TLDR: Shop CBD for Dogs Now
Dog owners are using CBD oil for many reasons, including relief of pain, inflammation, anxiety, as well as increased focus, mobility and comfort. But can CBD oil help my dog? What are the benefits of CBD or hemp for dogs? And what product should I choose?
You know your dog, and typically you can tell when he's feeling his best -- active and content and ready to play. But recognizing the signs that something is not quite right with your pup may be more difficult to discern. Behaviors such as whining, barking, panting, licking, being restless, a change in appetite or water intake, or a sudden change in mood or mobility may be signs that something is awry. But determining the cause and how to help address the issue isn't always obvious. These behaviors may be signs of pain from arthritis, injury, disease, infection, or excessive physical exertion. Or such behaviors may indicate emotional distress, anxiety, or even a combination of contributing factors. Certain individual dogs, and some canine breeds will be inclined to provide clear signals, while others may be more stoic, and require additional detective work to help get to the bottom of it all. A consult with your veterinarian is the obvious first step to help evaluate and diagnose underlying issues or conditions that are causing the troubling symptoms. Often, a simple veterinary examination can help determine obvious issues such as wounds, rashes, or external injuries. Age-related arthritis as well as certain conditions or cancers are often a factor in senior dogs or specific breeds that present with signs of pain, lameness, discomfort, depression, and reduced mobility. Further diagnostics such as imaging or blood work can provide your vet with additional information and suggest a course of treatment. Depending upon the diagnosis, prescription medications that your vet may recommend include non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), other pain or allergy medications, antibiotics, and anticonvulsants, to name a few. But many of these drugs are known to present risks of adverse reactions, especially with long-term use. Other supportive treatments your care team can offer include cold laser therapy, chiropractic, bodywork, and physical therapy. A change in diet or weight management plan are other options to consider to address specific issues and increase overall comfort and well being for your dog.
But increasingly, as results are documented and research undertaken and reported, dog owners are asking, in addition to conventional treatment options: Can CBD oil help my dog?
1. CBD may help dogs suffering from the pain of arthritis.
While there is no "cure" for arthritis in dogs, you (along with your vet/health care team) can implement a plan to help alleviate pain, inflammation, and stiffness, and increase comfort and mobility for your pup. Your plan could include diet/weight/body condition evaluation and appropriate measures to modify diet, carefully adding low impact activities such as leash walking, swimming, and massage. Specialized orthopedic dog beds may help provide support and relieve pressure on arthritic joints, thereby reducing discomfort and stiffness after periods of rest and immobility. Utilizing stair steps or ramps will help your arthritic dog more easily negotiate their way to and from their favorite high places like sofas, beds and cars. Cold weather may also impact arthritic pain, so consider protective clothing such as doggie coats or sweaters especially for short-haired breeds and senior dogs. Many supplements may aid in the relief of pain and inflammation, including OTC joint supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), and natural botanicals such as turmeric and boswellia.
Cannabidiol (CBD) has been shown to address pain and inflammation in dogs suffering from arthritis. Indications are that CBD has an anti-inflammatory effect on dogs by interacting with receptors (called CB1 and CB2 receptors) in the dog's endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is found in all mammals, including humans. Scientists believe the ECS is responsible for maintaining balance inside the body, regulating how the body's systems respond to external stimuli. CBD acts to affect how the ECS modulates pain and inflammatory responses, thereby helping dogs (as well as the rest of us) experience reduced pain and inflammation as well as increased comfort and mobility.
Research studies regarding safety and efficacy of CBD in animals are increasing. Specifically, positive results have been reported by studies at Cornell University, Colorado State University, and Baylor College of Medicine regarding therapeutic effects of CBD in dogs with osteoarthritis. [1] [2] [3] An increased demand for science will serve to augment the proliferation of anecdotal evidence that -- as a complement to conventional treatment options -- CBD may provide safe and effective therapeutic benefits for dogs experiencing pain, inflammation, and reduced mobility due to arthritis.
When considering CBD products for their dogs, owners should look for pet-specific products made from organically grown USA hemp, and products that are tested for purity and potency. Trove Canine CBD Oil 750 and Trove Canine Oil 300 are made with the same premium products, and according to the same strict quality standards, as Trove's products for people. Unlike hemp-infused dog treats, Trove products can be precisely dosed to add to your dog's food or favorite treat, or given directly into the mouth so you know the exact dosage your dog is getting. And we've never met a dog that didn't love the taste of Trove! We recommend that you always consult your veterinary team whenever starting any new treatment, supplement, or medication for your dog.
2. CBD may help dogs with general anxiety or separation anxiety.
One of the most popular trends in pet care is using hemp oil or CBD oil for dogs to help dogs with anxiety. Although derived from the cannabis sativa plant, CBD products for dogs derived from industrial hemp contain little or no THC, the psychoactive compound that produces the “high” effect found in marijuana. Trove Canine products are THC free, and providing your dog with Trove CBD supplements will give them the benefit of relaxation without psychoactive or sedative effects.
"Anxiety" in dogs may arise as a result of a number of root causes: pain, fear, separation, disorientation. And, like some people, some dogs just tend to be a bit hyperactive. Training techniques to encourage calm such as desensitization, directed exercise, positive reinforcement, and patient behavioral modification will go a long way to reinforce confidence and comfort and take the place of fear and insecurity. While separation anxiety is a common issue with rescue dogs, this problem can arise with any dog, especially after owners may be returning to the workplace after a long period of time spent at home with their pets. Undesirable behaviors such as barking, soiling, and chewing are problematic; however, severe separation anxiety may also lead to stress-related physical manifestations.
The Trove blog article "Can CBD Oil Help My Dog With Separation Anxiety?" offers much useful information on this subject, including tips on exercise, crate training, and help from a professional dog trainer or veterinary behaviorist. Trove Canine products may prove helpful in relieving separation concerns and anxiety, reducing inflammation, addressing pain and soreness, increasing calm and focus for training and behavior modification, nurturing the skin and coat, and supporting the nervous, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, and immune systems, proving particularly important for animals who are exhibiting signs of stress as a result of changes in their established routines.
3. CBD may help dogs with seizures or neurological issues.
Studies at Colorado State University (CSU) and others are reporting encouraging results regarding the ability of CBD to address epilepsy and reduce severity and frequency of seizures in dogs. [4] [5] Dr. Stephanie McGrath of CSU is one of the leading research veterinarians studying the potential beneficial therapeutic effects of CBD for dogs, both in osteoarthritis and neurologic conditions including seizure disorders. Based on her preliminary research, she found that 89 percent of dogs that received CBD in a pilot clinical trial had a reduction in the frequency of seizures. “Overall, what we found seems very promising,” she said. A larger study, in collaboration with funding from the American Kennel Club (AKC) is underway. [6] Dr. McGrath states that:
Osteoarthritis and epilepsy are devastating to our veterinary patients and neither has an ideal treatment to date. If these current and future studies can demonstrate that dogs attain sufficient blood exposure with oral dosing and that CBD is an efficacious drug, it has the potential to improve the quality of life of this population of dogs, as well as decrease the rate of euthanasia.
However, Dr. McGrath also cautions that:
Although CBD is an enticing and perhaps promising drug, veterinarians and pet owners must be warned that right now the market is completely unregulated. Without the proper oversight, the products on the shelves and online are not always trustworthy. Unfortunately, many of the claims, including ingredients, are not accurate. When looking to purchase or research specific CBD products, veterinarians and pet owners can ask for a certificate of analysis, ensure the product is produced from a hemp plant (<0.3% THC), and look for companies that support the scientific research. [7]
All Trove Canine products are THC free, derived from organically grown USA hemp, and are independently triple tested for purity, potency, and consistency. A QR code on every product links directly to the Certificate of Analysis for that product batch, so you can ensure the quality and exact dosage of the product you provide for your pet.
4. CBD may help active or working dogs increase mobility.
Much like human athletes, active, competition, and working dogs may suffer from exercise-induced pain and inflammation from over exertion, limited conditioning, or insufficient muscle recovery. CBD Oil for dogs helps to restore homeostasis, and therefore may relieve inflammation, address nerve pain, soothe sore muscles, and restore mobility, without the potential known side effects of NSAIDs and other pharmaceuticals.
5. CBD may help dogs in training with improved focus.
Whether you're training a new 4-legged family member, rehabbing a rescue dog, or training your dog for obedience or competitive sport, CBD may help enhance mental focus that will assist in your dog's training program.
6. CBD may help dogs with surgical/injury/illness recovery.
Following a surgery, injury or illness, your dog will most likely be on a regimen of medications, supplements, and restricted activity as directed by your veterinarian. Trove Canine CBD may help support the neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, digestive, immune, and circulatory systems that will prove helpful in restoring homeostasis from the stress of the surgery, injury, or illness. Studies as well as experiential evidence also suggest that CBD oil for dogs may help ameliorate healing, relieve pain and inflammation, and relieve anxiety resulting from confinement, recovery/rehab regimens.
7. CBD may help dogs with noise anxiety, sound sensitivity, or motion sickness.
Many dogs understandably exhibit symptoms of anxiety when experiencing loud noises from thunderstorms, fireworks, construction activity, or natural disasters. Some dogs become anxious during travel due to sound sensitivity or motion sickness. CBD oil for dogs helps to prevent or lessen the intensity of behavior arising from noise anxiety, sound sensitivity, and motion sickness, and may prevent habituation of stress-induced behaviors. Being proactive in advance of times when your dog may be stressed and anxious due to external forces such as thunder, fireworks, or travel, Trove Canine CBD tinctures may promote coping and relaxation. Trove Canine CBD Oil is THC free, non-psychoactive, and upon consultation with your vet care team, may be administered along with other supplements on a daily basis to promote calmness and general well being.
But, all CBD pet products are not created equal.
Not only are there different product types and formulations, there are also different strengths, concentrations, and contents. And not all products are tested and verified. So, in order to be sure about the quality and strength of the CBD you choose for your pet, start with a product that is tested for purity and concentration and offers a laboratory Certificate of Analysis to back it up. Know the product's CBD concentration per mL, and verify that package labeling accurately represents actual CBD content, not just a host of other cannabinoids, hempseed extracts, or other botanicals. And as added safety for your pet, choose a product that is THC free. Trove Canine CBD Oil 750 contains 750 mg CBD per 30 mL bottle; each 1 mL dropper (20 drops) contains 25 mg CBD. Trove Canine CBD Oil 300 contains 300 mg CBD per 30 mL bottle; each 1 mL dropper (20 drops) contains 10 mg CBD. All Trove products are THC free, non GMO, and gluten free. Trove sources organically-grown USA hemp, and all products are triple tested and labeled with a QR code that links directly to the Certificate of Analysis for that batch. For more information and specific dosing guidelines, consult Trove packaging information, the Trove website, or contact us.
Copyright © 2021 Deborah Carter. All rights reserved
[1] https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2018.00165/full
[5] https://www.akcchf.org/news-events/news/clinical-trial-to-study.html
[6] https://www.akcchf.org/research/research-portfolio/2323.html