If you’ve spent any time studying cannabis for dogs, especially cannabidiol (CBD), you’ve undoubtedly wondered whether these products are safe and whether they’ll assist your hurting, nervous, or senior dog.

The simple truth about CBD is that there is no such thing as a simple truth about CBD. While CBD is a non-psychoactive compound produced from cannabis or hemp that does not cause people or animals to become intoxicated like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), it remains trapped in a medical and regulatory black hole from which precise information is virtually difficult to extract.

However, we have done our best to peer into the CBD abyss and extract as much information as possible to assist you in determining whether CBD could be beneficial for your dog. As you’ll soon see, veterinarians are put in a difficult situation when discussing these products. Still, perhaps this article has provided you with enough knowledge to make a better-informed decision.

WHAT IS CBD?

CBD (cannabidiol) is naturally occurring in the oils of the hemp plant’s leafy sections. Dogs have receptors located throughout their bodies connected to what is known as an Endocannabinoid System (ECS). CBD produced from plants, and full-spectrum hemp oil activates these receptors in the ECS, stimulating your dog’s natural anti-inflammatory capabilities. Regular usage of full-spectrum hemp oil has been found to dramatically improve the immune system’s anti-inflammatory capacity, resulting in a range of health advantages for dogs.

Why Should You Give CBD to Your Dog?

The most prevalent reason is that many dogs suffer aches, discomfort, and anxieties as they age (as humans do). While several medicines are available to treat these problems, many patients discover that they lose their efficacy with time.

This is the point at which CBD for dogs begins to establish itself as a significant, stand-alone player. CBD oil can help dogs with anxiety, particularly stress from time to time or noise phobia. Additionally, it can help alleviate pain and inflammation, improving the quality of life for dogs suffering from arthritis.

If you opt to give your dog CBD in the form of edible oil, it can begin working as soon as 5-20 minutes after administration. However, research indicates that it is more effective if administered gradually then all at once for worried pups.

Is It Safe to Give a Dog CBD?

Most veterinarians will agree that you should not give your dog an intoxication dose of THC, marijuana’s psychoactive component. There are several reasons for this, detailed in “Marijuana, Cannabidiol, and Dogs: Everything You Want (And Need) to Know.” The short and dirty truth is that dogs will not experience THC in the same way humans do, and it can even be harmful. Is CBD this superior? Maybe. And that is about all the information you will get from the majority of veterinarians. (See why the proverbial cat will almost certainly have your veterinarian’s tongue when it comes to discussing CBD for dogs.)

Due to its ambiguous classification and continuously fluctuating political winds, CBD presents a legal minefield for anybody wishing to investigate or promote its efficacy as an animal medication. Fortunately, several current investigations are being conducted at several different veterinary institutions. The findings of several clinical trials have been published, and they are incredibly positive. Please note that the studies referenced below were conducted using exact formulations of CBD, and because not all CBD oils/chews/etc. are made equal, this does not imply you should rush out and get any old (or even the cheapest) CBD product for your dogs. We’ve also included links to the firms whose CBD products were used in the university clinical trials below the new links. Again, this is not an endorsement or suggestion of these products but rather a guide to help you start your research if you choose to try CBD with your dogs.