Benefits of CBD Oil For Dogs & Pets
Now that we’ve discussed some about how to choose a good quality oil for your dog, let’s discuss WHY you should even give your dog CBD oil.
Don’t forget, CBD works on a chemical messenger system in the body’s of dogs and pets called the endocannabinoid system.
Let’s take a look at some of the more common conditions where CBD can benefit dogs …
CBD Oil For Dogs With Arthritis
If your dog has pain, your vet might prescribe NSAIDs or anti-inflammatory pain meds.
But NSAIDs can cause deterioration in joints and soft tissues over time which can damage your dog’s liver.
Gabapentin is a common pain medication which can cause kidney damage. Additionally, it’s not that effective.
CBD is a natural anti-inflammatory that doesn’t carry the same risk of side effects as drugs. It works by binding to CB1 receptors in the brain. These receptors stimulate the immune system to reduce inflammation.
CBD also binds to CB2 receptors that are found in the nervous and immune systems. When this happens, the body may produce more cannabinoids naturally, and this helps reduce inflammation even more and reduce the pain associated with it. CB1 receptors also change the way the brain responds to pain.
In fact, researchers at Cornell University found that dogs taking CBD for arthritis showed an increase in activity and a decrease in pain.
Some of the common ways to use CBD as an anti-inflammatory in dogs include:
- Arthritis
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Sprains and strains
- Torn ligaments (CCL)
- After surgery
CBD Oil For Dogs With Cancer
Half of adult dogs today will sadly get cancer. Cancer is a massive health challenge for anyone, including a pet.
As researchers are always looking for new ways to treat cancer, CBD has been extensively researched as a cancer-fighting substance.
For example, a study in mice showed that CBD slowed the growth of mammary cancer cells & another study in 2018 found that CBD increased survival time in mice with pancreatic cancer.
Researchers also found that CBD blocks a cannabinoid receptor called GPR55. This is important because GPR55 increased the growth rate of cancer cells in mice.
Other animal studies also show CBD oil has cancer fighting abilities and can slow the growth of tumors. Another study also shows cancer cells can become more sensitive to treatment with CBD … which means CBD can increase the effectiveness of conventional cancer treatments.
CBD kills cancer cells by blocking their ability to produce energy. It also stimulates the immune system to produce killer cells that cause death in cancer cells.
CBD oil can also help with the nausea associated with many cancer treatments. Another study showed a significant reduction in cancer-related pain.
CBD Oil For Dogs With Seizures And Epilepsy
It’s estimated that about 5% of dogs suffer from seizures. They can be terrifying for both dogs and their humans … and they can cause anxiety.
Most vets treat epilepsy and seizures with antiepileptic drugs, such as phenobarbital or potassium bromide. But these drugs are extremely harmful to your dog’s liver and other organs.
Even if the drugs don’t cause unmanageable side effects, they don’t always work …
So researchers at Colorado State University were excited when they studied CBD as a treatment for epilepsy in dogs. A whopping 89% of dogs that received the CBD had a reduction in seizures.
In human trials, CBD was found to work in patients with drug resistant epilepsy. In one study, 7 out of 8 patients saw a marked improvement within 4 to 5 months.
CBD can reduce the frequency and severity of seizures because of how it interacts with the endocannabinoid system.
It’s believed that seizures are caused by abnormal electric charges of the neurons in the nervous system … and CBD can bind to receptors in the brain that researchers speculate can improve the functioning of the nervous system.
CBD Oil For Dogs With Anxiety
Anxiety is often a reason dog owners turn to CBD. Anxiety takes different forms including:
- Noise phobia
- Separation anxiety
- Aggression
- Fear
Certainly there an anti-anxiety drugs available. However, CBD is being studied for anxiety due to it not carrying dangerous side effects.
Most human users of CBD take it for pain, anxiety and depression. Over a third of these users report that CBD worked “very well by itself.”
CBD has even been used to manage anxiety and insomnia in children with post-traumatic stress disorder. Animal studies show its antidepressant effects aren’t just for humans.
CBD can work quickly if given directly in the mouth when your dog is stressed. It typically works within 5 to 20 minutes.
However, CBD appears to most beneficial for anxiety when given over a period of time. So if your dog is prone to stress, a daily dose might be best.
A 2012 study looked at stress in rats that were exposed to cats. The rats given repeated doses of CBD had less anxiety than those who were given a single dose.
More research is required to determine just how CBD relieves stress and anxiety, but it’s thought that helps regulate serotonin. Serotonin is a hormone that regulates mood, social behavior, digestion, sleep and appetite.

CBD Oil For Dogs In Pain
Probably the most promising research on CBD is that done on pain. From nerve pain to arthritis, it works without the harmful side effects of pain medication.
CBD binds to both CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain and nervous system and this helps change the way your dog’s brain perceives pain.
Plus, CBD can help manage the other symptoms that accompany pain, such as sleeplessness and nausea.
CBD can also help manage acute pain from injuries.
CBD Oil For Allergies In Dogs
Allergies and skin conditions are difficult to treat when they arise.
The endocannabinoid system is also found in the skin, which is good news for dogs with allergies.
CBD can help relieve dry and itchy skin. It can also encourage the growth of new healthy skin cells.
CBD can be given internally for allergies, or externally for hot spots or cysts between digits.
Final Thoughts:
- All CBD should carry the FDA disclaimer which states: “CBD products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.”
- We do not favor terms like “therapeutic” or listing ingredients as “active and inactive.”
- Do not ignore serious conditions or your vet’s advice. Don’t stop seeing your vet. If your vet isn’t ready to embrace CBD, that’s fine because you are responsible for your pet’s overall well-being and need to be watchful with whatever you give your pet. And, you can also seek out a vet who more readily embraces CBD and other natural care for pets.