Do vets recommend CBD oil for dogs?
A CBD oil for dogs is a special formulation that contains the naturally occurring cannabinoids of the hemp plant. For dogs, the use of this oil can provide relief from pain, anxiety and other conditions.
A popular question among pet owners who are considering using CBD oil to treat their dog’s health concerns is whether or not vets recommend it. Since there are no regulated dosing guidelines for dogs, the only way to know how much CBD will be helpful is through your vet.
Let’s explore this topic in more depth, according to recent studies and expert advice.
Why Your Vet Might Recommend CBD Oil for Dogs
Veterinarians are not opposed to the use of hemp-derived cannabinoids on pets, and some may even support it. A 2015 study published in the Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association surveyed holistic veterinarians on their opinions of cannabinoid therapies for animals. Of the 176 respondents, 83 percent admitted to prescribing hemp-based supplements to pets with health problems such as epilepsy, cancer and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Before vets consider recommending CBD oil for dogs, though, they will want to know more about the cannabinoid itself. This means you may need to do a little bit of research on your own before you meet with your vet.
What You Can Learn From Third-Party Lab Testing
As you share information with your vet about the potential benefits of CBD oil for dogs, he or she will ask about the cannabinoid concentration and quality of your supplement. This is where third-party lab testing can come in handy.
According to kitsapdailynews.com/national-marketplace/best-cbd-oil-for-dogs-2021, when you purchase CBD oil for pets from a reputable company, it should be tested by a third party to ensure that the cannabinoids are what they claim to be and that no harmful chemicals or heavy metals are present in the oil.
The results of this testing can be shared with your vet so he or she can see that you are using a reputable product. This will help to build trust between you and your veterinarian, which is always important for effective treatment.
It may also convince your vet that CBD oil for dogs is worth trying as a treatment option.
What to Look for When Buying CBD Oil for Dogs
Your vet may be a bit more open-minded about the use of CBD oil for dogs if you share details about its cannabinoid content and where it was sourced from. For example, a company that uses third-party lab testing should have this information available on their website or in their product packaging. It will also show that the company is serious about producing a quality product that is safe for your pet’s consumption.
The CBD oil for dogs that you buy should have 0 percent tetrahydrocannabinol, better known as THC. This psychoactive cannabinoid gives marijuana its euphoric effects, which are not what you want for your dog.
Instead, look for a product with only the cannabinoids that provide medical benefits and no THC. Expert advice from veterinarians who practice holistic medicine is to try CBD oil for dogs that contain cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN). CBN provides anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, while CBD can help dogs with seizures and muscle spasms.
What to Tell Your Veterinarian About CBD Oil for Dogs
When you visit your vet to talk about CBD oil for dogs, make sure you know the basics of cannabinoid therapy and hemp-derived CBD products. This will help your veterinarian understand what you plan on using and why it might be helpful for your pet.
For example, explain that CBD oil for dogs is a hemp-derived product with no THC or psychoactive effects. This will help your vet understand the differences between hemp-based cannabinoids and those that come from the marijuana plant.
Decades of research have shown that CBD and other cannabinoids offer benefits for pets without the risk of addiction or overdose. Your vet may not be familiar with these studies, however, so you may need to share details about them during your visit.
This information can help your vet understand the science behind CBD oil for dogs and why it seems to work in treating medical conditions in both humans and animals.