If you are investigating CBD for dogs, you probably have a lot of questions about how CBD can help your pet. Chances are good you also have some misconceptions about CBD for dogs.
In this article, we will go over some common mistaken beliefs about CBD oil for dogs, cats and other pets. That way you can find out the truth about CBD for dogs.
1. Your dog can use your CBD.
When you hear that your dog can benefit from CBD the same way you can, you might think to yourself, “Great! I can give my dog some of the same CBD oil that I am using!”
In terms of content, it is true that CBD for dogs and CBD for humans are essentially the same. Both contain the same active ingredient.
But in terms of concentration, these two products are very different.
This is because both your weight and your metabolism are different from your dog’s weight and metabolism.
Following are some reasons why human CBD products are not suitable for dogs:
- First, you would need to do the math to calculate the dosage of a human CBD oil product which your dog could safely take. That would involve a great deal of effort, and it would be easy to make an error.
- Secondly, CBD in human products is simply too concentrated for a dog, especially a small one. The correct amount of a product which you take could be less than a drop for your dog. There is no way to measure that out.
- Thirdly, human products may contain flavoring which your dog finds unappetizing. But if you purchase a CBD oil product which is formulated for your dog, it could include a flavor which your dog enjoys.
Hopefully, this clears up why it is a misconception to believe that your dog can use the same CBD oil product which you purchase for your own use.
Key Point: You must buy your dog a CBD oil product which is made specifically for dogs.
2. You can use your dog’s CBD.
Another corresponding misconception is that even if your dog cannot use a human CBD oil product, perhaps you can use your dog’s CBD oil for yourself.
Following are the reasons why this isn’t a realistic prospect:
- You would need to run calculations to get the appropriate dosage for yourself.
- It isn’t cost effective. You would need to take a large quantity of the product to get the amount you needed. It would be less expensive to purchase a more highly concentrated product for yourself.
- The flavorings in your dog’s CBD oil are not targeted toward a human palate.
So this should clear up the myth that your dog’s CBD oil is a suitable product for you to use. You need one product for your dog and another for yourself.
Even though this may seem like a larger cost investment, it is actually a smaller one over the long term.
Key Point: Using your dog’s CBD oil yourself makes as little sense as letting your dog use your CBD oil.
3. It isn’t legal to obtain CBD for your dog.
Another concern that you might have about CBD is whether it is legal to purchase it for your dog in your state.
This is a pretty complicated topic. But WebMD sums it up pretty well on a federal level with the following statement:
“… Even though many states have legalized its use, the federal government still considers marijuana and CBD products derived from marijuana in almost any form to be illegal. But so far, federal law enforcement officials have not used their power to swoop in and shut down marijuana operations in states that have legalized it.”
What about the level of the states? In most states, marijuana and products derived from it are legal for medical use. In a number of other states, it is legal for both medical and recreational purposes. The only states that have a complete ban on marijuana at this time are Nebraska, Idaho and South Dakota.
But technically, even these states should not be problematic when it comes to CBD oil for your dog. The reason is that CBD oil is derived from hemp which has very low THC content, and under the 2018 Farm Bill, this should be fully legal.
WebMD quotes attorney Todd Harrison stating, “I think there is very little risk for consumers … I don’t think the states are going to take action against the consumer.”
If you would like to read up on the matter of CBD legality in detail, please read What is the Current Legality of CBD Oil?
Suffice to say, by the time you have finished reading that article, I think you will feel pretty comfortable buying CBD oil for your pet in your state.
Key Point: Even with the legal murkiness in some states, consumers can likely not expect legal problems buying CBD for their dogs.
4. Your dog will get high from CBD.
Another common misconception among consumers is that if you give CBD oil to your dog, your pet could get high.
Many people also believe that this is true of human CBD oil products.
There are only two situations in which this might happen:
- If you purchase a low-quality product from a disreputable company which contains more THC than it should.
- If you give your dog too much CBD oil.
Neither you nor your dog should ever get high from taking CBD purchased from a trusted manufacturer. Following are the reasons why:
- CBD oil is manufactured from extract taken from industrial hemp. This type of cannabis is bred specifically to contain low concentrations of THC to begin with. THC is the psychoactive compound which causes a high from marijuana.
- CBD itself does not have any psychoactive properties.
- Manufacturers of high-quality CBD oil make sure to remove all but trace amounts of THC. Third-party testing verifies that any THC present is not at a level which could produce a high.
This is why it is wise to purchase your dog’s CBD oil from a manufacturer which partners with a third-party lab to provide batch results which you can review.
This allows you to make sure that there are no significant amounts of THC nor any other contaminants present in the CBD oil which you will be giving your dog.
It also allows you to check the potency of the CBD oil to make sure that it can be effective for your pet.
Key Point: So long as you are purchasing CBD for your dog from a trusted manufacturer, it will not contain significant amounts of THC, and your dog will not get high from using it.
5. CBD will cure your dog’s ____.
Research into CBD oil is ongoing, but it is still very much in the initial stages even for humans. There are even fewer studies concerning dogs and other animals and the potential benefits of CBD oil for pets.
Currently, existing studies do seem to support the potential efficacy of CBD for treating arthritis, epilepsy, anxiety, and other conditions.
For example, here is an epilepsy study which states, “Compared with THC, cannabidiol (CBD) shows a better defined anticonvulsant profile in animal models and is largely devoid of adverse psychoactive effects and abuse liability.”
You can also take a look at a 2015 study on joint pain which states, “These data indicate that topical CBD application has therapeutic potential for relief of arthritis pain‐related behaviours and inflammation without evident side‐effects.”
But it is important to understand that there is a difference between treating something and curing it.
It is also important to note that research supports the use of CBD oil for treatment, but does not necessarily prove its efficacy.
This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t feel optimistic about the possibilities when it comes to treating your dog with CBD oil.
It just means that you should be wary of exaggerated claims or excessive beliefs regarding what CBD oil can do.
CBD may be able to help alleviate some of the symptoms that your dog suffers from. But it will not cure your dog’s cancer, epilepsy, arthritis, or so forth.
If you are realistic about what you can expect, you will be able to more objectively assess the results of your CBD oil treatment plan for your pet.
Key Point: CBD oil is not a magical cure for cancer, arthritis, epilepsy, or other conditions.
There are other links to it, but we want to make sure you take notice of this list of trusted manufacturers that we have actually used ourselves. Just click on this link.
6. Because your dog can safely take CBD, marijuana is safe for your dog.
While some people worry needlessly about their dog getting high from CBD oil, others have the opposite misconception.
Because they are aware that CBD oil is safe for their dogs, they may think that marijuana itself poses no risk to their pets.
As such, they may feel unconcerned about leaving it lying around.
But you do not want your dog getting into your marijuana, and not just because that would be a waste of perfectly good weed.
It isn’t healthy for a dog to get high on marijuana.
This article paraphrases Dr. Carly Fox, DVM, as stating “that some of the marijuana effects that a dog may exhibit include ataxia (loss of coordination that can show up as an uncoordinated or “drunken” walk), incontinence and hypersensitivity to touch. They can also be especially hypersensitive to sounds. During a physical exam, a vet may also notice a slower heart rate and lower temperature than normal.”
It is not worth exposing your dog to unnecessary risk and discomfort. So keep your marijuana away from your pet.
Key Point: CBD oil is safe for dogs. Marijuana is not. Its THC content is too high.
7. All CBD products for dogs are of the same quality.
Finally, one last misconception about CBD oils for dogs (and humans, at that rate) is that all CBD oils are made equal.
While shopping at your local supermarket or pet supply store, perhaps you have noticed that more and more CBD oils and balms are starting to turn up, particularly among the impulse buy items at the checkout counters.
Maybe you have even considered grabbing some of these yourself on impulse while checking out your purchases.
But that would not be a good idea, because unless you are familiar with the brand, you would have no idea what you are getting. The lack of regulation in the supplements market means that there are quite a few products out there which do not contain the ingredients which are stated.
To make sure that you are actually getting high-quality, pure CBD oil for your dog without contaminants or additives, you should shop online, researching and comparing different brands and products. Your pet deserves the best.
Key Point: CBD oil products can vary greatly in terms of quality. Research brands before shopping for CBD for your dog.
Ready to Find the Right CBD Product for Your Dog?
If you are not sure where to begin in your search for the best CBD oils for dogs, take a look at some of our recommended manufacturers and products. We have done the legwork and investigated purity, potency, harvesting practices, customer service, and more so that it will be fast and easy to find what your pet needs for health and well-being.
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