You’ve probably already heard about CBD being used for humans, but you might have not heard of its benefits for your pets.
CBD products are becoming incredibly popular in the world of pets as treatments and supplements for a lot of senior dogs.
As a pet parent, you might be a bit hesitant about giving your dog CBD oil, a substance that is often associated with marijuana, but CBD is a bit different and doesn’t contain any psychoactive properties.
Many pet owners have found success with the use of CBD supplements, especially when it comes to helping their older pets fight the symptoms of aging.
Here are some of the few ways that CBD can help your senior pets in their golden years and help them live more comfortable, active lives.
What is CBD?
Before we get into the benefits of CBD, let's talk about what CBD actually is.
In both hemp and marijuana, the active ingredients are called cannabinoids. The most popular cannabinoid is cannabidiol - or as we know it CBD. Unlike its cousin tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (found in marijuana), it doesn’t cause psychoactive symptoms, making it safer for pets and humans to use.
CBD oil has been associated with potential benefits when incorporated into the treatment of some inflammatory conditions, pain management, seizure events and anxiety disorders associated with cognitive decline. It is very important that you find CBD products from a reputable source and to make sure they are of premium quality. You should always consult with your veterinarian to confirm that your pet can be a good candidate for this type of product, as well as, to discuss the right dosing protocol.
What are the benefits of CBD for older dogs?
Pain Management
Many senior dogs need help managing painful conditions as they grow older. Having good pain management for your pets is crucial for maintaining a high quality of life. Pain can be caused by an injury, previous surgery or chronic diseases like arthritis. Being able to reduce the amount of pain your dog is in will help improve their quality of life and allow them to live happier, healthier lives.
The senior pet population is particularly susceptible to chronic debilitating diseases that are associated with pain like arthritis. Often times these older pets end up relying on prescription drugs like opiates or non-steroidal anti-inflammatories in order to reduce pain. These medical protocols, despite being very efficient, are often associated with undesirable side effects.
Among the common side effects are:
- Sedation and constipation
- Liver and kidney problems
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
We feel that incorporating some of the plant based anti inflammatory options like CBD may help reduce the dependance in these prescriptions drugs. Therefore decreasing the chances of undesirable side effects.
Remember To Talk To Your Vet
CBD is available to purchase without a prescription - but we highly recommend that you always talk to your veterinarian before giving any new supplements to your dog
This is even more important when it comes to CBD oil as it may interfere with other drugs or medicines your dog may already be on.
Where To Buy CBD For Pets
If you want to buy CBD for your pets, make sure that you’re buying from a trusted, reputable company. You can do your own research or consult your vet before buying. Here are some important qualities to consider when buying CBD for your dog:
- Make sure the product is made just for pets, as some products can include flavorings that are harmful to your pet.
- Purchase from an organic source, as refined hemp oil can often contain pesticides and herbicides that are dangerous when consumed by your dog.
- Verify the quality and concentration of any CBD oil before you purchase it for your pet.
Buy from a company that can provide a certificate of analysis, this will guarantee that you are buying the right product and that the concentration of THC is below 0.3%.
If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of CBD for your older pet, get in contact with us and we can answer any questions or concerns you may have.