CBD for Dog Joint Support: Does It Work?

As our canine friends age they can begin to experience joint discomfort in a similar fashion to their humans. Some breeds can be especially susceptible to joint issues, and breed-specific back and hip problems can sideline even the most playful of pups. 

As pet parents, our biggest concern is always to ensure their wellbeing, but we want to make sure that anything we give them is safe and sustainable.

An Overview of Joint Discomfort

The cause for joint discomfort in your dog should always be evaluated by her dog’s veterinarian to rule out injuries like strains, sprains, bone breaks, and/or diseases that require specific treatment. Once your vet has prescribed a course of treatment for your pet, it’s a good time to speak to them about the medications they will want your dog to take. Typically, there are two common types of medications that are prescribed for dog joint discomfort. 

• NSAIDs. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are often prescribed for dogs who experience joint discomfort. Unfortunately, these drugs can be damaging to the kidneys and liver when taken long term. They can also produce unwanted side effects like ulcers in the stomach and intestines, appetite loss, vomiting, and diarrhea. 

• Opiates. Opiate medication reduces your dog’s joint discomfort by binding to specific receptors in her brain. These medications can make your dog comfortable, but can come with some pretty harsh side effects themselves. They can cause weakness, drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, and loss of appetite. 

Although your dog may benefit from the use of NSAIDs and/or opiates, you may be able to also relieve discomfort with a natural solution like CBD oil. 

CBD For Dogs

If you’re unfamiliar with CBD, we can help. VETCBD provides high-quality, full-spectrum CBD oil tinctures specially crafted for your pets. Our tinctures are formulated by a veterinarian with an extensive knowledge of the medicinal use of CBD and cannabis related products. 

CBD is an abbreviation for cannabidiol, which is a plant-based compound (called a cannabinoid) found in the flowers of the hemp plant. Full spectrum CBD oil is extracted from the flowers of the hemp plant along with other essential cannabinoids and usable plant parts. These plant parts work together to bring your pet the maximum benefit that CBD can deliver. 

When selecting a CBD oil for your dog, it is important you select full-spectrum oil and not isolate oil. Isolate oil contains only cannabidiol and no other usable plant parts essential to delivering the full benefits of CBD. As such, the benefit your dog receives from an isolate oil is much less potent than that of an full-spectrum oil. VETCBD’s CBD oil tinctures are only made with full-spectrum oil, as studies have shown that is the most effective way to get the maximum CBD benefits to your dog. 

Why Should You Give Your Dog CBD? 

Your dog can benefit from CBD usage because it can help to soothe joint discomfort and provide opportunity for more regular mobility.

Is It Safe? 

The World Health Organization did not find evidence that cannabidiol was unsafe for animals in a 2017 report, and did not find any negative side effects from long term use.

Benefits of CBD 

CBD oil can be beneficial to your dog in numerous ways, in addition to its ability to manage their joint discomfort. One of the best benefits of CBD oil is its mental and emotional soothing effects. 

Your dog may experience occasional stress and restlessness from time to time, or may be experiencing it because of any joint discomfort. CBD is thought to interact with the body’s stress management system and help regulate the response from the inside, which may provide your dog some much needed relaxation. 

Signs/Causes of Joint Discomfort

If you suspect your dog is suffering from joint discomfort, you can look for signs and symptoms. Some of the classic symptoms of joint discomfort in dogs are:

• Trouble getting on and off furniture, or up and down stairs, when your dog was able to perform these movements previously
• Difficulty lying down and getting up from the floor or from bed
• Excessive grooming of limbs (especially licking continuously in one spot)
• Limping, or assuming an overly hunched, arched posture
• Behavior changes such as agitation and/or visible stress

Some dogs remain quite stoic until their discomfort level is simply intolerable, so it can be easy to overlook occasional mobility changes as accidents or events that aren’t linked to joint discomfort. A thorough exam by your dog’s veterinarian can usually help you determine what’s really going on with your dog’s overall mobility.

How Much Should You Give Your Dog?

Administering CBD to your dog to help with occasional joint discomfort can be tricky, as there’s no one-size-fits-all dosage that will work for every pet. Dogs differ across breeds, and every dog has different body chemistries. As a general rule, you can administer .2 mg of CBD to your dog per pound of body weight. It’s best to start off with half this amount, and then increase or decrease the dose as needed. 

You can give your dog CBD oil about every eight to twelve hours, or twice a day as needed, keeping in mind that your dog may need more or less depending on the concentration of the CBD tincture and their overall health. It’s best to consult a veterinary professional if you think your dog isn’t responding as well as you’d hoped to the CBD. 

Is It Safe?

You can administer more CBD to your dog on a more frequent basis, provided you do not think your dog is responding to the oil. Keep in mind that some dogs respond rapidly to CBD, while others may not show signs of benefit for up to two weeks. CBD is generally very well tolerated by canines.

If you think CBD oil is the right fit for your pup, explore VETCBD’s Hemp Tincture today and help your dog thrive. 

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antioxidant