The Pros and Cons of CBD Oils for Dogs

If you want to learn about some of the advantages and disadvantages of giving your dog CBD oil, you are in luck. Here are some pros and cons of CBD for dogs.

It’s no secret that the CBD market is booming in the United States. The pet CBD market, specifically, has grown significantly over the last couple of years.

In fact, the pet CBD market is projected to be the fastest-growing CBD market. It’s expected to be worth roughly $22.39 billion by the year 2023.

Have you been considering giving your dog CBD oil? Are you worried about the effect it might have on them?

If you’re on the fence about CBD for dogs, keep reading. Explained below are some of the pros and cons of CBD oil for dogs.

Use this guide to help you determine if the supplement is a good fit for your furry friend.

What is CBD Oil?

CBD is short for cannabidiol. Cannabidiol is a cannabinoid that exists naturally in the cannabis plant. Cannabidiol is different from THC (short for tetrahydrocannabinol), which is another well-known cannabinoid.

Unlike THC, CBD does not get a person high when they consume it. CBD and THC have many of the same effects, but because CBD does not alter the mind in any way, it can be a safer option and a better fit for certain populations.

CBD oil is made by combining CBD with a carrier oil. Popular carrier oil options include hemp seed oil, coconut oil, and MCT oil. Some CBD oil products also contain flavoring to make them more palatable. 

It’s true that most CBD oil products do contain a very small amount of THC (less than 0.03 percent). This amount is negligible and doesn’t seem to cause any negative or mind-altering side effects. 

Pros and Cons of CBD Oil for Dogs

There are lots of reasons why you might consider giving your dog CBD oil, but there are also some drawbacks. The following are some noteworthy pros and cons you may want to keep in mind:

Pros

Many dog owners have experienced significant improvements to their dogs’ health when they administer CBD oil on a regular basis. CBD oil has been shown to provide a lot of health benefits to humans, and those same benefits seem to apply to dogs as well.

For example, CBD oil, which has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, can work wonders for older dogs that are struggling with joint pain and arthritis. It can help them to move with ease and feel less pain as they go throughout their day. 

CBD oil has anxiolytic effects as well. This means it helps to reduce feelings of anxiety. For anxious dogs who have trouble in the car or who start to shake, bark, or act out when they’re left alone, a small dose of CBD oil can be a lifesaver.

It can also be quite cost-effective to give your dog CBD oil.

It’s true that the product, itself, can be expensive. However, it doesn’t take much for your dog to reap the benefits of it.

Dogs actually have more cannabinoid receptors than humans and can experience the effects of CBD products with a very small dose. Once you buy the right CBD product (more on that later), you’ll likely find that it lasts a very long time and gives you a lot of bang for your buck.

Cons

There are a few potential downsides to giving your dog CBD oil. One of the main cons to keep in mind is the fact that CBD oil may come with some mild side effects.

While, so far, there have not been any reports about CBD oil overdoses, some people have noticed issues like fatigue when they take too much of the product. If your dog overdoes it on CBD oil, they may be more drowsy than normal.

Anecdotally, some people have also noticed symptoms like diarrhea or gas when they give their dog CBD oil. 

The other downside is the fact that the CBD market is largely unregulated at this time. Because of this, you have to do your due diligence as a dog owner to ensure you’re buying your dog a high-quality, safe CBD product.

Often, when dogs get sick from CBD oil, it’s not the CBD itself that’s the problem. Rather, it’s the other ingredients in the product, such as artificial flavors or sweeteners.

It may take some research to find a safe product, and that can be off-putting to some dog owners. 

Tips for Giving Your Dog CBD

If you think that the pros of giving CBD oil to your dog will outweigh the cons, your next step is to purchase a CBD oil product and start administering it on a regular basis.

This can be easier said than done, especially since the CBD market has grown so much over the last few years. There are tons of products to choose from, but they’re not all created equal.

The following are some factors you ought to consider when choosing a product and giving it to your dog:

Focus on Quality

One of the first things you ought to consider when buying CBD oil for your dog is the quality of the product. It’s not always easy to tell whether you’re buying a safe, high-quality oil, but there are a few features you can look for, including the following:

  • Is it organic? The CBD in the product should come from organic plants to reduce exposure to toxic pesticides
  • How much CBD does it contain? Find out how many milligrams of CBD are present in the bottle
  • How much THC does it contain? Make sure the product contains less than 0.03 percent THC
  • What kind of carrier oil is used? Avoid products made with inflammatory carrier oils (vegetable oil, canola oil, etc.)
  • Does it contain artificial ingredients? Steer clear of artificial flavors, colors, and sweeteners, too

If you can’t find this information about the CBD oil you’re considering, chances are it’s not a safe way. Err on the side of caution and look for a product that provides you with these essential details.

Look for Lab Tests

According to the experts at Innovet, it’s also a good idea to look for CBD oil products that have been tested by third-party labs.

If the manufacturer is willing to pay for third-party testing, that’s a sign that they are dedicated to creating a high-quality product.

Don’t just take their word that they’ve tested their product, though. Be sure to look for copies of the lab test results to see exactly what you’re getting before you pull the trigger.

Talk to Your Vet

If you’ve seen a CBD oil that seems like it might be a good fit, talk to your dog’s vet and ask for their opinion. They might be able to give you further insight or recommend another brand that will yield better results.

Read Testimonials

Another good way to tell if a CBD oil product is a good one is to see what other dog owners have to say about it.

Look online for reviews and find out what the general consensus is about a certain brand of CBD oil before you buy it. There will always be one or two outliers, but if people generally seem to be happy with it, it might be worth buying.

If possible, try to find reviews on third-party websites, too. This will help you get a more honest, objective idea of how effective the product is and how well it works.

Start with a Small Dose

When giving your dog CBD oil, it’s best to start with a very small dose. This is especially true if your dog is small or sensitive to medications and supplements.

You don’t have to worry about your dog overdosing on CBD oil. At the same time, though, it’s best to start small to avoid any side effects.

This also allows your CBD oil product to last longer, which is a nice bonus for your bank account. 

Monitor and Adjust

Pay close to attention to how your dog changes after giving them CBD oil, and be consistent with your dosing and try to give them the same amount at the same time each day.

This will help you get a better idea of how they react and whether it’s a good fit for them. 

If, after a week or so, you don’t think that your dog has made any improvements, you can try adjusting their dosage and giving them a bit more of the product. Continue monitoring them and adjusting as necessary until you figure out the perfect dose.

Put CBD to the Test Today

Now that you know more about the pros and cons of CBD oil for dogs, do you think your dog could benefit from it?

If your dog struggles with anxiety or joint pain, or if you just want to take preventative measures to boost their overall health, CBD oil is worth considering.

Be sure to keep the tips for administering it and choosing the right product in mind, too. They’ll help you ensure you see the best results from giving your dog CBD.

Do you want to learn more about CBD and CBD products, for dogs or for humans? If so, check out the other health- and CBD-related articles on our site today.  

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Filed Under: Commentary Tagged With: cbd, cons, dogs, oils, pros

CBD Treats for Dogs & Pets Buying Guide & Review

If you’re here, you’re no doubt a dog lover that absolutely adores your Fido. You also probably know a little bit about CBD, or cannabidiol.

If the latter isn’t true, however, that’s just fine. This guide will be a quick primer on what CBD is, how it can help your beloved pet, and what to look out for when you’re considering purchasing Simply Pets CBD Biscuits.

First, let’s talk about what CBD is all about and why it works so well.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of the compounds within the cannabis plant.

First off, it’s important to not confuse CBD with THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the compound that has psychoactive effects and is known for creating a feeling of “highness”. For the record, hemp itself has very low levels of THC. While CBD derived from the marijuana plant will have higher levels, all legitimate pet products that are derived from the hemp plant will carry a note regarding THC levels, which are regulated down to a practically non-existent presence.

CBD is beneficial to dogs,cats, and humans alike. It’s a nontoxic, completely natural solution to a variety of ailments, which we’ll get to in a moment.

What can CBD do for my dog?

The most common reason that pet owners choose a CBD product to give to their pet is general pain or anxiety.

Especially for dogs with significant chronic pain, CBD can be a game changer. This could include neuropathy or nerve-related pain, as well as joint and bone issues. The biggest benefit is related to potential inflammation, which CBD is known for helping to reduce.

Of course, less inflammation invariably leads to less overall pain. And reducing inflammation is the No. 1 thing that CBD products work to do in pets. It isn’t just joints, bones, and external issues,either, but CBD can help with internal organs and other parts of the dog’s body that might be inflamed.

There is even quite a bit of research to suggest that CBD could help fight cancer, and while this hasn’t yet been proven definitively, there are plenty of ancillary benefits.

What should I look for in CBD dog treats?

The majority of CBD dog treats that you’ll find on the market are 100 percent natural, and that’s the first thing to look for as you’re exploring your options. If it isn’t promoted as completely natural, then you’re probably looking at a product that was exposed to pesticides and things of that nature.

You’ll also want to ensure that the product you select has been lab tested. As mentioned earlier, knowing the THC content is vital, too. Make sure that nothing you’re giving your dog has high contents of THC.

And again, the majority of CBD dog treats will have the above traits noted on the packaging but be sure that you’re paying close attention to it.

Are CBD treats the right choice for my dog?

Probably! Of course, these types of decisions are entirely up to you as the pet parent, but there isn’t any research to suggest that CBD dog treats or other CBD products could be harmful to your dog, so why not find a natural, holistic solution to whatever ails your beloved puppy?

Make sure to do all of the research mentioned above and go ahead and get to helping your dog feel better!

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Win Passes to the Kansas City Premiere of “Isle of Dogs”

 

Media Mikes has teamed up with their friends at Fox Searchlight to give (35) Kansas City-area readers and their guest the chance to be among the first to see the latest film by Wes Anderson, “Isle of Dogs.”

The film will be shown on Monday, April 2, 2018 at the AMC Studio 28 Theatre in Olathe, Kansas and will start at 7:00 p.m.

All you have to do is click HERE.  The first (35) to do so will receive a pass for (2) to attend the screening.  This is a first come/first serve giveaway.  Once (35) passes have been claimed the giveaway is over.

Good Luck!

 

ISLE OF DOGS

Monday, April 2, 2018  –  7:00 p.m.

AMC Studio 28 Theatre  –  Olathe, Kansas

 

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Win Free Tickets to Advance Florida Screenings of “Isle of Dogs”

Media Mikes is proud to be hosting advance screenings of the new film “Isle of Dogs” all over Florida! Click below to get tickets, first come first serve! Good luck and like always leave a comment here after you’ve seen the film!

 Here are the links for all markets below. Tampa is the only market in which the film opens on March 28th. The other markets open on April 6th.  All screenings will be held on the same day.

WEST PALM BEACH
http://www.foxsearchlightscreenings.com/IODWPB
Code: IODWPB

TAMPA (opens on 3/28)
http://www.foxsearchlightscreenings.com/IODTPA
Code: IODTPA

MIAMI
http://www.foxsearchlightscreenings.com/IODMIAMI
Code: IODMIAMI

ORLANDO
http://www.foxsearchlightscreenings.com/IODORLANDO
Code: IODORLANDO

ISLE OF DOGS  | Opens in Tampa market MARCH 28, 2018 and in theaters APRIL 6th, 2018 everywhere.

Directed by:        Wes Anderson
Screenplay by:   Wes Anderson
Produced by:      Wes Anderson, Scott Rudin, Steven Rales and Jeremy Dawson
Cast:        F. Murray Abraham, Bob Balaban, Bryan Cranston, Greta Gerwig, Jeff  Goldblum, Scarlett Johansson, Akira Ito, Harvey Keitel, Frances McDormand, Bill Murray, Mari Natsuki, Yojiro Noda, Kunichi Nomura, Ken Watanabe, Edward Norton, Yoko Ono, Koyu Rankin, Live
Schreiber, Fisher Stevens, Tilda Swinton, Akira Takayama, Courtney B. Vance, Frank Wood

Synopsis: ISLE OF DOGS tells the story of ATARI KOBAYASHI, 12-year-old ward to corrupt Mayor Kobayashi. When, by Executive Decree, all the canine pets of Megasaki City are exiled to a vast garbage-dump called Trash Island, Atari sets off alone in a miniature Junior-Turbo Prop and flies across the river in search of his bodyguard-dog, Spots. There, with the assistance of a pack of newly-found mongrel friends, he begins an epic journey that will decide the fate and future of the entire Prefecture.

 

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Blu-ray Review “A Dog’s Purpose”

Actors: Britt Robertson, KJ Apa, John Ortiz, Dennis Quaid, Josh Gad
Directors: Lasse Hallstrom
Rated: PG
Studio: Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Release Date: May 2, 2017
Run Time: 100 minutes

Film: 3 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Who doesn’t love animals?! This movie looked really cute film about a dog through many lives to help its original owner. I enjoyed it overall. I don’t see myself raving about it though to anyone else, especially after the controversy came out about the production. But I do like the message over and how it was setup. Dennis Quaid pops in for a few minutes and does his confused look thing. Dog lover will probably love it if they if they don’t know about what happened during the production. Otherwise, this is a one-timer.

Official Premise: Based on the beloved bestselling novel by W. Bruce Cameron, A Dog’s Purpose, from director Lasse Hallström (The Cider House Rules, Dear John, The Hundred-Foot Journey), shares the soulful and surprising story of one devoted dog (voiced by Josh Gad) who finds the meaning of his own existence through the lives of the humans he teaches to laugh and love.

Like all Universal releases, this one is no different impressive audio and video included, though nothing spectacular worth mentioned for this film. It comes as a combo pack with a Blu-ray + DVD + Digital copy included. The special features are very light the are two production featurettes including “Lights, Camera, Woof!” and “A Writer’s Purpose”. There are also Deleted Scenes and Outtakes included.

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Blu-ray Review “War Dogs”

Actors: Jonah Hill, Miles Teller, Ana de Armas
Directors: Todd Phillips
Studio: Warner Brothers
DVD Release Date: November 22, 2016
Run Time: 120 minutes

Film: 3 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2 out of 5 stars

This film had such potential going in. The director of “The Hangover” mixed with great talent of Jonah Hill and Miles Teller, but it didn’t really all come together well. I enjoyed it but I don’t see myself remembering this film after a few months. I do love Jonah Hill and Miles Teller together though, they seem to work very well. Worth a rent if your bored and can’t find anything else to watch just for the cast.

Official Premise: With the war in Iraq raging on, Efraim Diveroli offers childhood friend David Packouz a chance to make big bucks by becoming an international arms dealer. Together, they exploit a government initiative that allows businesses to bid on U.S. military contracts. Starting small allows the duo to rake in money and live the high life. They soon find themselves in over their heads after landing a $300 million deal to supply Afghan forces, a deal that puts them in business with some very shady people.

The Blu-ray also includes a digital HD copy of the film. The special features are much more of a disappointment than the film. There are three short featurettes. The film “General Phillips: Boots on the Ground” is an extended EPK with cast/director. “Access Granted” includes interviews with actual people that the film was based on. Lastly “Pentagon Pie” is a super short animated look at the film…but with singing rats…a little lost with this one.

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Launch Trailer for “Watch Dogs” Video Game Released

Only a few days left before the release of Watch_Dogs! Get ready to take control over a whole city, using hacking as your weapon to exact your own style of revenge. Available in stores on May 27th.

Visit the Official Website: http://watchdogsgame.com
Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/watchdogsgame
Preorder: http://shop.ubi.com/promo/94766900

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Richie Kotzen talks about new band The Winery Dogs and debut album

Richie Kotzen is a singer/guitarist who along with an impressive solo career has played with bands such as Poison and Mr. Big. Kotzens newest endeavor is the trio known as The Winery Dogs which along with Kotzen consists of Billy Sheehan on bass and former Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy. Together the trio is set to release their debut album titled “The Winery Dogs” and Media Mikes had the chance recently to talk with Richie about the album and the group’s formation.

Adam Lawton: Can you tell us about the formation of the Winery Dogs?
Richie Kotzen: I had gotten a phone call from Eddie Trunk who I have been friends with for a few years now. He called to tell me that Mike Portnoy and Billy Sheehan were looking to start a power trio and that he mentioned my name. The guys were in to it so we got together and did some jamming. From jamming together we came up with ideas that would turn into songs that appear on the record.

AL: What was that first jam session like for everyone?
RK: I have known Billy for 20 years now so it was familiar territory with him. Mike and I hit it off right away when we met and we just started jamming in my studio. We started playing and creating these ideas that I recorded. From there we went our separate ways for awhile. I went back and listened to what we had done and sang on a couple and added a few other things. I sent them off to the guys to listen to and they liked them so we decided to see things through. We did this a few times and that developed into an album.

AL: What is your take on the power trio?
RK: This has been the standard for me since I started making solo records. For the most part I have always played in that type of format and I am very comfortable playing in that type of scenario.

AL: From a tonal stand point did you try anything different with this recording?
RK: I don’t think so. What your hearing on the record is the collaboration of what we sound like when we are together writing. No one’s identity got lost on this record which is something that I think is really cool. When you listen to it you know who’s who and it’s really great. Yes the record is a collaboration but it still sounds like us as individuals.

AL: The songs on the album are very accessible. Was this done on purpose or did it happen naturally?
RK: That’s kind of my nature being a singer/guitarist. Everything I am involved in revolves around the vocals. When you add the fact I am playing guitar while I’m singing I probably won’t be shredding at the same time. That’s not to say the record doesn’t have shredding elements to it. The crazier lines that you do hear came out of improvisation. A lot of times Billy and Mike would start improvising parts and I would go back and listen to the r ecordings and either double what Billy was doing or something along those lines. When it was all done we had this track that sounded like we spent a lot of time orchestrating it. Things were very much improvised and I like the spirit of that.

AL: Being both a singer and guitarist do you find your approach to songwriting favoring one or the other?
RK: The song always comes down to the vocals. It’s the lyric and the melody. Everything is built from that at least in the style of music I perform. When you strip everything down the melody is the song. Anything else you put in a song can be altered or changed be it by using different chords against the melody or what have you. In the end that melody is what it is.

AL: What are the group’s tour plans for the release?
RK: We are doing our first show in Osaka, Japan. Then we have two shows in Tokyo before heading to South America. After we play Brazil and Chile we will be playing in New York and a few other places on the east coast. After a little break we head over to Europe for about 3 weeks and then were back in the states to hit the west coast.

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Filed Under: Interviews, Music Interviews Tagged With: album, band, debut, dogs, kotzen, richie, ...

DVD Review “12 Dogs of Christmas: Great Puppy Rescue”

Directed by: Kieth Merrill
Actors: Danielle Chuchran, D.B. Sweeney, Sean Patrick Flanery
Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
DVD Release Date: October 9, 2012
Run Time: 102 minutes

Film: 2 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

I saw the first “12 Dogs of Christmas” on TV a few years ago. I wouldn’t really call it a holiday classic but it was cute. I was assuming the same would happen with this sequel. This really has that ABC Family/Lifetime TV movie quality. It is cute but really doesn’t feel like much of a Christmas film until the end, which is a little too late for me. I wish they would have focused more time around the musical event and less on basketball games etc. This is also said to be “song-filled”, that isn’t really the case. To be honest this is best served a rental or just watch on cable TV.

Synopsis: The dogs of Doverville are in trouble again…but Emma O’Connor (Danielle Churchran) is back to save them in a song-filled, seasonal extravaganza. Mean-spirited mogul Finneas James (Sean Patrick Flaner) plots to shut down the local puppy orphanage, unless Emma can come up with the money to save it. With the help of some friends, she races against time to put together a musical holiday event that might just save the day.

The special features are not bad for a glorified TV movie. They include five featurettes which go behind-the-scenes and up close with the puppies. The first is ““What’s Your Favorite Dog?” with the cast and crew discuss their personal favorite. ““Behind 12 Dogs of Christmas” looks into the production. ““Working With Writer//Director Kieth Merrill” features the cast chatting about their experience on the film. “The Basketball Game Sequence” and ““The Christmas Finale” go in-depth into how those scenes were done.

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Book Review “Vicious Dogs Attack Me In Sleepless Nights Of Summer”

Author: Scott Schiaffo
Paperback: 112 pages
Publisher: Scott Schiaffo
Release Date: January 5, 2012

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

The subtitle really sets the mood for this book perfectly: “a collection of prose, tales, and streams of semi-consciousness”.  Actor and musician, Scott Schiaffo not only authored this book of poems he also self-published it.  Scott is known best for his role in “Clerks” as the “Chewlies Gum Guy”. Before reading this book I have never really took much interest into the world of poetry.  After reading this book I think my mind has been opened to this world new world that I never really took notice to.  Be warned before you read this book it is some heavy stuff and you should really prepare yourself before diving in.

In this book we delve into the mind Scott Schiaffo and his darkest times in his life.  We glimpse into his issues with existential angst, addiction, and even near death experiences. I really need to give Scott credit for revealing this very troubled time in his life. Two notable poems have to be “Naked” and “Stitch”.  I also really enjoyed the title poem “Vicious Dogs Attack Me In Sleepless Nights Of Summer”. To quote the closing line of “Elapse”…”I want to live, not exist”,  this pretty much sums its up.

The book itself extremely simple and is not too showy.  It really let’s the words do the talking and it is what it is and take it or leave it.  To accompany these deep and honest poems are some great illustrations from Scott Meaney, co-author of the great sci-fi graphic novel, “Constellation Park”. I feel that Scott really digs deep and really reveals to us his darkest secrets and you really get an appreciation for his story that you find being told throughout each poem.  I recommend this book very highly.

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Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: attack, book, dogs, nights, review, sleepless, ...
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