Does your best friend walk on four legs? We understand — our dogs are so important to our lives that it can be hard to explain to non-dog owners the love we share for these furry familiars. Caring for your dog comes with a lot of responsibility, and because you’re the person closest to them, it also means that you are in the best position to communicate with them.

When using a new wellness product like CBD for your best friend, we can understand if you’re cautious. That’s why we put together this piece so that you can understand what CBD is, how it works, and how to use it.

What is CBD for Dogs?

Knowing what CBD is before giving it to your dog is important — the best way to protect their health is proper education.

CBD is a compound called a phytocannabinoid. Phytocannabinoids can be derived from hemp or marijuana, and some of them are believed to contain elements that promote wellness in mammals. CBD is one of these compounds. It’s one of 113 identified cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. In the United States today, it is only legal to sell hemp-derived CBD that contains less than 0.3 percent THC.

However, when it comes to your pets, we sell broad-spectrum CBD that contains absolutely no THC. This means that the CBD we sell has zero psychoactive properties to upset your dog.

How does CBD for Dogs work?

All mammals have something called an endocannabinoid system. This is a system of receptors in your body that pick up cannabinoids and use them to help maintain homeostasis. These receptors determine how THC or CBD, or CBG affect the body.

When you use THC products, the CB1 receptors in the endocannabinoid system bond with the THC cannabinoid and cause psychoactive effects. CBD works slightly differently in that it binds with the CB2 receptors. This is why CBD offers the same wellness benefits as smoking marijuana does but without the psychoactive effects.

That’s what makes CBD ideal for use with your pets — all the wellness benefits and none of the high.

How Much CBD Should Be Used on Dogs?

The amount of CBD you should give your dog varies based on their weight and the purpose for using the product. The best recommendations will come directly from your veterinarian.

However, if you’re interested in using CBD, the rule of thumb is that you can use 0.2mgs of CBD for every pound of dog. So if your dog is 10lbs, you can use 2mg of CBD. A 45lb dog could use 9mg.

CanRelieve not only offers CBD oil but convenient chews for your dog. Simply give your furry friend one chew for every 25 pounds of dog. You can do so twice a day, if necessary.

Because someone is bound to ask, are CBD oil for humans and CBD oil for dogs interchangeable? Technically, the answer is yes. But if you’re going to tap into your dog’s supply, it must not be adulterated. It must be human grade.

Better to just buy your own supply!

Dog Owners Should Consider CBD Oil

A dog can benefit tremendously from the proper use of CBD, though the precise effect on dogs has not currently been the subject of any formal studies. However, what is known is that a healthy normal state can be maintained and balance within the body as the result of reactions that take place when CBD is used.