Can CBD help my dog’s diabetes?
When your pet is diagnosed with diabetes, it can be terrifying. Monitoring blood sugar levels, insulin shots every 12 hours, and limiting the type or amount of food that your pet can eat can be frustrating for both you and your fur-baby – and that is without factoring in the frequent vet visits and cost of medicine.
With so much frustration surrounding diabetes management, many people are searching for a more natural solution, and some are asking: can CBD help with diabetes?
What is diabetes and what is the difference between types?
There are three types of diabetes in dogs and cats: diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, and gestational diabetes. Diabetes mellitus is the most common type of diabetes and is caused by a lack of insulin. Insulin moves glucose into the cells, which gives cells the energy they need. Diabetes mellitus can be caused by Cushing’s Disease, pancreatitis, and overuse of steroids. Dogs with this type of diabetes may be at higher risk of UTIs and cataracts.
Diabetes insipidus is caused by a reduced amount of antidiuretic hormone (ADH). ADH regulates water metabolism and helps keep water in the body. Too little ADH and your body will dehydrate. Gestational diabetes is less common and is only present in a dog who is pregnant. This type of diabetes can often go undiagnosed and usually resolves after birth.
Typically, veterinarians recommend that a dog with any type of diabetes receive insulin and unrestricted access to water, since diabetic dogs need additional hydration.
What are the symptoms of diabetes in dogs?
If you are concerned that your pet is suffering from diabetes, there are a few telltale signs to watch for:
- Excessive drinking & urination (PUPD)
- Loss of appetite.
- Vomiting.
- Dehydration.
- Depression & lethargy.
- Unkempt haircoat & dandruff.
- Loss of muscles & weakness.
- Weight loss.
Can CBD help with diabetes?
At its core, diabetes is often caused by issues of inflammation, with which CBD can help. In fact, a recent study states:
“Oxidative stress and inflammation play critical roles in the development of diabetes and its complications… Studies provided compelling evidence that the newly discovered lipid signaling system (ie, the endocannabinoid system) may significantly influence reactive oxygen species production, inflammation, and subsequent tissue injury, in addition to its well-known metabolic effects and functions.”
Another recent study found that full spectrum hemp extract CBD actually lowered the instance of diabetes in non-obese diabetic mice. Yet another study found that full spectrum hemp extract CBD may also improve circulation and improve overall health in diabetic rats. These studies are promising that full spectrum hemp CBD can help with diabetes in animals (and humans).
It is important to note that before you change a diabetic pet’s diet or attempt to wean off of insulin, you should speak to your holistic veterinarian to prevent a sudden drop in blood sugar. You can safely use CBD in conjunction with insulin but should make sure that the full spectrum hemp CBD you use does not have added sugars.
Dosing CBD for my pet’s diabetes
Despite common misconceptions, dosing full spectrum hemp CBD has very little to do with your dog’s size or weight. Finding the right dosage depends on your specific dog, their specific ailment, and how sensitive their endocannabinoid system is. For fastest and most thorough absorption, lift the lip and apply dose directly onto the gums, as the most direct way into the bloodstream. If added to food, the medicine may not be as effective and can take significantly longer (30-45 min.) to reach the bloodstream as it works its way through the gastrointestinal system.
Based on research and our experience, we recommend using EASE Full Spectrum Hemp Extract CBD to help with diabetes. Start with 9-12 mg daily while still monitoring your pet’s blood sugar levels. You should see results in the first week. Remember: diet is incredibly important in diabetic pets, and a raw or freeze-dried diet may be a safer option for your pet. Discuss diet changes in your diabetic pet with your holistic veterinarian.
To learn more about how CBD can help your pet, visit www.cbddoghealth.com.
About Angela Ardolino
Angela Ardolino is a holistic pet expert who has been caring for animals for over 20 years and operates a rescue farm, Fire Flake Farm, in Florida. She is also the owner of Beautify the Beast, a natural pet salon and shop. After getting her certificate in Medical Cannabis Biology and Therapeutic use from the University of Vermont School of Medicine, she founded CBD Dog Health to provide high quality, all-natural medical cannabis products designed specifically for pets. Angela has seven dogs, Odie a 12-year-old mini-schnauzer, Nina an 8-year-old Doberman. Jolene a 7-year-old mutt, Maza a 7-year-old mutt, Rhemi an 8-year-old poodle, Potato a 15-year-old shih-tzu, and Miss Daisie a 15-year-old black lab, plus 4-10 more at any time she is fostering or boarding. She uses Full Spectrum Hemp Extract on all her pets at her rescue farm every day, and has since 2016. She is a member of the Society of Cannabis Clinicians, the Veterinary Cannabis Association and has trained hundreds medical doctors and veterinarians about the therapeutic uses of medical cannabis on animals. Visit www.angelaardolino.com for more information.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22155112
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23845579
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16698671