Do Vets Recommend CBD Oil for Dogs? Expert’s Opinion
When it comes to CBD oil for dogs, there is a lot of information circulating. It can be hard to determine what’s factual and what’s embellished. As a responsible pet owner, you want to know what’s best for your dog, which leads us to the ask: What does CBD do for dogs?
What Does CBD Do For Dogs?
According to healthline.com, studies and anecdotal evidence suggest CBD may be useful in treating anxiety, arthritis, pain, and cancer for dogs. Though CBD research remains in its infancy, there is some evidence that CBD for dogs may be beneficial in treating these conditions:
Arthritis: Because CBD shares metabolic pathways with anti-inflammatory drugs, it stands to reason that it would be helpful for certain inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. The use of CBD twice daily at the appropriate doses has been shown to significantly reduce pain in dogs with arthritis.
Pain: Similarly, the anti-inflammatory benefits observed in dogs with arthritic conditions could also be experienced by dogs that suffer from other types of inflammation, such as back pain due to intervertebral disc disease.
Cancer: The term “cancer” encompasses a wide variety of distinct diseases, each approached in its own manner to find a treatment or a cure. Various clinical studies have been conducted on the effects of CBD in cancer patients, both for treating tumors and secondary symptoms of cancer and chemotherapy.
However, minimal research has been completed specifically regarding its benefits in treating cancer in canines. Yet dogs receiving chemotherapy may benefit from CBD treatment, as its anti-nausea effects have been documented to work for rats and ferrets.
Anxiety: A common belief about CBD is that it manages anxiety in dogs. CBD could potentially relieve anxiety from the reduction of pain and inflammation. However, due to CBD’s non-psychoactive nature, there is little possibility that CBD can be used to treat anxiety in dogs directly and more research is needed at this time.
What Do Vets Think Of CBD For Dogs
What do vets answer when asked “Is CBD safe for dogs”? The sale of CBD products intended for dogs doesn’t automatically mean they’re considered safe or beneficial for pets. The FDA has not yet approved CBD products for animals.
Therefore, it’s important to consider potential risks and benefits.
What do vets think of CBD oil for dogs? Veterinarian at Southlake Animal Hospital, Dr. Lauren Beaird says “I have several pets that benefit from full-spectrum hemp oil that are suffering from arthritis, cognitive decline, anxiety, and even cancer.”
Dr. Beaird also stated, “While hemp may not be a cure-all, it is always part of my treatment plan recommendations for pets with any chronic illness or inflammatory disorder.”.
So, what does CBD do for dogs? Veterinarian at The Center of Animal Healing, Dr. Paul Rowan, states “We were sold on CBD products after a long-time client of ours whose doggie is always full of strange wart-like spots.”
Dr. Rowan continued, “After one week of application, the spots changed shape and flattened. A couple of weeks later following continued use, the spots were gone.”
Is CBD Safe For Dogs?
It’s natural that many pet owners wonder if CBD is safe for dogs. At this point, it’s crucial to ensure a proper dosage of CBD oil for dogs, with little or no THC in the mix.
Director and owner of the Montclair Veterinary Hospital in California, Dr. Gary Ritcher states, “Depending on the nature of the product, if it contains little or no THC, then the dog is not going to get high.”
Conclusion
You already know what CBD does for dogs. At this time, while CBD is not federally approved for dogs, the experience of several veterinarians indicates that it could be beneficial. However, more research is needed. Make sure to consult a licensed veterinarian if you are considering giving your pet CBD.
Still not sure if it’s worth using CBD? Check out our article discussing popular myths and facts about CBD.
