CBD oil has exploded in popularity as a natural wellness supplement and alternative treatment for humans struggling with anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, and more. But did you realize this powerful hemp extract is revolutionizing canine health too? An overwhelming number of pet owners, from soccer moms to doggy influencers, now give their four-legged companions CBD oil as a regular part of their health regimen. Some experts project the CBD pet product market will skyrocket 700% in just the next few years, topping over $400 million.
So what’s fueling this rapid rise? In short, CBD oil works, and word is spreading fast about its incredible benefits for man’s best friend. Read on to discover how CBD oil enhances your pup’s health down to the cellular level, its safety profile, proper dosing, and why so many dog owners make it part of their pet parenting tool kit.
CBD oil works in dogs
- CBD, short for cannabidiol, is one of over 100 active compounds produced by cannabis called cannabinoids. Unlike its cousin tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD won’t get your pet “stoned.” Instead, an avalanche of research shows CBD interacts with mammalian biology in intriguing ways to reduce pain, inflammation, seizures, anxiety, nausea, and much more (we’ll detail the top benefits shortly).
- But to these wide-ranging therapeutic effects first require a crash course on the endocannabinoid system (ECS) – a crucial network of receptors and signalling molecules that help regulate nearly every major bodily system and maintain homeostasis.
- The ECS consists mainly of two types of cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2, located throughout the body and brain signalling molecules called endocannabinoid that bind and activate them. This intricate system influences everything from mood, memory, and motor control to immunity, reproduction, temperature regulation, sleep, and far beyond.
- Where does CBD come in? Turns out, CBD stimulates and modulates the ECS much like endocannabinoid themselves. So by augmenting deficient ECS tone, CBD oil provides targeted, adaptogenic support wherever the body needs it most to restore balance. Let’s explore CBD’s top science-backed benefits for pups.
CBD oil benefits for dogs
Anxiety relief
Studies confirm CBD significantly reduces anxiety and stress-related behaviors like noise phobias, separation anxiety, travel nerves, and more by stimulating serotonin receptors and boosting “bliss molecule” anandamide activity. Calmer, more relaxed dogs are happy dogs.
Joint pain relief
Are those creaky hips and stiff knees giving your senior dog grief? As a potent anti-inflammatory and pain mediator, cbd oil for dogs targets joint discomfort by inhibiting inflammatory signaling, dulling pain perception, and reducing swelling and nerve damage to get those old legs moving again.
Seizure reduction
For the roughly 5% percent of dogs plagued by epilepsy, uncontrolled seizures devastate quality of life. Exciting research reveals CBD oil protects neurons, disrupts seizure pathway signaling, and may reduce seizure frequency by over 80% when added to conventional meds.
Appetite stimulation
If your pooch is turning their nose up at mealtime, CBD oil may help get them interested in chow again. Studies show CBD activates ghrelin and other gut hormones involved in hunger signaling while reducing tummy inflammation and nausea simultaneously for maximum appetite-boosting benefits.
Anti-nausea
Speaking of queasy tummies, CBD helps reduce vomiting and nausea by regulating serotonin transport in the area of postrema – the brain’s primary vomit control center. So whether your pup gets carsick or struggles with prescription drug reactions, CBD oil may calm those topsy-turvy tummies.
