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CBD is a growing trend and I'm sure, like myself, you've heard about many of the potential benefits that it offers and wondered if it can potentially help your English Bulldog.
When trying to understand more about CBD, it's effects and if it can help your English Bulldog, you'll likely find lots of different information all over the internet with varying answers - but as English Bulldog owners we've put our thoughts and experiences together on our experiences with using CDB for our dogs.
What is CBD?
CBD, or Cannabidiol, is a chemical found in the Cannabis sativa plant, also known as Cannabis or Hemp.
In most cases, CBD does not contain THC, which is the compound that gives marijuana its psychoactive properties. CBD products are, in most cases, derived from Hemp and not marijuana.
CBD oil is made by extracting CBD from the cannabis plant, then diluting it with a carrier oil like coconut or hemp seed oil. It’s gaining momentum in the health and wellness world, with some scientific studies confirming it may ease symptoms of ailments like chronic pain and anxiety.
Common health issues in English Bulldogs
English Bulldogs are known as a dog breed that are more prone to suffer from health issues than other dog breeds. Selective breeding in bulldogs to emphasise their features that we all know and love has lead to the breed being more susceptible to illness.
Common problems in English Bulldogs can include:
Brachycephalic Complex: Flat faced dog breeds are especially prone to this condition, but Bulldogs have the highest risk. The Brachycephalic complex usually results in breathing difficulties which can get worse in hot weather or during exercise.
Spina Bifida: Just like Brachycephalic Complex, Spina Bifida is most common in English Bulldogs. It is a birth defect that causes a malformation of the spine. This malformation makes it difficult for the affected Bulldog to walk properly. Some cases have even result in some form of paralysis.
Cherry Eye: Cherry eye is a condition characterised by a protruding gland in the eye that can cause swelling and inflammation.
Hip dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is more common in Bulldogs than any other breed. Over 70% of Bulldogs end up suffering from Hip Dusplasia, which is caused by a genetic malformation of the hip socket. It causes pain and can also lead to arthritis and lameness.
Hiatal hernia: Hiatal hernia is a variety of symptoms, including coughing, nasal discharge, hypersalivation, shortness of breath, or anorexia.
How does CBD affect dogs?
At this moment in time, there are no formal studies on how CBD affects dogs, and no scientific evidence that CBD oil is beneficial for dogs.
There has been some studies that show CBD does help dogs with arthritis, with the dogs that were taking CBD showing increased activity and less pain.
Although their are no proven studies into how CBD affects dogs, scientists do know that cannabinoids in CBD interact with the endocannabinoid receptors located in the central and peripheral nervous systems, which help maintain balance in the body and keep it in a normal healthy state.
What health problems in my dog can CBD help with?
CBD is often mentioned as a useful therapy for a variety of conditions, including pain management, arthritis, anxiety, seizures and even cancer.
Although there's no definitive scientific data on using CBD to treat dogs, there's many examples of studies where CBD has helped many humans who suffer from various different conditions. As well as evidence from dog owners suggesting it can treat pain, especially neuropathic pain, as well as helping to control seizures.
One study from 2018 sought to assess safety, anti-inflammatory properties, and anti-pain properties of a CBD oil in dogs with osteoarthritis. Researchers gave dogs doses of 2 or 8 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight.
Eighty percent of the dogs in the study showed improvement in their pain and mobility, as measured by two veterinary resources — the canine brief pain inventory and the Hudson activity scale. However, it’s important to note that this study was funded by a CBD producer, so the results may be biased.
Another CBD study published in 2019 found that epileptic dogs given CBD in addition to seizure medication had significantly fewer seizures than those that received seizure medication and a placebo.
However, similar numbers of dogs in both the CBD group and the placebo group responded to treatment and had decreases in seizure activity. The authors recommended further testing before reaching any definitive conclusions.
While these studies and others like them could give a brief insight into CBD’s medicinal potential for dogs, more studies are needed to confirm this research.
The most common health problems that bulldog owners use CBD to help with are:
Arthritis
Pain
Seizures
Cancer
Anxiety
Does CBD help dogs with skin issues?
CBD is known to help relieve inflammation, and help treat dogs with allergies, so yes, CBD can help dogs with skin issues.
It also contains antibacterial and anti fungal properties which can help with your dogs skin issues.
Possible side effects of dogs taking CBD
There are some potential effects that you should be aware of before your dog starts taking CBD. The majority of these side effects are caused by the overuse of CBD.
Dry Mount: CBD can lead to your English Bulldog suffering from dry mouth. This may not seem like a big deal, however the your dogs saliva is extremely important for its oral hygiene.
Lethargy: We all know bulldogs are lazy creatures, but you may notice your bulldog becoming more lethargic after taking CBD.
Upset Stomach: A dogs stomach is sensitive, and anytime a dog consume something that its not used to it can lead to an upset stomach.
Positive effects of CBD on English Bulldogs
Research, and smaller studies show that the positive effects of CBD on English Bulldogs are:
Supporting stiff joints
Fights anxiety and helping to calm your English Bulldog
Studies have shown CBD can reduce the occurrence of seizures in dogs
Some research suggests CBD’s role as an anti-inflammatory can help relieve symptoms of allergies and itching in dogs, promoting a sense of calm
Will CBD actually help my English Bulldog?
As there are no clinical, scientifically proven studies on giving English Bulldogs CBD, then it is hard to say guarantee that CBD will help treat your English Bulldogs ailments. However, through our own experience, and from seeing plenty of promising stories when speaking to other English Bulldog owners, it is clear the CBD can be a great way to help treat your English Bulldog.
Tips on giving your English Bulldog CBD
Dosing CBD isn’t an exact science, and its important to find what works best for your bulldog’s needs. Always start small and slow. While adverse reactions and side-effects to CBD are rare, sometimes the carrier oil can cause stomach upset in dogs if they take too much too soon.
In general, here’s the CBD dosing range we’d recommend for an English Bulldog:
30 pounds: 3 mg – 15 mg
40 pounds: 4 mg – 20 mg
50 pounds: 5 mg – 25 mg
60 pounds: 6 mg – 30 mg
70 pounds: 7 mg – 35 mg
For pain, you’ll need to allow 2-4 weeks to see best results. For anxiety, many bulldog owners see results in as little as 30-60 minutes.
Trusted CBD Brand
One of the problems you may encounter when trying CBD for your bulldog may be that you can’t find a brand you trust.
We have used Organic Relief CBD for many years and love their products, and the fact that all their products are lab tested.
Conclusion
CBD is often touted as a miracle oil that can cure all ailments and issues - we of course don't think its that - we have however seen great things in it helping with pain and anxiety on a personal basis with our English Bulldogs.
English Bulldogs are sensitive to change, so start slow and see how your dog reacts to the use of CBD. For the best results, you do need to stick to your dog taking CBD regularly for 2 - 4 weeks.