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We’re constantly trying to understand our dog’s behavior, so when dogs lose their appetite, it could be a sign of a medical condition or something not serious at all. Knowing what’s normal, and whether your dog’s subtle behavior changes are related to illness, is important.
Changes in your dog’s appetite may be due to just feeling a little under the weather for a day, or are maybe side effects from medications that affect appetite and cause nausea.
Taking your dog to the vet at the first signs of a medical condition means resolving issues fast, and being able to get the best advice when it comes to administering the correct CBD dose for a specific health condition.
If your dog is suffering from joint pain, allergies, anxiety, nausea, and even seizures, CBD tinctures may be beneficial together with traditional veterinary care. In no way should CBD replace a veterinary consult and regular veterinary care.
Appetite disorders are common in sick dogs or dogs that are recovering from surgery. Dogs that are anxious, depressed or in pain may also lose their appetite. That said, side effects from cancer treatments will also affect your dog’s appetite.
Working together with an integrative or holistic veterinarian may also be beneficial. You’ll also need to check for oral pain and to make sure that your dog has no plaque build-up or dental issues that may cause loss of appetite. Looking for a CBD oil with coconut oil may be beneficial for dental health in dogs.
A 0.5 mg/kg of CBD twice a day that is increased to 1mg/kg twice a day over three days is the typical CBD cancer dose. This dose can be increased to 2mg to 3mg/kg twice daily if required.
For pet parents trying to figure out cannabidiol dosing, it’s important to have your dog’s current weight and to convert that weight into kilograms from pounds. In this instance, you would be dividing your dog’s weight by 2.2 to get his weight in kilograms because there are 2.2 pounds in one kilogram. Next, multiply the CBD dose by the number of kilograms.
If this sounds too complicated, call your veterinarian or a CBD medical dispensary. Talking about this with your veterinarian, and asking for help when deciding on the best hemp oil potency and dosage will help to ensure that the CBD potency and dosage is effective for a particular condition.
Dogs of all ages may be prone to appetite disorders. Research demonstrates that cannabidiol (CBD) is effective in reducing anxiety, inflammation, nausea, and may help to regulate appetite hormones. Dogs that are anxious or that suffer from separation anxiety or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and even depression may also lose their appetite because stress or depression has such a large impact on their lives.
Cannabidiol (CBD) has been shown to be effective in easing stress and anxiety. It should not be used on its own for stress management but can be beneficial when added to positive dog training, and veterinary interventions.
Full-spectrum CBD oils for pets may keep your dog eating during stressful periods. It’s recommended for pet parents to start at the lowest dose, and to gradually increase dosing.
So here’s the take with CBD for pets with appetite disorders.
Product lines that contain Phyto-cannabinoids, terpenes and fatty acids may be beneficial for conditions like phobias, anxiousness, joint pain, inflammation, digestive issues, mobility, seizures, and anxiety.
Instead of choosing canine Prozac or other traditional drugs used for anxiety, pet parents can opt for hemp oil to help with anxiety. Purchase a high-quality, organic, non-GMO, USA or Canadian sourced, CBD pet brand that has lots of good reviews.
Hemp has a higher cannabidiol concentration, and lower THC level compared to marijuana. Hemp is a natural supplement, that cannot be overdosed on. It’s safe and non-toxic, and excess cannabidiol is excreted. That said, it’s much healthier than giving your dog Benadryl that may have long-term side effects, and harm the kidneys and liver.
Full-spectrum hemp CBD for pets that use the CO2 extraction method is often combined with essential oils for optimal efficacy. Because cannabinoid strength will differ across brands and extended CBD product lines, you will need to weigh your dog first before using CBD.
Hemp refers to the cannabis varieties that are grown as an agricultural crop, and also contain low amounts of THC(tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is federally illegal in the US if it contains a higher amount than the O.3% allowed for use, though it’s been approved for both recreational and medical use in Canada, and numerous US states.
For all cannabidiol (CBD) pet products to be legal, they need to have less than 0.3% THC. CBD is natural, safe, and is derived from hemp and cannabis. Most CBD dog products will use CBD from hemp. That said, there is no “high” and dogs will not consume THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, resulting in psychoactive effects with your dog getting “high”. Always ask for a certificate of analysis (COA) to make sure that the CBD that you purchase is free of THC, and contaminants like heavy metals and glyphosate.
CBD is a non-psychotropic phytocannabinoid that yields therapeutic and medicinal benefits for all dogs. To help you understand more about the benefits of CBD oil for dogs that have lost their appetite, let’s look at some research.
A 2018 study demonstrates that cannabidiol (CBD) may be effective in preventing nausea. The study adds that the researchers “observed a surge in levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the rat interoceptive insular cortex (IIC) -- a brain region responsible for nausea in humans -- following injection with the nauseating chemical compound lithium chloride. This increase in serotonin and subsequent gaping behavior (a behavior displayed by rodents to flavors paired with nauseating treatments) was prevented by treatment with cannabidiol -- a form of cannabis that does not contain the component found in recreational marijuana responsible for the drug's psychotropic effects,” via EurekAlert.
The study goes on to add that “Treatment with a drug that elevates the endogenous cannabinoid, 2-AG, also prevented the elevation of serotonin in the IIC by activating the cannabinoid type 1 receptor. These findings implicate the endocannabinoid system and IIC serotonin release in the sensation of nausea, opening up new therapeutic opportunities to explore in future research.”
Hemp CBD (with no THC) may help with the following conditions:
Cannabidiol (CBD) with no THC is safe for dogs. It’s a natural supplement that may also be beneficial in the treatment of cancer, as well as helpful for the numerous symptoms that accompany cancer treatments and result in a lack of appetite. THC is what causes toxicity in pets and humans, and should not be administered to pets.
Signs of adverse reactions from THC would include difficulty walking, dilated pupils, urinary incontinence and hypersensitivity to external stimuli like sounds and touch. That said, pets should never be given CBD products with THC. There have been instances of death in pets from THC due to aspiration issues. Make sure that the pet CBD products that you purchase are free of THC, and are made for pets specifically. These CBD pet products should be purchased from reputable CBD pet companies that have been well-researched or that are a veterinarian-approved.
CBD has also been shown to help with numerous health conditions in dogs like seizures, arthritis, anxiety, inflammation, cancer and more! Maintaining your dog’s weight or body mass is really important during times of illness.
A few studies have suggested that CBD has been shown to decrease pain and inflammation and that as of yet, there have been no reports of interactions between cannabidiol (CBD), and other drugs.
That said, it’s important for pet parents to note that hemp oil or CBD may reduce blood pressure, so it’s advisable to speak to your veterinarian prior to using hemp oil in case your dogs have blood pressure related illnesses.
Before purchasing hemp oil for your dog, discuss it with your veterinarian first. With safety as a priority, it’s necessary to purchase a high-quality hemp-derived cannabidiol product that is made specifically for pets.
CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system which controls endocrine processes. When it activates the receptors in the brain and body, CBD also influences the endocrine system. This system consists of a group of tissues that release hormones into the bloodstream, which in turn travel to other parts of the dog’s body.
Some hormones will only act on a single tissue, while other hormones affect the whole body. When cannabidiol is used in dogs with reduced appetite, it triggers a “jump-start” on the endocannabinoid system and stimulates the appetite.
CBD acts on the endocannabinoid receptors and affects the receptors by regulating neural transmissions. CBD oil for dogs is helpful in the treatment of numerous conditions without taking on the intoxicating effect of marijuana.
A few product lines contain Phyto-cannabinoids, terpenes and fatty acids which support a huge range of ailments like phobias, anxiousness joint pain, inflammation, digestive issues, mobility, seizures, and anxiety.
CBD and other cannabinoids will interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, and carry messages throughout the body. A 2019 study from the American Society of Microbiology adds that"Given cannabidiol's documented anti-inflammatory effects, existing safety data in humans, and potential for varied delivery routes, it is a promising new antibiotic worth further investigation. The combination of inherent antimicrobial activity and potential to reduce damage caused by the inflammatory response to infections is particularly attractive," via Science Daily.
Additionally, the study says that “Importantly, the drug retained its activity against bacteria that have become highly resistant to other common antibiotics. Under extended exposure conditions that lead to resistance against vancomycin or daptomycin, Cannabidiol did not lose effectiveness. Cannabidiol was also effective at disrupting biofilms, a physical form of bacteria growth that leads to difficult-to-treat infections.”
With CBD dog biscuits or edibles, the dosage will vary according to the brand you choose.
CBD dog treats and edibles that are not organic or natural may contain pesticides, solvents or fungicides. Edible CBD pet products can be found in different potencies, and are effective to use for anxiety, storm phobia, and mild joint issues.
Hemp is rich in natural compounds like terpenes and flavonoids and may help fight cancer. Luteolin and kaempferol found in hemp could possibly promote disruptions to cancer cells. Today pet parents can choose edibles, tinctures, topicals, and even transdermal CBD patches to help their dogs. Consult with your veterinarian as to which type of cannabidiol product to use.
The most important question you should ask yourself when choosing a hemp pet product is whether the product uses an isolate or a full-spectrum oil. That said, there are numerous premium full plant hemp extract products that don’t carry the CBD letters on the packaging. These products are labeled premium hemp oil extract products.
Because of CBD, lots of pets have been able to nap during thunderstorms, take flights quietly, walk pain-free, and fight numerous health conditions. Cannabidiol is a safe natural supplement that helps with pain, seizures, anxiety, tumors, mobility issues, joint pain, and allergies in your pets. It also helps to stimulate appetite and reduce nausea.
Based on a 2019 survey, Packaged Facts reported that 39% of dog owners and 34% of cat owners like the idea of CBD for pets, 29% of both dog and cat owners are interested in purchasing CBD pet supplements, and 11% of dog owners and 8% of cat owners have already given CBD or hemp treats to their pets andadds that “CBD supplements are in high demand in human markets, credited with treating conditions ranging from anxiety to asthma. The use of CBD has crossed over into the pet market, with usage spiking after the passage of the most recent Farm Bill in December 2018, which took a significant step towards separating hemp and hemp-derived CBD from marijuana-based products,” via Veterinary News DVM 360.
Naturally-hemp-derived CBD products for pets are effective for depression. A CBD study on the pharmacokinetics of CBD administration also found thatCBD can help with depression since it induces antidepressant-like effects comparable to those of imipramine. That said, pet parents are embracing CBD today, and want to feed their pets healthy, natural, nutrient-packed CBD treats for optimal health benefits
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Meet The Author
Canine Specialist & Writer
Claudia Bensimoun is a freelance journalist and author, and specializes in veterinary content, and eBooks. She's a long-time feature writer for Animal Wellness magazine, Fido Friendly magazine, and the United States Dog Agility Association. In addition, Bensimoun has written for numerous pet websites, magazines, newspapers and online publications. Her interests include wildlife conservation, animal welfare, disaster/ humanitarian relief, veterinary research, and veganism.
