CBD & Dogs: Whole-Body Wellness

What I’ve learned about CBD for Dogs

There’s a lot of confusion around CBD. When I first heard people talking about using CBD for pets, I wondered if this was just another wellness trend, if it was safe, and how I would know if it even worked. What I learned from one of the leading experts in the CBD and mushroom world shifted my perspective, not only on CBD, but on how powerful it can be as a whole food supplement for our pets.

When CBD is used correctly, it supports your pet’s body in doing what it was designed to do: heal, balance, and thrive. It works with your pet’s Endocannabinoid System (ECS), a vital system in their body that helps regulate stress, inflammation, pain, digestion, and immune response. 

CBD, the Brain, and Whole-Body Wellness

It’s incredible how much the brain influences the entire body and how CBD helps support that relationship. It works closely with CB1 and CB2 receptors, which play a big role in how your pet feels, reacts, and processes stress, pain, and even fear. When the brain is calm and balanced, it sends healthier signals to the rest of the body, and the body responds by functioning more smoothly.

It’s like calming the control center so the whole system runs more smoothly. Pet parents can see multiple benefits when they start CBD, not just in behaviour, but in energy, mobility, skin, digestion, and beyond.

Not all CBD is Created Equal

Broad-spectrum CBD contains many of the beneficial plant compounds, but the THC is removed. While that may sound safer, it actually means you’re missing part of the plant’s natural synergy.

Full-spectrum CBD, on the other hand, contains all of the naturally occurring compounds, including a tiny, safe amount of THC (less than 0.03%). That small percentage plays a huge role in activating something called the entourage effect, where all parts of the plant work together to amplify the therapeutic benefits.

CBD can be intimidating, especially if you’ve heard mixed messages about it. This is why it’s important to focus on education, not hype.

Cannabinoid Receptors
in Canines

CB1 receptors, located in the brain and nervous system, regulate functions like mood, pain perception, appetite, and coordination.

CB2 receptors are located throughout the immune system and peripheral organs like the skin, spleen, and gut, and help manage inflammation and immune responses.