It is said that “dogs are not our whole lives but they make our lives whole!”
And anyone who has a furry friend by their side would agree! If you have a pawesome being by your side, you know how your world can turn upside down when the dog falls sick.
Dogs do not have the ability to express how they feel but if you are one of those who has ever had a dog by your side, you will be able to understand that the body language of these canine beings is quite expressive.
A precious pup’s family would know him better than anyone else and so you will certainly understand when something is not right about him. Instinctively, dogs will not let it show that there is something wrong with them in the initial phases of their illness but with the passage of time, you will be able to up a notice some subtle changes in the actions and personality of your four-legged friends.
If you act quickly on the first signs of illness, you will be able to save your furball from suffering while also saving his life as well as a lot of money.
CBD is more popular than ever before. And now that marijuana is legal at large, its popularity is sure to grow!
Cannabidiol which also is known as CBD oil is one of the 104 chemical compounds which are derived from the hemp plant. Sadly, people only think of marijuana as a psychoactive drug which can make them high but, there is much more to it then what it seems. CBD oil has been linked to the far-reaching health benefits from over centuries.
CBD Oil Various Health Benefits
As you are well aware, CBD oil has various health benefits for humans ranging from reducing anxiety to treating chronic pains. Recently, a drug called Epidiolex was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the US. Epidiolex has CBD in it and is to be consumed orally. You must have seen the sudden hype about CBD all around you and if you are a pet parent, you must have wondered if it can benefit your furry friend as well.
The potential benefits of CBD oil are not just exclusive to us humans. When given to the pet animals, CBD oil can aid everything from physical maladies to emotional concerns. We are pretty sure that you will be happy to know (if you do not, already) that CBD oil can open the door to a world of benefits for your dogs as well.
CBD oil when given to dogs can help in promoting optimal wellness, and can even assist in keeping the immune system healthy apart from helping your pet to maintain a normal emotional balance.
Right from topical oils to CBD infused biscuits, there are a lot of pet-friendly products available in the market. A lot of puppy parents are using different kinds of CBD infused oils and ointments on their kids, observing the effects they have and keeping a close check on how their pets are benefiting from it.
Are you curious about the ways in which can it be used to help improve the life of your pet? We did thorough research about how CBD oil can be used for pets, the ways in which it can make a difference for separation anxiety and how CBD can be used as a treatment in the future. Before that, it is important to know how CBD works for your pet.
How can CBD oil help your pet?
You have probably heard about the uses of CBD among humans which may make you wonder if it is good enough to be given to your furry family members or not! Indeed, there are different kinds of medicines and health supplements that work for human beings but are not regarded as suitable for dogs.
You will be surprised to know that it is not the case with CBD.
Right from humans to dogs, all the mammals in this world have a biological system known as the endocannabinoid system inside their bodies. The endocannabinoid system or ECS was named after the cannabis plant as it was discovered first.
CBD interacts with the body of a mammal through the endocannabinoid system.
There are different kinds of responsibilities that are managed by the endocannabinoid system some of which include regulating the sleep cycle, the metabolism of the body, being the in-charge of appetite, memory, the immune system response, maintaining a balance or homeostasis, and much more.
However, all these responsibilities are managed by the receptors that work for the endocannabinoid system.
The endocannabinoid system
The endocannabinoid system mainly consists of two different kinds of cannabinoid receptors called CB1 and CB2. What these receptors do is that they interact with the endocannabinoids — which are the cannabinoids that are naturally produced by the brain.
Interestingly, dogs have more CB1 and THC receptors in their brain than what human beings have which makes up for the reason why cannabis affects us differently. If in case, a dog consumes cannabis that has THC present in it, the pet may begin to feel certain unpleasant side effects such as increased anxiety.
Dogs are way more sensitive to THC than us humans. Because of the sensitivity, it is highly recommended that dogs only ingest the products which contain CBD. CBD does not contain THC, and it is an extract of the cannabis plant, you can provide your four-legged friends all the benefits CBD without putting them at risk of THC.
If you are still worried and unsure about feeding your pet with CBD, remember that most of the researches and studies about these findings are done on lab animals such as rats or different clinical trials on human beings. The tests done on rats and clinical trials on humans suggests that CBD interacts in a similar manner among cats, dogs, humans, and other pets.
There are a variety of benefits that the dogs can avail by regularly taking CBD. When a dog ingests CBD oil, it can affect it in the ways in which the dog perceives stress and pain, uplift their moods, boost the dopamine levels and much more. On the physical front, CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system of dogs in a way that it can reduce inflammation, bring a halt to the GPR signaling which ultimately lowers the reproduction of cancer cells. The endocannabinoid receptors in the dog’s brain help in the regulation of its response to nausea, physical pain, anxiety, depression and more.
There are numerous health conditions among dogs (that are listed below) which manifest in quite a similar manner as they do in humans.
CBD oil as a painkiller
As discussed in the introduction, CBD oil works along with the endocannabinoid system which is directly related to pain and is also responsible for managing the same. One of the major health benefits of CBD discovered quite early in the research was its potential ability to elevate pain.
CBD has emerged as a renowned supplement due to its painkilling properties. There are a lot of ways in which CBD can help in managing the pain.
One of the foremost ways in which CBD subsides the presence of pain is by intensifying the effects of the inhibitory receptors found in the central nervous system of dogs which are responsible for the perception of pain. CBD can put a stop on a temporary basis on the absorption of anandamide which is a chemical that is responsible for dampening the pain signals in the brain of our pet animals. This, in turn, increases the different kinds of effects that anandamide has, one of which is reducing the pain sensations.
Next, CBD has been known for having powerful anti-inflammatory properties. The pain and numerous other symptoms caused by conditions such as arthritis can be tackled by the reduction of inflammation. So, if your doggy is suffering from arthritis, you know what to do.
The scientists nowadays are trying to come up with ways to bring up a new class of drug in order to treat chronic pain. Studies suggest that CBD can be a very effective treatment for reducing the following conditions in dogs:
• The effect of inflammation on oxidative stress which is responsible for causing premature aging and degeneration.
• Different kinds of pain including the ones related to nerves and neuropathy
• General inflammation
• Inflammation in acute pancreatitis
• The inflammation which is associated with irritable bowel disease also known as intestinal inflammation
CBD oil can reduce anxiety
Much like the ways in which anxiety runs deep into human behavior, it can also affect the pets. If you are a parent to a dog you may have observed that perhaps your dog suffers from noise phobia, separation anxiety, travel anxiety, and even specific phobias. CBD oil has been studied in-depth to understand the effects it can have on stress and anxiety.
CBD has a calming effect on dogs which can help them relax in case they suffer from separation anxiety. A daily dose of CBD oil is what they need to be given in order to calm the nerves of the pets before leaving the house for work. At times it is seen that dogs tend to get fearful when thunder strikes or fireworks are exploded. CBD can also be given on an irregular basis to calm down the dogs. The symptoms of anxiety can manifest and be recognized in unusual activities such as:
• Destructive behavior
• Chewing furniture, rubbish, shoes, clothes, etc.
• Marking
• Persistent barking
• Aggression
• Shaking
• Urinating and defecating (commonly inside the house or crate)
• Tremors
A generous dose of CBD on a regular basis has proven that the levels of serotonin can potentially be increased which acts as feel-good brain chemical and counteracts on anxiety.
In this way, CBD has a lot of power to help your doggo feel calm and keep the signs of anxiety at bay which will also reduce the stress or anxiety induced tendencies.
CBD can help your pet feel relaxed
Right from the minute that you took your pup or a grown-up dog under your care, they stole your heart to the extent that your phone suddenly started filling up with uncountable photos and videos of them, while also taking lots of space on your bed.
Indeed, dogs are man’s best friend! They quickly become an integral part of our family. This makes up for the reason why so many pet owners go above and beyond their reach to care for their furballs. Right from feeding them with healthy and wholesome meals to making sure that they go to training schools and regularly visit a veterinary doctor, pet owners leave no stone unturned.
It is because you are super attached to your pet, you will be able to make out if he is anxious, or not feeling and behaving like their usual selves or perhaps a little nervous. It is normal to worry but you must remember that dogs much like human beings do experience mood swings which can be caused due to a lot of factors.
Take for example, during the winter season they are perhaps not able to get much time to go out and run which can leave them with extra energy indoors. Or maybe when it is summers, they may feel overheat due to the scorching sun which will make them retreat back to the couch.
On the other hand, when a dog ages, he may experience tenderness and pain in the joints which is quite normal but it is difficult to manage. It is certainly important for you to take your dog and seek veterinary attention if you feel that something unusual is happening under their fur.
The benefits of CBD oil extend to your pet in ways that it has been proven to calm down the nerves and anxiety when consumed on a regular basis. Before indulging in an extensive routine of feeding your pet with CBD oil on an everyday basis, it is important to test a small drop first and then closely observe how your four-legged friend responds.
CBD oil can help your pet stay strong
For the people who have a pet by their side, it ultimately becomes their first child. Regardless of the fact whether you have a baby or not, your dog taught you the definition of unconditional love, the amount of joy a simple wagging tail can bring to you. The pet parents regard their pets not just as a guardian of the entire family but indeed an inseparable part of the family.
Just like the dogs have stood by the side while you achieved various milestones in your life, you too have been seeing your dog aging. Even though they would play with you for hours and hours together, run around in your backyard, they do become slow do with the passage of time. From being your alarm clock every morning, it is you now who has to wake them up to feed them breakfast.
It is very hard to see your pet baby age and there is nothing that you can do to stop it. But here is what you can do to make the entire process more comfortable — feed them with CBD oil.
CBD oil has been proven to support and provide health to the joints and hips of animals. A single drop of CBD oil will take them a long way and make aging easier for them. There is no denial to the fact that sadly you cannot make your dog live forever but you can help in keeping them fresh and happy by simply incorporating a small amount of CBD oil to their daily routine.
CBD Oil As A Powerful Antiemetic
Nausea and vomiting are one of the most common symptoms which may be a result of certain specific conditions or medications such as chemotherapy. Nausea and vomiting are regarded as serious symptoms among human beings and dogs alike which can also lead to low appetite, rapid weight loss, fatigue, dehydration and more. A few more reasons why your pet may be experiencing nausea or vomiting may be due to aging or specific health conditions he may be suffering from.
There are many antiemetic medications available in the market and some of the most common ones that are advised for cats and dogs include chlorpromazine, acepromazine, aminopentamide, among many others. While these medications can help in reducing and controlling vomiting and nausea, they can trigger a large number of side effects some of which include:
• Strong sedition
• Lethargy
• Uncontrolled drooling
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhea
• Hypertension
• Lowered seizure thresholds for animals with epilepsy
It is because of plenty of negative side effects that make CBD a smart pick as a natural health alternative for pets.
There is a lot of evidence which proves that CBD can be used as a successful antiemetic, can help in controlling nausea and vomiting. It can also stimulate the appetite and regular consumption of CBD can help in reducing anxiety by activating the 5-HT1A receptors.
The 5-HT1A receptors are the same receptors that help in reducing anxiety levels in dogs. By the activation of these receptors, CBD can reduce the urge of vomiting reflex, and subsequently suppress the feelings of nausea. Stimulation of CB1 cannabinoid receptors over a prolonged period in the brain of dogs can help in the reduction of vomiting and nausea.
Some theories also suggest that CBD is a way better antiemetic than certain modern prescribed medications. The best reason why you should add CBD to the day to day routine of your pet is that it does not seem to cause any kind of side effects, unlike the traditional antiemetic medications, do.
CBD Oil Can Slow Down The Growth Of Tumor
One of the most common ailments among pets is the different kinds of malicious tumor and cancer which in many cases prove to be fatal. Everybody knows that until today, there is no cure that has been found for cancer and the treatment usually focuses on slowing down the growth of tumor which also reduces pain and other symptoms related to cancer.
Chemotherapy is one of the most common treatments that are given to pets in order to give them relief from growing cancer and tumors. Just like chemotherapy has a number of side effects on human beings, the pets too to suffer from a lot of negative effects some of which include:
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Lethargy
• Constant tiredness
• Diarrhea
Recently, a new study suggested that cannabinoids such as CBD have unique anti-cancerous properties as well. Researchers have just started to explore the ways in which cannabinoids can successfully help in slowing down the growth, the ways to curb the spread of cancer and even reduce the size of tumors.
CBD oil was tested on rats and it was found that cannabinoids can protect them against colon cancer by stopping the growth, development, and spread of serious tumors. CBD along with other cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant can also intensify the effect that traditional chemotherapy has on the body of humans and dogs alike. CBD increases the rate by which cancer cells absorb the chemotherapy agents and also constantly protect healthy cells. That being said, there are a lot of studies that are still trying to explore the different methods in which CBD and other cannabinoids can be used to treat cancer.
CBD Oil Promotes Homeostasis
To understand the effect that CBD has on homeostasis in our body, it is important to understand what homeostasis is in the first case.
Homeostasis is a word that describes the process of maintaining internal balance in an ever-changing external environment. When it comes to humans, homeostasis may refer to a plethora of independent yet interdependent processes that make sure to keep our body functioning properly.
The main reason why our body may experience fluctuations is dependent on a lot of external factors. For instance, think of the ways in which stress, temperature, or even the food and drinks that you consume have an impact on the way your body works.
To simplify it further for you, take for example on a particularly hot day, your blood pressure may drop which can leave you feeling nauseous, light-headed and excessively tired. But if you are preparing for an exam, it may increase your blood pressure which would leave you dealing with headaches, feeling anxious, and other physical symptoms.
Homeostasis ensures that the biological systems of our body function to the best of their ability and a balance is maintained. At times when the balance of our body gets thrown out, it is only then that the disease and illness strike.
A study suggests that our endocannabinoid system plays a crucial role in maintaining this balance in our body because of its involvement in a wide array of bodily processes. Once the endocannabinoid system in our body is stimulated, cannabinoids such as CBD help in promoting the homeostasis in the body. This is one of the main reasons why a lot of pet owners use CBD not just as a medicine to treat a specific illness but also as a regular supplement in order to add to the overall health and well-being of their pet.
The chemicals which are derived from the cannabis plant have been found to influence the homeostasis within the body of a mammal to a great extent. These chemicals have the tendency to enhance and reduce the activity of certain systems which also ultimately act as biological regulators. The endocannabinoid system comprises of signaling lipids, enzymes, G proteins along with receptors which are known as CB1 and CB2 receptors.
Apart from playing a critical role in maintaining the homeostasis in the body, the endocannabinoid system is also involved in neural plasticity and neuroprotection, immunity and inflammation, emotional memory, pain, hunger, and metabolism.
CBD Oil As An Anticonvulsant
CBD oil has excellent properties that help in controlling tics, tremors, seizures, and spasms. It is because of these properties that CBD is regarded as the natural anticonvulsant. These amazing benefits of CBD oil of being a natural anticonvulsant were first discovered in 2013 when the story of Charlotte Figi, a young girl who was suffering from epilepsy, made waves across the globe.
The only way in which she could manage close to 300 seizures in a single week was to consume tincture made from CBD compound rich cannabis. That tincture is now famously known as Charlotte’s Web. Ever since the story made headlines all across the world, numerous studies have shown that CBD oil can help in managing different kinds of spasms, tics, and tremors.
Another interesting series of studies suggest that the consumption of CBD can help in managing seizures which are caused by epilepsy. Also, on the other hand, it has also been found that THC along with CBD can help in aiding the spasticity caused by multiple sclerosis and that cannabidiol can help a person suffering from tics and tremors which may be caused due to the Tourette’s syndrome.
Even though we know that CBD is a wonderful anticonvulsant yet it is not quite clear how it works. Generally, uncontrolled and rapid firing of neurons in the brain are believed to cause seizures. The primary investigations have help in concluding that CBD can help in restoring the order to these neurons, making them fire normally and most importantly prevent the onset of seizures.
Surveys suggest that close to 5% of dogs suffer from seizures. Most of them are given strong drugs including phenobarbital and potassium bromide. These drugs for sure help in controlling the seizures among dogs but sadly, where can be extremely hard on the liver and other organs of your dog.
You must note that these drugs do not work in all cases whereas CBD has been proven to work well to resist epilepsy. When animals are given CBD, you can see a sure shot improvement in about 4 to 5 months.
CBD Oil Promotes Cardiovascular Health
Researchers from the University of Nottingham in Derby, UK wrote a review that talked about the existing research around CBD oil to treat the cardiovascular system. The human and animal bodies, along with the plant cannabis tend to produce cannabinoids which can cause vasorelaxation. Anandamide too has been for instance linked to causing vasorelaxation a lot of studies from around the world.
However, it is not clear how exactly Anandamide can cause the effect but it may be mainly because different studies point to different possible mechanisms.
Another study suggests that the endocannabinoid system plays a very important role in mediating the heart attacks and it could potentially target to minimize the damage it causes on the tissues.
Further, it also states that CBD oil can help in the reduction of arrhythmias and the potential risk of heart failure. In 2010, a study was conducted on lab rats to determine if CBD oil can be used as cardioprotection. The rats were given a dose of CBD oil about 10 minutes before they underwent a coronary artery occlusion and reperfusion.
To put it in simple terms for you; the researchers mimicked a heart attack by inducing a temporary blockage in the coronary artery of the rats. After that, the researchers looked for irregularities in the heartbeat (that are also known as arrhythmias) to understand and determine the amount of dead tissue in the heart of the animals followed by a heart attack.
The entire procedure found that CBD could significantly reduce arrhythmias and infarct size when CBD was administered before beginning the process. These theories are not just confined to a single study. The cardio protectant properties of CBD oil have been examined by another body of scientists who published a study in the Journal of The American College of Cardiology.
Heart disease and diabetes are very closely related and the effects of diabetes can complicate the cardiovascular system in a lot of ways. The study examined the effects of CBD oil on some of the principal causes of diabetic heart issues.
It was found that problems in the cardiovascular system of people suffering from diabetes were the result of poor heart function, fibrosis, oxidative stress, enhanced cell death and disruptions in the blood flow particularly in the left ventricle and at times inflammation of the cardiac tissue is well. In the end, researchers concluded that CBD can help in reducing:
• The disruptions in blood flow in the left ventricle
• Cell death
• The beginning and hardening of connective tissue in the heart known as fibrosis
• Oxidative stress and inflammation in muscle tissue
• Protect the blood vessels from damage and dilate the arteries
• Reduce the blood pressure and heart rate associated with anxiety and stress
They also concluded that CBD is an extremely safe supplement that can be easily given to the animals which is well tolerated by them and that it has great therapeutic potential in treating cardiovascular issues and other diabetic complications.
How To Choose A Good CBD Oil For Your Dog?
Not two CBD oils are the same. You will want to pick high quality CBD oil which works for a particular condition or the overall health of your doggo. Here, we have compiled a list of few things that you should definitely check while settling down for a particular brand of CBD oil.
CBD Oil Should Be Absolutely Organic
CBD oil which is not organic may contain fungicides, solvents and other pesticides which can make it an unhealthy pick for your furbaby.
Do Not Try To Look For Cheap CBD Oil
The quality and purity in CBD oil come with a cost. The better the quality and purity, the higher the cost. Do not think of the price while buying CBD oil. Instead, make sure that the one that you are buying is free of additives and has a good amount of CBD in it.
Make Sure To Check For The Lab Analysis
Do not shy away from asking for lab analysis just to be sure about the amount of CBD present in the product. Mostly, the CBD oils readily found in the market only contain small amounts of CBD. The manufacturing brand should be able to provide you a certificate of analysis. Also, you will want to be sure that there is little or no THC present in the product that you want to feed your pet with.
Buy CBD As A Tincture
Even though there are a lot of CBD products that are flooding the market but the best form is buying it in a tincture. The reason why tinctures are absolutely amazing is that it lets you adjust the amount of dose on a drop to drop basis so that you can maximize the benefits he gets from CBD oil.
Start Slow
Just like human beings, it is very important to feed your dog with small amounts of CBD oil and increase the dosage gradually.
Final Word
If your dog suffers from anxiety or stress, chronic inflammatory conditions such as arthritis or cancer, epilepsy, chronic pain or phobias, it is highly recommended that you should give CBD oil a try. Make sure to start giving the dose slowly and in small amounts and you will see that the results will amaze you. Do not let the naysayers convince you that CBD oil is not a good option for your dog as there is a lot of researches going on all over the world and the results are very promising.
