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.