CBD for Dog Allergies: Can It Help Relieve Symptoms?
|
|
Time to read 8 min
Allergies are quite common in dogs, and anyone who’s dealt with them knows just how uncomfortable the poor pooches can get with the constant itchiness, sneezing, and skin rash that are among the usual allergy symptoms. When your dog has an allergy, the responsibility falls on you, the pet parent, to find the right remedy to relieve its allergy symptoms.
Perhaps you’re wondering if you can use CBD for dog allergies. Although there’s not enough evidence yet, some preliminary studies and anecdotal reports show that cannabidiol (CBD) oil, especially full-spectrum hemp extract, may be a potential natural remedy for managing allergy symptoms. However, it’s always wise to consult your vet before trying something new for your pet.
While using CBD for dog allergies is fairly straightforward, you need your vet to help find what's triggering the allergy, whether it’s food or something in the environment. They can then advise you on prevention, treatments, and whether or not to use CBD for your dog’s allergies.
We explain more in this article, so if you're interested, keep reading!
Table of Content
How Can CBD Help with Dog Allergies? Types of Allergies CBD May Help With Food allergies Environmental allergies How to Use CBD for Dog Allergies Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Is CBD safe for dogs with allergies? Can CBD cure my dog’s allergies? How long does it take for CBD to work for allergies? Conclusion Products Featured In This Blog Related Readings
How Can CBD Help with Dog Allergies?
From the studies highlighting CBD's effectiveness, it appears that this compound is beneficial to pet health and can help with dog allergies in the following ways:
Anti-Inflammatory Properties: CBD oil for dogs contains anti-inflammatory properties that may help calm the immune system’s response to allergens, preventing skin irritations and other symptoms of an allergic reaction.
The evidence backing this is mixed. For example, one study in dogs with environmental allergies like atopic dermatitis showed that by combining CBD and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) as an adjunct therapy, researchers could reduce itchy skin in dogs. However, this did not significantly affect skin lesions or cytokine levels, which are associated with inflammation.
The way CBD interacts with the dog’s endocannabinoid system through cannabinoid receptors helps maintain overall wellness and healthy skin. Results may vary, so it’s best to consult a veterinarian before using CBD for dog allergies.Supports Immune System Balance: Even though CBD doesn’t directly strengthen the immune system, there’s evidence that it can balance immune response. It does this by suppressing certain immune cells, causing some of them to die (a process called apoptosis).
This process helps the body create more regulatory cells, which help keep the immune system balanced and prevent an overactive immune response. In most cases, an overactive immune system is what causes an allergic reaction.Relief from Itching and Discomfort: Using CBD for dog allergies can help them feel more comfortable and scratch less, especially in dogs with environmental allergies or food sensitivities. CBD oil possesses analgesic properties that can help reduce inflammation and itchiness associated with allergies and support skin health. CBD does this by modulating the inflammatory response and soothing inflamed skin areas. One controlled study showed that the dogs that took CBD scratched themselves slightly less than the dogs that didn’t, highlighting CBD’s effectiveness in managing skin issues.
Early studies on using CBD for relieving dog allergies are promising, but they are primarily from lab studies, animal models, or preliminary research, not large-scale studies in dogs. So, more research is needed.
Also, allergies in dogs are complex and often require a holistic treatment regimen, which includes veterinary medication, topical treatments such as medicated shampoos, ear washes if indicated, and allergen avoidance. For dogs with food allergies, you may need to switch to a hypoallergenic diet, and in case of environmental allergies, remedies containing essential fatty acids can improve skin health.
Types of Allergies CBD May Help With
CBD may help with the following dog allergies:
Food allergies
Just like humans, dogs may experience an allergic reaction when there are certain ingredients in their food. These allergies can manifest in different ways, but some common signs include itchy skin, digestive issues, and excessive scratching.
While CBD for dog allergies won’t cure food allergies or take away the need to put your dog on a food-elimination diet, it may ease some of the symptoms causing discomfort in your dog. CBD may contribute to relieving allergy symptoms while your vet pinpoints what’s causing the food allergy.
Environmental allergies
Environmental allergies are fairly common in dogs, and allergens like pollen, certain chemicals, mold, dust mites, and grass may trigger them. Dogs with environmental allergies may experience year-round or seasonal flare-ups, often leading to excessive licking, hot spots, sensitive skin, and recurrent skin irritations. They may also show signs of inflammation, redness, and swelling.
CBD for dog allergies may help manage some of these symptoms by calming the immune system’s overreaction, reducing inflammation, improving skin health, and soothing irritated skin. Of course, while it won’t eliminate the allergen, CBD might support your dog’s comfort and quality of life alongside other treatments recommended by your vet.
How to Use CBD for Dog Allergies
Now that you know what allergies CBD may help with, follow these steps to learn how to use CBD for dog allergies.
Seek your vet’s advice: This is the first and most important step to take before administering CBD for your dog’s allergies. Your vet needs to identify what’s causing the symptoms, such as a food allergy or something in the environment. They may also perform a physical exam and may suggest a diet trial or other diagnostic tests to determine the allergy's cause. After these tests, they may provide treatment options, and if it’s okay to use CBD for your dog’s allergies, you may progress to the next step.
Choose a high-quality CBD product: Use CBD oil for dogs or CBD products that are broad-spectrum or isolates, THC-free, third-party tested for heavy metals and other chemicals, and ideally sourced from organic hemp plants. Products like full-spectrum CBD oil or broad-spectrum hemp extract are ideal for supporting overall wellness in dogs. A good example is Paw Origins’ Full-Spectrum (1,000 mg) Happy-Furever™ CBD Oil.
Select the right form: The form you pick is important when choosing a CBD product for your dog’s allergies. CBD oil is versatile because it can be easily measured and absorbed into the body. CBD chews, on the other hand, are a convenient and tasty option. However, if your dog has food allergies, remember that CBD treats and chews could have ingredients in them that could interfere with food elimination trials or hypoallergenic diets. Therefore, check with your vet before giving them. CBD balms are applied directly to the skin and are best for localized skin irritations like itchy spots, rashes, or hot spots.
Give the proper dosage: The basic amount of CBD to start with is 1–5 mg of CBD for every 10 pounds of body weight. Always check with your vet to avoid giving too much CBD, which can lead to a mild digestive upset.
Monitor for improvements: Check to ensure the product is helping to manage your dog’s symptoms. If you notice any side effects, discontinue use immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is CBD safe for dogs with allergies?
Yes, CBD is generally considered safe for dogs with allergies and may help manage their symptoms.
Can CBD cure my dog’s allergies?
No, CBD products aren’t medications. They cannot cure dog allergies, but they may provide allergy relief for symptoms.
How long does it take for CBD to work for allergies?
Some pet owners report noticing effects within 1–2 hours. Results can vary based on the dog’s size, condition, and product quality.
Conclusion
When it comes to easing allergy symptoms, using CBD for dog allergies might not be a cure, but it can certainly offer gentle relief. With your vet’s advice and the right CBD products, help your dog feel more comfortable and support their journey to healthy skin and fewer flare-ups.
Dr. Kathryn Rosalie Dench
With nearly two decades of experience, Cambridge veterinarian Dr. Kathryn Dench is dedicated to enhancing animal health through holistic practices. A member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, she focuses on preventive care over traditional methods, particularly for long-term wellness solutions in pets suffering from anxiety and chronic conditions. As Chief Scientific Advisor at Paw Origins, she champions holistic strategies and education to revolutionize pet care practices.
Products Featured In This Blog
Related Readings
Is CBD Happy-Furever™ safe for dogs?
As the stigma surrounding hemp-derived CBD continues to lessen, there’s no reason not to try CBD for your dog. However, we understand why some are still skeptical because in many ways CBD sounds too good to be true. So, we'll put your mind at ease, here’s why you’d be making the right choice:
Reputable health organizations all over the world including the World Health Organization (WHO) have deemed CBD a ‘safe & effective’ health alternative for both humans and animals. It's well-tolerated even in high doses, and it has very mild side effects.
Both Hemp and Marijuana are species of cannabis plants, and while they have the same cannabinoids and terpenes, the percentages and ratios differ immensely.
In particular, Hemp contains very low amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), where Marijuana contains higher percentages. High levels of THC results in the euphoria associated with marijuana.
Marijuana has approximately 20-30 % THC vs. industrial hemp 0.01-0.3% THC indicating marijuana has one hundred to a thousand times more tetrahydrocannabinol than hemp, a significant difference.
Happy-Furever only uses the highest quality CBD extracted using an industry-leading CO2 Extraction Process, making sure that the raw crops are not overheated or overprocessed, keeping the plant's diverse array of cannabinoids available. Watch as your dogs experience the positive benefits within days.
Which order option is right for me?
Many of our customers that have experienced the biggest, fastest results go with the 6-bottle option, as it comes with the free gifts and it also allows them to use the oil on their dogs for a long time. The key here is you want your dogs exposed to the benefits of CBD Happy-Furever for a prolonged period of time.
While we believe you can still experience positive results with 1-3 bottle options, we know dog parents who are determined to make a change in their dog's lives and reclaim their dog's health and energy always go with the 3 or 6 bottle option because it saves them the most money, and it ensures they never miss a single day of Happy-Furever's powerful support.
Imagine for less than a cup of coffee per day, you get to unwind the clock and let your dogs experience the kind of energy, vitality, and happiness they used to back when they were puppies.
So go ahead and order your supplies, and once again - your order is covered by our 180-day moneyback guarantee.
