Side effects of CBD oil in dogs are rare but not impossible to occur. The most common ones include diarrhea, vomiting, drowsiness, and itching.
CBD has the potential to make your pooch calmer, healthier, and alleviate its pain. But if your fur baby is new to it, it might take some time to get accustomed to thе new supplement.
In any case, side effects are rare but possible, so knowing how to react is crucial.
- What Is CBD?
- Is CBD Toxic for Pets?
- CBD Oil Side Effects on Dogs
- What to Do If a Dog Experiences Side Effects
What Is CBD?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound in the cannabis plant. In recent years, it’s gained a lot of fame for its calming and pain-soothing effects. People love it. They claim to sleep and feel better when taking CBD.
But is CBD good for dogs?
Well, research is pretty limited. But you can find plenty of anecdotal evidence from pet owners. They claim the extract has brought new strength to their aging puppies, helped them with arthritis, and even decreased the occurrence of seizures.
What’s more, nowadays, you can find CBD in many forms — oils, tinctures, peanut butter, chewable, and even in some of the best calming treats for dogs.
On top of that, there aren’t many side effects. But as with any new edible, you should be careful how much you give to your fluffy friend. Even though CBD has no serious side effects, some still might affect your pup.
Is CBD Toxic for Dogs?
No, CBD isn’t toxic for dogs. But THC, which is the psychoactive compound in cannabis, is.
When discussing CBD toxicity for a dog, most pet parents are worried that their puppy might get high or even die. But don’t confuse THC with CBD. You should never give dogs THC-containing products, but CBD can be a fantastic addition to their diet.
Still, it’s worth mentioning that it’s a legal requirement for all hemp products to contain 0.3% or less THC. So if your dog eats a lot of CBD biscuits or oils, it might get some mild THC toxicity. The chances of that happening are really low, though.
Side Effects of CBD Oil in Dogs
Dog owners report that cannabidiol helps their dogs’ anxiety and depression. CBD oil for dog aggression could also help as it calms down pups and makes them less reactive to stressful stimuli.
As we mentioned, CBD doesn’t come with serious or life-threatening side effects. But like any other supplement, it can sometimes cause adverse reactions. So let’s see what these might be.
Vomiting
One of the side effects of too much CBD oil in dogs is vomiting. Cannabidiol has a bitter taste, and not all puppies like it.
To determine if the CBD causes your doggy’s vomiting, watch your pet closely for an hour after giving it the oil.
If your pup is persistently rejecting the oil or making disgusted faces, consider trying flavored CBD. Sadly, this cannabis oil side effect isn’t that rare, and some pups never get used to the taste.
Itching
One of the CBD tincture effects you might encounter is dog allergies. Like people, our puppers can be allergic to almost anything, so a CBD allergy is a possibility, too.
If your pup starts scratching itself after you’ve given it some CBD, maybe it has a CBD allergy. But you can’t be sure that’s the cause. Dog allergy testing kits can be helpful in such moments.
Dry Mouth
One of the most common CBD oil side effects on dogs includes a dry mouth and increased thirst. That’s because CBD can decrease saliva production, causing your pup to feel thirsty and a bit uncomfortable.
But this side effect is usually gone within a few days.
Lethargy
Another one of the negative side effects of CBD your dog might experience is lethargy. It can happen because of the CBD calming properties. Also, if the dose you’ve given your pet is a bit too much, your dog might become sleepy and drowsy.
It’s only temporary and can easily be fixed by lowering the dose.
Can CBD Oil Cause Diarrhea or an Upset Stomach?
If your pup has a sensitive stomach, CBD is likely to cause some problems at first. Like any new food or supplement, CBD oil can upset the stomach. So take it slowly and start with a low dose.
Another thing that might help your dog’s upset stomach is breaking up the daily CBD dosage by morning and evening.
Inhibited Production of Liver Enzymes
Some studies have shown that CBD can inhibit the production of some liver enzymes responsible for drug metabolism. This means that the drugs your pup is taking might either be absorbed faster or not at all — one of the dangers of CBD for dogs.
It’s not a side effect but a reminder to always talk with your vet if you want to start your pet on a new product. Especially if your doggy is already taking a prescription drug, cannabidiol side effects might be more severe. Call your vet. They’re there to help you.
Low Blood Pressure
Some Holistapet reviews (a reputable CBD pet brand) reported lowered blood pressure in their pup after taking CBD. The effect might cause light-headedness, but it’s dose-dependent.
You should administer cannabinoids for dogs in specific doses for your pup’s size and condition. If you’re unsure about the correct CBD dosage for dogs, check with the CBD brand’s customer support.
How to Counter the Effects of Too Much CBD in Your Dog
Even though the CBD side effects aren’t usually significant, they can still occur. So it’s good to know how to react if you need to. After all, watching your pet struggle can be hard.
Here are our tips for managing the CBD oil for dogs side effects:
- Hydration — When you give too much CBD to your dog, it’ll likely experience a dry mouth. Make sure you provide plenty of water and wet food to keep it hydrated.
- Bland diet — If your dog’s tummy is upset due to the CBD, put it on a diet for a day or two. Some rice can help with diarrhea.
- Let your dog sleep it off — But how long do the effects of CBD oil last in a dog? Usually, not long. So, if your dog is feeling drowsy, let it sleep and rest. Pretty soon, it’ll be back to its usual energetic self.
- Decrease dosage — To avoid future side effects of CBD oil in dogs, make sure you introduce the cannabinoid slowly. If your pooch is experiencing side effects, the dose is probably too high for its current tolerance.
- Give CBD at mealtime — One of the best ways to decrease the chance of side effects is to give your pup the best CBD treats for dogs. Since they come with other ingredients, they get metabolized slowlier. You can also give the oil at mealtime with the same result.
Conclusion
Can dogs have bad reactions to CBD? Even though it’s unlikely, some pups do suffer from side effects when starting CBD. But these are never deadly.
Some CBD adverse reactions in your doggy might include upset tummy, vomiting, dry mouth, and drowsiness. They’re often a result of improper dosage. But if they persist, you might want to cease the CBD use for a few days.
It’s good to know how to react to CBD side effects if they happen. A bland diet, lots of water, and a night of good sleep are often enough to make your puppy feel good again.But there’s no need to worry. Side effects of CBD oil in dogs aren’t severe and go away soon.
