Dog owners with beloved companions who have endured seizures understand the feelings of helplessness and anxiety that stem from watching them suffer. The worst part is seeing them in pain and discomfort and not knowing the right ways to help them. You may also have tried the medication that your vet has prescribed and not seen the proper results and are now seeking an alternative. Or, medication might be effective in minimizing seizures but may have other adverse effects on your dog’s comfort. In recent years, CBD oil for dog seizures has emerged as a promising deterrent and pain reliever depends and be careful with dosage.
Luckily, we’re here to help with our calming CBD oils for dogs. Here’s everything you need to know about CBD oil for dog seizures and the right dosage for your pets.
Related: A CBD Success Story: Epilepsy
What Is CBD Oil?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a derivative of the hemp plant. It is one of the hundreds of different byproducts of hemp. When extracted to the highest standards, CBD oil can help to heal with minimal side effects. Yes, it comes from cannabis, but it is important not to confuse it with the other common byproduct (THC) tetrahydrocannabinol, famous for its psychoactive properties.
Is Using CBD Oil for Dog Seizures Safe? What About THC?
CBD affects the brain in a completely different fashion from THC. That’s because CBD does not have psychoactive properties. Both THC and CBD bind with endocannabinoid receptors in the brain to cause a psychoactive effect. These receptors are found throughout your dog's body, but they have the highest concentration in the brain, nervous system, and spine.
But how these two derivatives work is very different. THC can cause euphoria, lethargy, vomiting, staggering, and other negative effects on dogs. Certainly, no one wants a “high” dog. CBD helps to manage pain, calm and soothe like THC but doesn’t come with any of the negative THC side effects.
This 2019 study showed that 89% of dogs who were treated with CBD oil had a reduced frequency of seizures without any adverse side effects!
Benefits of CBD Oil for Dog Seizures & More
CBD is a safe and natural oil that can be used to relieve several ailments for dogs. While research is still advancing, here are some common ailments that CBD oil has been proven to help:
- Seizures
- Epilepsy
- Cancer
- Anxiety
- Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome
- Joint Pain
- Allergies
Studies have shown that CBD oil has the highest potential for change in the brain, nervous system, and spine systems. So health issues in these systems can be relieved with the proper dosage of CBD oil.
Related: Salmon Dope Dropper 200mg CBD Oil
Is CBD Oil for Dog Seizures Legal?
Because of the Farm Bill of 2018, CBD has been legal since January 1, 2019. The regulation of CBD is still very loose, but there is still a lot of room for interpretation. The new law opened the door for CBD oil, created from hemp, to be sold and distributed in all 50 states within the US. However, some parts of the world haven’t made the substance legal yet. So it’s best to research whether the CBD oil is legal before purchasing it from another country. At the present moment, it is safe to say that using CBD oil for treating dog seizures is legal in the US.
What’s the CBD Oil Dosage for Dogs With Seizures?
Well, unfortunately, it depends. And dosages can vary depending on the CBD oil. That said, dosage guidelines are usually based on the size of the animal. Large dogs require a higher dose than smaller ones. Most products will give clear instructions on the label, and if you have any doubt, contact the manufacturer with the details of your dog's age, breed, and weight. They can help you determine the best dosage to help your dog.
Yes, that is a bit vague but necessary to make sure a dog does not overdose on CBD oil. The products will be more clear about what is a safe amount to treat your dog’s seizures. Committed to its customers, Dope Dog will answer any questions you might have about giving the proper dosage. Or go to Dope Dog’s Learning Lab to find more details on how to give the right dosage to your dog properly.
Find out more about the ingredients and serving sizes of our Dope Dog CBD dog treats!
What Are Dog Seizures?
When a dog suffers a seizure, they might suffer from uncontrollable shaking or a minor twitch. Some seizures can be over as quickly as they began, while others can last for several minutes. This can be scary for the dog and its owner because there is little to no warning before the seizure occurs. And in some cases, the seizures can be life-threatening to dogs. The cause of the seizure usually depends on the dog and its health issues.
A few common causes for dog seizures:
- Cancer, kidney or liver disease, or other underlying health issues
- Topical tick and flea products
- Electrolyte problems
- Head injury
- Vaccines
- Herbicides and pesticides
The most common diagnosis of a dog suffering from regular seizures is epilepsy. This is a disorder that causes your dog to experience uncontrollable bursts of electricity in their brain. Epilepsy is an incurable disease, but it can be managed. Fortunately, research has shown that CBD oils play a significant role in managing the symptoms. CBD oil provides hope for such a debilitating disease, CBD Oil Dosage for Dog
Symptoms of Dog Seizures
It can be scary when your dog experiences a seizure; just know that it’s typically a painless experience for them. Here are the common symptoms of a dog seizure to look out for:
- Foaming at the mouth
- Loss of consciousness
- Muscle twitching
- Whole-body stiffening
- “Paddling” motions with their legs
- Drooling
- Collapsing
- Jerking
- Chomping
- Incontinence
Other symptoms may be more of a challenge to spot, but you can also watch for things like slight facial tremors or unusual barking patterns. Even though it’s a frightening event, with your help and CBD oil for dog seizures, your dog can still live a happy, healthy life.
How CBD Oil for Dog Seizures Helps
While there is ongoing research about CBD, scientists have found a wide range of benefits for both dogs and humans. One of the fascinating discoveries was the impact it has on the management of seizures. Studies have indicated that CBD is incredibly useful when used to manage seizures. Before you administer any new treatment to your dog, you should know more about how it works.
What You Can When Your Dog Has a Seizure
While CBD oil can help minimize the severity and frequency of your dog’s seizures, it may not eliminate them completely. It’s important to know how to act when your dog has a seizure.
- Stay calm: you might want to panic; that’s a normal reaction. However, keeping your cool will help you care for your dog during this time. Remember, they are not conscious and don’t feel pain during the seizure.
- Watch the time: note when your dog’s seizure starts and when it stops. Doing this allows you to measure if his or her episodes are improving or not.
- Know what’s normal: excessive drooling or frothing might look scary, but those are normal symptoms of a dog seizure.
- Protect them: keep them away from stairs and sharp corners. Pillows can help cushion your pup’s fall. Also, do not grab their tongue; it’s a common misconception that they’ll swallow their tongue during a seizure. They won’t, but you might end up with a nasty bite.
- Keep them cool: the longer your dog seizes, the higher their chance of overheating. Once they regain consciousness, you can place wet, cool towels around his or her head, neck, and paws.
- Record the seizures: once your dog is awake and safe, write down the date, time, and prevailing symptoms. Doing this can provide crucial info for your vet, and it allows you to check if their episodes are getting better or worse.
If your dog continues to have seizures, you might want to try increasing the CBD oil dosage gradually and monitor him or her for any signs of improvement.
How Does CBD Oil for Dog Seizures Work?
Earlier in the article, we mentioned endocannabinoid receptors; these play a vital role in understanding how CBD oils will help your dog with its seizures.
The first thing you need to understand is that your body has two kinds of endocannabinoid receptors. They are located in the nervous and immune systems. CB1s are primarily located in your dog’s brain and nervous systems, while CB2s are found throughout the immune system.
It is the CB1 receptors that play the most important part in treating the dog's seizures. Research has found that seizures and epilepsy alter the balance of the endocannabinoid system. Further studies have indicated that CBD allows patients greater control over their seizures, which has proven to be particularly useful with the treatment of specific epilepsy syndromes.
It is known that seizures directly impact the endocannabinoid system (ECS), and using CBD in a process known as “external modulation” can prevent this. In some cases, it can stop the seizures from happening altogether.
Research is still being conducted on the exact effects of CBD on ECS and how it contributes to a drastic reduction in the convulsion of patients using the product. Some scientists suspect that CBD calms the neurons that are sparked during seizures, thus reducing their volatility.
Researchers are confident when they say CBD oils can positively impact dogs with seizures. They also state that the only likely side effect is that they might suffer from mild drowsiness.
The significant part about this research is that big pharmaceutical companies have begun to research the benefits of CBD and its wide-ranging applications. They have been creating drugs with CBD to help treat epilepsy.
Related: CBD Starter Kit with CBD Treats and CBD Oil
How to Treat Dog Seizures With CBD Oil
To help reduce the frequency and severity of your dog’s seizures, you can treat them with CBD oil regularly. Typically, they’ll get the most relief from a twice-daily CBD oil dosage for dog seizures. Keep in mind that dosage amounts vary depending on each individual dog, so you might need to experiment with different doses to find the perfect one. It’s important to start off with small doses and gradually increase them as needed.
CBD oil for dog seizures comes in a variety of convenient forms, including CBD dog treats that they’ll happily gobble up! CBD oils can be added to their food, water, or you can use the dropper to put the oil in their mouth directly.
Are There Negative Side Effects of CBD Oil for Dogs With Seizures?
Since CBD oil is natural and holistic, it rarely has side effects. The most common adverse effect would be diarrhea. It takes time for the dog’s body to adjust to the CBD oil in the system. If your dog has diarrhea, it’s best to start at a low dose or even skip a day or two until the body gets used to it.
That said, once your dog has adjusted to the CBD oil, they should experience little to no side effects. CBD oil is a safe and organic alternative to prescription drugs. If you still have concerns or your dog is experiencing any weird side effects, talk to your veterinarian.
Where to Get CBD Oil for Dog Seizures
If you are interested in using CBD oil to treat your dog's seizure, it’s vital to obtain the product from a reliable source. For example, Dope Dog has quality CBD products made from natural ingredients. They test their products often using proven methods to ensure their CBD oil is safe and effective.
However, it’s best to speak to your veterinarian before using the product. After all, you work with your veterinarian to enhance your dog's health, so both of you should be on the same page.
Aside from talking to your vet, it is also vital to do some research. That way, you can learn more about CBD, so you are more confident about using this treatment modality to control your dog's seizure. There are a variety of ways to consume CBD, such as tincture, oil, edibles, treats, and much more. Each dog is different and will respond differently to different CBD products. Make sure to research each product and the quality of ingredients they use in order to know which one is right for your canine companion.
Related: Best CBD Oil for Dogs
Is CBD Oil for Dog Seizures the Right Option?
It’s hard to tell right off the bat if CBD oil is the right treatment solution for your four-legged friend's seizure. The best way to find out is to start with a low dose and monitor the seizure activity. Also, follow the recommendations and guidelines from your veterinarian.
If the seizure has gotten worse from the CBD oil or your dog experienced some symptoms of an allergic reaction, then it’s essential to stop using the substance right away. However, if your dog is coping very well with the substance, then gradually increase the dosage until you notice a return to your dog’s normal behavior.
It takes a lot of research and experimentation to find the perfect dose, but once you have a reliable brand and the proper amount for your dog, your four-legged friend will experience a seizure-free life, and will definitely thank you for it.
Dope Dog is committed to serving its customers and will answer any questions you might have about the correct dosage of CBD oil for dog seizures. They’ll customize their response to provide the best quality care for your dog. Dope Dog prides itself on high-quality products and organic natural ingredients.
Dope Dog Offers High-Quality CBD Oils for Dog Seizures
CBD products have been seen to alleviate issues like anxiety, pain, and seizures in dogs. That is why Dope Dog has taken the initiative to create high-quality CBD dog treats and oils to reduce seizures, anxiety, and other issues. With the proper dosage and guidance, your canine companion will be able to endure their health issues more comfortably.
Does your dog suffer from seizures or epilepsy? Click here to find the right CBD oils for your dog’s seizures, so they can enjoy a normal, happy lifestyle.
Related: How to Administer CBD Oil to a Dog
Please note that this article does not intend to provide medical advice. Go to your pet’s veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis and medical information.
