Cannabidiol (CBD) dog treats have become one of the fastest-growing CBD products on the market in the past two years. Let's discuss what are the best CBD dog treats UK market has for us.
It’s important to note that CBD is a compound found in cannabis and hemp and does not contain the psychoactive ingredient delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) found in the marijuana species of the cannabis plant.
Long known for its anti-inflammatory and calming properties, CBD has flourished as a health supplement for humans in the past decade. Can the many benefits humans experience from hemp-derived products also benefit our canine companions?
Dogs have always been a source of comfort, love and companionship for us. Especially during this past year of hardship and isolation. The internet search term “buy a puppy” increased by 166 per cent since March 2020. UK insurance providers also noted a staggering 78% increase in the registration of new pets since the UK’s first lockdown.
This surge in demand for dogs has also seen an increase in the number of dogs needing to be rehomed. Rescue dogs, in particular, might be more prone to both ill-health and behavioural problems that their new owners will have to contend with.
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What are CBD dog treats?
Like humans, dogs can also display symptoms of both physical and mental ill-health that range in severity. Both preliminary research and anecdotal evidence has indicated the positive effects of CBD in treating some of these symptoms. More comprehensive research needs to done to find out just how effective this compound can be for dogs.
Another important point to note is that much of what humans can consume is incredibly toxic for dogs and can lead to pancreatitis. However, CBD has not proved to be toxic for dogs who have very different and specific dietary requirements to us.
CBD dog treats UK
The idea that CBD can be used as a health and wellness supplement for dogs has taken a firm hold in the U.S.A. However, the term “CBD dog treats UK” is fast becoming a popular internet search here in Britain as well. In fact, a number of UK CBD brands have emerged in the past few years with new CBD products aimed specifically at our canine friends.
Dog owners desperate to improve to the quality of their pet’s lives are increasingly drawn to the myriad benefits cannabidiol is purported to offer.
While there is no definitive scientific data that tells us just how effective CBD can be in treating some symptoms faced by dogs, dog owners have noticed marked improvements in their pet’s health.
Anecdotal evidence from dog owners who are fans of the compound believe it can help to control seizures and treat neuropathic pain (pain caused by a disease or lesion of the somatosensory nervous system).
Just like many of its similar supposed uses for humans, dog owners believe that CBD has cardiac benefits, anti-stress properties, anti-nausea effects, pain reduction and even possible cancer-reducing benefits. These effects are all possibilities for an ingredient that has both powerful anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, but again, these uses have yet to be categorically proved.
Even the idea that CBD could potentially have some of these benefits for our beloved pets has UK consumers incredibly excited.
Dog ownership is built into the very fabric of British society and culture. In some households, a dog’s welfare is nearly on par with that of their human’s health and well-being. That’s why that even without definitive, irrevocable proof that the compound can treat all these illnesses, CBD dog treats are proving popular with British dog lovers.
CBD dog treats for pain
All dogs and certain breeds, in particular, can be prone to joint pain and arthritis. Some of these symptoms appear with age, others with injury or weight gain. It’s increasingly clear that mild to severe joint pain can negatively impact the quality of our pet’s lives.
Arthritis is usually caused by inflammation in the joints and it’s especially prevalent in ageing dogs. Discomfort and stiffness can manifest itself in reduced movement. It can both be caused by and contribute to weight gain in a vicious circle.
Some signs of joint pain to watch out for in your dog are limping, reluctance to jump or play, visible wincing when touched, heat or swelling around joints, licking elbows or hips and of course irritability and changes in mood.
In July 2020 Forbes reported on a very positive study that showed positive efficacy for CBD in treating canine osteoarthritis.
“The recent study, published in the journal PAIN, looked at whether different doses and formulations of CBD might help dogs suffering from osteoarthritis – and the results suggested that it could.”
The study was conducted in a cohort of twenty dogs, with one placebo group, a low dose group and a high dose group. Only the dogs in the high dose group exhibited marked improvements in mobility and mood. This encouraging study suggests that while CBD could prove useful in the fight against dog’s joint pain, there is still a lot to learn about what CBD dosage will truly provide effective relief.
If you are considering CBD dog treats for joint pain, it’s best to choose a high-quality, dog treat that has been certified and adequately tested. Even then, it will be up to you to assess and gauge what dosage is showing significant improvements in your dog’s mobility and well-being.
CBD dog treats for stress
Could CBD dog treats for stress be the thing to improve your dog’s temperament and behaviour?
Either from mistreatment or just general temperament, dogs can suffer from severe anxiety too. It’s normal, even healthy for a dog to exhibit some forms of situational anxiety. Loud noises like fireworks, or noisy building work can trigger a perfectly appropriate anxiety response in a dog. Being fearful around new people is also normal to a certain extent.
However, severe anxiety in a dog can exhibit itself as aggression. This can manifest itself in aggressive behaviour towards other animals or people. Even if a dog doesn’t directly harm another person or animal; growling, barking and other aggressive behaviours can cause some problematic situations for dog owners.
Let’s take a look at some typical signs of dog anxiety:
- Excessive barking
- Howling
- Panting (when it's not hot)
- Shivering (when it’s not cold)
- Pacing
- Running away/cowering
- Digging
- Escaping
- Destroying furniture
- Self-harm, including excessive licking or chewing
- Loss of appetite
- Frequent urination
- Inability to settle
CBD as stress treatment for dogs
There are many reasons dog owners might choose to give their dog CBD treats for stress. Firstly, anxiety can become ingrained behaviour, especially for rescue dogs who may suffer from PTSD. Along with patience and understanding, CBD can be very effective in helping a traumatised dog.
Another, situation that could cause your dog undue anxiety is a significantly stressful event in their lives like moving house, travelling long distances or air travel. It’s important to note once again, that the optimal dosage of CBD for dogs, has not yet been gauged.
Another, situation that could cause your dog undue anxiety is a significantly stressful event in their lives like moving house, travelling long distances or air travel. It’s important to note once again, that the optimal dosage of CBD for dogs, has not yet been gauged.
It's recommended that humans experiment with CBD and assess the impact it has on them. Dog owners should do the same for their dogs.
CBD dog treats for pain relief
Much of the pain we suffer has an inflammatory profile. In fact, most common painkillers are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This means analgesic pain killers that do not cause drowsiness. It’s become clear to both scientists and the population at large that CBD is a powerful anti-inflammatory.
As such, it stands to reason that CBD dog treats for pain relief could be very effective. Anecdotal evidence from legions of human CBD users has described its efficacy in treating chronic pain. All mammals, humans and dogs included have an endocannabinoid system with receptors in their brains, nervous system, glands and organs. The CB1 and CB2 receptors in dogs respond well to CBD and acts as a natural neuroprotective agent with multiple health benefits.
The cannabinoids in the oil open up two-way communication between endocannabinoid receptors to allow the body to either increase or decrease the immune response as needed. CBD oil is the natural way of regulating the system to maintain the perfect balance. The reason CBD seems to help modulate pain is that many dog’s bodies are deficient in cannabinoids.
CBD dog treats for sleep
CBD can make your dog drowsy and help them sleep if they're having bad nights. Anything that helps with stress should naturally aid a better night's sleep. Improved sleep should also help to improve your dog's mood and general well-being.
Hemp chews for dogs dosage
In general, any reasonably healthy dog should be fine with the dosage contained in a hemp chew. They’ve been created with hemp or hemp oil specifically with the optimum dosage in mind. They’re also very easy to use on the go.
Even though CBD has been used as an effective treatment against epilepsy, it can be hard to get the dosage right. Hemp that has to be metabolised in the liver can interact with anti-seizure medication. You should always speak to your vet about adding hemp or CBD to part of your dog’s supplement plan.
If your dog is taking other medication, it may be best to use CBD oil as it can allow you to experiment with the dosage. Your dog’s body mass index, size and body chemistry will all affect how they respond to CBD or hemp. Your best bet is to start reasonably small with dosage and assess how it’s affecting your pet.
Best CBD dog treats UK 2022 – Some of our favourites
We've picked a couple of our favourite Dog treats and CBD oils for dogs.
Greenheart CBD Oil for dogs
This Irish brand uses only organic hemp seed oil to create a specially-made for dogs solution of 2.5 CBD. There is zero THC in this product so it's very dog-friendly. Users report it really helping reduce anxiety in rescue dogs.
King Kalm Crunch dog treats
These tasty dog treats are made with entirely organic, naturally-derived ingredients. Using the highest quality hemp oil, each cookie is enriched with vitamins and Omega-3. They are very lightly baked in order to retain all their anti-oxidant and nutritional goodness.
HOWND Hemp Wellness treats
These delicious, between-meal treats are made in Devon with the finest organic hemp. Created with 100% natural ingredients, enriched with omega fats and are gluten, grain and meat-free. They have a wonderful selection of treats that can be used for dogs of all ages or to help treat specific problems. They even have a mint and parsley enriched treat to help with stinky dog breath.
Conclusion
While research into using CBD and hemp as a health supplement for dogs is still in its infancy, early studies show positive indicators on the powerful benefit’s the compound can have on a dog’s health. Reports from dog owners also suggest that CBD has played a pivotal role in improving some dog’s well-being. We believe time will prove just how powerful CBD can be.
