Cannabis K9s, what comes to mind? Police dogs perhaps? Or maybe it’s all the canines that are finding a higher quality of life with cannabis. Can cannabis help my dog is a question that more pet owners are asking themselves these days. There’s no denying that there’s an abundance of claims about the medical benefits of cannabis circulating the globe. From people being cured of cancer to controlling the symptoms of terminal illnesses, cannabis conversations have become the buzz.

Now that buzz has shifted towards our furry friends. In particular, I’m talking about dogs. More pet owners these days are wondering if cannabis could be what their pet needs. The answer could be yes. Take into mind that cannabis for your dog is way different than cannabis for you.

Human titrates, or dosages of cannabis can be toxic for dogs causing a dog to act lethargic and/or to have diarrhea.  Treating your dog with cannabis usually refers to a CBD tincture or edible treat specially made for pets. Just look at some of these stories where cannabis has helped dogs that were suffering.

• Dog Able to Stand Again Thanks to Cannabis Plant, Animal Rescue President Says-KOCONews5
• How Medical Marijuana is Saving Dogs Lives- tv
• Could Medical Marijuana Help Your Dog-com
• Cannabis Treatments Catch On For Dogs-com
• Cannabis Saved This Dog’s Life-com
• Dog Suffering Terrifying Seizures Transforms Within Seconds Thanks to CANNABIS Oil-Mirror

Ruff Symptoms To Deal With for Dogs and Humans Alike

Treating your furry friend with cannabis is not quite the same as treating yourself. We know you don’t just roll Spike a joint, pack him a bowl, or fix him a dab. The most common method of consumption for dogs is via a tincture or medicated dog treat.

Dogs face a multitude of health and behavioral issues that cannabis may help with. From pain associated with accidents to sickness, old age, and even behavioral problems like jumping or excited peeing, cannabis is offering pet owners and their furry family members hope.

Cannabis has been reported to help dogs suffering from cancer, arthritis, depression, eating disorders and more. Just like people, dogs are seeing a reduction in vomiting, ease in movement, a happier disposition, reduced inflammation and swelling, reduced pain, and more. These are only some of the symptoms cannabis is helping within both dogs and people alike.

Behavioral issues like excited peeing, jumping on visitors, and chewing everything in sight may also be helped with cannabis. I have a Boxer/Shepard mix that I love like one of the kids. He is just over a year old now and can be very hyper. He tends to jump on people and is an excited pee’er. When it’s something exciting he sees he pees. This can be problematic as he weighs close to 75 lbs. Hempful Farms CBD has helped him in ways I never imagined. Like the peeing! It stopped when he started taking his CBD oil, which by the way, he loves!

What’s All This Talk About the Dog Gone Endocannabinoid System

Naturally, with all the talk of how cannabis is helping people, people are wanting to know if cannabis can help their dog? The short answer to this question in my opinion and the opinion of others is, yes. The evidence we have on cannabis and canines supports this. Cannabinoids and phytocannabinoids are the key.

• Endogenous cannabinoids– cannabinoids produced naturally by the body such as anandamide
• Phytocannabinoids– are cannabinoids like THC, CBG, CBN, CBD, and others that are produced by plants like cannabis

Every mammal on the planet including dogs has an endocannabinoid system or ECS for short. The ECS has cannabinoid receptors spread throughout the body. CB1, CB2, CB3, and THRV receptors are a few of them. These receptors respond to phytocannabinoids like THC and CBD and endogenous cannabinoids like anandamide aka the “bliss molecule” to trigger a response from these receptors and others. Phytocannabinoids like THC are reported to increase endogenous cannabinoids like anandamide by as much as 168%!

“Endocannabinoids and their receptors are found throughout the body: in the brain, organs, connective tissues, glands, and immune cells. … The endocannabinoid system, with its complex actions in our immune system, nervous system, and all of the body’s organs, is literally a bridge between body and mind.”-NORML

The introduction of endogenous cannabinoids and phytocannabinoids to these receptors facilitates healthier cellular function through efficiency. This more efficient function occurs in part because of two-way communication between cells and nerves happening where previously this communication did not exist.

The results of this improved communication between cells and nerves have a wide variety of effects that vary for the consumer be they canine or humankind. These effects range from a reduction in inflammation, pain, and anxiety to an increased appetite, reduced stress levels, restful sleep, and more. With this in mind, we can start to see how cannabis might help canines. Dietary, anxiety, behavioral issues, etc. these are all areas of concern with dogs and humans alike.

Dr. Duncan Lascelles is considered an authority in the field of pets and pain management with 22 years of experience. Dr. Lascelles holds the title of Professor of Surgery and Pain Management at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Here’s some of what he had to say about dogs and their endocannabinoid system to Animal Wellness Magazine.

“Dogs do have the same natural cannabinoid receptors in the endocannabinoid system as humans,” Dr. Lascelles adds. (The endocannabinoid system involves physiological processes such as appetite, pain sensation, mood, and memory.) These receptors are found in the dog’s brain and peripheral nervous system.”-Animal Wellness Magazine

How Others Are Treating Their Dogs with Cannabis

Sometimes our furry friends are near the end. This is a sad time no matter how you look at it. Instead of meds that leave your dog dazed and confused, some people are turning to THC for dogs. This option is reserved for terminal pets. Just like people, dogs can benefit from a higher quality of life as the end approaches. For those who have pets that are sick, there is hope. Check out these stories on how others are treating their dogs with cannabis.

• How I Used Cannabis to Treat My Dog’s Cancer-Metro Times
• Researchers are Using Cannabis to Treat Dogs with Epilepsy-Circa News
• Cannabis For Dogs With Cancer- HUFFPOST
• Vets Weigh in on Cannabis for Pets-Green State
• Cannabis For Your Dog: How It Can Help-Dogs Naturally Magazine

Here is a guide based off of information from the internet on the amounts of CBD tincture to give your dog. The least amount of CBD that you can give your dog while seeing results is the best. Giving them too much can lead to a tolerance making the medicine not as effective.

• Extra small (2 – 8 lbs.): ½ mg 1 to 3 times per day. If no improvement is seen Increase to 2 mg in ½ mg increments until you see improvement. It’s suggested to not exceed 15 mg of CBD per day for extra small/small dogs.
• Small (8 – 15 lbs.):1-3 mg doses three times per day.
• Medium (15 – 30 lbs.):2-4 mg doses 2-3 times per day. Medium/large/extra-large dogs should not exceed 15 mg of CBD per day unless otherwise recommended by a veterinarian.
• Large (30 – 60 lbs.):2-6 mg doses 2-3 times per day
• Extra Large (60+ lbs.):2-6 mg doses 2-3 times per day

You can also check out a guide to dogs and CBD here.

Could Our Furry Friends Be Aware of Their Endocannabinoid System?

Every mammal on the planet has an endocannabinoid system. Humans can read, listen, and learn about this unique part of the mammalian body. We can study how vital cannabinoids such as THC, CBD, CBG, and others react with cannabinoid receptors located throughout our body. Humans have the benefit of listening to what others have to say as well as information published in journals and studies regarding the endocannabinoid system.

Canines, however, don’t have this luxury. They don’t go to school or listen to other dogs talk about the endocannabinoid system, or do they? Could it be that some dogs are inherently aware of their endocannabinoid system? This could possibly explain why some dogs love cannabis and others don’t. We know that human dosages of cannabis are not recommended for dogs.

But we all know some dogs will hangout when you’re smoking a joint or bowl until they get a few hits blown their way. They just seem to love it. Some dogs will eat your weed if you leave it laying around. Other dogs want nothing to do with it. They turn their nose and go the other way. You couldn’t get them to eat it if you tried.

Dogs have a unique character trait of understanding medicinal herbs. Could it be the terpenes in cannabis are recognized as needed or not needed? Have you ever noticed how a sick dog will sniff around to find the right grass to eat? They will eat enough grass to help themselves feel better, and then they go about their day. They don’t continue to eat the grass all day. Is this a sign that canines are aware of their own endocannabinoid system?

What do you think? Do you have a pet that cannabis has helped? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below. Perhaps veterinarian medicine has been barking up the wrong tree. Maybe they should take a closer look at canines and phytocannabinoids like THC and CBD.