The Benefits of Cannabis for Golden Retrievers
So you’re probably wondering which CBD oil you should be purchasing for your Golden Retriever? You also may be puzzled as to the efficacy of each CBD product, and questioning all the contradictory information out there. So let’s examine which pet tincture you should opt for, and what you should look out for when purchasing CBD oil for your Golden Retriever.
Finding the best CBD oil should be simple, and with all our up-to-date information you’ll become familiar with CBD dosing, all the health conditions it helps, and learn more about the purity and consistency of CBD oil.
The latest 2019 pilot study on the benefits of Cannabis oil for dogs by the Colorado State University’s James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital demonstrated that “scientists have found in a small study that 89 percent of dogs who received CBD in the clinical trial had a reduction in the frequency of seizures. Nine dogs were treated with CBD, while seven in a control group were treated with a placebo.” via Science Daily.
Dr. Stephanie McGrath, a neurologist at Colorado State University adds that “89 percent of dogs who received CBD in the clinical trial had a reduction in the frequency of seizures. Nine dogs were treated with CBD, while seven in a control group were treated with a placebo.” These findings highlight the positive advantages of CBD oil use on seizure reduction in dogs. There was also a significant link between the degree of seizure reduction and the amount of CBD concentration in the dog’s blood. “It’s really exciting that perhaps we can start looking at CBD in the future as an alternative to existing anticonvulsive drugs,” adds McGrath.
Additionally, pet parents around the world are seeing the potential benefits of CBD oil for anxiety, pain, for its use as an appetite stimulant, an aid to help treat tumors, as well as to reduce chemotherapy and radiation side effects in dogs. Dog trainers also frequently recommend CBD oil for separation anxiety, and for helping Golden Retrievers with joint issues.
Before using CBD oil on your Golden Retriever, consult with your veterinarian, and do plenty of research on the CBD product you intend to purchase.
What is CBD Oil?
The cannabis industry is exploding in Canada and in the US today. That said, the therapeutic benefits of the cannabis plant have helped both man and canine. In this blog, we’ll outline the benefits and practical applications of using CBD oil in Golden Retrievers.
Before we start, it’s important to understand the basics about marijuana, CBD, THC, and hemp to ensure safety. Prior to purchasing any of these products, it’s necessary to consult with your veterinarian to make sure that the CBD oil dosing is understood in terms of converting your Golden Retriever’s weight in pounds into kilograms and gradually increasing the dosage over three days, which we’ll discuss later on.
You will also need to check with your veterinarian if your Golden Retriever is on medication, since CBD oil may decrease liver enzyme activity that metabolizes medications. CBD oil mostly comes from hemp oil, resulting in none or very little THC.
The Basics of CBD (Cannabidiol)
CBD does not cause a “high” and is a compound of hemp and cannabis. That said, CBD is derived from the hemp plant, yet it can also come from the marijuana plant. CBD hardly ever contains delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the compound that gives marijuana its “high” effect. High-quality CBD is non-toxic and considered safe for pets.
THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
This is psychoactive, and is also a component of the cannabis plant. Because it is psychoactive, it does cause a “high”. THC is a federally illegal drug in the US, but has been made legal in several US states, and in Canada for recreational and medicinal use.
Cannabis
Cannabis refers to both the hemp plant and marijuana. Both these plants are similar, yet they are vastly different in how much THC and CBD each one has.
Marijuana
This contains high levels of THC and low levels of CBD. That said, this also causes a “high” effect. It is illegal federally in the US, but also is legal in some US states and in Canada.
Hemp
The hemp plant yields high levels of CBD. Hemp also does not have high levels of THC. Golden Retriever pet parents need to make sure that it is indeed hemp, and contains less than 0.3% THC. With this amount of THC, there is no “high”, and safe to use on pets. That said, hemp is federally legal in the US after the Farm Bill was passed in 2018. Even with CBD, it will still be necessary to consult with your veterinarian for the best advice on which CBD products to use on your Golden Retrievers, and for the correct dosage for your Golden Retriever.
Important Tips About CBD Use for Golden Retrievers
- Most CBD products come from hemp
- CBD products do not cause a ‘high.”
- Hemp- derived CBD can help relieve many conditions in Golden Retrievers.
- Always consult with your veterinarian before using any CBD product on your Golden Retriever.
- CBD can help Golden Retrievers overcome the symptoms that accompany canine cancer treatments.
- CBD does not prevent canine cancer in Golden Retrievers. Nonetheless, it helps fight inflammation, and contains phtyocannabinoids that contain antioxidant properties.
How to Choose a CBD Product for Your Golden Retriever?
Keeping Your Golden Retriever pain- free, and stress-free during illness should always be a priority. There are times when your Golden Retriever will hide the pain he feels during illness, making it difficult for pet parents to guess how their dog is feeling. That said, Golden Retrievers will not be lethargic with CBD. They will find pain relief from hemp CBD, most especially if cancer pain or inflammation is severe.
If you’re worried about safety, purchase CBD products that are made only in the US and Canada. Make sure that the products are 100% safe, and that they have been tested. Closely examine all the ingredients in the product, and if you have questions, consult with your veterinarian. It’s best to purchase CBD oil as a tincture for your Golden Retriever, so that dosage is easier to manage. CBD oil can be found in some dog treats. Opt for organic CBD dog treats that have high-quality ingredients.
CBD Purchasing Tips
- Purchase high-quality CBD products for your Golden Retriever. Opt for pure, high quality CBD oil that contains little or no THC.
- Opt for organic CBD products that are non-GMO. Organic CBD oil does not contain pesticides, solvents or fungicides. It’s much healthier for your Golden.
- Examine the Certificate of Analysis (COA) and know everything there is to know about the ingredients and compounds in the CBD product you intend to purchase.
- Understand the dosing instructions for your Golden
Being Smart About Hemp CBD
There are numerous ailments that your Golden Retriever may be suffering from, and you may not know if CBD helps with a certain condition.
CBD may help with the following conditions.
- Lack of appetite
- Inflammation
- Seizures and serious health conditions
- Arthritis
- Anxiety and stress like storm phobia, and separation anxiety
- Allergies
- Pain management
- Chronic neurodegenerative diseases
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- Aids with bowel disease
- Beneficial for the heart
CBD for Canine Cancer in Your Golden Retriever
A recent 2019 study by the University of Korea, demonstrates that the CBD anti-cancer protein shows potential in killing tumor cells. The researchers tested the synergistic effect of CBD with a cancer destroying protein called TRAIL. (TNF related apoptosis- inducing ligand.) The study concluded that TRAIL and CBD created apoptosis separately in colorectal cancer cells. The researchers also found that together, both reduced cancer cells a lot. “To the best of our knowledge,” they wrote, “this is the first report that cannabidiol induces significant TRAIL-induced apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells,” noting that earlier reports suggested that a different protein response was responsible for cancer-cell death.” Via MDPI Journals. In 2017, The American Kennel Club Health Foundation (CHF) funded more than $2 million for epilepsy research for canine health. Today treatments are needed for dogs with drug-resistant epilepsy or where side effects of epilepsy drugs are not well tolerated.
What Are the Risks of CBD? Can Your Golden Retriever Overdose on CBD Oil?
There are known side effects of CBD, and pet parents often question the safety of using CBD products on their Golden Retrievers. That said, CBD has been tested on both humans and animals, and has been found to be safe. CBD mostly is not psychoactive. That said, you can rest assured that your Golden Retriever will not get “high.”
The Possible Side Effects of CBD on Your Golden Retriever
- Dry Mouth
- Lethargy
- Low Blood Pressure
- Drug Metabolism Inhibition with high doses of CBD
FDA Take On CBD Use On Pets
“The recent increase in the number of CBD products may be because of both recent changes in state law, and because the 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp — defined as cannabis and cannabis derivatives with very low concentrations (no more than 0.3% on a dry weight basis) of THC — from the definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. However, CBD products are still subject to the same laws and requirements as FDA-regulated products that contain any other substance.” via FDA. The FDA is working to learn more about the safety of CBD and CBD products. More specifically: The safety of CBD use in animals (e.g., species, breed, or class) including pets.
The FDA has also tested the chemical content of cannabinoid compounds in some of the products, and many were found to not contain the levels of CBD they claimed to contain. We have also heard reports of CBD potentially containing contaminants (e.g., pesticides, heavy metals); we are looking into this. Some cannabis products are also being marketed as pet food and health products for animals. The FDA has not approved cannabis for any use in animals and recommends pet owners talk with their veterinarians about appropriate treatment options for their pets.” via FDA 2019
How Do I know If CBD Oil is Right for My Dog?
If your Golden Retriever is suffering from cancer, anxiety, or some of the conditions already mentioned in this blog, consult with your veterinarian for advice. You will need to bring your Golden Retriever in for a complete health check, and to get weighed.
Canine Cancer in Golden Retrievers
CBD oil may have the potential to kill certain cancer cells, and stop tumor growth in blood vessels. It also may help with chemotherapy side effects and get your Golden Retriever to develop an appetite.
Hemp contains other natural compounds like terpenes and flavonoids. That said, limonene, which is a terpene has been found to have anti-cancerous properties. If your Golden Retriever has cancer, he will most likely have trouble eating, and will have trouble keeping weight on. Maintaining weight mass is critical to longevity during canine cancer treatment, so the goal is to overcome the nasty side effects of chemotherapy like nausea with CBD oil.
CBD Dosing for Golden Retrievers with Cancer
Dosing is recommended to start off at 0.5 mg/kg of CBD twice a day. Your veterinarian may slowly increase the dosage to 1mg/kg twice a day during a three-day period. Increase of dosage up to 2 mg to 3 mg/kg twice a day, if necessary.
How to Calculate a Dose of CBD for Your Golden Retriever?
- Convert your Golden Retriever’s weight from pounds to kilograms.
- There are 2.2 pounds in 1 kilogram, you’ll need to divide your dog’s weight in pounds by 2.2 to get kilograms.
- Multiply the CBD dose by the number of your Golden Retriever’s kilogram weight to get the dose in milligrams.
As usual before using any CBD product on your Golden Retriever, even if he has cancer or just a mild case of storm phobia, consult with your veterinarian. With so many CBD products on the market today, you’ll need to find a high-quality hemp- derived product for your Golden Retriever. This has to be made especially for dogs.
While there are no current studies demonstrating the dangers of CBD use on dogs, pet parents still need to follow dosage instructions carefully, and to have follow-up care for their Goldens with their dog’s veterinarians.
CBD oil may be useful in terms of overall canine health, weight maintenance and pain management. The benefits of CBD oil are most definitely worth pursuing!
Be sure to check out our article on our Top 6 Highest Quality CBD Oils for your dog
Resources
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/05/190521101450.htm
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