CBD Oil for Dogs
Advice & Information
As we discussed on our CBD for PETS page, giving a Dog (or
any Pet) CBD in the UK is quite a grey area and is really down to the owner (on
the advice of their local vet).
In the last 12 months, more and more Vets are recommending
trying your Dog on CBD for things like Anxiety (calming your Dog), Arthritis,
Pain, Seizures, general help with poorly eating Dogs, etc.
CBD is now being widely recognized as a go-to supplement for many Pets (just as it is in humans).
CBD & THC for Dogs
As mentioned on our CBD for PETS information page, all pets
(especially Dogs), must avoid THC. This is the psychoactive ingredient in the
Cannabis plant and can cause Dogs to have seizures.
How much CBD should I give my Dog?
As there are no "PET" CBD products in the UK
(legally), you will find that the CBD Oil recommended by Vets is normally a
"human" THC Free Isolate CBD Oil, blended with things like Salmon
Oil. Because it is designed for humans, the boxes will not offer any advice on
dosages for Pets. This would make it a "Pet" specific product and the
VMD (Veterinary Medicines Directorate) just does not allow that at present
(hopefully this will all change in the near future).
Studies in America by Dr Gary Richter found that the recommended amount of CBD safe to give Pets varied from
2-8mg/kg but most erred on a lower limit of 1-2mg/kg. **As with all CBD, less
is often found to be more effective.
Is CBD Safe to Give a Dog?
CBD is completely safe to give a Dog providing you follow these few rules:
Always get permission from your local Vet.
Always use a Trusted CBD Supplier.
Always use a THC Free CBD Oil.
Do not give your Dog too much CBD. Start small and slowly work up until you see a difference in your Dog.
Alternative & Complementary ways to help your Dog with
Anxiety etc
CBD has been proven to help humans and animals to relax, but
there are also other methods you may want to try. Here are some recognized
methods that may help your Dog to relax:
Exercise Your Dog
If your dog has separation anxiety, the obvious way to ease
their mind is to never leave them alone. That is not a reality for most pet
owners, so using exercise as both a bonding time and to tire out your pet is
often an easy fix!
Because anxiety can cause an excess of energy, taking your
dog out to play ball or on a long walk before you leave can be helpful.
Providing plenty of physical contact and talking to them during this time is
also beneficial. And, like their human counterparts, exercise can help relieve
stress by producing beneficial endorphins.
Mental Stimulation will leave your dog tired and this too
can really help your dog to relax.
Physical Contact
There is probably nothing more soothing to an anxious dog
than its owner’s touch. Try to identify the signs of anxiety in your dog and
nip them in the bud as early as possible by picking them up, cuddling on the
couch, or giving them a good long petting session.
Massage
As you probably know, a massage will relax and calm even the
most anxious human — did you know it also works wonders with dogs as well?!
Anxiety often causes tensing of the muscles and massage therapy is one way to
alleviate tension. Start at the neck and work downward with long strokes. Try
to keep one hand on the dog, while the other works to massage. Over time you
may even be able to identify where your dog holds its stress and just work on
that one particular area.
Music Therapy
Crazy as it may sound, music therapy has been proven to be
beneficial for our canine and feline friends. The power of music can be calming
and relaxing while you’re home, in the car, or away from your pet. Music can
also alleviate noise sensitivity by blocking the street or scary noises that
bother some dogs and create anxiety.
Research has shown that many dogs prefer classical music.
Harp music, often used in hospice situations, can be a natural sedative.
Time-Out
While anxiety isn’t a bad behavior per se, it can help to
give your dog some time out when they’re acting out. Isolating your pet in a
safe and quiet space can help calm their frayed nerves. Maybe that space has
some very quiet music playing, low lights, and/or some aromatherapy available
(see below “Alternative Therapies”).
You might also try a "ZenCrate" for time-outs and
as a general escape pod for your furry friend. The ZenCrate was designed to
help dogs with a variety of anxiety factors. It’s similar to a standard crate
but it provides vibration isolation, noise cancellation (through sound
insulation), reduced light, as well as comfort and security. A motion-activated
sensor turns on a gentle fan when your dog enters, which helps block noise and
provides a steady stream of fresh air. You can pre-program the crate with music.
It comes with a removable door, so your dog can self-comfort and enter at any
time.
Calming Coats/T-Shirts
Calming coats and t-shirts apply mild, constant pressure to
a dog’s torso, surrounding a dog much like a swaddling cloth on a baby. It’s
recommended for dogs with any type of anxiety induced by travel, separation,
noise, or stranger anxiety. These are available from most pet supply stores.
**Please note: CBD UK does not recommend purchasing any CBD products unless recommended or prescribed
by a qualified VMD Approved Veterinary Surgeon. We understand customers do give
their animals CBD to try and help them with all kinds of problems and we often
get asked about giving pets CBD. We are not and do not pretend to be Vets and
we are not qualified to offer advice on giving animals CBD.
