The American Kennel Club (AKC) recently addressed CBD for dogs on its website, acknowledging the fact that there are many different sources of information about this topic, which can lead to some confusion. Given the AKC’s reputation as a thought leader in everything canine, we thought it was important to give the organization’s recent publication on CDB some exposure here.
First and foremost, a brief synopsis on what CBD is. If you’re already in the know about this, jump to the next paragraph. Cannabidiol (CBD) is derived from cannabis and hemp plants. CBD oil does not include the psychoactive chemical called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, which is more widely known as THC. Most producers of CBD oil actually get their material from hemp and not marijuana plants. And while hemp and marijuana are from the same species of plant, hemp contains less than .3 percent THC, which means it doesn’t have any psychoactive effects.
Positive Impacts
The AKC points out in the article that there is yet to be a formal study on the effects of CBD oil on dogs. There is, however, plenty of anecdotal evidence to support the trend in its use. For example, dog owners have found that it treats their dogs’ pain symptoms and can also control seizures.
Dr. Jerry Klein, the AKC’s chief veterinary officer, was cited in the organization’s article, saying CBD oil has been used for its “anti-inflammatory properties, cardiac benefits, anti-nausea effects, appetite stimulation, anti-anxiety impact and for possible anti-cancer benefits, although there is no conclusive data on this use.”
An exciting note here from the AKC’s health foundation is that they are sponsoring a study being carried out at the Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences to evaluate CBD use in epileptic dogs.
Possible Side Effects
Are there side effects in dogs taking CBD oil? Because there has been no formal study, the AKC can’t really weigh in here, but they do note that humans who have taken CBD oil, they have experienced such side effects as dry mouth, temporary drop in blood pressure, and drowsiness.
So, what are the risks dogs face when being treated with CBD? The AKC says in the article that “any medication or supplement carries the risk of reaction,” which is why they recommend that if you decide to give your dog a new supplement, talk to your vet about it first, and start off with small doses and monitor any side effects before increasing dose amounts.
Which Product is Best?
Let’s say you’ve heard plenty of good things about CBD and have decided that you definitely want to try it on your dog, but you’re not sure which CBD products you can trust. The AKC article says to look for organic products and to avoid oils with solvents, fungicides or pesticides. You also want to purchase from a manufacturer that can certify the amount of CBD in its products and that there is no THC in them.
There is so much interest in CBD oil for humans that pet owners far and wide are beginning to seek out alternative treatments for their pets. It’s gone beyond a “trend,” and at PetSoothe, we’re continuing to monitor the latest news to keep you informed.
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