How CBD Oil for Arthritis in Dogs Works
The sometimes-cruel nature of
life’s natural aging process can also affect our canine companions and they are
prone to contracting some of the same illnesses we do in our old age. Ailments
such as arthritis that makes simple tasks painfully unbearable are equally
prevalent in senior dogs and cats, which is why pet owners need to take certain
steps to soothe their aches and pains in their final years.
As they age, dogs may start to
suffer from one of the many diseases that can take hold in us—the pet
parents—too, such as cancer, chronic pain, and arthritis. Canine arthritis,
just like human arthritis, gets worse when our pups are exposed to cold, wet weather
or when they gain weight or overexert themselves. Certain breeds are more
susceptible to hip, joint, and bone disorders, but every breed of dog can
develop arthritis as they age.
What Are the Symptoms of Arthritis in Dogs?
Unlike real children, our canine
kids can’t tell us when something is up. And when they are experiencing pain,
we have to pay attention to the subtle hints and visual cues that our dog
cunningly gives us. If you notice any of the following symptoms, then your dog
may have arthritis:
- Staggering or problems when walking
- Changing positions very slowly accompanied by groaning or whining
- Stiffness when getting up or lying down
- Reluctant to go walkies
- A strong aversion to stairs
- Spending more time sleeping than usual
- Panting or whimpering
If you start noticing any of the
above symptoms taking place on a daily basis, then you need to visit your vet
right away to start treatment. Arthritis is a degenerative disease, so delaying
action is not an option.
The Main Issue with Traditional Arthritis Treatments
Upon visiting your vet and
confirming that your dog has arthritis, you will at first be relieved to hear
that anti-inflammatory painkillers will most likely be prescribed.
“Great!” I hear you say.
Sadly, there is some bad news. The
majority of mainstream pharmaceuticals used to treat joint pain and bone
disorders are accompanied by some pretty horrendous side effects including:
- Incontinence
- Loose stools or diarrhea
- Seeming spaced out
- Clumsiness and lack of special awareness
- Irritated skin or allergies
- Yellowing of the eyes which can indicate liver problems
- Vomiting and weight loss
- Dehydration and restlessness
- Stomach ulcers
Most importantly, many of the common medications used to treat canine arthritis can potentially damage your
dog’s internal organs, which open up a whole other range of health issues.
This is exactly the reason why
the majority of doggy parents are reluctant to give their precious pooches
pharmaceuticals that could potentially jeopardize their health along with
making them miserable.
Thankfully, if you are among the
people who are searching for a natural, gentle yet incredibly effective remedy
to treat your four-legged friend’s arthritis, there is now a failsafe treatment
option that is capable of reversing the effects of arthritis in dogs.
Using CBD Oil to Treat Arthritis in Dogs
Like the increasing popularity of
such products as hemp oil, marijuana, hemp seed oil, and medical cannabis,
cannabis oil is fast becoming the number one natural remedy for treating almost
any issue that you can think of, namely arthritis. During recent years, several
studies on the efficacy of CBD oil and the healing benefits of the cannabis
plant have been published, as well as hundreds of thousands of testimonials from
patients who have been healed through the use of this powerful elixir. As
people are waking up to the fact that natural, non-toxic products can be even
more potent than pharmaceuticals, CBD products are being legalized all around
the world for the use of pain relief and more. More research is being performed
and even the notoriously strict FDA has approved the use of CBD-rich products
to successfully treat disease and illness.
The most important benefits of
using CBD oil for medicinal purposes is the fact that it has been
scientifically proven to reduce pain and inflammation in the joints, as well as
protecting joints from further damage. Further still, CBD products do not contain
THC, the psychoactive element found in cannabis like medical marijuana. The key
to overcoming debilitating illnesses such as arthritis in your dog is to ensure
that the pain is manageable enough for him to still be able to do light
movement and exercise. Not only will this improve his mood, but it will also
present your pet from gaining weight through lack of exercise.
How Does It Work?
To explain it in simple terms,
CBD for pets works through triggering sensors in the natural endocannabinoid
system that is found present in any animals that has a spine. These sensors
then convey a message to the brain to relieve pain and activate the other
internal systems necessary to combat illness and inflammation.
How to Give CBD Oil to Your Arthritic Dog
You can administer CBD to
companion animals in a variety of different ways, with the most popular being
CBD tincture or oil. Pet-approved oil will likely have omega-3 present, which
is going to give your dog added health benefits. If your dog is relatively
chilled out, then you can use a syringe to give him a few drops in his mouth.
If he is not so keen on the taste and refuses to take it, then you can mix it
into his meals to disguise the taste.
If your dog has your sneaky
medicine-giving tactics figured out, then CBD-infused dog treats are equally as
effective and they taste good (to your dog, at least!) You could also try
rubbing CBD balm onto your dog’s skin, but bear in mind that it will take
longer to work, as it needs to be absorbed into the bloodstream via the skin.
How Much CBD Oil Should You Give Your Dog?
The dosage will depend on a few
factors such as the size and weight of your dog. Obviously, it also depends on
how advanced his arthritis is. If you are using CBD as a complementary
treatment to pharmaceutical medication, then always run your intention past
your vet for approval before getting started.
As a rule of thumb, you should
start with a smaller dose of CBD oil and increase if necessary. There is
currently no firm decision on the correct dosage of CBD oil, due to the fact
that research on the potent drug is still in its early stages. So, you will
need to be consistent and vigilant, by increasing the dosage slowly and
gradually until you can see a visible improvement in your dog’s symptoms.
Final Thoughts
While arthritis is classified as
a degenerative disease, by using CBD you can stop any further joint damage or
additional pain in the future. It also has the added benefit of healing other
issues in the body like insomnia, anxiety, and seizures. Basically, there is no
downside to giving your dog CBD oil, especially if he is getting old. That
said, CBD is a medicine and should be treated as such. Make sure that you are
consistent with your timings and dosage and if your dog is improving, then don’t stop giving him the tincture; keep administering the same dosage and
watch its goodness manifest!
This article by Jennifer is
originally published at FOMO Bones.
Author bio: Jennifer is the voice
behind the FOMO Bones blog. She's pretty sure in her past life, she was a Great
Dane. However, we peg her as more of a labrador. Regardless of her breed, she's
a dog enthusiast who has 15 years experience training dogs and owners.