Recent statistics from the American Kennel Club (AKC) suggest that ~ 0.75 percent of all dogs suffer from epileptic seizures. Even more troubling, about 30 percent of dogs that take anti-epilepsy medications still experience severe symptoms. Considering prescription medications carry risks of side effects, it’s no wonder many pet owners are looking for natural alternatives for managing epilepsy in dogs. 

Recently, CBD has emerged as one of the top all-natural supplements for people struggling with seizures. The 2018 US Farm Bill may not have passed if scientists didn’t discover CBD’s anti-epilepsy potential. Even the FDA approved a CBD-infused drug for the treatment of childhood epilepsy. 

Understandably, many dog owners have questions about whether CBD could work for their pet’s epilepsy problems. Could people use CBD products to help manage seizures? Does CBD have similarly positive results on dogs and humans? 

The Straight Facts: Does CBD Oil Help Dogs With Seizures? 

We should start by saying there aren’t many extensive studies examining CBD for dogs with epilepsy. However, the most recent data suggests CBD positively affects dogs struggling with this condition.

For instance, a trial out of Colorado State University found that almost 90 percent of dogs who took CBD oil significantly improved their epilepsy symptoms. Although this study was small, it was placebo-controlled.

The AKC has also expressed interest in further investigating CBD’s use for dogs with epilepsy. In fact, the AKC is now working with Colorado State University on a larger placebo-controlled study. In this ongoing trial, researchers will evaluate the effectiveness of CBD vs. placebos and track for any side effects. 

While these developments are encouraging, pet owners should never use CBD for dog epilepsy if they don’t have a vet’s approval. Veterinarians still don’t have all the details on how to dose and administer CBD to dogs properly. There’s also great concern CBD could interact with other pet prescriptions. 

If dog owners want to try a pet CBD product, they should schedule an appointment with a vet. Be sure to mention your dog’s conditions, symptoms, and medications to understand whether CBD oil would be safe to add to your doggie’s dinner dish. Also, please carefully listen to your vet’s advice on dosage and when to feed your dog CBD. 

So, Should Dog Owners Avoid CBD For The Time Being? 

If dog owners are dead-set on trying CBD, they need to stick with a high-quality pet-approved product. The best way to verify the purity of your dog-friendly CBD oil is to scan the official third-party lab results. These documents fill you in on all the chemicals your CBD oil contains. 

Since CBD is such a new supplement for dogs — especially if they have epilepsy — we always encourage pet owners to talk with a vet before trying it. Thankfully, as CBD becomes more common, more vets are familiar with using it for different conditions. Check out our rankings for the best CBD products for pets on our website!