CBD or cannabidiol is a compound found in cannabis and hemp. It is important to understand that CBD oil does not contain THC, the compound that gives marijuana its psychoactive properties. In fact it has a range of potential health benefits and is thus becoming popular to treat a lot of ailments in dogs. Some of these include inflammatory problems, seizures, pain relief and anxiety. Using CBD for pet health problems is based on the body’s endocannabinoid sysyem or ECS. The reason why CBD may have so many health benefits is that ECS helps to maintain and achieve balance of all processes in body.

Pain- According to studies, 80% of the dogs showed improvement in their pain and mobility when administered CBD. It is believed to affect the ECS and other nerves that are involved in creating pain sensations, thereby lowering inflammation and relieving pain. CBD is also known to reduce joint inflammation so as to reduce osteoarthritis aches and pains in pets.

Anxiety- Many pets experience anxiety because of several reasons; one of them is being left alone for hours as the pet parent goes out to work. Anxiety may lead to several troublesome behaviours like excessive chewing, barking or urinating inappropriately. CBD is believed to activate some of the areas of the brain that causes nervousness and provide feelings of calm. They help in release of serotonin which is a hormone that makes us feel happy and relaxed.

Seizures- In some cases where dogs suffer from Epilepsy, CBD is used in combination with traditional antiseizure medications. This is believed to lower the frequency of seizures by preventing nerves in the brain from firing too much. They also tend to lower the number of electrolytes believed to have a role in seizure conditions.

CBD for dogs comes in many forms like treats, oils, and cream. It is advisable to administer it only under the recommendation of your vet. For more pet wellness features and pet supply, subscribe to Waggfluence stories.