5 Benefits Of CBD Oil On Senior And Disabled Dogs

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One of the hardest things a dog owner can go through is seeing their pet suffer an accident or fall ill and have to go through terrible pain. While they may not express how much pain they are in, their eyes say more than enough.

 

When this happens, doing everything in your power to ensure your dog feels well is the ultimate goal. Luckily, there is a natural alternative to traditional medication that's gaining popularity and proving to be useful to animals as much as to humans.

 

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What is CBD?

 

Cannabinol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are the two most popular compounds extracted from the cannabis plant. But unlike THC, which is the one that has psychoactive effects and gets you high, CBD does not have any of these properties. So with CBD, a person cannot become addicted or get high.

 

CBD works on the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Although researchers are still working on attaining a full understanding of how CBD works in the body, they know so far that it affects the receptors sent out by the ECS to manage critical components in the body, including pain, sleep, appetite, and temperature.

 

Thanks to its effects on the ECS, a wide array of CBD edibles are now being used for health issues such as Alzheimer's, Parkison's, heart disease, menopause, diabetes, postpartum depression, etc. For dogs who are disabled or very old, CBD could prove to be life-changing as well.

 

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The power of CBD for senior and disabled dogs

 

Manage Pain

 

When your dog is in pain due to a disability or an illness like arthritis, hip dysplasia, or IVDD, easing pain is a top priority. With CBD oil, you can do this and give your pet a more comfortable life. 

 

In a 2016 study, researchers observed the pain-relieving effects CBD had when it was administered to rats with arthritis. The rats were given 62.3 mg of CBD a day for four days in a row, and researchers noticed the reduction of pain in the rats' joints. More importantly, there were no noticeable side effects.

 

Reduce Inflammation

 

Inflammation can cause significant pain to dogs, such as those suffering from hip dysplasia and arthritis. With CBD, this type of problem can be significantly reduced thanks to this natural compound's anti-inflammatory effects. In another study on rats with sciatic nerve pain and inflammation, researchers observed a reduction in inflammation when the rats were given CBD through an injection. 

 

Avoid harmful side effects

 

The side effects of traditional pain medication for dogs can lead to severe consequences. The complications resulting from dog pain medication include permanent liver damage, chemical dependence, and even risk of lethal overdose. In administering this type of medicine, your dog has a higher risk of renal failure and a higher risk of death. 

 

What CBD does is provide a safer alternative to traditional medication. Although there is still much that needs to be analyzed, CBD comes with no harmful side effects, according to experts. The only side effects some people have reported are nausea and diarrhea. 

 

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Improve the quality of life

 

Having your dog lie around doing nothing all day is not ideal. You want to see your dog have the best life, even when disability or old age is a factor. With CBD, you can improve the quality of life of your dog. Primarily, you can do this by improving mobility.

 

As CBD minimizes pain and inflammation, there is a better opportunity for your dog to find his legs again and move about more freely. In one study featuring dogs with osteoarthritis pain, researchers noted a reduction in pain and a higher activity level.

 

Reduce anxiety

 

Anxiety can affect your dog as much as any other human. For disabled dogs, anxiety may result from trauma from the accident or trauma from having been in a toxic environment. Senior dogs can also start suffering from anxiety when you leave them home alone for long hours or certain activities such as the loud noise of fireworks.

 

CBD can help reduce the effects of anxiety on your dog and bring about a sense of peace. CBD can lower feelings of anxiety and depression through its impact on the ECS receptors. This natural compound can encourage ECS to produce more serotonin. 

 

The latter is a natural mood stabilizer in our body that impacts several functions, from our emotions to motor skills. It is a critical mood stabilizer as low serotonin levels are linked with depression.

 

Administering CBD oil to your pet

 

There are several CBD products out there — from gummies to creams — that you can give to your pet, but CBD oil is the most straightforward product you can administer. While CBD is considered safe, you must ask for medical advice before giving CBD to your dog. The dose of CBD from a human to an animal does vary, and you must not give your pet more than the required amount.