CBD Oil for Dog Allergies

If you have a dog with allergies, you know how difficult it is to see your pet struggle with the symptoms. Dogs with seasonal allergies, for example, might itch and scratch themselves like crazy.  This affects sleep, skin health and the ability to just enjoy day-to-day life.

Unfortunately, when most people go to the vet, they leave with a prescription for a drug like Apoquel.
That’s not the answer.
Thankfully, there are natural treatments out there. And one that’s getting a lot of attention right now is CBD oil for dog allergies.

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The Science behind CBD Oil for Dog Allergies

CBD oil is an extract from the cannabis plant. It has a number of healing properties and is an effective anti-pain and anti-anxiety treatment …

And yes! You can also use CBD to treat your dog’s allergies. But let’s back up a bit and explain why.

All mammals have an endocannabinoid system (ECS). It’s the natural system within the body that processes cannabinoids. Those are the active ingredients in cannabis and hemp. The body also makes its own natural cannabinoids.

Cannabinoid receptors in the ECS regulate many important functions in the body. This includes in the brain, the organs and the nervous and immune systems.

When your dog gets allergies, they can affect the proper function of the ECS. That’s how the symptoms happen. Allergies occur when your dog’s immune system thinks something is a threat. Sometimes these things are harmless, such as pollen. The immune system responds by causing swelling sneezing, and itchiness. This is the body trying to protect itself from the allergen, even though it isn’t actually dangerous.

The cannabinoids in CBD oil help to reduce those allergy symptoms. They do this by supplementing the natural endocannabinoids in the body. They’re essentially subsidizing your dog’s endocannabinoid system.

A groundbreaking 2007 study showed that the endocannabinoid system is linked to allergic contact dermatitis. That means allergic skin reactions in animals. Researchers found that certain cannabinoids can fight allergic reactions. They noted, “These results demonstrate a protective role of the endocannabinoid system in contact allergy in the skin and suggest a target for therapeutic intervention.”

Later, a 2012 study on dogs with atopic dermatitis showed that CBD could treat the symptoms. CBD oil improved the appearance of the dogs’ skin and seemed to reduce itchiness.

And that’s not all. We know that CBD oil is a powerful anti-inflammatory, so it can soothe the itch and swelling caused by allergies.

Is CBD Oil Safe For Dogs?

Yes!

A 2018 study concluded that CBD is totally safe for dogs. The dogs in the study seemed to experience no side effects of CBD treatment. Others, such as this study on osteoarthritic dogs, have not noted any side-effects either.

A recent survey of US veterinarians showed that many vets felt that CBD oil is safe for dogs. They didn’t notice any real side-effects of CBD, although it makes some dogs sleepy. And vets are getting questions regularly from interested clients about CBD oil.

To be safe, be sure to give your dog the correct dosage of CBD oil. If you’re still nervous, talk to your holistic vet before giving it to your dog..

Why We Need Natural Allergy Medication For Dogs

There are many reasons to avoid giving your dog Apoquel®. The same goes for other conventional allergy drugs. We know that allergies are the body’s response to a foreign invader. And that’s ok, but you still want to help relieve those symptoms.

The issue is, most conventional drugs work by suppressing the immune system. The problem with that? They weaken the immune system and make your dog more vulnerable to actual threats.

CBD oil directly affects the cannabinoid receptors in the brain. This works to reduce the allergic reaction. It doesn’t suppress the immune system, but rather it works through the ECS to manage the allergy symptoms.

CBD oil has minimal side-effects, including possible drowsiness. Compare that to conventional meds which can cause nausea, vomiting and organ damage. What’s more, CBD oil supports your dog’s overall health. It promotes a healthy coat, reduces pain and helps your dog stay calm and anxiety-free.

Always give your dog high-quality CBD supplements. After all, the health of your four-legged best friend is worth the investment!