Does CBD Actually Work On Dogs?

Cannabidiol (CBD) has become an increasingly popular health supplement for issues like pain, mental health, and sleep, just to name a few. What research says about CBD is relatively young, and there are still more full-scale clinical trials being done to assess its efficacy on both humans and animals.

Despite this, there are a large number of pet products such as treats, food and supplements with CBD as an staple ingredient. You will also see these brands make claims about how it can help dogs for things like anxiety and pain, just like it can with humans. Is it worth trying CBD for dogs? Let’s take a further look:

What Is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring compound that is found in hemp. It can be extracted from cannabis on its own, so it does not contain any other cannabinoids like THC, which is the compound in cannabis that makes you feel high. While THC can be toxic to dogs, we know that CBD is safe as long as you give a properly proportioned dose for their size.

There has been research and some clinical trials that have discovered evidence of its potential to help with a variety of health and wellness issues in both humans and dogs.

How Does CBD Work?

The main way that CBD affects our health is by interacting with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) that is found in our nervous system. The ECS is essentially a signal network that controls the emission of neurotransmitters which regulate a number of very important bodily functions. This includes pain signals, hunger and appetite, sleep and drowsiness, and mood and emotions.

CBD binds to the receptors of our ECS in a way that affects the neurotransmitters it emits. It can reduce pain, and improve the production of serotonin and dopamine so you feel less anxious and depressed.

Is There Evidence That CBD Works on Dogs?

There is some tangential evidence that CBD can help in some regard, but there is no determination for how much. The truth is that there has been virtually no large scale study to assess how CBD works on dogs.

However, there is reason to think that CBD is beneficial in some general areas. First, dogs also have endocannabinoid systems, and they work the same way that they do in humans. Second, there has been a great deal of clinical research regarding how CBD works on animal test subjects. We do know that CBD leads to a decreased pain response in animals when exposed to something that hurts them, and we know that animals seem to elicit a more muted response when exposed to sources of stress and anxiety.

However, until there are larger-scale clinical research trials performed specifically on dogs, all we know are general suppositions. With that being said, CBD products are safe and legal to use on your dogs. If they are in pain, facing a source of anxiety, or need their appetite stimulated so they eat while sick, you can try giving them CBD. Always be sure to consult your vet before adding anything new to your dog’s diet.