They may love nothing more than to chase a squeaky toy across the floor or curl up on a warm pillow, but even man’s best friend can feel aches, pains, and worries. While they may not show it as readily as humans, dogs can suffer from arthritis, inflammation, anxiety due to separation or loud noises, and other maladies that can negatively affect your furry companion’s quality of life.
In an attempt to address those issues, veterinary scientists are looking more closely at CBD, the hemp-derived substance that millions of people believe offers relief from anxiety, chronic pain, and other medical problems. North American scientists are already evaluating the efficacy of CBD on canine health issues such as arthritis and epilepsy, in addition to evaluating how they tolerate the substance.
As with humans, CBD is no miracle cure. But like other mammals, dogs have an endocannabinoid system, comprised of receptors and neurotransmitters that scientists believe help regulate everything from mood to appetite to the immune system. And given that CBD contains very little THC (the psychotropic compound found in its cannabis cousin marijuana), there are no worries about Fido or Rex getting high.