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CBD has become one of the biggest health fads in recent years. Although the cannabis compound was illegal until recently, it first garnered praise and attention, propelling it to its current popularity. It was only a matter of time before this health fad spread to pets, and that time has come.
Today, you can find all kinds of CBD products made specifically for pets, including treats and tinctures. CBD is generally promoted as a natural compound that is safe for adults to ingest, but is the same true for dogs? Before you start giving your dog CBD treats, let's take a closer look at CBD oil for dogs and the side effects it may cause.
What is CBD oil?
CBD is short for cannabidiol, one of the many cannabinoid compounds found in the cannabis plant. While cannabis is known for its psychoactive effects, CBD is a non-psychoactive compound that has been shown to offer a variety of health benefits.
CBD does not cause the high that occurs with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive compound in cannabis.
CBD oil for dogs is derived from the hemp plant (not marijuana), and the hemp plant must contain less than 0.3% THC to be federally legal, but it's important to note that the legality of CBD products varies from state to state.
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Is CBD oil safe for dogs?
please note
The FDA has not yet approved the use of CBD or other hemp-containing products to treat illnesses in animals, so if you plan on administering CBD to your pet, consult with your veterinarian before administering it.
CBD has been proven to have positive effects in humans. For example, it has been used to treat epilepsy, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. According to the World Health Organization, “CBD is generally well tolerated and has a favorable safety profile.” However, since this is about humans, the question remains as to how safe CBD is for dogs.
Research is currently underway into the use of CBD for our beloved dogs. Studies have shown that CBD may be helpful in dogs with pain management, seizure control, anxiety, atopy (allergic skin disease to environmental allergens), and more. Studies so far have shown that CBD oil is well tolerated by dogs, but more research is needed to fully understand its metabolism, efficacy, safety, and potential side effects.
6 Potential Side Effects of CBD for Dogs
While CBD is said to be beneficial and relatively safe for humans, there are some side effects that dogs can suffer as a result of this compound, especially if administered in excessive amounts.
1. Dry mouth
Many people know that cannabis can cause dry mouth in humans, but CBD may have a similar effect on dogs. While it may be annoying to see your dog drooling everywhere, that drooling is actually important to your dog's health. If CBD dries out your dog's mouth, it can lead to poor dental health, bad breath, and even painful swallowing. Your dog may be itching to drink more water.
2. Drowsiness
Drowsiness and sedation are another common side effect of cannabis use in humans. CBD oil for dogs should be THC-free, but your dog may show signs of drowsiness when given CBD. This is often due to a dosage that is too high, so if your dog becomes drowsy after giving them CBD, consult with your vet and consider lowering the dosage.
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3. Stomach problems
Studies have shown that diarrhea is a common side effect in dogs given CBD orally or via injected transdermal cream. Mild diarrhea has also been reported as a rare side effect in humans.
Some dogs have more sensitive stomachs than others, and as with many new medications and supplements, vomiting is a possible side effect.
4. Changes in Liver Enzymes
CBD has been shown to affect liver enzymes and influence the way some drugs are metabolized in the body, meaning it can interact with and affect other drugs, potentially causing serious side effects.
This is another reason why you should always consult with your veterinarian before using CBD supplements, especially if your pup is currently taking other medications.
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5. Dizziness
CBD can also cause dizziness in dogs. You should be on the lookout for signs that your dog is dizzy, such as difficulty standing up or repeated falls. CBD can slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure, so taking CBD oil, especially in large doses, can lower your blood pressure and cause lightheadedness and dizziness.
If the CBD oil you are using is not pure and contains THC, the psychoactive substance in cannabis that causes the “high” experienced by users, your dog may be prone to dizziness. While this may be pleasurable for some, it may not be as thrilling for your dog. THC is toxic to dogs in high doses and should be avoided. CBD products formulated specifically for dogs should be THC-free.
6. Harmful additives
Aside from THC, CBD oil products formulated for humans may contain other dangerous ingredients, including xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. Always follow your veterinarian's instructions and use products made specifically for animals.
Unfortunately, there is often minimal quality control on CBD products. A study evaluating 29 veterinary hemp products found that only 10 contained the stated amount of CBD, and 4 were contaminated with heavy metals. Reputable CBD companies should be able to provide you with a Certificate of Analysis for their products.
Conclusion
While CBD is considered safe for both humans and dogs in most cases, side effects are possible for both humans and dogs. While we can decide whether the potential side effects are worth the potential benefits of taking CBD, dogs can't make that decision. Owners must decide what is best for their dogs.
More research is needed on the safety of CBD oil for dogs, so be sure to consult with your vet before giving it to your dog and be aware of any possible side effects.
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Featured image credit: Erin Stone, Pixabay
