A Beginner’s Guide To CBD Oil For Dogs Treats

How the endocannabinoid system works

Every chordate animal in the world (that is, everything that has a spine) has an internal system of specific receptors which register and communicate with the cannabinoids found in CBD oil and edibles. This is called the endocannabinoid system.

Dogs have a somewhat different endocannabinoid configuration than humans. Their brains have more of these receptors than most other animals. In other words, they are much more susceptible to the effects of compounds found in hemp plants. For this reason, you have to make sure that the treats you give them are either entirely THC-free or contain only the most minuscule traces of it. You can learn more about the endocannabinoid system of animals in this article.

Pets and the THC molecule

Marijuana plants is infamous for its THC component, which is what alters the mind and gets users high. CBD oil derived from the hemp plant has either extremely little or no THC in it at all. It is precisely this admirably low level of the psychoactive substance that makes hemp legal and okay, while marijuana remains on the wrong side of the law. So, what happens if THC gets into your dog?

If your dog is exposed to excessive THC, it may experience shock, a specific state known as static ataxia. It will get stiff and its behavior will be odd, erratic. You do not need to worry about it dying (thankfully) but it will certainly require veterinary attention. So, better be safe than sorry.

Always make sure you inform your vet that you are treating your doggo with a CBD product. This allows them to observe your pet’s condition more accurately and correctly identify any improvement or lack thereof, as well as potential (though unlikely) undesirable reactions, like mild lethargy. CBD has a relaxing effect on the body, which you can read more about here: https://www.verywellhealth.com/cbd-oil-benefits-uses-side-effects-4174562

Since this substance is technically unregulated in the drugs and medicines market, your vet will sadly be unable yo give you any specific instructions. The best you van do is research your supplier t make sure they are legit, and then stick to their instructions while keeping a close eye on the canine.

Dosing CBD treats

Since you are introducing a whole new substance into your pet’s organism, start small. Use minimal amounts as per the manufacturer’s guidelines. Edibles come in the form of standard treats, like biscuits, and capsules.

When you are just getting started, make a point of using professionally crafted products. These do adhere to certain chemical standards and have established formulas that they bide by. This means it will be much easier for you to control just how much CBD your dog ingests. Don’t bother with homemade CBD dog treats, because you can’t really determine the precise amount.

Take some time to observe the results, and if you are happy with how things are going you can start considering increasing the dose. Keep your vet in the lop throughout. It might eb helpful to keep  sort of “hemp journal” where you will log what you gave your dog, when, how much, in what form, and what changes in their condition you have observed. Having a written record o how the situation developed over time is medically invaluable.

Observe your pet diligently

Take careful note (mental or literal) of how the treats are affecting it. Adjust the dose appropriately and under veterinary guidance and trust your instincts. If it seems wrong, it usually is.

In deciding how much to give your dogs, its size and body mass are the key factor. Keep in mind though that these can change over time. Keep tabs on their weight and any appetite changes. Dogs with severe problems might need more CBD treats, but do not rush it. Start small and increase the doses gradually and incrementally.

Most hemp-enriched dog biscuits state the dosage of the oil on the packaging. However, if you break it into halves or quarters, that does not guarantee that you have split the dose into actual halves and quarters. Until you get the hang of things, you may want to start with oil droppers.