or leaves them permanently disabled from serious injury. It is extremely dangerous to allow them to ride there unsecured. The smallest jerk of your vehicle at a high enough speed can send them flying to the busy road behind you. It is simply NOT worth the risk!

Dog safety during vehicle transportation is important, because car accidents or hard movements can seriously injure or even kill your dog. There are multiple options for car safety one can explore when preparing their pet for travel. Each option has its own pros and cons, which is why it is important to do your own research for any option that interests you.

A strong, impact-resistant crate or kennel is a great way to keep your dog safe during car travel. There are also seat-belts and safety harnesses designed for car use. It is important to keep a collar on your dog with an ID tag to make sure you can be contacted in case of emergency and your dog gets loose.

Depending on where you live, allowing dogs to ride in your truck bed may actually be illegal. Regardless, it is so important to keep your beloved furry family members safe when traveling. Please do not let them ride unsecured in the bed of a truck!

This beautiful, wise cat is named Rubble - and he is the oldest cat in the world! Rubble has lived in Exeter, England for his 30 years of life, along side his devoted owner Michele Foster. Michele got the adorable orange and white cat when he was just a kitten back in May of 1988 as a gift to herself for her birthday!

Michele has treasured and pampered her beloved cat Rubble for all 30 years of his life, which she says is likely the reason why he has lived so long. She is so grateful for this precious animal, so has provided her with so many incredible years of love and companionship.

Rubble is a relatively healthy cat, despite being on medication for high blood pressure. Michele does a wonderful job making sure he has all the veterinary care he needs, lots of food, water, and love. Her amazing care of Rubble is one of the reasons he is likely the oldest cat in the UK!

Michele was asked whether or not she was willing to enter Rubble into the Guinness World Records, and she responded,

Cream Puff was the cat with the Guinness World Record title for oldest cat, and lived to be 38 years and 3 days old. With all of Michele's love and devotion to her feline friend, I am confident Rubble will exceed those years! I can't help but respect Michele's desire to protect Rubble from the potential stress of being analyzed and recorded for Guinness World Record. Rubble deserves the VERY best!

Indoor cats have a life expectancy of 15 – 20 years, which makes Rubble's age even more impressive. It is quite amazing that he has lived such a comfortable, happy life with Michele. She clearly takes the very best care of him!

With that, we wish Rubble a Happy 30th Birthday! Here is to many, many more years with your loving human Michele!

Please share Rubble's remarkable story, his birthday celebrations, along with these amazingly adorable photos of the oldest cat in the UK with your family and friends!

What is CBD Oil?

CBD (cannabidiol) oil is an oil derived from the plant Cannabis sativa. Cannabidiol is actually a cannabinoid, a component of the cannabis. And, unlike its relative, THC, CBD doesn’t make you high. Therefore, it’s safe to use, both by humans and pets.

The CBD oil affects your body through the endocannabinoid system, which all mammals have. In that way, it helps your body maintain homeostasis. Having in mind that humans and pets (as mammals) have the same endocannabinoid system, it’s believed that the CBD oil has the same or similar health benefits on them as on us.
 

Is CBD Oil Beneficial to Your Pets’ Health?

The truth is that there aren’t many studies conducted on CBD’s health benefits on animals. Yet, due to having an endocannabinoid system, as we do, it’s assumed that CBD oil has more or less that same health benefits on animals. Therefore, the possible health benefits for animals include:

• Relieving pain
• Reducing inflammation
• Relieving anxiety and stress
• Reducing seizures
• Preventing vomiting
• Increasing appetite
• Preventing cancer
• Promoting homeostasis

 
These are the most common health benefits of CBD oil on animals. As you can see they are more or less the same with those of humans. However, in order to find out the exact effects and confirm these benefits, more research needs to be done on animals.

Cannabidiol, or CBD for short, is becoming wildly popular as an over-the-counter health supplement for both people and their pets.

However, many people still do not fully understand what CBD is, how it works or how to take it for the best results.

Even as more veterinarians and animal health advocates promote CBD for dogs, some pet owners continue to wonder "Is CBD safe for dogs?" Here, it is only natural you want to be sure whatever you give your precious furry best friend is safe, healthy and beneficial.

So let's take a closer look at CBD for dogs - is it safe? If so, what benefits can it offer your pup?


What Is CBD, Exactly?

CBD stands for Cannabidiol, which is the main active ingredient in a certain plants in the Cannabis genus of plants.

And here is where a great deal of the confusion lies. As the National Institutes of Health (NIH) explains, different plant varietals have different types of active compounds

In some cases, this difference is native - naturally-derived. In other cases, this difference is cultivated - human-made. In other words, some varietals of Cannabis have never been found growing wild, but rather have been domesticated by botanists to have higher concentrations of certain active ingredients

What is important for you, the dog owner, to know is that the varietal that is strong in CBD, or Cannabidiol, is different from the varietal that is strong in THC, or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the active ingredient in marijuana that creates the notorious "high.

No plant in the Cannabis genus will ever be completely void of either CBD or THC, and besides these two compounds, there are literally hundreds more that are still being examined and studied by botanists.

But CBD products made from plant varietals (often called "hemp") that are high in the active ingredient CBD, which does not cause a "high," must also have 0.3 percent or less THC content to be sold legally as an over-the-counter product or health supplement in the United States.


Is CBD Safe for Dogs?

CBD taken on its own has many potential health benefits for both people and pets. However, it is important to know that use of CBD is still in its infancy and a lot that is not yet known.

For this reason, always talk with your dog's veterinarian before starting your dog on XO Hemp CBD. Start with the very lowest possible dose until you see how your dog responds

CBD can be taken in a variety of forms. Using oil, tincture or liquid ensures you can carefully control the dose

This is why the American Kennel Club veterinary staff recommends CBD tincture, oil or liquid over any other form for use with dogs.

Common temporary short-term side effects of using CBD with dogs can include dry mouth, drowsiness and low blood pressure. There may be other side effects that are not yet documented so always watch your pup carefully.


5 Potential Benefits of CBD for Dogs

These are five of the best-known and most promising potential health benefits of CBD for dogs.


1. Epilepsy.

Dogs can get epilepsy just like people can. And just like some people don't find relief of symptoms from traditional medications, so too can some dogs continue to suffer from drug resistant epilepsy.

In 2017, the Canine Health Foundation announced a clinical study to explore the use of CBD to treat canine epilepsy.

Since nearly one-third of dogs with epilepsy do not find relief with traditional canine medications, this study provides new, fresh hope to epileptic dogs and their owners. 


2. Pain.

According to PetMD, one of the most important potential health benefits CBD has for canines is in the area of pain management.

Many traditional medications used for pain relief in canines come with strong side effects. In some breeds that have higher known sensitivity to drugs, these side effects can even be deadly.

For this reason, the search continues for alternatives to help ease pain in canines, whether from surgery, injury, cancer, illness or some other reason. CBD can moderate pain symptoms without the side effects of traditional pain relievers by blocking messages about pain sensations at their source - in the brain.


3. Arthritis.

Arthritis is another health condition that dogs and their people share in common. Along with pain, arthritis can trigger stiffness, lameness and sometimes immobility.

Cornell University conducted research to determine the impact of CBD therapy for dogs afflicted with osteoarthritis. The double-blind study results were extremely promising.

Dogs that were given the CBD (versus the placebo) showed significant improvement to quality of life with significant reduction of pain.


4. Stress and anxiety.

While some dog breeds can cope with periods of alone-time, other breeds cannot tolerate this hardly at all.

For dogs that have been abused or traumatized, or puppies removed from the litter too early in life, managing more severe separation anxiety can often make the difference between a new forever home and euthanasia.

CBD is now being studied as an aid to stress and anxiety in dogs, whether from separation anxiety specifically or from some other source, like seasonal fireworks.

The Canine Journal reported that CBD shows promise as a treatment for canine separation anxiety, general anxiety and stress.


5. Gastrointestinal distress.

More and more dogs are presenting with gastrointestinal (GI) distress. For many dogs, GI distress is associated with food or environmental allergies. In some dogs, GI disturbances can be linked to emotional anxiety or stress.

In still other dogs, the cause of GI distress comes from other health issues such as colitis, gastritis or inflammatory bowel disease.

When dogs experience gastrointestinal distress, it can lead to loss of appetite and weight loss, aggression or depression and plenty of elimination issues.

Some veterinarians are now recommending CBD as a potential aid to alleviating the symptoms of GI distress in dogs.


If you would like to try CBD for your dog, start by talking with your canine veterinarian. You may just discover CBD provides for improved life quality, reduced pain and a happier pet dog!