If you’re noticing that your furry best friend is having a slew of belly aches and digestive problems, it may be time to give him CBD. CBD, or cannabidiol, can help relieve your dog of digestive issues, such as nausea, vomiting, and pain, naturally and effectively. In just a couple of weeks of CBD treatment, your dog will be back to his playful self.

Although CBD use in humans is widely accepted today, its use for dogs has only been recognized in the past few years. The idea of using CBD for dogs is so new that more extensive research is required. There’s a 2019 survey of United States veterinarians asking about the health benefits of cannabidiol for dogs. The survey questions the vets about their opinions and perceptions of CBD treatment for dogs. Results indicated that 45 percent of the vets felt comfortable talking about CBD with their clients, and 62 percent of them felt comfortable talking about it with other vets.

The research on CBD treatment for digestive conditions in dogs is limited but positive and encouraging. Since dogs have the same endocannabinoid system as humans, it seems that dogs can benefit from CBD just as much.

The studies that have been implemented on dogs mainly focus on safety. In a 2020 preliminary investigation, researchers concluded that increasing CBD doses in dogs is safe and causes only mild adverse reactions.

How Does CBD Work for Digestive Conditions in Dogs?

To make an informed decision about whether you should give your dog CBD, you should know all you can about it. First, you should talk to your vet about your dog’s health and whether CBD will benefit him. You’ll also want to check out different CBD products for pets, from reliable sellers like CBDMEDIC, to see which ones are organic and have little or no THC.

What is CBD?

CBD is a chemical compound found in marijuana and hemp plants. Although alike, the two plants are different in that the CBD that comes from hemp has less THC, about 0.3 percent, than CBD that comes from the marijuana plant. This is crucial because THC is the component of the plant that gives the “high” feeling. And, you don’t want your dog to be “high.”  A CBD dosage calculator is a fine way to keep the dosage under check.

Evidence shows that CBD can improve nausea, vomiting, and pain in humans. It’s suggested that since dogs have the same endocannabinoid system as humans, they too can benefit from CBD treatment.

The Endocannabinoid System in Dogs

Since dogs and other animals with a vertebra have an endocannabinoid system, their bodies are “programmed” to receive CBD. Meaning, the receptors in the endocannabinoid system accept CBD and use it to fulfill the function of providing homeostasis (balance) in the body. The endocannabinoid system is responsible for many functions, including pain, memory, mood, appetite, stress, sleep, metabolism, immune function, and reproductive function.

Photo by Isabela Kronemberger on Unsplash

3 Common Digestive Conditions in Dogs that CBD Can Help

Although there are many digestive conditions that dogs can have, there are three common issues that CBD can relieve. They are the following:

1. Nausea/Vomiting

If you’re a dog owner, you’ve probably had experiences when your dog vomits. It’s inevitable. Dogs get into garbage, drink contaminated water, or eat contaminated food. There also could be an underlying medical condition that requires serious attention. A good rule of thumb is if your dog vomits once, he’s probably going to be fine. However, if he vomits multiple times, excessively, vomits up blood, has diarrhea containing blood, or has seizures, you should seek medical attention immediately.

There’s extensive research on how CBD can help curb nausea and vomiting in humans. Research on dogs is limited but ongoing. Although there’s limited research on dogs, human studies on the effects of CBD on nausea and vomiting resulting from chemotherapy are conclusive — CBD is an effective treatment for nausea and vomiting.

Nausea and vomiting are part of a dog’s protective defenses to avoid ingestion or digestion of potentially harmful substances. Vomiting excessively could be a sign of health conditions like liver damage or stroke. In situations like these, the faster you get your dog to the vet, the more likely it will recover.

2. Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain is common with digestive conditions. Clinical signs of abdominal pain in your dog include restlessness, guarding or splinting of the abdomen, arched back, or “prayer position” (front legs on the floor, back legs stood up). If you notice any of these signs, it’s vital to take your dog to the vet to determine the underlying cause of the pain. Abdominal pain, depending on the cause, can be treated with medications and CBD. CBD can help reduce pain, which allows your dog to feel more comfortable and not distressed.

3. Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is much like its human counterpart, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). If your dog has recurring episodes of diarrhea and vomiting, there could be damage in the digestive and intestinal tracts. This is a sign of IBD. With IBD, your dog could also have a loss of appetite and lose weight, although it will seem fine. Treatment with medications and CBD can help with your dog’s IBD discomfort by easing the inflammation in the digestive and intestinal tracts.

Human trials prove that CBD has anti-inflammatory properties for various diseases, including Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome (IBS). These studies are promising for dogs since they have the same endocannabinoid system as humans.

Although it’s necessary to see a veterinarian for all of these health conditions, you can still use CBD as a supplement to help ease discomfort and reduce nausea, pain, and inflammation. You can administer CBD by putting it in your dog’s food, mixing it with your dog’s treats, using CBD dog products, or directly giving CBD oil.

Photo credit by:

Photo by Honest Paws on Unsplash

https://sitstay.com/blogs/good-dog-blog/cbd-for-your-dog-s-upset-stomach

https://petcbdcommunity.com/cbd-oil-for-dogs-nausea-and-digestive-issues/

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