Just like us humans, CBD works the same way on animals as it does on people.
CBD stimulates the endocannabinoid system to create balance in the body which helps to relieve pain, reduce neurological problems, reduce anxiety, and address problems with diseases like osteoarthritis, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, epilepsy, asthma, etc
A recent study set out to determine basic oral pharmacokinetics while assessing the safety and analgesic efficacy of a cannabidiol (CBD) based oil in dogs with osteoarthritis (OA). The results proved that using CBD in dogs with osteoarthritis can significantly reduce pain and increase comfort.
CBD, has several well-documented biological effects, including antianxiety, anticonvulsive, antinausea, anti-inflammatory and antitumor properties but we know there is not enough evidence to suggest that CBD oil alone is a cure for cancer in dogs. However, research is getting more progressive and there is now evidence to show that CBD oil may offer support to a well-designed cancer-treatment plan for your canine companion. There is evidence to suggest that CBD is a potent inhibitor of both cancer growth.
But how does CBD work within our dog’s bodies and do they have an endocannabinoid system? First, let’s look at what the endocannabinoid system is - the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is a major lipid signaling system comprising of endogenous cannabinoids, their receptors, and metabolic enzymes. Endocannabinoids are molecules that the body produces naturally. These molecules bind to cannabinoid receptors to initiate specific actions. The body only creates endocannabinoids when it needs to. There are two distinct cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2. Canine CB1 receptors are primarily found in the brain, but also appear in dogs’ salivary glands and hair follicles, while CB2 receptors are localized in canine skin, immune system, peripheral nervous system and some organs, such as the liver and kidneys. Plant cannabinoids (phytocannabinoids) such as THC and CBD stimulate the cannabinoid receptors in the same way as the body’s own endocannabinoids do when introduced to the body. This, in turn, triggers many natural reactions from the ECS.
Research suggests that a balanced ECS promotes appetite, sleep, mood regulation and stability, gait, pain perception, memory, body temperature, immunity, reproduction and fertility in both humans and pets. When ECS is out of balance due to lack of enough endocannabinoids, many negative physical signs are often observed in dogs, including digestive issues (vomiting, irregular bowels, diarrhea), poor appetite, sleep issues, stress, anxiety/fear and aggression, lethargy and lack of activity, poor balance and coordination, pain and inflammation.
CBD is not only recommended for serious illnesses such as cancer and osteoarthritis it has the capacity to help relieve anxiety and stress just like in us humans. At some stage in our lives, we have all had to nip out and leave our pooch on its own, to return to our favourite shoes or a handbag chewed. If you work long hours and your dog is home alone a lot of the time CBD can help it relax and become calmer. It can also help reduce anxiety associated with noise phobias, so that your dog won't shy away every time there's a thunderstorm or fireworks nearby.
We always suggest starting with a low dosage and seeing how it affects the animal before increasing the dose. A recommended amount of 1-2mg for every 10 pounds of weight is a good starting point.
Every individual canine is unique and will process cannabinoids differently, meaning that there is no one-size-fits-all dose for all animals. The best way to make sure that the animal is receiving an adequate amount of CBD is start low and monitor behaviour for 5-10 days before increasing intake.
Additional reading links
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3579246/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6065210/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6770351/
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