Dogs are amongst the most versatile animals in the world. They can adapt to most environments and can be used for a variety of purposes. These include as a pet, as a form of security, for work and for sports. They are strong, playful, loyal, and easy to care for and make for friendly companions. No wonder humans are so fond of them.
Pet parents are responsible for the wellbeing of their dogs and they will often take steps to ensure they are doing well. They do this by feeding, grooming and visiting the vet when it is time to do so. They also ensure that they administer any needed medication to them when they need it. You can find tips on how to care for your pet here.
There are many different drugs available for treating different diseases in dogs. CBD oil or cannabidiol is a multi-purpose drug that can be used for most dog ailments. It is a panacea that provides a way to take care of your pet both in sickness and in health.
CBD as it is popularly called is extracted from the various parts of the hemp plant. It can be extracted by various methods. These are by the use of olive oil, using a solvent, or by CO2 extraction. C02 extraction however, remains the best of the three methods.
When extracted, cannabidiol is then made into different usable products that are easy to administer to your canine. CBD oil is one of these products and the most popular. Other products that you may use for your pet include chews such as treats and biscuits as well as pills and capsules. You can also use balms and sprays directly on its skin and if you wish, add a little CBD oil in its meal.
Benefits of CBD Oil for Dogs
Cannabidiol works wonders as it can be used to treat a wide range of diseases in dogs. These can include canine distemper, rabies, parvovirus, and heartworm amongst others. It can also be used for conditions such as pain and inflammation, anxiety, lack of appetite and insomnia.
Cannabidiol is effective as it contains several beneficial substances like flavonoids, terpenes, omega fatty acids and essential oils. It also contains vitamins and nutrients like zinc, magnesium, calcium, iron, phosphorus and so on. All of these are needed for the proper functioning of the body.
Furthermore, every mammal has the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This is a system responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the body. It helps to regulate the most important functions in the body. The ECS produces natural cannabinoids and enzymes that aid its functions.
Some of these functions include eating, sleeping, mood changes as well as aiding the central nervous system and the immune system. When the ECS cannot produce enough natural cannabinoids, CBD can be administered as a supplement so that it can continue its work. You can learn more about the ECS here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endocannabinoid_system.
How Do You Administer CBD to Your Pet?
There are several ways of administering cannabidiol to your dog depending on which cannabidiol product you are using. Below are these ways:
Sublingually
This is perhaps the best method of administering cannabidiol. Sublingual use involves dropping CBD oil underneath your dog’s tongue. It tends to be more effective and fast-acting this way as the substance does not have to go through the dog’s digestive system.
By Ingestion
Ingestion means taking cannabidiol through food or something that will pass through the digestive system. For dogs, this is via taking oils or capsules, treats, or when it is added to their meal or drink. Taking cannabidiol in this way is not as effective as a sublingual method. However, you can easily use this method to maintain your pet’s wellbeing.
Topically
This is when you apply cannabidiol in form of balms, creams, rubs, or sprays directly on your dog’s skin. It can be a concentrated product or one that is used as part of the ingredient for making a product. Like ingestion, using cannabidiol topically is not as effective as using it sublingually.
Types of Hemp Oil
There are two different types of oil that you can extract from the hemp plant. These are hemp seed oil as well as CBD oil. These two are beneficial in their ways but they are different.
Hemp seed oil contains no cannabidiol and has fewer applications than CBD oil. While both can be used for your canine, you must understand the differences in order to buy the right one.
What Is The Right Dosage For Your Pet?
Typically, there are no specific dosages when it comes to using cannabidiol. However, manufacturers and sellers often provide you with a guideline to follow. The quantity to administer to your canine is dependent on different factors. This include:
- The condition you want to treat.
- The age of your pet
- The weight of your pet.
The prevalent suggestion for use is around 0.25mg for each 1lb of a dog’s weight at an interval of eight hours. That is, if the dog is 10lb then the suggested dosage will be (0.25 x 10lb = 2.5mg).
Conclusion
You may go wrong with other drugs but you cannot go wrong with cannabidiol. This is because oftentimes, it addresses the root of the problem by its interaction with the endocannabinoid system. CBD oil is best administered sublingually, but you can use other methods too. The most important thing is ensuring the health and wellbeing of your dog by using it.
