Will CBD help my dog? Research studies say yes
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
By Jeri Lockwood
Research
Studies using CBD have greatly increased in recent years.
Based on the available literature, Wakshlag says that there seems to be a place for hemp products in the treatment of osteoarthritis, atopic dermatitis and seizures.
One of the first CBD studies was done at Cornell, and it showed that CBD helped with pain management in many dogs. In the study, more than 80% of the dogs with osteoarthritis experienced a decrease in pain, allowing them to be more comfortable and active.
Colorado State University has an ongoing study on using CBD as an addition to epilepsy control in dogs. The goal, as with all seizure medications, is to gain control of seizure activity — reducing it as much as possible, while having minimal side effects and maintaining good quality of life. At this point, their research demonstrates that CBD used in combination with traditional seizure medications can be a successful approach.
Another study by the Australian animal therapeutics company CannPal tested a CBD product for its potential to help with dogs with atopy (a dermatologic allergy resulting in itching and chewing). In the trial, dogs were randomly given a CBD product or a placebo for four weeks. The results were encouraging — showing 65% of the CBD dogs having at least a 50% decrease in itching and chewing. Of those dogs, half recovered from all signs of itchiness while being treated.
Other ongoing studies are also looking at how CBD could supplement cancer treatments, since it appears to be synergistic with some standard chemotherapy drugs. Working on its own, CBD may be able to affect cancer cell growth, but more research must be done.
Anecdotally, many dog owners have found that CBD also helps with anxiety. In a Cornell study, dogs were given CBD chews prior to a stressful event, and 83% showed a decrease in stress or anxiety-related behaviors. However, more research with different CBD products and dosages is necessary to understand how to effectively treat dogs with anxiety.
To read the whole article go to https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-information/cbd-what-you-need-know-about-its-uses-and-efficacy#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20first%20CBD,be%20more%20comfortable%20and%20active.
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