You’ve finally decided to buy CBD oil for your pooch…or at least you’re strongly considering it. Don’t worry – we’re on your side. CBD is still relatively new in the pet health world, but it’s making promising strides in symptom and pain management. However, it’s natural to want to cover all your bases and get as much information as possible before giving your dog something new. After all, what should you be looking for in CBD oil? Are other formats of CBD okay too?
If you’ve never purchased CBD before, it can be daunting when you’re first confronted with all of the different forms and concentrations. So let’s clear one thing first…
Oil form is the way to go
Oil (otherwise known as tincture) is probably the best format to give your dog CBD. Why? Because oil administered orally is better absorbed than when given as treats that absorb through the gastrointestinal tracts. It’s considered to be the purest of forms. Plus, it’s much easier to regulate the dosage with an oil. Check out cbdoilfordogs.com top choices for their best CBD oils for dogs.
Not all CBD oils are built the same however, and understanding the differences between them will be a key distinguisher when choosing a CBD oil for your dog. This list and longer guides are worth studying when considering CBD oil use in dogs.
To make the CBD oil search less overwhelming, we’ve compiled the essential criteria to keep in mind or scan for before swiping your card.
7 Key Criteria For CBD Oil
1. No safety risks
Safety risks can be accounted for if you do your due diligence in research (which you’re doing right now!) and consultation. But safe use of CBD oil starts here:
- Knowing where the hemp to make the CBD is grown
- Any other medications your dog is on
- The CBD oil has less than 0.3% THC.
Contrary to what you may think, having no THC at all might not be ideal either. While too much THC means it’s derived from marijuana, which is too toxic for your dog, no THC at all means it’s an isolate – so the health benefits are fewer. Also, some medications could negatively interact with CBD oil, so you should check with your vet to ensure this isn’t the case for your dog. Safety risks can also be averted if you give the appropriate dosage, start slow to begin with and monitor any side effects.
2. Pet-specific
Don’t go shopping around for CBD oil marketed to humans – you absolutely need to select products that are manufactured with pets in mind. This not only makes dosing harder to control, but could harm the enzyme system for dogs with compromised liver functioning. Also, human CBD oils are more concentrated than products for dogs.
3. Hemp-derived
CBD is either derived from marijuana or hemp. No matter what, when it comes to choosing the right product, you must go with hemp-derived CBD oil for dogs. Marijuana is not only still illegal federally but it may also exceed the limit of 0.3% of THC, which would be potentially harmful and toxic to your dog. Always make sure you’re purchasing CBD oil that contains less than 0.3% THC.
4. Organic
Okay, so you need to search for CBD oil that is organic? But what exactly does this mean?
Essentially, CBD oil that is free from chemical additives or preservatives and is extracted from grown hemp qualifies as organic. There are absolutely no genetically modified organisms, pesticide, synthetic fertilizers or sewage sludge. Ew – that doesn’t sound palatable either.
Organic CBD oil will give you a stronger piece of mind that what your furry friend is ingesting isn’t full of toxins. The higher the purity level, the more likely the product you’re buying is actually CBD oil.
5. Certificate of analysis
Don’t take anything for face value on a label when buying a CBD product – request a Certificate of Analysis to corroborate any claims that it makes. This is a third-party test that confirms whether the product has passed inspection and meets regulatory standards. It also verifies that the CBD oil contains less than 0.3% of THC.
6. Full or broad spectrum
For your dog to receive maximum benefits from CBD tincture, you need to find a full or broad spectrum oil. While CBD isolates are purer, they have less optimum health value. On the other hand, a full-spectrum CBD contains naturally occurring medicinal concentrations of terpenes, such as limonene, alpha-pinene, and beta-pinene.
The mixture of natural cannabinoids and terpenes creates the ultimate “entourage effect”, meaning they work in conjunction to optimize the benefits and actions of the hemp oil in a dog’s endocannabinoid system.
7. Adding an MCT Carrier Oil
CBD works good on its own, but it will absorb better and faster with a carrier oil. The best carrier oils to choose from include Medium-chain Triglyceride (MCT) and hempseed oil. MCT is just a fancy way of saying particularly fractionated coconut oil and these oils are popular with CBD oil. They are free of smell and flavour, but their specific structure allows for a faster absorption rate.
The other popular carrier oil is hemp seed oil. Some accounts claim that it boosts the entourage effect and some claim it has less solvency compared to MCT oil. Regardless, it’s still a solid option and a preferred over olive oil.
What are the current FDA regulations on CBD?
We’re providing this important criteria for you because the US Food and Drug Administration has not yet given the stamp of approval for CBD oil in dogs and humans. But given the abundance of testimonials and burgeoning scientific research, there’s a lot of advantages in giving CBD a go.
Considering giving CBD a chance?
As long as you’re informed about risks, selection criteria, and tease it out with your vet – then giving CBD a chance is really no different than putting your dog on another new treatment that has the potential to help. If your furry friend suffers from anxiety, epilepsy, arthritis or cancer, then it’s basically torture to watch them in pain and feel absolutely hopeless. CBD may just be the answer to your prayers and an improved quality of life for your pup.
