If you have been listening to the news lately you no doubt have heard a lot about marijuana and CBD oil for dogs. Many states have made it legal now. What we are hearing the most about is the medicinal benefits that are made from the marijuana plant. Is hemp oil for dogs a scam?

It’s called CBD oil. I’ve heard that it helps with pain, cancer symptoms, and many other ailments for both people and for dogs.

Regardless of your opinion on the subject of legalization, you may wonder about CBD oil for dogs. So, I have been researching it and I want to share with you what I’ve found.

What is CBD Oil For Dogs?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive cannabis compound said to have medicinal benefits for humans. The research is being done on CBD for dogs. So far, the studies have shown great promise.

Is Hemp The Same As Marijuana?

Marijuana and hemp both come from the plant Cannabis sativa (though marijuana also comes from another member of the Cannabis family, Cannabis indica). The cannabis plant has over 60 chemicals called cannabinoids.

The two main types of cannabinoids are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CBDs are therapeutic cannabinoids, while THC is the cannabinoid that makes you high.

Marijuana’s THC content is usually between 10 and 15 percent, but hemp has a THC content of 0.3 percent or less. At this level, cannabis has no intoxicating effect, for people or dogs. CBD oil for dogs is made from hemp.

CBD Research and Studies

New research is being done on dogs to determine the efficacy of CBD oil for dogs. Right now there are many studies being done — interestingly most are in Colorado — and the results so far have been very positive.

Case Examples:

One study at Cornell University in New York was headed by Joe Wakshlag, DVM, Ph.D., DACVN, DACVSMR, associate professor and section chief of nutrition at Cornell, backs the claims of all the benefits, and the federal government seems to be loosening the noose on veterinary recommendations.

Ferguson:

Another study being done in Colorado involves Ferguson who suffers from epilepsy. Her owner, Pam Uhlenkamp, said that Ferguson had about 2 to 3 seizures a day, and would seize for 5 minutes at a time.

Then it would take nearly an hour to recover. “It was really scary because you think your dog is in total pain,” she told a local news channel.

So, she enrolled Ferguson in a study being done in Colorado as soon as she heard about it. He was given an MRI and a spinal tap. He took CBD oil and placebo and she kept a daily log of his progress.

It took about two weeks, but her seizures went down from 2 to 3 a day to 2 to 3 a week. The study continues, but Pam is now convinced that CBD is helping her beloved Ferguson!

A Senior Staffy:

Australian holistic veterinarian Dr. Edward Bassingthwaighte says he’s been amazed at the success he’s had in treating some dogs with CBD oils. Two examples are:

One is a senior Staffy who had a fast-growing tumor about 6 cm in diameter in her mammary gland. Chest x-rays showed there might be a metastasis. Dr. Bassingthwaighte treated her with CBD oil and some other herbal medicines.

The tumor shrank away to nothing over three months and she’s still going strong six months later, with no recurrence. She’d had multiple tumors surgically removed over the years, but it was the CBD oil that really helped her.

A Jack Russel:

The other case is a little old Jack Russell with a severe heart murmur and painful arthritis. He received a whole-plant extract containing CBD and in this case also some THC, diluted in 10 ml of cold-pressed hemp seed oil.

After a month of this medicine, he was much happier and more active, wanting to go for long walks, and his heart murmur was much less severe. Dr. Bassingthwaighte says “I simply can’t explain the improved heart murmur. They normally don’t get better.”

The Science VS The Law

Okay, so, you may be convinced, that CBD oil for dogs is very beneficial for dogs, but what about legalities? Marijuana is not legal in my state.

First, remember that the hemp plant has less than 0.3% of THC (the psychoactive chemical. In 2014 President Obama signed the Agricultural Act. This allowed for the study and cultivation of hemp for limited purposes. Then came the Industrial Hemp Farming Act in 2015, which removed hemp from the controlled substances list as long as it contained no more than 0.3% of THC. This allowed American farmers to produce and cultivate industrial hemp more widely.

Even Attorney General Jeff Sessions isn’t interested in prosecuting veterinary professionals from using or recommending hemp products.

Are There Benefits For Your Dog?

Studies so far have shown that many cannabinoids have anti-inflammatory effects and that CBD oil for dogs can help with pain, tumors, seizures, muscle spasms, skin conditions, appetite stimulation, aggression, anxiety, and neurological disorders.

What to Expect

As with any herbal medicine, for most ailments, you may not see an immediate effect. You’ll need to be patient. Your dog may feel some pain relief in a few hours but other symptoms like inflammation may take a few days to show improvement.

Is It Safe?

First of all, because of the low THC, CBD hemp won’t make your dog high. The most common side effect of CBD is that your dog may get a little drowsy – about the same as if you gave him a Benadryl.

On rare occasions, side effects have included excessive itchiness or mild vomiting, but these sensitivities are few and far between. If your dog reacts with these symptoms, you should stop giving him CBD.

Where To Buy CBD Oil for dogs

So, are you convinced that CBD oil for dogs could help your precious pooch? There are many places online where you can buy CBD oil for dogs, but do a little research first, they are not all the same and not all effective.

According to the AKC, there are a few things to look for when buying CBD oil for your dog. Not all oils are the same; you’ll want high-quality CBD oil to have a better chance of it working. They are:

• Look for organic. If the CBD oil is not organic, it at least should not contain pesticides, fungicides, or solvents.
• Don’t price shop. The higher the quality and purity, the higher the cost. You don’t want to go for a cheaper option that could have toxic substances such as pesticides, herbicides, or heavy metals. Make sure your CBD oil is free of additives.
• Get the analysis. The manufacturer should provide a certificate that tells you the amount of CBD that is in the product. Many CBD products contain only small amounts of CBD. You’ll also want to make sure there is little or no THC in the product.
• Buy CBD as a liquid. You can buy dog treats containing CBD, but the best form to administer is an oil or tincture. This way, you can adjust your dog’s dose drop by drop.

One company that I trust to buy CBD oil from is Hemp My Pet, I know the company and trust their products. Best of all, they believe so much in the benefits of their products that they donate them to animal shelters. It helps these sometimes previously abused dogs and compliments training and behavior.

HempMyPet is pure organic CBD oil, free from pesticides, fungicides, any toxic substances or additives. They will provide you with a certificate of analysis so you can be assured that it has the right amount of CBD and no THC. They do have treats, but the best way to buy it is in liquid form.

This is what I give my dogs. I give it to Chico to help with his arthritis, to Pebbles who has heart disease because it boosts her appetite and calms her. I give it to Remedy because it is known to help prevent cancer and heart disease.

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