We all want the best for our dogs. After all, these adorable four-legged family members fill our homes with love, tail wags, and shedding fur. So why wouldn’t we want to make sure they live their best lives possible?
For many pet owners, adding CBD to their pet’s routine has been a game-changer. The addition to the routine has many pet parents noting improvements in various areas of their dogs’ lives. But is CBD really worth the hype?
Study Shows Evidence of Decreased Stress During Car Rides
While we may enjoy a car ride with our favorite music coming through the speakers and our favorite drink in the cup holder, your furry friend may feel a bit differently. It is not uncommon for some dogs to have anxiety when it comes to car rides, even if it is to their favorite place (like the p-a-r-k).
In an early 2024 study published by the Journal of Animal Science, researchers found that daily dosing of CBD provided a positive impact on car ride-induced stress in dogs. Over a 6-month period, 20 dogs were provided with a daily serving of CBD that was relative to their body weight. This daily serving was delivered orally to be absorbed most efficiently.
According to the results of the study, “Overall, the results indicated canine stress was successfully induced by the car travel situation. Some measures of stress were significantly influenced by CBD administration across multiple tests, indicating daily dosing at 4 mg/kg may have a mild anxiolytic effect on dogs when traveling in a car.”
Randomized Study Finds Evidence of Anti-Inflammatory Benefits for Dogs with OA
Watching our furry friends struggle with the pains of getting older is hard. The last thing we want is for them to be in pain, like that of osteoarthritis. Some breeds, like German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and Boxers, are more prone to arthritis than other breeds.
A study published in 2020 found evidence to suggest that CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties may be useful in combating the pain that comes with canine OA. Over a 4-week trial period, the animal study observed that “CBD significantly decreased pain and increased mobility in a dose-dependent fashion among animals with an affirmative diagnosis of OA.”
The Bottom Line
CBD’s properties have been shown in the studies above to have potential benefits for our four-legged friends. However, pet owners should do their due diligence when it comes to selecting a CBD product for their pet. Not all products are made with the same quality and care, so knowing what to look for is essential.
When it comes to buying dog-friendly CBD, pet parents should be sure they are buying a quality product from a reputable brand. A few items to look for include;
- Ingredient lists with dog-friendly ingredients.
- Contact information for the brand in case of questions or concerns
- A certificate of Analysis (also known as a COA) to ensure quality and legality
A reputable brand will make sure it fulfills all of these requirements, as well as providing educational information and other aspects that promote brand transparency. They offer tools that help pet parents do their homework to find the perfect product for their furry friend’s needs, whether that is a topical, an edible, or a tincture.
At the end of the day, current research is showing positive trends when it comes to CBD for dogs. Studies like the ones discussed above may be preliminary, but they offer valuable insight that can help pet owners make informed decisions about CBD products. After all, we all want the best for our four-legged fur babies. Could CBD be the right fit for your dog?