While CBD has been shown to help many dogs with emotional challenges and relief for mobility and joint discomfort, there are some dogs who experience more benefits than others.
This article explores whether results for dogs vary on an individual basis or if there are qualities about certain breeds that make them more receptive to CBD. Hopefully, the information below helps you get an idea of how your dog could respond to CBD.
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Does CBD Work Better for Certain Breeds?
Scientifically, there's no conclusive evidence that certain breeds respond much differently to CBD supplementation. CBD functions via the endocannabinoid system, which all dogs have, regardless of breed.
Some breeds, however, are more prevalent and recognized in CBD studies; large breeds tend to experience mobility issues like arthritis, CBD's primary use case. Alternatively, breeds that are prone to emotional issues tend to be spotlighted in CBD studies as well.
So, overall, there's no clear difference in CBD's benefit across different breeds, but there are certain breeds that CBD has benefited more than others. This is due to the prevalence of CBD-receptive issues in those breeds.
Breeds with Hip & Joint Issues
Labradors, German Shepherds, and Golden Retrievers get a lot of the focus in CBD studies due to their genetic predispositions to hip & joint issues. Studies into the use of CBD in these dogs have been very promising, with participants in a clinical trial at Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine saying dogs were climbing stairs after being "initially so decrepit... owners considered euthanasia."
Breeds with Emotional Issues
Members of the Bully breed group are also known for their separation anxiety (another of CBD's key use cases) and hip dysplasia, with many owners reporting clear benefits in these categories.
Other breeds like Greyhounds, Border Collies, Chihuahuas, and Great Danes have participated in studies with positive results.
A big contributor to the results in these cases is the execution of proper, consistent dosages rather than the actual breeds themselves. For example, a Great Dane requires a different dosage than a Chihuahua, and it may take longer for the Great Dane to experience benefits due to its size.
Individual Traits & Responsiveness to CBD
From a biological perspective, all dogs are equally able to experience the benefits of CBD. That said, all dogs are different, and unique physiological or behavioral qualities can impact their receptiveness.
Here are some of the key qualities to consider when evaluating how your dog might respond to CBD:
- Size & Metabolism: Larger dogs tend to have slower metabolisms. The impact of this is twofold. Large dogs may take longer to see effects, but those effects could last longer because their bodies process and eliminate substances more slowly. Smaller dogs may experience benefits sooner, but the benefits of a single dose could be short lived due to a quicker metabolism.
- Age & Health Conditions: Senior dogs with slower metabolisms and physiology might be more sensitive to each dose of CBD. Additionally, the onset of liver or gastrointestinal conditions can influence how CBD is processed, either making a dog more sensitive or less receptive to the dose, depending on the condition. This is something to discuss with your veterinarian, especially if your dog has a preexisting condition.
- The Presence of Other Medications: CBD's impact can be stifled or amplified in the presence of other medications. It can also influence the way that other medications are processed, specifically those that influence P450 enzymes. Common drugs in this category include anti-seizure medications and painkillers such as NSAIDs.
- Temperament & Emotional Severity: The calming benefits of CBD will be more evident for dogs with mild distress in many cases. Dogs with severe anxiety may not seem to be receptive to CBD at all, even if they do experience some benefit. Intense anxiety and distress can simply be too powerful to be supplemented in this way. Additionally, all dogs have unique neurochemistry and physiology, so some dogs will not be responsive to CBD on an individual level.
How to Give Your Dog The Best Chance of Experiencing Benefits
In general, all dogs have an equal chance of responding well to CBD supplementation, so long as their issue is one that CBD has shown to help with in other dogs.
Severe issues, preexisting health conditions, medications, and individual physiology will all play a part in CBD's efficacy as well. Still, there are things you can do as a pet owner to give your dog the best chance of relief when using CBD.
Here are some rules to live by when using CBD for your dog:
- Proper, Consistent Dosage: The general rule is to start with 1mg per 10 pounds of bodyweight, twice daily. CBD builds up in the body over time, reaching peak levels after a period of months. You give your dog the best chance to see results if you follow twice-daily dosages consistently. If your dog doesn't show benefits after a few weeks, increase the dosage based on the manufacturer's guidelines. If you don't see results after a month or two, your dog may not be receptive to CBD - but don't give up within the first few weeks, as your dog may be benefiting during this time, just not visibly.
- High Quality Products: There's a big difference between CBD oil products on the market. A slightly higher price tag, in most cases, means a slightly better product. Look for organic, full-spectrum CBD oil in the product you're using. Full-spectrum oils tend to have the widest range of benefits and undergo the least processing, which is usually a good thing. Lolahemp offers full-spectrum, organic CBD oil products for dogs, and the results are overwhelmingly positive.
- Couple CBD with Other Adjustments: CBD isn't a miracle supplement, while it has been very, very helpful for many dogs. Your dog's life can vastly improve if you make adjustments to your home and pet ownership style that accommodate your dog's issues. CBD is most effective when used in the context of a wider plan to address your dog's issues, just like any other supplement.
- Keep Track of Results: Keep very close notes about your dog's progress, and be diligent about it (this is your dog we're talking about!). Focus on key indicators, and note their state every single day. If you notice improvements in these key indicators of your dog's condition, it's likely that CBD is helping your pup, even if you wouldn't have spotted the changes if you weren't paying close attention. Alternatively, if your dog isn't showing any benefits, you can shift your attention to something else and not waste time getting them better.
So, Which Dogs are Most Likely to Benefit from CBD?
All dogs may experience CBD differently, but the key factor in their success when using CBD is how their owners implement and monitor the dosage and results. Proper, consistent dosage is the most important factor in bringing positive results.
Additionally, dog owners should monitor their dogs more closely than usual when adding CBD to their lives. If you spot subtle benefits early on, this is usually a good indicator of how receptive your dog will be in the long run. If you don't spot benefits after a few weeks of regular use, that's often a sign that CBD isn't going to work well for the issues your dog faces.
In many cases, however, dogs see wonderful results when their owners are diligent about accurate dosage. As always, discussing CBD with your veterinarian is important as well, especially if your dog is taking medications or has preexisting health issues.
