Pets

Is CBD Safe For Dogs?

Is CBD safe for dogs? This is the question we are going to be focusing on in today’s article.

We have all heard about the potential therapeutic benefits of CBD for humans. There is currently a wide range of CBD products available for dogs on the market. A significant lack of education on the compound has resulted in most consumers having only a limited understanding of how CBD works and why it’s effective.

In this article, we are going to be considering the safety profile of CBD and how a dog may react after taking this compound. Administering CBD to a dog is not as straightforward as you may think. You cannot simply pick some CBD dog treats off the shelve and start giving them to your dog. There are a few essential things you need to know.

As a dog owner, understanding how CBD for dogs works will inevitably improve your dog’s experience with this compound. The more informed you are about how a dog owner can effectively administer CBD, the fewer mistakes will be made. It’s not rocket science but you should have a core understanding of CBD before giving it to your pets.

  • Is CBD safe for dogs?
  • Will CBD make dogs high?
  • Do vets recommend CBD for dogs?
  • What is the best CBD for dogs?

 

Is CBD safe for dogs?

CBD can be perfectly safe for dogs to consume. There are many CBD products for dogs on the market. Although, dog owners and veterinarians may have differing opinions about whether or not dogs should be taking this cannabis-derived chemical compound – and we will talk about this more later in the article. It isn’t possible for dogs to overdose on CBD because it’s a naturally occurring compound.

It is important, however, to make sure you are staying within the product-specific dosage guidelines when administering CBD to dogs. If you go above and beyond the recommended dosage limit, you will soon find out. Dogs may start to display the following mild symptoms if they have been given too much CBD:

  • Hyperesthesia
  • Vomiting
  • Ataxia
  • Lethargy

 

As the dog owner, it is your responsibility to make sure your pet is not being given too much CBD. This compound has been found to potentially provide dogs with a wide range of different therapeutic benefits. However, if you decide to go overboard with the dosing and give your dog too much as once, they may start to experience negative side effects.

It is advisable to always follow the product-specific dosing guidelines. In the event that your dog is suffering from any of the previously mentioned side effects and you are concerned about their welfare, speaking to a qualified veterinarian should be the next course of action. To begin with, it’s always best to start small before gradually increasing the CBD dosage.

Overall, CBD is regarded as having a good safety profile. The quality of CBD can vary from product to product so it’s always important to have a quick scan through the third-party lab reports. These documents should be made readily available by all CBD companies. At Spero CBD, we make sure our customers are given full access to all third-party lab reports.

Will CBD make dogs high?

CBD products for pets will not make dogs high. CBD is just one component of the cannabis plant and is not representative of all the characteristics of the plant. THC is the psychoactive component of cannabis. Typically, CBD products will only contain trace amounts of THC. This would not be enough to get your dog high or for them to experience psychoactive effects.

Although, for peace of mind, you should look for CBD products on the market that are THC free. There are plenty of CBD products for dogs that are 100% free from THC. We only recommend giving dogs CBD products specifically designed for canines. In other words, you should not be administering CBD to dogs that come from regular products.

Do vets recommend CBD for dogs?

This question needs its own article! It all depends on the country you live in. Currently, in the US, most of the major veterinary boards are advising practices to completely avoid talking about CBD to pet owners. Therefore, this means it’s highly unlikely that a veterinarian will recommend or prescribe CBD products for your dog.

Is CBD safe for dogs? Scientists are still trying to learn and understand more about how this compound interacts with dogs. Until more clinical trials have been completed, you shouldn’t expect to see any real movement on vets prescribing or recommending CBD for dogs. The current evidence to support the use of CBD for dogs is certainly promising.

It is possible for a veterinarian to prescribe CBD to dogs under certain circumstances. The Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act of 1994 (AMDUCA) permits veterinarians to prescribe human drugs for pets that are suffering from potentially life-threatening conditions. Unless your dog is currently dealing with a serious health condition, you shouldn’t expect to receive a prescription for CBD anytime soon.

What is the best CBD for dogs?

We highly recommend our CBD pet treats for dogs. These treats come in bacon and sweet potato flavor, providing your dog with a subtle introduction to the world of CBD. These are made from organically grown hemp and are completely THC free. Why not get started with CBD pet treats today?

Dr. Jordan Talley

Dr. Talley is a Physician Anesthesiologist who completed his medical residency at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Prior to medical school, he obtained a Master’s Degree in Physiology & Biophysics from Georgetown University. He completed his medical school at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM - Bradenton Campus). During his Anesthesiology training at Johns Hopkins he completed rotations in Chronic Pain Management and continues to manage acute and peri-operative pain for his patient as a private practice anesthesiologist in Virginia.