Christy Rosenberger swears by using cannabidiol (commonly known as CBD) for her dogs, not herself.
Rosenberger first discovered CBD more than 10 years ago when she was looking for something to help her dog, Panky, who suffered from anxiety and epilepsy. When there was a thunderstorm, the Yorkie cried and shivered. Rosenberger was worried that his actions would trigger a seizure.
Punky’s neurologist recommended giving him CBD in combination with his dog’s seizure medication to help relieve symptoms. Rosenberger didn’t think it was a bad idea to try it, but he was really surprised when he noticed a change in behavior.
“When I started giving her CBD oil, she didn’t react to those things,” the Thornton resident said. “I thought, ‘This is amazing.'”
Punky has since passed away, but Rosenberger still uses CBD to treat other dogs. Her rescue dog, 4-year-old Cherish, has been abused in the past and is afraid of loud noises. If storms or holiday fireworks are in the forecast, Rosenberger says she puts a drop of CBD oil in her food a week in advance. The owner said this calms down the blue highler, making him less reactive and less playful.
The market for CBD pet products has exploded in recent years as cannabis has been legalized and normalized across the United States. Brightfield Group’s 2021 report estimates market sales will reach $629 million, driven primarily by people seeking alternative treatments for canine anxiety. While the perceived benefits are often shared anecdotally among pet owners, local researchers who studied the effects of CBD with man’s best friend say they have some questions about the specific product and how it is administered. Although there are caveats, they say there is truth to their claims.
Dr. Steph McGrath, a veterinary neurologist and associate professor at Colorado State University, has been studying the effects of CBD in dogs since 2015, when the cannabinoid became popular for treating children with epilepsy. At the time, she wondered if it might offer similar treatment possibilities for dogs.
Dr. McGrath has conducted clinical trials, some of which are ongoing, evaluating the effectiveness of CBD in treating epilepsy, cancer, and dementia in dogs. She also noted its ability to relieve chronic pain and anxiety. Some dogs benefit from CBD, while others are unaffected by it, she said.
“Some dogs seem to respond well to it. It’s very calming and can help improve pain and overall quality of life. And, to be honest, for some dogs, even high doses But we don’t really see any effect,” McGrath said. “I have no idea why.”
This reflects Ms. Rosenberger’s experience. Daisy Joy, a 9-month-old Shepherd/Collie mix, doesn’t seem to respond to CBD oil. Instead, Rosenberger gives chewable melatonin treats when she’s anxious.
Still, McGrath said CBD is safe for dogs, so owners looking for a treatment for their pet’s symptoms should feel safe trying it. One exception is dogs with liver problems, as there are safety concerns, especially regarding the effects of CBD on that organ.
Dr. Rob Landry has also studied the use of CBD in dogs during his tenure at the University of Colorado and Colorado State University, and is clearly confident in its use for treating chronic pain. He said CBD reduces pain caused by inflammation and degenerative diseases and improves the quality of life in animals.
Landry’s views are partially informed by research conducted at his clinic, the Colorado Animal Pain Management Center and Veterinary Care Center in Bloomfield. From 2017 to 2019, Landry treated 48 dogs with hip and elbow dysplasia and cancer pain, adding CBD to their medication regimens. Owners completed a questionnaire about their pet’s behavior and noted changes over time.
Landry said every owner reported some kind of improvement, such as their dog being able to stand up and move around more easily, a positive change in attitude, or their dog wanting to play more. “The beauty of the veterinary side is not a placebo effect,” he said.
His conclusion is: “I don’t think older senior pets or pets with degenerative joint disease should live without the benefits of CBD.”
Tank, a Golden Labrador Retriever, received marijuana-derived cannabidiol from a syringe provided to him by his human, Aston McCoy, to treat his osteoarthritis. Watching me eat the tincture. . CSU-Fort Collins Veterinary Teaching Hospital conducted a double-blind clinical trial testing the effectiveness of CBD for epilepsy and arthritis in dogs. (Photo by Vince Chandler, The Denver Post) Choosing the right product
CBD is still largely unregulated, so with the countless tinctures and treats available, finding the right product for your pet can be difficult.
Both McGrath and Landry suggested purchasing full-spectrum products derived from hemp rather than marijuana. Full-spectrum formulas contain CBD and other terpenes and cannabinoids. Scientists believe that cannabinoids work together to amplify the effects of each other compared to when they act alone. This is a concept called the entourage effect.
Make sure you buy one that doesn’t contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which can be toxic to dogs, Landry added.
Both vets recommended obtaining a Certificate of Analysis (COA) from the manufacturer to ensure the product has been tested and contains what is stated on the label. The COA must match the batch number on the bottle. If a company is reluctant to provide documentation, that should be a deal breaker.
How you give CBD to your dog is also important. Dr. Landry’s research found that giving dogs a CBD oil tincture sublingually was the best way to achieve the target milligram amount. If your dog doesn’t cooperate, you can apply the tincture to their food, but the food will interfere with some of the absorption, so Landry recommends adding a higher dose than the recommended dose.
Some dogs see immediate results, while others take longer to see results. Landry said to take it for at least two weeks before increasing the dose, while McGrath said to continue taking it for at least a month. And be sure to consult your veterinarian along the way.
“It’s still an art form. Be patient,” she said. “I’ll try it for a few months and if it doesn’t work, I’ll quit that day.”
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