5 Benefits Of CBD For Dogs

Dogs really are man’s best friend- they’re loyal, get excited when they see you and always seem to know when you’re in need of some extra cuddles. 

Our four-legged children really are like family, so when it comes to seeing them suffer from joint discomfort, anxiety when the 4th of July rolls around or dealing with an upset stomach, we do whatever it takes to care for them just like they care for us. So what if we told you that CBD can help your pet find relief from these aches and discomforts?Yup, you read that right. Not only is CBD helpful for humans, but benefits of CBD for dogs also exist! 

Many of you may be saying to yourself, “this sounds great, but is CBD safe for my dog?!”  And the answer is, YES! Your pet is able to experience the benefits of CBD safely and effectively because just like humans, dogs have an endocannabinoid system that functions similarly to the human ECS.  

The ECS is a cell-signaling system that is involved in managing biological processes such as immune response, sleep and even memory. It consists of two types of cannabinoid receptors (CB1 & CB2) that not only interact with cannabinoids naturally produced by the brain, but also with plant-derived cannabinoids like CBD!

The health benefits of CBD for dogs are similar to that of humans since conditions such as anxiousness and discomfort manifest in the same way in pets as they do in humans- take a closer look with these 5 major benefits listed below. 

1. CBD Provides Relief From Discomfort

CBD is the real MVP when it comes to reducing discomfort thanks to its anti-inflammatory effects. By interacting with CB2 receptors (located inside immune cells), CBD has been known to fight inflammation, therefore helping to reduce discomfort.

 2. CBD Can Help To Reduce Anxiousness & Stress

The benefits of CBD for dogs is not just limited to physical symptoms- studies have shown that CBD can also relieve symptoms of mental conditions such as stress and anxiousness. 

If you have a dog, then you know fireworks (or loud noises in general,) traveling or being separated from you can induce major feelings of anxiety in them. Common symptoms of anxiety in dogs can be recognized as: persistent barking, urinating, tremors and even aggression. Research suggests that CBD is able to target a type of serotonin receptor in the body, helping to temporarily increase serotonin levels in the brain which can lead to an improvement in mood and reduced feelings of anxiousness and stress.

3. CBD Can Help With Nausea 

Both in humans and dogs, nausea and vomiting can be the result of motion sickness and treatments, or medications. These symptoms can often lead to rapid weight loss, fatigue, dehydration as well as decreased appetite.

Studies show that CBD can help with nausea by stimulating 5-HT1A receptors (a subtype of serotonin receptors,) helping to control both nausea and vomiting while also stimulating appetite.

4. CBD May Slow Tumor Growth

We honestly don’t deserve dogs and the fact that they have to deal with the C-word SUCKS, however, we are so happy studies have been done to show that the benefits of CBD for dogs also includes anticancer effects! 

Just like for humans, the most common treatment for tumors and cancer is chemotherapy.  As we learned earlier, CBD can act as an antiemetic to help manage the side effects of chemotherapy, but research also shows that cannabinoids can help to stop the development, growth & spread of tumors as well as reduce their size. Cannabinoids do this by protecting DNA from oxidative damage, increasing endocannabinoid levels and reducing cell proliferation. 

5. CBD Promotes Homeostasis

The Endocannabinoid System plays a vital role in creating homeostasis within the body- homeostasis is basically the proper functioning of the body and it occurs when our bodies are in balance (your furry friends included).

Homeostasis can be disrupted through injury, illness or even medications. However, by stimulating the endocannabinoid system, CBD can help maintain balance and encourage homeostasis in the body. By using CBD for your dogs regularly, it not only helps to relieve their specific symptoms, but it also promotes the overall health and wellbeing of your pet! 

CBD is not only helpful for us humans to find relief from discomfort and anxiousness, but it’s also safe and effective for our pets who often experience the same things we go through! 

After learning about all of the health benefits of CBD for dogs, we formulated a line up of pet CBD products we know your pets will love- bacon & chicken flavored Dog Treats available in Calm and Relief, to specifically target the needs of your dog, and a bacon-flavored Pet CBD Oil to help both cats and dogs experience relief-serve one dropper in your pet’s mouth or food daily or whenever needed and watch how the calming effects take over!