Despite its legal and ethical implications, cannabis has been in use for pain management and alleviation of various health conditions for over 5000 years. Used in the regulation of diabetes and the fight against cancer, depression, and several other diseases, there is more to marijuana than its status as a controlled substance with great abuse potential. Apart from its medical applications, today the plant drives a multi-billion dollar industry with products ranging from cosmetics to chocolates.
Unlike many other derivatives of cannabis, CBD (Cannabidiol) oil is devoid of THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), the chemical compound that imparts intoxicating properties, and therefore finds itself useful in the treatment of conditions like anxiety, depression, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, and so on. Of all the cannabis derivatives, CBD oil has found the most number of applications in the medical world that do not confine to human beings.
There is nothing more helpless than seeing your favorite animal suffer from illnesses. CBD oil is very popularly used to help dogs, both young and aged, deal with a lot of health crises. If you do not want to be a mere onlooker the next time your furry friend is in pain or needs extra care, keep reading about the benefits of CBD oil for dogs.
Table of Contents
Benefits of CBD Oil for Dogs
Pain Management
Is your dog suffering from a chronic disease such as arthritis? Did your dog just undergo surgery? Is it disabled or aged? Pain management is one of the many benefits of CBD oil for dogs. Though your dog’s veterinarian might have prescribed opioids to deal with the pain, they come with serious side effects such as liver damage and chemical dependence. On the contrary, studies show that administering CBD oil to dogs alleviates their pain without side effects.
Reduces Inflammation
Inflammation in dogs is usually countered with Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs or NSAIDs. Since this medication deals with inflammations aggressively, it jeopardizes the health and immunity of the dogs, especially senile dogs. These drugs also affect the normal functions of the liver and kidneys, the long term use of the same can even prove fatal. CBD oil’s strong anti-inflammatory properties make it the perfect alternative medication for inflammations in dogs with lesser side effects. It is even found to slow down the progress of diseases such as osteoarthritis by reducing inflammation.
Helps Deal with Seizures
One of the major benefits of CBD oil for dogs is its control over dog seizures. Seizure is one of the most common diseases in dogs, the reasons of which include cancer, liver or kidney diseases, head injuries, flea products, and even vaccines. Even with conventional medication, 30 percent of dogs will continue to go through bouts of seizures. Epilepsy can also cause regular seizures in dogs causing the dog to twitch or shake uncontrollably, get agitated, breathing uncontrollably, fall to a side with stiff limbs, and so on. Researchers show that CBD oil is a highly effective anti-convulsant that interacts with CB1 receptors (receptors that are affected by seizures) of the endocannabinoid system to decrease the frequency and severity of seizures.
Relieves Nausea and Other Digestive Issues
Of all the digestive issues that dogs encounter, nausea is the most common, which is often caused by the consumption of something toxic, stale or uneatable. Until the symptoms start showing, it is very difficult to tell when your dog has digestive issues. The most common symptoms of faulty digestion in dogs include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, increased chewing/ licking, loss of appetite, etc. Administering CBD oil to dogs with digestive issues helps in releasing biochemicals that enhance the functions of the endocannabinoid system, thereby restoring normal digestion. The system is responsible for regulating the digestive biochemicals that are essential to digestion and also stimulates the digestive receptors that are responsible for digestion and bowel movements.
Reduces Anxiety
From having nightmares every day to restlessness and panting, anxiety in dogs is not a pleasant experience for the owner or the dog. The common trigger factors include a new home, thunderstorms, fireworks, and other loud noises, the death of a family member, other separations, and so on. CBD oil for dogs is one of the best ways to calm your stressed-out dog. It enhances the body’s natural capability to produce serotonin, a mood-stabilizing neurotransmitter. It interacts with the dog’s endocannabinoid system to calm the dog down.
With oral administration being the most common method, adding CBD oil for pets to your pet care products is one of the wisest decisions to make as far as your companion’s health is concerned. Its cardiac benefits, ability to stimulate appetite and anti-inflammatory properties have all been substantiated with researches. Remember, it is always better to choose organic CBD products to keep your dog away from harmful solvents such as benzene and hexane. To protect your dog from side effects, make sure you use only the dosage prescribed by the doctor.