CBD Oil for Dogs With Arthritis: The Key Things to Know
It’s no secret that CBD oil is one of the fastest-growing health trends for dogs. You’ve probably seen it features on the shelf of your pet supermarket or even being sold at your vet’s office.
If your senior dog is suffering from arthritis, you may be interested in trying CBD oil to see if it could bring your pet some relief. Of course, we love our pets, and we want to keep them healthy and pain-free, but is CBD oil for dogs with arthritis all that is made out to be, or are you wasting your money?
This article will explain the key things you need to know about CBD oil for dogs with arthritis. Keep reading to find out if CBD oil is right for your dog.
What Exactly Is CBD Oil?
CBD oil is made from the hemp plant, a special strain of cannabis. This strain of marijuana is non-toxic to pets. Strains of marijuana for medical use or recreational use in humans contain a high amount of THC, the psychoactive compound that makes a person feel “high.” THC can be toxic to dogs if given in a large dose.
Hemp plants contain less than 0.3% THC, so there is nothing to worry about when giving it to your dog. Hemp plants are high in Cannabidiol. Cannabidiol is not psychoactive, and it won’t get your dog “high,” but it does have many medical properties that could provide health benefits to your dog suffering from arthritis.
This article will help you discover more information on if CBD oil is right for your pooch.
Dogs With Arthritis
Osteoarthritis, OA, is a common ailment that affects senior dogs. As many as 20% of all dogs experience arthritis as they age. Your dog may have trouble moving around or be sensitive to the touch if they have severe arthritis. It can cause your dog to not enjoy the activities they used to once love.
Unfortunately, arthritis usually gets worse in pets because it is a progressive disease. It is important to seek out medical care from your vet if you suspect that your dog is suffering from arthritis. The first sign of arthritis is a change in mobility or difficulty getting around.
Your veterinarian can work with you to develop a treatment plan that makes it easier for your dog to enjoy their favorite activities and slow down the progression of the disease.
Traditional Treatments
One of the most commonly prescribed drugs for dogs who suffer from arthritis is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, NSAID. This can help reduce the pain associated with arthritis. However, use caution because this class of drugs has side effects and can even be fatal.
In one of the most recent studies, several bad side effects were pointed out when dogs were prescribed NSAIDs. The study found that renal damage or failure can be a common side effect of these drugs.
A review of NSAIDs discovered that as many as 55% of participants experienced side effects, and it could be worse for dogs who are living with arthritis. Since the dogs in the study were mostly young and healthy dogs, older dogs may experience even more risks with taking these medications.
If that isn’t enough to give you a pause, consider this. The FDA describes the veterinary use of NSAIDs in the following way: “ Owners and veterinarians should carefully consider the potential benefits and risks of using NSAIDs before they start treatment.”
They also recommend giving the lowest possible dose for the smallest amount of time and closely monitor your dog when doing so. Long-term effects of NSAID usage in dogs could lead to liver or kidney failure, and it is potentially dangerous and even dangerous to many dogs.
So what is a dog owner to do? Keep reading, and you’ll see the latest research on CBD for dogs with arthritis.
CBD Oil for Dogs With Arthritis
CBD oil has been extensively studied for both dogs and people. Scientists understand the anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects that CBD oil can have on dogs with arthritis.
Since OA involves both pain and inflammation, it isn’t a surprise to scientists and veterinarians that CBD is a trending therapy for dogs. Many pet owners want to find a treatment for their dog’s pain without giving them prescription NSAIDs.
It turns out the endocannabinoid system is present in both humans and dogs. This system plays an essential role in the progression of OA in dogs. Cannabinoids receptors are found throughout the dog’s joint tissue.
They are also found in surprising concentrations in degenerated joint cells in humans. Scientists believe these cells may respond when treated with cannabinoids.
We have some research that shows promising effects of cannabinoids in preventing the degeneration of joints and the progression of pain associated with OA. This is great news for humans and dog owners alike.
Research on CBD for Dog Arthritis
Unfortunately, research for our companion animals on CBD and many other things is often behind the curve. It is expensive to develop new drugs, and the big pharma companies mostly hold a monopoly on the market. These companies are usually only concerned with producing human drugs that give them greater profits.
Research on CBD for dog pain has been difficult. It has been hard for researchers to obtain hemp for their studies. Just recently, hemp has had fewer barriers for researchers to obtain hemp legally. These changes have ushered in a new wave of hemp science for both humans and animals alike.
A recent study conducted by the College of Veterinarian Medicine at Cornell University showed that dogs who suffer from OA had positive effects when they were dosed with full-spectrum CBD oil. Each dog was given 2 mg to 8 mg of CBD oil per pound of body weight.
The dogs were closely monitored in the study, and the researchers found that the dogs had reduced visible signs of pain and stiffness. They also significantly improved their mobility.
Is CBD Oil Safe for Dogs?
Pet owners can rejoice. There is nothing to fear from CBD oil administered to dogs. There was no indication of psychoactive effects in dogs despite the fact that most of the studies used full-spectrum CBD oil, which does contain trace amounts of CBD.
CBD oil is perfectly safe for dogs when given at a proper dosage.
Benefits of CBD Oil for Dogs
For many older dogs, pain management is a key concern. Pain management can help your dog have a better quality of life as they age. Your dog may experience pain from OA, a previous injury, or surgery. Reducing this discomfort is the best way for pet owners to help their pets have the best quality of life.
Most pain management treatment plans would include prescription drugs like NSAIDs we discussed earlier. The side effects of these medications have many dog owners worried. On the other hand, a natural supplement such as CBD oil has been shown to have the same effects. So why not give it a try?
Inflammation is another serious side effect for dogs living with OA. Typically this is also treated with NSAIDs. Several studies have now confirmed that CBD oil has anti-inflammatory properties. When a dog takes CBD orally or when it is topically applied to the site of the pain, the dog can experience these anti-inflammatory effects.
Some studies have even shown a slowing down of the progression of OA. Safety is a huge concern for pet owners. CBD is safe, effective, and has far fewer side effects than the prescription drugs that were being used previously to treat OA in dogs and cats.
CBD can help you reduce the number of prescription drugs your dog is taking by replacing them with a natural remedy. CBD doesn’t compromise your dog’s quality of life and has less risk of long-term health problems associated with prescription pain relievers.
Talk to your veterinarian first and ask them about the benefits your dog will experience when using CBD oil.
Best CBD Oil for Dogs with Arthritis
As pet owners, we always want what is best for our pets. When it comes to CBD oil, all it takes is a little bit of research. Right now, demand for CBD oil is high, and it is taking the market a little bit of time to catch up with all the demand for these products.
This makes a particularly tricky situation for pet owners. There are tons of fake products or low-quality products out there. To make sure you are getting the real deal for your dog, make sure you buy your CBD oil from a trusted company.
Do some research on a brand before you buy it and familiarize yourself with how the company extracts the CBD oil. Look for products that are made just for dogs.
Giving your dog a human-grade product isn’t a good idea. Sometimes the human CBD products contain other substances that can be harmful to your dog.
Check to make sure the CBD oil you give your dog is from an organic source. Pesticides and herbicides can be potentially dangerous to your dog. Look for a full-spectrum CBD oil that is made from natural organic hemp.
Before you buy, also verify that the product has been laboratory tested. Ask the company if they have had third-party laboratory testing done so that you can see the product’s quality is as good as they claim it is. This testing will also verify how concentrated the product is.
CBD Oil Can Help Your Dog Live Their Best Life
We hate to see our dogs with arthritis suffer. Before now, there wasn’t any option other than to give our dogs prescription pain medication that had a long list of terrible side effects. Now, CBD oil has come to the market to provide an all-natural alternative treatment for dogs suffering from OA.
Nature’s Pet Herbals is a family-owned and operated company that specializes in health products for pets. Our products contain 100% medical-grade Cannabidiol or CBD. Browse our selection of CBD products made specially for your dog today.