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!

This incredibly heart warming video (found at the bottom of this article) tells the story of Honey, a male Golden Retriever and his devoted owner, Jin Tao. The inseparable pair live in China, and enjoy an amazing adventurous life together! They travel to amazing destinations, climb mountains, and cross vast grasslands - side by side!

There's only one problem... the sweet golden boy, Honey, cannot sleep unless he is pressed up tightly against his owner, Jin. This means that on his small bed, Jin always ends up pressed against the wall so Honey can fit comfortably on the bed too! Honey is pretty serious about the sleeping arrangements, insisting on spooning his human the entire night through!

Jin realized he needed to find a solution, worried that his quality of sleep would be forever impacted. However, the last thing he wanted was for his beloved best friend to sleep somewhere else. His solution? He built Honey a crib directly next to his bed! He hoped this bedroom addition would give them more space to sprawl out together and be comfortable.

Unfortunately, Honey was only willing to sleep in his own spot for a short period of time. Eventually, the big golden boy started inching closer to Jin. Space wasn't the issue, Honey just needed to sleep pressed up against his favorite human! Jin realized that Honey needed him more than he initially thought.

You can get all the amazing details about Honey and Jin by watching the adorable video below!

Keeping your dog clean and well-groomed is something that all owners should not take for granted. Not only will it make your dog smell good, but there are also significant health benefits that come along with regular pet grooming.

Making your dog look pretty is more than just pampering your pet. Aside from washing, clipping, and brushing, pet grooming is also a good way to detect abnormalities with your dog.

Here are the main reasons why you should have your dog groomed:

1. Reduce odors

If you have tried washing your dog on your own, you’ll notice that he still smells after. This is probably because you were not able to bathe him properly. And as a result, your animal is still basically left unclean and giving off a foul odor.

When it comes to making your dog smell fresh, nobody does it better than pet groomers. They use special types of shampoos with odor-killing ingredients. Plus, they know what they are doing. They know which part of your animal needs to be washed more thoroughly.

Aside from odor-killing shampoos, dog groomers also use dog colognes and other fragrance-enhancing sprays. The pet groomers also apply a couple of finishing products after the grooming session to really keep your dog smelling wonderful.

2. Oral hygiene

Just as you brush your own teeth, it is also necessary that you give your dog’s mouth regular brushing. Unfortunately, the importance of oral health is often overlooked by dog owners. Without brushing your dog’s teeth, you are failing to detect some forms of dental disease that usually causes halitosis and pain.

Many owners associate bad breath as something that dogs just happen to have. But more often than not, a dog’s bad breath is related to inadequate oral hygiene. If his breath makes you want to gag, then there’s probably an entirely different health issue that your canine is experiencing.

Most dogs aren’t fond of brushing their teeth. So, if you haven’t done so before, it is advisable to have a professional dog groomer do the job. They use a dog-specific toothbrush to brush your pet’s teeth. Once your dog is used to regular brushing, he’ll eventually get comfortable getting his teeth brushed.

3. Maintain a healthy coat

One of the primary reasons for grooming your dog is to keep his fur healthy and shiny. It is important to regularly brush your dog’s fur so as to prevent skin irritations and to remove dirt on his skin.

There’s actually a proper way of brushing your dog. Canines with longer hair also require more brushing – it could take a couple of hours just to get your dog’s coat to look great.

If you’re not up for the task of brushing and combing, then head to your local pet grooming shop and let the professionals do what they do best: bring out the best in your dog. No matter the coat, your pet groomer knows exactly how to rejuvenate your dog's fur.

4. Trouble-free nail trimming

Your dog’s nail needs to be trimmed at least once a month. And mind you, clipping a dog’s claws can be frustrating and stressful. However, it is still important to keep your dog’s nails tidy.

Understandably many owners are scared that they might hurt their dog when they perform the trimming. Which is why it is ideal to bring your pup to a pet groomer in order to keep his paws healthy, which includes clipping his nails.

5. Complete and appropriate grooming supplies

Not a lot of pet parents have all the necessary hygiene supplies for their pups. If this is the case, the best way to completely pamper your pet is to have the professionals service him.

The pet grooming shop also has the right grooming supplies such as specialized dog nail clippers, proper combs and brushes, odor-killing shampoos, scissors, and all dog grooming needs. The dog groomers will keep your dog looking clean and fresh.

Getting a regular visit to your favorite pet grooming shop will allow you to detect problems as early as possible. So, it is extremely important that you prioritize grooming your dog every now and then to keep your dog looking and feeling great!

One of the most upsetting, fear-inducing events a pet parent can experience is hearing the dreaded C word. Cancer has become an epidemic in our pet population, and statistics are pointing to 1 in 2 dogs developing some form of cancer in their life time. These numbers are staggering, and a lot of pet parents end up feeling utterly helpless.

This article has one purpose: to give you hope by adding more tools to your cancer fighting toolbox. I can go on and on about what cancer is, but that is not the purpose of this article. There is a lot of information out there helping you understand this terrible disease. I am here to provide you with the information you need to take on this fight for your beloved canine companion.

The following methods of fighting cancer are either dietary supplements, lifestyle changes, or holistic medicine. I highly recommend you get your veterinarian on board with your treatment decisions so that you both can work together as a team to fight this disease.

I will do my best to provide links to scientific research to support these methods of treatment!

FEED YOUR DOG FRESH RAW FOOD, AND A KETOGENIC DIET

Diet plays a huge role in your dog's health, their strength, their immune system, and supporting their body while they fight this disease. Cancer is truly a metabolic disease, feeding off glucose. Starving cancer is highly beneficial, but at the same time we need to nourish our dog's body. Fresh, raw food or a ketogenic raw diet is the best thing we can do for our dogs!

KetoPet is a sanctuary devoted to fighting canine cancer through diet and exercise. They have a FREE eBOOK teaching you exactly how to feed a ketogenic diet for cancer treatment. This is one of the most powerful tools you can use in fighting this disease. You don't need to buy food from anyone, you can make these meals right at home. If you browse the KetoPet website, you will see how reputable, legitimate and scientifically proven they are.

Another study used a ketogenic diet, and tumor removal to completely cure an oral tumor.

Click here to view more peer reviewed, published research on ketogenic diets as cancer treatment.

EXERCISE YOUR DOG

Another one of the incredible things you can do for your dog is give them plenty of exercise. Exercise will burn excess resources to make sure the cancer isn't getting any extra fuel. Exercise also keeps your dog's body strong, elevates their mood, and does everything needed to improve their quality of life.

Researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm published a study in 2014 that showed how exercise can be an effective component of treatment for cancer.

TURMERIC & GOLDEN PASTE

Turmeric has been heavily researched and proven to be highly beneficial to humans and pets. Research indicates that curcumin (a derivative of turmeric) can suppress tumor initiation, promotion and metastasis.  Curcumin has proven itself effective against multiple types of cancer.

Various preclinical and clinical trials have shown that curcumin is very effective to treat cancer.  Because it is non-toxic and does not cause any side effects, it can be paired with any form of treatment you choose. There are no downsides in using turmeric to fight cancer, there are only benefits!

Here is a recipe for making golden paste. Make sure to use therapeutic doses when treating for cancer.

BROCCOLI AND GREEN LEAFY VEGETABLES

There is something in green leafy vegetables called sulforaphane, that is proven to help fight cancer. The ideal vegetables to include in your dog's diet include broccoli, red or regular cabbage, broccoli sprouts, kale and Brussels sprouts. Serve them raw, but first run them through a food processor to break the vegetables down into tiny digestible pieces.

Here is some of the research on sulforphane and dogs with cancer:

The effects of sulforaphane on canine osteosarcoma proliferation and invasion.

Evaluation of the effect of dietary vegetable consumption on reducing risk of transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder in Scottish Terriers.

Independent effects of the broccoli-derived compound sulforaphane on Ca²⁺ influx and apoptosis in Madin-Darby canine renal tubular cells.

TURKEY TAIL MUSHROOMS

Turkey tail is a medicinal mushroom that has been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Many researchers are excited about the newer research in this amazing fungus and its potential for cancer treatment.

One study showed that turkey tail mushroom supplementation delayed metastases and improved survival of dogs with hemangiosarcoma. There are also studies that show turkey tail and other medicinal mushrooms can improve function of the immune system.

Remember that higher doses of turkey tail mushrooms are ideal for fighting cancer. One study used 100mg pet kg of weight every day, and found that the higher 100mg dose had the highest survival rate and patients lived the longest.

CANNABIDIOL (CBD)

Cannabidiol (CBD) and other cannabis extracts have been found to inhibit cancer cell growth, and cause cancer cell death. Another study showed that CBD can also cause death in leukemia cells!

More research is needed, but the studies that have been done have proven that CBD can pack a serious punch in cancer treatment! Cannabidiol can also increase the efficacy of other cancer treatments!

FUCOIDAN (A POLYSACCHARIDE FOUND IN BROWN SEAWEED)

Fucoidan is abundant in brown seaweed such as kelp, and is also packed full of vitamins and minerals. Kelp is inexpensive, easy to find, and comes with a cancer fighting polysaccharide that has been the focus of some medical studies!

Studies have shown that Fucoidan has anti-cancer and anti-tumor properties. One study shows that it can inhibit cancer cell growth and cause cancer cell death, while another shows fucoidan can cause cancer call death in leukemia.

OMEGA FATTY ACIDS

Omega fatty acids (such as fish oil, krill oil, phtyoplankton, flax seed oil, etc) has been widely used as an adjunctive therapy for cancer patients. A study done on Golden Retrievers showed that omega fatty acid supplementation could help protect dogs from cancers like lymphoma.

Fish oil has been shown to increase efficacy of other cancer treatments, without any toxicity or side effects.

This article has been a labor of love for me, a gift from me to you. It is my life's purpose to find information, gain the knowledge and do the supportive research to provide my fellow dog lovers with the tools they need to keep our dogs healthy and living longer!

I wish you all the best, with love and strength.

- Caitlin Leandres


For more amazing information on natural dog health care (often supported by scientific research), feel free to come join my exclusive closed Facebook group: K9 Instinct: Holistic Dog Health Care. In that group I share all of my new articles and any new research or news in the pet world.

Don't forget to select "ALL POSTS" under Notifications in the Facebook group to make sure you see all of my new articles and any news!

Nature has a lot of answers for us, as evident in some scientific research done in the recent years on using certain nutrient-rich foods in cancer prevention. Recent statistics have told us that 1 in 2 dogs will develop cancer at some point in their lives - which is absolutely unheard of in any other species and completely unacceptable. Diet and lifestyle absolutely has a major impact in the health of our beautiful dogs.

Thankfully there are things we can do right now to help prevent scary diseases like cancer in our pets. Things that are relatively inexpensive and absolutely easy to incorporate into the lifestyle of our dogs. We can make this difference for our dogs by adding leafy green vegetables rich in sulforaphane! The selenium found in broccoli also shows to be anti-cancer! Yes, you read that right. Using leafy green vegetables to help prevent cancer is supported by scientific research!

Ideally, these healthy vegetables should be served raw and run through a food processor to chop them up into tiny pieces for improved digestion and nutrient absorption. You can also steam or boil these vegetables, but cooking does damage some of the nutrients of the food.

If your dog doesn't want to eat their veggies, you can chop them up as finely as possible as sneak them into some fresh, raw ground meat. Simply mix the ingredients together and serve!

The daily dosage of leafy green vegetables is 1/4 teaspoon per 10lbs of body weight!

The following vegetables are full of sulforaphane  and other amazing nutrients and are safe for dogs!

• Broccoli
• Broccoli sprouts
• Brussels sprouts
• Red Cabbage
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Kale

For more amazing information on natural dog health care (often supported by scientific research), feel free to come join my exclusive closed Facebook group: K9 Instinct: Holistic Dog Health Care. In that group I share all of my new articles and any new research or news in the pet world.

Don't forget to select "ALL POSTS" under Notifications in the Facebook group to make sure you see all of my new articles and any news!

~ Caitlin Leandres

There's no better way to start or end your day than looking at pictures of dogs, am I right? Better yet, people have come up with some of the most amazing and hilarious captions to go with the photos of their dogs that it would be a crime against humanity not to share them!

So, here to make your day SO MUCH BETTER, are 10 amazing and hilarious dog memes.

The only thing that can make us feel as warm and fuzzy as these memes do is our dogs! These carefully selected photos do an amazing job expressing the incredible bond we share with our pups. If these don't melt your heart, nothing else will!

Dogs have become our personal escorts, following us all around the house to offer their moral support and companionship! That includes the bathroom, too! Even if we are only in there for a minute.

I think we can all agree that our beloved four legged friends are family. They are NOT just dogs.

Does anyone else have a dog that just knows when you're having a bad day? Aren't they absolutely amazing? Dogs make life SO MUCH better!

It's true. Sometimes cuddling up or spending time with our dogs is the only way to make us feel better. A dogs love is like medicine.

We just can't resist when our snuggly pups want to hop up for a cuddle. I'm not sure there is anything better than these moments with our best friends.

There are days when the only thing we can stand is hanging out with our dogs. Whether work has been long and exhausting, or people keep upsetting us - our dogs are a safe place of love and friendship.

It doesn't matter how hard things get... our dogs are always there waiting to support, offer unconditional love, and make our days better.

Who cares what anyone else says, the art of spoiling our dogs is just an expression of love!

It's true. There really is no friend more loyal than a dog!

It really is. Dogs know how to make even our worst days a little bit better. Their love can heal a lot of wounds!

A Facebook group is inspiring people to storm Area 51 and "see them aliens" on the 20th of September. Approximately 1.7 million people have stated that they will be there for the event. However, before you confront the US Air Force’s super-secret military facility, another group on Facebook is hoping you will stop in Oklahoma!

An animal shelter in Oklahoma City is encouraging people to "come storm our shelter" and check out their adorable  dogs to help "protect you from the Area 51 aliens." Their adoptable pooches even come wearing clever tin foil hats! They are the perfect companions for the devoted alien hunter!

Recently the OKC Animal Shelter in Oklahoma City  made a Facebook post stating, "We have great animals ready to protect you from the Area 51 aliens," adding, "adoption isn’t that far out of this world!"

They are urging people to check out their website, because they have MANY dogs, cats, and a few pocket pets available for adoption. Facebook users thoroughly enjoyed the amazingly creative photos they provided to inspire users to come visit the shelter.