Richter explains that small amounts of THC may be useful for some dogs, cautions against giving it to your dog because it is difficult to dose and too much can be toxic. Hemp, on the other hand, contains less than. Overall, CBD itself seems to be incredibly safe in dogs and cats. However, numerous scientific articles have found that when administered at recommended doses, CBD causes an increase in a significant liver value in the blood test called alkaline phosphatase (AP).
According to the Pet Poison Helpline (1-800-213-6680), the risk of marijuana poisoning in dogs is moderate to severe. Rarely, it can kill dogs, especially if a dog eats a large amount. This could happen if you accidentally leave a stash open from your bag or if your dog gets into a large pan of brownies or other groceries. After many anecdotal reports of the potential health benefits of CBD, studies are now underway to look at the potential benefits of CBD in managing pain from conditions such as osteoarthritis, calming anxious pets, and as a possible treatment for epilepsy in dogs.
A study by Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine found that dogs that received CBD at a rate of 4.4 mg per pound twice daily for a month showed significant improvement in pain relief and quality of life. In this study from Colorado State University, dogs that received CBD for 12 weeks had 33 percent fewer seizures than those who received a placebo, but it didn't work for all dogs. In theory, it's possible that CBD, by reducing pain and inflammation, can indirectly reduce anxiety caused by pain or inflammation. Preliminary studies in people have shown that combination products containing CBD and THC are more beneficial for pain relief than when given alone.
CBD products make all kinds of health claims, such as reducing anxiety, promoting sleep, and managing pet pain. Whenever possible, use CBD pet care products that contain 0.0% THC and watch for symptoms of THC poisoning, such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, restlessness, and trouble standing. Note that THC has been reported to cause seizures, so it should never be included in any CBD seizure control product. Pet parents and veterinarians naturally wonder if cbd for dogs, in the form of products such as cbd oil for dogs or dog treats with CBD, can provide the same benefits.
While research is ongoing on potential medicinal uses of CBD in pets, such as epilepsy, osteoarthritis and chronic pain, the FDA has not approved it for any of these uses. When buying CBD pet care products, look for companies that support the research and that provide a certificate of analysis, or COA, for each batch they sell. CBD is often mentioned as a useful therapy for a variety of conditions, including pain management, arthritis, anxiety, seizures, and even cancer. In a University of Kentucky study, physiological measures of anxiety in response to noise were not significantly different for CBD versus placebo, and were worse compared to trazodone (a commonly prescribed medication for anxiety).
