Do Vets Recommend CBD for Dogs?
CBD has become a focal point of discussion, sparking both curiosity and caution. With its rising popularity, CBD for pets is often touted as safe, yet its market and regulatory ambiguity cast a shadow of uncertainty.
Those considering integrating CBD into their pet's wellness regimen but desiring a better understanding of the topic need answers.
If you are open to the idea of trying CBD but want to get a better understanding of the topic, you need to do your research.
Why Your Veterinarian Might Not Want to Discuss CBD for Pets?
It's helpful to understand that your veterinarian's reluctancy to discuss CBD for pets may stem from legal limitations. In some states, Vets are not legally allowed to recommend CBD products for pets, which is an important factor to consider when approaching this topic.
The 2018 Farm Bill revolutionized the CBD industry by removing hemp from the Controlled Substances list but failed to mention the use of CBD in veterinary medicine. To fill the gaps, all states came up with different federal rules. Today, in some states, the mere mention of CBD for pets is punishable by law, while in others, general discussions are okay as long as no official recommendations are made.
The Colorado Veterinary Medical Association declared that it “recognizes the potential benefits of marijuana therapies for a variety of animal medical conditions,” while the Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board states that “veterinarians can discuss the use of cannabis with clients.”
Anecdotal evidence suggests that CBD is beneficial for pets. With official studies in their early stages, many veterinarians are waiting for more scientifically backed data.
A promising information is provided by a Cornell study in which dogs supplemented with CBD chews prior to a stressful event showed decreased anxiety. The effect was the same in 83% of the tested dogs. Future research should focus on whether different CBD products act similarly and what is the best CBD dose for anxious dogs.
Many veterinarians believe in the benefits of CBD for dogs. However, saying that can have legal consequences, ranging from license suspension to license revocation.
You can include the vet in the decision-making process by formulating your questions correctly.
For example, instead of asking, “Should I use CBD for my dog’s seizures” ask questions like “How does CBD help reduce seizures in dogs,” “What is the mechanism of action behind CBD’s anti-seizure effect,” or “Is CBD safe for dogs with seizures.” Remember, you must not mention specific pet CBD brands.
What Are the Guidelines for Using CBD Products for Dogs?
Give your dog between 1 and 5 mg per 10 pounds of body weight per day. Find the correct dosage by taking its body weight and then calculating how much CBD it needs.
Potencies vary across CBD oils for dogs. Do not focus on the product’s volume, instead, pay attention to the concentration of cannabinoids in each oil.
Start with a low dose to reduce the risk of side effects and allow the dog to get adjusted to the CBD supplement. Wait for 30 minutes and assess the results. Once the dog is accustomed to CBD, you can increase the dose.
The CBD dosage for dogs is not set in stone, and finding the right CBD amount requires trial and error. Do not fret in the case of accidental overdosing because CBD is not toxic to dogs. It can only make the dog extra sleepy.
Consult a licensed veterinarian regarding the best CBD starting dose or use a CBD dosage calculator.
How to Use CBD to Maintain Efficacy?
Use CBD oil for dogs responsibly and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and dosing guidelines to maintain efficacy.
A high-quality and pet-specific CBD oil for dogs is non-addictive and does not lose its potency when used correctly. Most brands recommend giving between one and five milligrams of CBD per 10 pounds of body weight daily.
CBD dosing, however, is not a strict science since different dogs respond to cannabinoids in unique ways. Start with the lowest recommended amount for your dog’s weight and gradually increase the dose while observing the effects.
Proper storage is just as important as responsible use when it comes to maintaining the efficacy of CBD oil for dogs.
Always keep CBD oil away from heat and direct sunlight. Heat and direct sunlight cause the cannabinoids to break down, decreasing the oil’s potency. The oil must be stored in an air-tight container to prevent air exposure and in a dark place.
Finally, place the pet CBD oil away from your dog’s reach. CBD is not toxic, and dogs cannot overdose on cannabinoids even if they over consume the oil. However, they will be lethargic and sleep through the effects.
How CBD for dogs is Made?
Trustworthy pet CBD brands explain how they make their products, from seed to shelf, or in this case, from seed to dog food bowl.
The best CBD oil for dogs is made from organically grown USDA-certified hemp raised locally on family-owned American farms. Domestic, organic hemp farms are subjected to very strict standards and regulations, ensuring high-quality plants.
CBD manufacturers source the oil from the hemp flower, which has the highest concentration of cannabinoids, or the entire plant. Products made exclusively from hemp flowers are less bitter, which is helpful when giving CBD to picky pets.
The next step is extraction. There are two extraction methods: CO2 and ethanol. CO2 extraction is the gold standard in the industry and it is more expensive but ensures a pure product.
CO2 or carbon dioxide extraction uses a potent combination of extremely low temperatures and high pressure to strip cannabinoids from the hemp plant. Ethanol extraction is done by using ethanol as a solvent to separate cannabinoids from the rest of the plant.
The extracted CBD oil is highly concentrated and must be diluted to ensure safe use. For this purpose, manufacturers add a carrier oil. The most common choices for carriers are hemp seed oil or MCT coconut oil. Ideally, the carrier oil will be organic, too. In addition to diluting the CBD oil, the carrier increases the bioavailability of the cannabinoids and smoothens the oil’s bitter flavor and earthy scent.
The product is then packed in bottles, and samples are sent to a third-party laboratory for tests. Once the results of the third-party testing are ready, the CBD oil is released for sale.
Certificate of Analysis
The Certificate of Analysis (COA) is the most important document to consider when choosing a pet CBD brand and product. The COA is an official report issued by an accredited laboratory that confirms and details the CBD’s chemical analysis.
Health supplements for pets are an underregulated area, and without the Certificate of Analysis, there is no guarantee that the claims and ingredients on the product label are correct.
The Certificate of Analysis must always be issued by an independent third-party laboratory. This eliminates bias and ensures accuracy.
Learning to read the Certificate of Analysis is easy. Basically, you need to focus on two points: things you want to see on the document and things you do not want to see. Let’s start with the first.
Pay attention to how much of each cannabinoid is present in the product. There are more than 113 identified cannabinoids and some are so low concentrated they are undetectable on tests.
The report of a full-spectrum CBD oil, which is the best type, must list quantitative data about CBD (cannabidiol), THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), and ideally, several minor cannabinoids, such as CBG (cannabigerol) and CBC (cannabichromene).
CBD must feature the highest concentration, and THC must be below 0.3% (the cannabinoid is toxic to pets if more concentrated)
The things you do not want to see on the Certificate of Analysis are pesticides, heavy metals, and pathogens.
At this point, you need to look for two abbreviations: LOD (limit of detection) and LOQ (limit of quantitation). Substances reported to be less than LOD or LOQ are virtually non-existent in the CBD product. Some labs refer to these substances as ND meaning “not detected.”
Laboratories test for various commonly used pesticides, several heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic), and at least two pathogens (Salmonella and E.coli).
A reliable pet CBD brand is transparent about its sourcing and manufacturing practices and has the COAs of all its products easily available - displayed on the official website or accessible via a QR code printed on the product’s packaging.
Quotes from Vets
The Honest Paws CBD Oil for Dogs is made with USDA organic full-spectrum hemp in the USA in GMP-certified facilities and then tested in a third-party laboratory. The CBD oil comes in four condition-specific formulations (Well, Calm, Mobility, and Relief) specially tailored to manage certain dog conditions and four strengths for dogs of various body weights. The oil is packed in a convenient dropper bottle and one bottle approximates a monthly CBD supply.
We understand the importance of veterinarian insight when it comes to the well-being of our beloved pets.
Below, you'll find inside scoop directly from veterinarians who have shared their expertise and opinions on our brand and the benefits it offers to your furry companions.
“I cannot recommend the Honest Paws CBD Oil for Dogs highly enough. The CBD brand is transparent and works with the best ingredients available. The products are carefully formulated to suit dogs of different ages and with various health issues.”
“Honest Paws CBD Oil is a gem. The science-based formula of the product is excellent for pets with allergies, cognitive problems, arthritis, and seizures.”
“The top-tier Honest Paws CBD Oil for Dogs is the perfect addition to mainstream treatments. I am amazed by the brand’s transparency and the product’s quality. ”