The rising use of CBD for pets has pet owners wondering whether kratom for dogs might be able to help, too. While we can’t provide a definitive answer, we can present some information on what the science says, so far, about the kratom for animals issue. Let’s dive in and take a look at whether kratom might be safe for dogs or if this is one trend that needs to play dead.
Kratom & Animals: Understanding How Kratom Works on the Brain
Kratom is perhaps best known for its ability to reduce feelings of pain by activating the mu-, delta-, and kappa- opioid receptors. These are the same receptors that are activated by classical opioids like morphine and codeine — except that kratom has yet to be proven to cause respiratory depression like classic opioids tend to do.
Like humans, other mammals, like dogs and rodents, also have opioid receptors in their brains that work very similarly to their human counterparts. Dogs, for example, have a large density of kappa receptors, followed by delta receptors, and mu receptors. This could have some interesting ramifications for using kratom on dogs, as kratom’s main alkaloid Mitragynine works on these opioid receptors.
Could Kratom Work for Dogs?
Whenever scientists test a new substance with the potential for therapeutic use in humans and/or animals, they usually start with a mouse or rat model to determine the safety and the dose that is likely to have the best effect. As rodents are mammals, these animal studies may shed some light on whether kratom might be safe for dogs as well.
So far, this is what researchers have discovered:
- A 2007 mouse study showed that an aqueous extract of Mitragyna speciosa improved withdrawal symptoms in addicted mice at a dose of 300 mg/kg. At doses of 100, 200, and 500 mg/kg, kratom improved depressive symptoms without reducing the mice’s spontaneous activity level.
- A 2008 rat study showed that kratom slowed down digestion (stopping diarrhea) when given as a single dose for one day. However, the rats adapted to the kratom after two weeks and their digestive transit time went back to normal. High doses of kratom decreased body weight in a similar way to morphine.
- A 2016 rat study showed that kratom alleviated both positive and negative symptoms of psychosis in mice. These symptoms included exaggerated climbing behaviors and social withdrawal.
- A 2017 rodent study showed that kratom derivatives were effective for relieving chronic pain and had fewer side-effects than the original compounds. The derivatives used in the study were structurally modified components of Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine.
Seeing that dogs are also mammals, we could expect that kratom for dogs would have similar effects to kratom extracts in rats and mice. However, the dosage could be difficult to determine when using the whole kratom plant as opposed to the aqueous extracts or modified alkaloids used in these studies.
Is Kratom Safe for Dogs?
Given the lack of research around kratom for dogs, the main question you would have to ask yourself is whether kratom is safe for dogs if they take too much. Fortunately, a 1992 study showed that kratom is not fatal for dogs when taken in large doses (up to 920 mg/kg). That said, high doses may cause liver and kidney damage in animals, so it’s best to consult a holistic veterinarian before giving kratom to your pet. From Kratora you can buy kratom online that has been lab-tested for the highest quality experience possible.
Please note that the US FDA has not approved kratom to be sold for human consumption, it is sold for external use only. None of the products sold on our website are intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition.
Want to learn more about kratom quality and value? Start here:
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