The CBD industry continues to grow thanks to the rising awareness of its health benefits. The increasing knowledge regarding these products makes way for a growing curiosity about its full potential. CBD-related questions aren’t only concerned with how to take it, but also who can benefit from it. With much proven success among our friends, family and researchers alike, there’s no wonder why many are asking if CBD products can be utilized on our nonhuman furry friends: our dogs.

As with any pet wellness trend, it’s important to gather the right information to optimize results and guarantee safety for your pup. That’s why anyone interested in including CBD in their dog’s diet should understand safety tips, benefits of using CBD, and the importance of a proper dosage.

Is CBD Safe for Dogs?

This is among the first questions asked in regards to CBD oil and dogs, and for good reason. CBD is perfectly safe for your pup as long as they are high quality products and do not contain high levels of THC. As with any product that your dog consumes, you have to consider the ingredients that it contains. Low quality CBD products often use harsh chemical solvents to isolate CBD, therefore removing many of the beneficial cannabinoids that the plant offers. They are also often more likely to contain harmful pesticides and higher levels of THC that can be toxic to animals.

At Vitality, each bottle of full-spectrum CBD contains less than 0.3% THC by volume as required by federal law. While this percentage of THC is enough for your pup to reap the benefits of the hemp plant, it’s not enough to harm them. We pay special attention to these details because we know how important it is to provide healthy pet-friendly products. That’s why our CBD oil for pets is free of gluten, sugar, soy and all artificial ingredients, sweeteners, and preservatives. We also hire a certified third-party testing agency to conduct the safety, purity, and potency testing of each of our products. This ensures that your pets can absorb all of the benefits of the hemp plant, without having to worry about any harmful additives.

Benefits of CBD for Dogs

With CBD in such high demand due to its therapeutic effects and numerous benefits, it’s only natural for us to wonder if it offers our pets the same advantages. While studies on CBD and dogs are limited, past research and other dog owners have given us a better understanding of its potential.

Reduces Inflammation & Pain

CBD is long known for its connection to reducing inflammation, therefore decreasing correlated pain. One study regarding CBD treatment for dogs with Osteoarthritis states, “Veterinary assessment showed decreased pain during CBD treatment” and “This pharmacokinetic and clinical study suggests that 2 mg/kg of CBD twice daily can help increase comfort and activity in dogs with OA.” Whether your dog has arthritis or they suffer from other inflation-related pain, CBD can be a potential relief to their symptoms.

Relieves Anxiety

Dogs often experience stress due to hyperactivity, changes in routine, and even separation anxiety. Thanks to its therapeutic effects, it is believed that CBD can help relieve these feelings. This also may be also due to the factors identified above; by reducing pain and inflammation, CBD can help improve your dogs relaxation.

Improves Mobility

Pain and inflammation have a direct impact on your dog’s mobility. By reducing these two symptoms, your dog’s quality of life will improve by helping them move more freely.

Lowers Frequency of Seizures

One study showed that CBD lowered the frequency of seizures in dogs with epilepsy when used with anti-seizure medication. Since research is limited, it’s still unsure what role CBD played in the results and whether it offers the same benefits when not combined with traditional medicine.

How to Give Your Dog CBD Oil

Adding CBD oil to your dog’s diet is simple and easy. The 2 options below are popular forms of incorporating CBD oil in your pup’s everyday routine.

1. Give them CBD oil straight from the dropper
   It doesn’t get much simpler than this. All you have to do is squirt the appropriate amount into your dog’s mouth. The only trouble would come if your dog doesn’t sit still, which leads us to the second option.
2. Mix CBD oil into your dog’s food or treats
   When you mix the oil into your dog’s food, they won’t even notice it’s there. This is a quick and pain-free method for hyperactive dogs.

Whichever option you choose, the most important aspect of giving your dog CBD oil is the dosage. This is crucial because too little may reduce its effectiveness while too much could cause negative effects. The three main factors that determine the correct dosage are the weight of your dog, their activity level, and the severity of their condition (if they have one).

• Weight: Just like when you’re following our dosage guide for humans, the weight of your dog will also affect the quantity of CBD oil they require. The larger your dog is, the more CBD oil they will need, and vice versa.
  
• Severity of their condition: Their dosage may change depending on their health status and desired results. If you just want to improve their overall wellness, then it’s a great supplement even at low dosages. If you’re trying to help them recover from a severe health problem, such as pain, then they may require a higher dosage.
  
• Activity level: Dogs that have a high activity level typically have a higher metabolism than those who have a sedentary lifestyle. Consequently, an active dog may need a higher dosage to better address possible health conditions.

As a general guideline, it’s recommended to use this supplement once or twice daily as needed. Proper serving size for weight is 6 drops per 10 pounds, though you should consider the other factors mentioned above. If you’re still unsure about the proper dosage for your pup, contact us at Vitality or talk to your vet for further instructions.