Many people use CBD as a natural, safe, and effective way to help manage their health conditions. Yet, CBD is also providing relief for pets with anxiety, chronic pain, and digestive issues.
It’s even helping pet owners manage seizures in dogs that suffer from epilepsy. This is one of the most common neurologic conditions that can affect our pets. The disorder affects 5.7% of dogs, causing fear, stress, and frustration in both pets and their owners.
While CBD continues to show promising results, is it the right method for your pet? Here’s everything you should know about using CBD oil for dogs with seizures.
The Powerful Properties of CBD
CBD continues to get a lot of attention for its ability to relieve symptoms from a variety of conditions. Yet, there is still some confusion about how CBD works and if it has any effects on people and their pets.
CBD is a cannabinoid compound that comes from the hemp plant. It works by interacting with existing endocannabinoid receptors in the body. This helps to balance neurons in the brain and maintain homeostasis.
CBD is able to do all this without producing any psychoactive effects. This means it’s safe for people to take while at work and safe for our pets to use.
The power of CBD is even helping young children with epilepsy. This has brought about a lot of new research relating to dog seizures and CBD.
This cannabis compound offers an alternative to prescription drugs. Epilepsy drugs like phenobarbital often cause negative side effects in dogs.
These effects include sedation, weight and appetite changes, and loss of muscle coordination. These medications don’t always prove to be effective for some dogs either.
Using cannabis oil for dog seizures is proving to be both an effective and safe method. Pets with epilepsy often experience symptoms of anxiety following an episode. CBD also helps to reduce these symptoms and keep dogs feeling calmer.
Getting to Know Your CBD Pet Products
Before you begin giving a dog CBD, it helps to know more about the different products. There are a few different types of CBD on the market.
Broad-spectrum CBD offers no traces of THC. Full-spectrum CBD may contain small traces of THC and other cannabinoids. The best CBD oil for dog seizures will reduce epileptic symptoms with no other side effects.
It’s important to make sure CBD for dogs contains little to no traces of THC. This ensures your pet will not have any adverse side effects. Most CBD pet products follow these guidelines but always check the label to be sure.
CBD pet products come in oils, tinctures, capsules, salves, and edibles. Tinctures are like CBD oil but often contain some extra additives. This includes natural ingredients like flavorings or carrier oils.
Oil gets preferred by many pet owners as it allows you to control the dosage. This makes it easier for administering to pets and learning their tolerance level.
CBD oil can also be used to make homemade pet treats. You can also drop the oil onto chewable dog tablets so it gets well absorbed.
How CBD Helps Dogs with Epilepsy
Epileptic seizures in dogs can occur as muscle twitches or the loss of bowel movements. They can also appear as more severe where the dog loses consciousness.
CBD acts as an anti-convulsant, working to help control seizures. Studies show it has helped 89% of epileptic dogs have fewer seizures. Administering CBD oil for dog seizures also results in less intense episodes.
Some epileptic dogs have trouble with cluster seizures. These occur 2 or more times within a day. Offering CBD can help an epileptic dog enhance their comfort and wellbeing.
Treating Your Dog with CBD
A common question is, how much CBD oil should I give my dog for seizures? Proper dosing gets based on your dog’s weight and the severity of their condition.
It’s best to first discuss treatment with a holistic veterinarian. You’ll also want to follow dosage instructions on your preferred CBD oil product for pets. As CBD oils come in all different strengths and dosing requirements.
It’s a good idea to start with the smallest possible dose. New research is showing that lower doses of CBD are as effective as taking a higher dosage. This also means it will be less likely to produce any side effects for your dog.
To administer, place the CBD oil into your dog’s mouth using a dropper. Try to get it under their tongue for best results. The underside of the tongue has membranes that work to better absorb the oil.
When first offering CBD to your pet, be sure to keep an eye on them. Be cautious of any behavioral changes, a reduced appetite, or unusual bowel movements. You may notice some increased fatigue or relaxation, which is no cause for concern.
Note that when using CBD oil for dogs with seizures, the dosage may change over time. Highland Pharms recommends an increased dose as your pet’s tolerance levels change. This tends to happen with the continued use of CBD products.
Finding Relief with CBD Oil for Dogs with Seizures
Administering CBD oil for dogs with seizures can help offer your pet a better quality of life. CBD continues to offer a natural, safe, and effective method for epileptic dogs. It can help your dog by producing fewer seizures, with less severe episodes.
Looking for more ways to help manage the health and wellbeing of yourself and your pets? Check out the lifestyle archives section of our website for more great tips.