All dog lovers would agree that if it is possible to keep their pets with them forever, it is an easy absolute yes without any hesitations. Dogs are very adorable creatures that, when they enter your life, you will surely fall in love with them. While it is a great feeling to have a loyal and loving dog, the worst part of having them is the goodbye. As the law of the universe, all life has an end. And that goes the same with our beloved pets. The only thing we can do for them is to give them a happy life and provide them healthy living to keep them beside us for as long as their lifespan permits.
Sometimes, unforeseen circumstances arrive, and our fur baby gets sick. While there are conditions that can be quickly figured out, pain is one of the most tricky symptoms that they may have. This can be a result of injury or an underlying health problem that needs immediate attention. Because our dogs cannot speak and only exhibit physical actions or may sometimes make a noise, they often suffer in silence which is heartbreaking for us as their human parents. This is why we should always be on the lookout for when our beloved pets are not feeling well.
When it comes to natural supplements intended to aid in the special health and wellness needs of dogs, CBD is the one that is trending big-time not only for humans but now for pets as well. Here are five ways on how CBD products can help your pet.
How Does CBD Work In Pets?
CBD (stands for cannabidiol) is an active, chemical substance known to interact with the body via different receptors of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a biological cell-signalling system that is involved in managing a wide variety of biological processes, including memory, sleep, pain, immune response, and more, as well as in helping achieve homeostasis.
Since ECS is found in all mammals, just like humans, dogs, horses, and cats can also benefit from CBD use and its promising list of health benefits.
Five Ways CBD Can Help Your Dog
While research done on CBD and humans has shown its effectiveness in helping treat anxiety, chronic pain, and other medical conditions, only a few studies have been conducted on the benefits of CBD for dogs.
Anxiety
Fireworks, thunderstorms, travelling, vet visits and separation are some of the common triggers that can lead to your dog’s anxiety. These are usually presented as excessive barking, chewing, restlessness and other characteristic symptoms that you as an owner can recognise. However, helping your pet cope with those feelings is never easy.
In these cases, consuming CBD oil for anxiety may be helpful as it helps calm their nerves by changing the way your brain’s receptors respond to serotonin, a key hormone that aids in regulating mood, feelings of happiness and overall sense of wellbeing. This can help make your dog feel more relaxed and friendly. Also, you can also use this supplement with other supportive therapies for maximum benefits.
Pain & inflammation
One of the amazing things about cannabidiol is its potent anti-inflammatory properties, which can help relieve chronic pain or arthritis and discomfort caused by inflammation. Cannabis plants have been used to soothe the pain for many centuries. Researchers found that there are certain cannabinoids with anti-inflammatory properties, especially CBD. As mentioned earlier, the body has a specialised system called the endocannabinoid system. Studies suggest that CBD interacts with the ECS could affect receptor activity and reduce inflammation.
A 2018 study aimed to evaluate the safety, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties of CBD in dogs with osteoarthritis. The researchers gave the dogs doses of 2 to 8 mg of CBD oil per kilogram of body weight. 80% of the dogs showed a decrease in pain and increase in mobility, as measured by two veterinary sources – canine brief pain inventory and Hudson activity scores. However, it is crucial to mention that this study was funded by a CBD manufacturer, so the results may be biased.
Sensitive digestive system
Occasional abdominal pain is usually harmless, but dogs that are subjected to chronic digestive problems can suffer daily. Inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal malabsorption and pancreatitis are just a few of the digestive disorders that can cause diarrhea, vomiting, chronic pain and cramps, making your fluffy friend feel miserable.
A 2016 study examined how cannabinoids can reduce the side effects of inflammatory bowel disease in humans and mice. More research is still needed, but since mammals share the same endocannabinoid system, scientists believe cannabinoids like CBD have the same effect in dogs.
Appetite
Your pet may lose appetite due to digestive problems, anxiety, depression or old age, which, in turn, can lead to malnutrition in dogs or even affect their mobility. The National Cancer Institute notes that CBD might be able to improve appetite, therefore giving CBD to dogs can help to improve their nutritional regimen.
What’s more, CBD oil can benefit pets experiencing nausea. No matter if it is a small puppy or an older dog, vomiting and nausea can affect any dog, which might be detrimental to the health of your four-legged friend, leading to loss of appetite and weight. A 2011 review suggests that cannabinoids like CBD can be useful in treating both nausea and vomiting in humans and other animals.
Skin issues
Many pets also struggle with different skin conditions. When their skin itches, they tend to scratch to the point of causing ulcers, hair loss or even infections. This is where the use of topical CBD products might come in handy.
Anti-inflammatory properties of cannabidiol can be useful in soothing the skin, while its antioxidant activity can help control free radical damage and prevent dry skin.
Different Formats Of CBD For Dogs
CBD oil tinctures, capsules and treats with different pet-friendly flavours are considered the most common ways to deliver potential positive effects of CBD to your dog. Let’s look deeper into the specifics of each specific product’s type and how to administer CBD to your four-legged friend.
Tinctures are usually made in glass bottles with a dropper for accurate dosage and easy administration. They are also very versatile, giving you many ways to give your pet an oil tincture.
- Place CBD oil directly into your dog’s mouth. Try squirting the dropper under the tongue so that it can be absorbed through the capillary-rich areas under the tongue, along the cheeks and gums and enter your pet’s bloodstream more quickly. In case your dog doesn’t let you do this, apply the oil to the back of the tongue. Also, remember to give your pet some food, so he or she swallows the oil drops;
- Put the oil on a treat. In this case, you need to choose soft treats so that the active ingredients can be absorbed through the food. Dog muffins, boiled chicken, a scoop of canned salmon, plain yoghurt or sardine puree are some of the best options;
- Add the oil to the food. This method is considered one of the easiest ways to get your pet to take CBD. You just need to add a few oil drops to your pet’s food to mask the taste and texture of CBD oil and ensure all the food on the plate is eaten along with this beneficial supplement.
CBD dog capsules offer your dog a quick and easy-to-use method to enjoy the potential benefits of CBD. Whether you decide to mix CBD capsules with food or hide them in a treat like a small piece of cheese, your pet may not even notice the difference yet will receive positive effects of CBD. Since capsules come in pre-measured dosages, you don’t have to guess a suitable CBD dose for your dog or calculate the needed amount of cannabidiol each time. Also, they typically contain different types of CBD extracts blended with natural and useful components to provide added benefits.
Specifically designed dog treats aren’t the only canine alternative to CBD-infused edibles, as many of you might think. Such products typically come in a variety of formats and flavours, from roasted peanut butter bites and blueberry cookies to bacon chews and apple biscuits. This way, you will not only pamper your pet but also help alleviate his or her ailments.
Final Thoughts
Having looked at CBD from different angles, we can say that it possesses promising positive effects, yet this supplement is not a panacea for all diseases. Different studies of possible adverse effects should be taken into consideration. There are a lot of CBD advocates; however, it is not a magic wand for any distress.
The scientists still can not find the appropriate estimation of the dose due to the lack of research. Each person who decides to give CBD oil to their fluffy friend should consult with the vet to make sure that this product is safe. Nonetheless, CBD is a compound full of health benefits that can be a healthier alternative to help in relieving many diseases, both physical and mental.