As dog owners, we want nothing more than to keep our precious companions happy and healthy. But, as we all know, canines are prone to various conditions when they age. Hence, we have to be on the lookout to ensure that they don’t end up in debilitating pain or serious ill health.
Our dogs aren’t exactly capable of telling us when they are in pain. So, this can make things complicated, without a doubt. Dogs, like many mammals, are notorious for hiding their pain, even from their owners, as a survival instinct. Once they let on that they’re experiencing pain, they feel extremely vulnerable, which comes from their biological need to fend off predators. Therefore, we pet owners must pay careful attention to our dogs, especially as they get older, in order to catch the early signs of a potential pain condition or illness that could get worse over time if left untreated.
As you’ll find out though, CBD has been studied for its unique effects on canine pain. All, of course, with promising results.
Why CBD for Dogs?
All mammals share what’s known as the endocannabinoid system. It’s a bodily system that plays a role in maintaining a level of equilibrium throughout the body via homeostasis. This system uses cannabinoid receptors found all throughout the body. These receptors must bind with cannabinoids like CBD in order to activate. From there, they can perform regulatory actions that balance out bodily processes.
Pain is a bodily process, as is inflammation, which can lead to pain. Research has shown that cannabidiol may regulate these processes in a way that can be extremely useful to those dealing with pain conditions, including our precious four-legged companions.
Furthermore, CBD is nontoxic to all mammals, meaning that a dog can metabolize it in a way that is not harmful. This is a big reason why many veterinarians are on board with giving cannabidiol to canines.
Pain Conditions in Canines That May Improve with CBD
Now, let’s talk about pain conditions that commonly affect dogs, and why CBD oil may be a good addition to their routine.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a condition that affects all mammals, including dogs, especially as they age. It’s a degenerative joint disease that commonly results from simple wear and tear of the joint tissue, after having been used for so many years. As the joints degrade, the surrounding tissue becomes inflamed, and this can cause intense pain and limit a dog’s range of motion, meaning that they will no longer be able to stay active, which can have further impacts on their overall health.
Osteoarthritis is pretty common among aging dogs. That’s why it’s important to spot it early on before the joints degenerate any further. If a dog is avoiding using certain joints, or is showing trouble walking or climbing, you should take them to a veterinarian. It’s commonly treated with pain medications and supplements for joint health.
Interestingly, studies have been done on CBD’s effect on arthritic dogs, with positive results overall. Canines who were administered cannabidiol showed improved range of motion and lower indications of pain. This is largely due to the inflammation-regulating effects of cannabinoids via the endocannabinoid system. Hence, the best CBD oil for dogs with arthritis can be found on our site.
Periodontal Disease
Dogs aren’t capable of maintaining the extensive dental routines that we do. This is a big reason why dogs are encouraged to have thorough dental cleanings done by a veterinarian twice a year. Still, however, it can be hard to keep the teeth and gums in ideal shape on a day-to-day basis, which is why gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is so common in canines.
Gum disease is an inflammatory condition that affects the gums caused by poor oral hygiene. In dogs, the main culprit is plaque that builds up on the teeth, causing bacterial overgrowth that eventually causes damage to the gum tissue. It can be incredibly painful, as the gums become overly sensitive, leading to pain when eating. It can get progressively worse over time, and often requires painkillers and, in more serious cases, tooth extractions.
A sign that your dog has periodontal disease is that they show pain when eating or avoid food altogether. If you’re able to look inside your dog’s mouth, you’ll see bright red on the gums rather than a healthy pink color. A vet can easily diagnose this by simply looking inside the mouth of your dog.
Findings have shown that CBD may help with gum disease for two reasons:
- Anti-inflammatory properties of the cannabinoid can help minimize inflammation of the gums.
- CBD may also inhibit the bacteria that causes plaque.
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is a condition that affects a dog’s pancreas and can come on suddenly. It causes inflammation of the pancreas, and can either present itself as a short-lived, isolated episode or chronic disease that must be treated daily. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain, and your dog may avoid food if the symptoms are particularly severe. Typically, it’s treated through dietary changes and anti-inflammatory medications.
Being an inflammatory condition, those anti-inflammatory properties in CBD may once again be useful. We also know from research that there are cannabinoid receptors in the pancreas, which’re in charge of regulating actions performed by this organ.
Cystitis
Cystitis is an inflammatory condition of the bladder, usually triggered by poor diet. A lot of the processed dog foods we feed our furry friends contain ingredients that aren’t exactly good for them in the long term. These include gluten, sugar, and excessive salt. Over time, these poor dietary choices can cause the bladder to become inflamed. The condition can also be caused by bladder stones. Like pancreatitis, cystitis may be managed with changes to a dog’s diet, along with medications for the pain.
The most common symptom of cystitis is blood in the urine. So, if you suspect that your dog has this condition, this is the symptom to be on the lookout for. Your pup may also struggle to urinate and show signs of pain during urination.
Interestingly, various studies have shown that cannabinoid receptors in the bladder may play a role in managing inflammation. Thus, actually support healthy bladder function overall.
Intervertebral Disc Disease
Dogs are uniquely prone to intervertebral disc disease, a condition that affects the spine’s discs. This condition is more likely to occur in aging dogs. It causes the spinal cord to compress and can cause neuropathic pain as the nerves become compromised. Further, the surrounding tissue can become inflamed and painful. In extreme cases, it can result in paralysis. Many cases of this disease require spinal surgery.
Discoveries have uncovered that CBD may offer usefulness to those dealing with both neuropathic and inflammatory pain, which is why more dog owners are giving their canines CBD for the pain associated with disc disease.
How to Give CBD to a Dog in Pain
If you wish to use CBD for a pain condition from which your dog is suffering, you must speak to your veterinarian first. They can help you come up with the best plan based on their symptoms, medical history and present medications. It’s also crucial that you seek out a cannabidiol product made for dogs. Why? Because they have the right potency levels and ingredients for canines.
The CBD Oil for Dogs at CBD Warehouse USA is the best CBD oil for dogs with arthritis and other pain-related conditions, being easy to administer, and having the ideal milligram strength selection for dogs with more severe forms of pain. Use it as a food additive, sublingual tincture, or topical treatment as desired, and administer it daily for the best results.
A New Approach to Managing Your Dog’s Pain
While we all wish we could protect our furry friends from pain, the reality is that as they age, they are more likely to develop a painful condition. The good news is that overall, there are many treatments for common pain-related disorders and diseases. CBD is a holistic and natural option that more and more veterinarians are recommending to their patients.