Top 6 Factors to Consider Before Offering CBD to your Dog

The use of CBD (Cannabidiol) in treating ailments in both humans and animals is no longer news. The products are now available in different forms like edibles, capsules, oil, and tinctures. Dog owners have now turned to use this natural additive for treating various issues in their canine friends.  

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A significant advantage of the widespread use of CBD is its natural form, which is why “man’s best friend” is now a patient for CBD treatment.  

There are resources all over the internet on the use of CBD for dog treats, and maybe it is worth considering, not with the ever-increasing prices of non-organic dog treatments. You need to note certain factors before feeding them your favorite canine. 

Dispensary 

This factor is necessary because fake CBD supplements are flooding the market today, which may harm your dog. Please consider going to only reputable dispensary stores to get CBD supplements like CBD oil for your dog. 

Dispensaries that are credible will sell only top-quality products because they know their reputation is at risk if they sell counterfeit drugs. To identify a trusted dispensary store: 

• Look up online stores with a website and a verifiable physical store.  
• Read up on reviews dropped by other users. Usually, there might not all be positive reviews, but consider another store if the negative reviews are more than positive. 

• Contact their customer care support to find out what brand of CBD supplements they have in stock to help you do your investigations before placing an order for them. 

CBD or Hemp? 

There are many misconceptions about whether Hemp can also be administered as a treatment for dogs. Whatever form the Hemp product is, you should not consider applying it to your dog. The Hemp flower contains extracts of CBD, which is not pure and can cause severe side effects on your dog. Some of the results can be lethal.  

The CBD derivative does not cause those effects when pure. This is why you must be careful when picking the supplements On the market. Study the caption to be sure it is a purified CBD product.  

Certificate of Analysis (CoA) 

This factor is essential since the application of CBD to dogs is relatively new. When purchasing a CBD supplement, verify its purity by requesting a Certificate of Analysis issued directly from the manufacturers.  

This certificate should result from an analysis carried out by an external lab to ensure there are no metallic, microbial, or pesticide elements in it.  Do not purchase if there is no certificate to authenticate the purity of the product.  

Another point worth considering is that no manufacturer can guarantee a 100% healing rate with the CBD treatment. CBD can be efficient in treating ailments, but there is room for some side effects that can arise from CBD. 

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Toxicity of THC 

THC is also a derivative of the cannabis plant and is responsible for hallucinatory effects on people who take cannabis undiluted. THC is so potent that its presence anywhere above 0.3% is enough to initiate its psychoactive effects and make people misbehave 

When purchasing CBD for your dog, make sure that it does not contain THC in any percentage, whether lower or higher than 0.3%.  

The presence of THC is dangerous to your dog and can cause anxiety, diarrhea, and many other effects leading to death. Excessive THC exposure can make your dog hallucinate, so you need to avoid it.  

Level of Spectrum 

Industrial CBD products are classified into three spectrums, with each class having its use. They include the following: 

• Isolated Spectrum: contains CBD in an isolated state from other derivatives of the cannabis plant; 
• Broad Spectrum: it contains only cannabinoids, including CBD 
• Full Spectrum: this class includes all the cannabinoids and THC  

Ideally, it is recommended to go for the Broad-spectrum class. This class contains CBD in a high percentage which your dog needs for a thorough treatment. The other cannabinoids listed are in their natural forms, too, and their effects are tamed with the addition of terpenes to be on the safe side.  

Dosage Levels 

This factor is at the discretion of the Veterinarian handling your dog’s case because there are no standard dosage benchmarks for now. The FDA has not given express approval for the use of CBD in the treatment of dog ailments, which means only the doctor can determine the correct dosage. 

Before you go for a supplement and start administration, make sure you consult the Veterinarian and get his opinion on the proper dosage for your dog before you start administering.  

You and your doctor can agree to start treatment with a low dosage and increase it if there are no changes to your dog’s condition.  

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Conclusion 

Dogs are one of human’s best animals and should receive the best care available when it falls ill. However, you must be careful not to cause further harm to the dog’s condition. CBD products can be a lifeline to giving your dog more years on earth, but you must be careful with the type administered.