Though CBD used to be a fairly niche product, the market has experienced exponential growth in recent years. CBD products have been a staple in the wellness space since they were legalized for sale in the U.S., but there is also increasing interest in CBD products for dogs. As with many other potential uses for CBD, there is a lot of research underway, but there is already a number of pet CBD products on the market. If you’re curious and want to learn more, keep reading for everything you need to know about CBD use for dogs.
What do you need to know about using CBD for your dog?
While you may have heard of CBD, you might not have realized that they actually make CBD for dogs, too. Since your dog’s body chemistry is different from yours, it’s a good idea to look for products that were specially formulated for pets. You should also find a brand with a commitment to natural ingredients, as you don’t want to give your furry friend any products that contain harmful chemicals or artificial flavors and coloring.
It’s still early, but many experts are looking into whether or not CBD may be beneficial for dogs. One recent study focused on the use of CBD to treat canine osteoarthritis. Researchers hoped to evaluate the safety, dosage, and other properties. During the study, about 80 percent of dogs showed improvement in both discomfort and mobility. These results were measured using the canine brief pain inventory and the Hudson activity scale. A smaller study also indicated that CBD may have potential for helping epileptic dogs reduce the frequency of seizures. More research is needed, but there are reasons for optimism.
As with any product you intend to use on your pet, you should talk to your veterinarian before giving your dog CBD. Your vet can tell you more about how CBD may impact your pet’s health condition or interact with other medication that they may be taking. Your vet may also be able to provide more information on different types of products and proper dosage.
What is CBD and how does it work?
CBD, otherwise known as cannabidiol, is one of the many cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Hemp and hemp plant derivatives like CBD were legalized in the United States through the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill. Since then, the market has grown considerably in both visibility and profitability. There are even experts who believe the CBD industry could be worth $20 billion by 2024. There’s no doubt that customers can expect even more innovation in the CBD business in the coming years.
There are also clinical studies going on to determine CBD’s medical applications for humans, and advances have been made in recent years. For example, the FDA approved its first prescription drug containing cannabidiol as an active ingredient in 2018. The drug, Epidiolex, was designed to treat seizures associated with two rare forms of epilepsy. In 2020, an additional indication was approved, and the drug was made available to patients with tuberous sclerosis complex as well. There is optimism within the wider community that this is only the beginning for the versatile cannabis compound.
Though CBD has only been legal for a few short years, it has already become a popular ingredient in products ranging from topical lotions to edibles to beauty products. The introduction of pet CBD is new, but interest is growing rapidly. While there aren’t any FDA-approved uses for CBD in dogs yet, there are some studies that have shown promise when managing conditions like osteoarthritis and epilepsy. There’s still a lot left to learn about the benefits of CBD, but it might be worth having a conversation with your vet about CBD for your dog.
