Increasingly you will be hearing about a medicinal herb you can give your dog -
Cannabis.
The confusion about whether Cannabis is good or bad for health is because it can be both.
Cannabidiol or CBD is one of the most prevalent compounds in the cannabis plant. Most pet owners were unaware of it until word spread that CBD oil could stop epileptic seizures, calm anxiety, and help many animals with those problems.
THC or tetrahydrocannabinol is the part of cannabis that is highly psychoactive,and whilst also having medicinal properties in prescribed and controlled amounts, it is also capable of inducing intoxicating highs which can lead to dependency and become health threatening.
Dog owners are using CBD oils to help their pets with a wide range of ailments – from anxiety to arthritis to cancer.
The cannabis for dogs is from hemp, not marijuana. Cannabis is the umbrella name for both.
For a long time, hemp was illegal in the US and other countries because it got lumped in with other forms of cannabis. Today, you can buy hempseed products in your local grocery store – not just soaps and lotions, but hempseed protein powders and drinks like hempseed milk.
The cannabis plant has over 60 chemicals called cannabinoids. The two main types of cannabinoids are cannabidiol (CBD) (The recommended one for Pets) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) ( Not Recommended For Pets)
CBDs are therapeutic cannabinoids, while THC is the cannabinoid that produces a high, and pets are uncomfortable and frightened by that feeling.
Marijuana’s THC content is usually between 10 and 15 percent; but hemp must have a THC content of 0.3 percent or less. At this level, cannabis has no intoxicating effect, for people or dogs.
Hemp is higher in CBD, the substance that provides the therapeutic effects.
How CBD Works
Studies show that many cannabinoids in CBD hemp have anti-inflammatory qualities, and can help with pain, tumours, seizures, muscle spasms, skin conditions, appetite stimulation, aggression, anxiety and neurological disorders .
If your dog’s taking conventional drugs for any of these conditions, CBD hemp may make it possible to use lower doses of the drugs to achieve therapeutic effects. Since conventional medicines do have side effects, this is a useful benefit of CBD.
(Note, if the conventional drugs are prescribed by your dog’s vet, then consult that professional before giving CBD hemp to avoid any possibility of conflict)
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.
Safety
First, 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 it 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 cannabis.
Case Examples
Australian holistic veterinarian Dr Edward Bassingthwaighte says he’s been amazed at the success he’s had treating some dogs with cannabis. Here is one of many he has written about.
An elderly Staffordshire Terrier had a fast-growing tumour about 6 cm in diameter in her mammary gland. Chest x-rays showed there might be metastasis. Dr Bassingthwaighte treated her with CBD oil and some other herbal medicines.
The tumour shrank away to nothing over three months and she’s still going strong six months later, with no recurrence. She’d had multiple tumours surgically removed over the years, but with old age, CBD oil was resorted to, and that really helped this time.
Dr Bassingthwaighte suggests working with your holistic vet if you think cannabis would help your dog – it’s powerful medicine so at least let your vet know what you’re doing
Where to Buy CBD Hemp For Your Dog
The safest way to use CBD for your dog is to use a product that’s formulated for pets. There are several companies producing CBD hemp for dogs. Some of these are in oil or tincture form, while others make treats with CBD.
Dosing
Herbalist Rita Hogan was asked for advice on dosing CBD oils.
Every dog is different. Rita recommends starting with a low dose and working up to the recommended level so that your dog gets the right dose for its individual needs.
Start Low
Rita recommends starting with 1 drop of CBD oil per 10 lbs of your dog’s body weight per day. Give this dose for about a week, then move up to 1 drop per 10 lbs of body weight twice per day.
Some companies sell their CBD in capsules. In this case, start with a quarter of the recommended dose and increase gradually until you see the benefits (again, without side effects).
If there are no side effects, increase the dose every 4 to 5 days until you see the therapeutic benefits. Side effects may include disorientation, hyperactivity, vomiting or excessive sedation. If you note any of these effects, stop treatment,wait for them to go, then restart at a lower dose.
Be sure to observe your dog’s response. The key is to find a dose where you don’t see side effects, but you do see results. With continued use, you may need to increase the dose a little over time to achieve the therapeutic results.
If you prefer to buy the CBD treats offered by some companies, start with a quarter cookie and work up gradually from there. Don’t exceed the manufacturer’s maximum recommended dose for your dog’s size
Caution: make sure you store the treats where your pets can’t get into them, and make sure others don’t hand them out as they would regular treats!
You can use CBD hemp safely and effectively (as well as legally) to treat many canine health issues. And it won’t get your dog high!
This article does not replace veterinary advice. Please support the holistic vets who make this information possible. To find a holistic or homeopathic vet near you or to find one who will do phone consultations, visit The Academy Of Veterinary Homeopathy website at this link -
The above article by Ivor Vale. Now retired, but for 32 years (1972 - 2004) owned and ran The Marches Health & Nutrition business in Hereford. The herbal remedies prescribed for pets then were by Denes. A company whose products many pet owners will be familiar with.
(Excuse dark colour - newspaper copy rescued from damp storeage)