When we first bring home a puppy, we’re in awe of their energy, endless reserve of happiness and addictive affection. But, as nature guarantees, all dogs eventually get older, and as they age, they tend to become a bit more lethargic and can develop various ailments that interfere with their quality of life. As dog owners, our top priority, of course, is keeping our canines healthy, happy, and active.
The CBD pet market is booming, and veterinarians are beginning to recommend CBD products to their furry patients. And, there’s reason to believe that the older your dog is, the more likely they are to respond well to a daily dose of cannabidiol. However, as dog owners, you might be wondering how to get your senior dog on a CBD routine, and how to go about do so properly for the best results.
I been using this product for 3 weeks now. Helped my lower back pain and neck pain. Smells good too !!! I have even rubbed it on my temples and forehead to relieve a headache. I would recommend this product for sure!!! Fast delivery and staff is very professional and extremely nice !!!
CBD for Dogs: Does It Work?
Maybe you’re wondering if the idea of giving CBD to dogs is a marketing scheme intended to make more people buy hemp products. Well, the reality is that dogs can find CBD useful just as much as humans do. This is all thanks to a bodily system that is found in all mammals known as the endocannabinoid system.
The endocannabinoid system is a network of cannabinoid receptors found in every system of the body. Each cannabinoid receptor has the job of regulating the functionality of a particular task, such as sleep cycle, mood, inflammation, digestion and so on. This is why people tend to experience such widespread results when taking hemp.
As all mammals have an endocannabinoid system, and the endocannabinoid system fulfills the same roles across all species, you can understand why CBD is being administered to dogs. In short, hemp theoretically offers the same effects to canines that it does to us.
This also means that cannabidiol is nontoxic to dogs, as is the hemp plant entirely. It should be noted that delta 9 and delta 8, two cannabinoids present in hemp, are unsafe for dogs in concentrated forms, but in the levels that naturally occur in hemp, they seem to be totally fine.
What Hemp May Offer Aging Canines
The endocannabinoid system is an overly complex system of the body that we are still learning about. One thing that researchers have tried to understand is why it seems that the older we get, the more cannabinoid intake we need. Cannabinoids are, in fact, naturally produced in the body. But it’s possible that as we age, our bodies produce fewer and fewer cannabinoids, and thus our endocannabinoid systems require more support from phytocannabinoids, which are the cannabinoids found in the hemp plant.
That being said, aging dogs are more likely to need more cannabinoids to support their bodily systems. The good news is that all evidence points to the fact that dogs can maintain routines with generous doses of CBD, as long as their systems allow for it.
Besides that, due to the specific way in which cannabinoids can support the body, CBD can be useful to dogs who develop certain ailments commonly associated with getting older. Our senior furry friends can develop many of the same conditions we do, including:
- Arthritis
- Chronic fatigue
- Low appetite
- Depression
- Memory Loss
Because the pet CBD market is new, there are not yet many studies on the specific advantages associated with giving dogs cannabidiol. However, a couple of findings that we do have access to look extremely hopeful.
Study #1: Found that CBD helped dogs who had osteoarthritis, which is a common age-associated condition among senior canines. The cannabidiol seemed to minimize inflammation and help the dogs experience some level of pain relief, along with increased mobility of the joints.
Study #2: Canines respond well to daily intake of CBD, as it overall supports their endocannabinoid systems to boost the general functionality of their bodies.
Tips for Starting Your Senior Companion on a Cannabidiol Routine
Now that you know what cannabidiol may offer to canines, let’s talk about how to start your aging pup on the most effective hemp regimen possible in order to ensure maximum success with CBD.
Tip #1: Talk to Your Veterinarian
First and foremost, you must always speak with your veterinarian before starting your pet on a CBD routine, as they are authorized to offer medical advice, and could also provide some tips that personalize their hemp routine according to their specific needs. They can even consider any medications your dog is presently taking, and how they may interact with CBD.
Tip #2: Go with a Dog-Friendly Product
It is imperative that you only buy a product made specially for dogs. Some CBD products made for humans contain ingredients that are safe for us, but toxic to canines, such as certain essential oils.
CBD Products made for dogs come with dosing guidelines specific to canines and also tend to come in flavors that are particularly appealing to canines, thus increasing the chance of them enjoying their routine, and being agreeable when it’s time for their daily dose.
Tip #3: Choose a Compatible Delivery Method
CBD dog products exist in a number of delivery methods. The most popular ones are CBD oils, which are either administered sublingually or added to their food, treats, which come in delicious, dog-approved flavors, and topicals, which are applied directly to their skin for relief within the skin, muscles, and joints. Choose a delivery method that suits your dog’s specific needs, as well as their unique preferences.
Tip #4: Give Them CBD Daily
CBD is more effective when it’s administered daily, as the endocannabinoid system can utilize cannabinoids more effectively when it receives a consistent supply. Therefore, try to stick to a daily routine for the best results.
Monitor Them Carefully
Of course, when giving them CBD for the first few times, monitor them to make sure that they are responding well to their new routine. If they should have any side effects, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
As Our Dogs Get Older, Allow CBD to Be Part of Their Lives
Canines have endocannabinoid systems that allow them to use CBD in a number of ways to support the body. So, the older our dogs get, the more they may be able to be supported with a CBD routine. Senior dogs have special needs, and the properties of the hemp plant overall look promising.