Mar 10th 2020

CBD Oil for Senior Dogs: Is It Helpful?

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We still haven’t learned how to stop time, which means that both us and our pets are getting old. It is not easy to watch your dog becoming a senior, especially since that might come with a wide range of mobility and health issues.

You are probably looking for various solutions that might improve the quality of life of your senior or disabled dog. CBD oil might be a helpful choice, and we are investigating its potential benefits in this article.

Is CBD Oil Safe for Dogs?

You might be worried because CBD comes from marijuana plants. However, cannabidiol is perfectly safe for dogs as long as it comes from hemp, a variety of cannabis, and the THC level is low. Fortunately, the federal regulations limit THC in CBD products to no more than 0.3%. That is why CBD oil sold by reputable manufacturers is safe for dogs. You don’t have to worry about it getting your pet high or being dangerous for your pet’s health.

Herbonaut offers a great option for pet owners looking for the best CBD oil for dogs of all ages. The company offers three types of CBD oil for pets, including variations for small, medium, and large breeds.

What Does the Research Say?

The use of CBD oil in treating various pet conditions might depend on your vet’s point of view on the topic. Some veterinarians encourage cannabidiol use for dogs, while others recommend restraining from it.

The question is – what does the research say on the topic?

Here is an overview of what you should know about CBD oil for senior and disabled dogs and science.

Using CBD Oil for Pain Relief

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The crucial problem for dogs who have mobility issues is feeling pain. They might feel it in their joints or other parts of the body that are injured or dealing with severe wear and tear.

These are some main causes of pain in dogs:

  • Surgery
  • Arthritis
  • Hip dysplasia and other progressive and chronic conditions
  • Physical trauma

Your veterinarian might recommend opioids or other medications for treating pain. Although these drugs are effective, they might also damage your pet’s liver and cause addiction.

CBD oil might be a solution that doesn’t require a prescription, and whose side effects shouldn’t be long-term or serious. Research published in 2006 in Annals of Pharmacotherapy indicated that cannabinoid analgesia is a potential therapeutic option for treating chronic pain.

Cannabidiol interacts with your inner cannabinoid system and inhibits your brain from reading pain signals. Thanks to that, CBD might be useful for all types of pain regardless of its cause.

CBD Can Assist in Fighting Inflammation

The most common chronic inflammation that causes pain and limits mobility in dogs is arthritis. This condition attacks joints and causes discomfort. It also limits the motion range and leads to stiffness, which compromises mobility.

NSAIDs are again the most popular treatment when fighting inflammation. And while they come with anti-inflammatory properties and provide pain relief, scientists agree that NSAIDs also have adverse side effects. That is particularly true for long-term use of these medications as potential side effects include GI tract issues, kidney, and liver failure.

If it is not necessary, try to avoid giving NSAIDs to your dog. A study reviewed the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabidiol and confirmed them. You can either put CBD oil in your dog’s meals or use a topical solution, although the latter might only be effective in the applied region.

Another research confirmed the anti-inflammatory benefits of cannabidiol in the case of dealing with osteoarthritis. Although the study was conducted on rats, it delivered promising results, and the researchers concluded that CBD might even slow down the progression rate of this condition.

A study conducted in 2010 discussed combining NSAIDs and opioids with cannabinoids in treating pain. According to the results, you might be able to decrease the frequency of the use of prescribed drugs if you combine them with CBD oil. That is because cannabidiol is capable of boosting the effectiveness of pain medications. The results will be the same, but your dog will take fewer pain meds that could potentially be dangerous for their health.

Make Your Dog Feel Relaxed and More Eager for Daily Activities

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You remember your dog from the youthful days. They never wanted to go home once you take them to the park, and it seems like they could run around the clock. However, now that your pet is a senior, he is less interested in walks and other activities.

CBD oil can help to fight inflammation and provide pain relief. That can lead to your dog feeling better, which might make him more willing to play games or take a walk with you.

Scientific research conducted in 2018 proved that using CBD oil is safe and efficient for dogs dealing with osteoarthritis. According to those results, only two milligrams of cannabidiol enhanced mobility in canines by two times.

How to Choose CBD Oil for Senior and Disabled Dogs

If you don’t know a lot about choosing CBD oil, but you are willing to invest time and effort to find the best solution for your dog, these are the factors to consider:

  • A high-quality product – you want to look for CBD oil that comes with food-grade ingredients and is free of GMOs and other harmful compounds. It would be great if you can find a manufacturer that sources CBD from hemp grown at organic farms.
  • Pet’s size – the size of your dog might affect the dose they need. That is why most reputable manufacturers offer different product strengths depending on the pet’s weight.
  • Lab reports – an independent lab report published on the manufacturer’s website is proof that they make high-quality products. Additionally, it confirms that THC levels are within the recommended limits, which means your pet won’t get high from using the oil.

Before you start administering CBD oil to your pet, it is strongly recommended to discuss the matter with your veterinarian. They might be able to warn you about potential interactions of other drugs and offer further advice on how to optimize the dose for the needs of your pet.