Just like a human member of your family, pets experience challenges in life like stress, anxiety, pain, inflammation, and mind-body changes. Offering CBD for senior dogs may help your pup stay calm and comfortable.
Many people who want to make their dogs’ lives healthier and happier are “CBD curious.” A 2021 survey by the cannabis consumer watchdog Leafreport revealed that 50% of participating dog and cat owners gave their pets CBD.
This short guide will help you find answers to common questions pet owners have about CBD for senior dogs, including:
- What is CBD?
- How does CBD work in pets’ bodies?
- What are the benefits of CBD for canine companions?
- What should I look for in a CBD product for pets?
- How much CBD should I give my aging dog?
What is CBD?
CBD (cannabidiol) is a natural essential oil found in the hemp variety of the cannabis plant. Under the 2018 Hemp Farming Act, hemp became legal to grow again in the United States. This hemp must contain less than 0.3 percent THC, the psychoactive compound found in cannabis.
Since hemp-based CBD products contain little to no THC, your pup will not experience a high commonly associated with THC. Even better, CBD is also a type of signaling compound known as a cannabinoid.
When your dog’s naturally-occurring cannabinoids become depleted, CBD may step in to mimic them. Why is this so important?
CBD and Your Dog’s Endocannabinoid System
Everyone has cannabinoids in their body that work in the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), and your dog is no exception! The ECS uses these endocannabinoids (naturally-occurring internal cannabinoids) to manage a lot of healthy processes within your dog’s body, including optimizing:
- Appetite and Digestion
- Metabolism
- Nerve Cell Protection
- Memory
- Immunity
- Pain Regulation
- Inflammatory Responses
Sometimes the endocannabinoids within your pet’s ECS become depleted, a condition known as Endocannabinoid Deficiency. Your dog may experience stress, anxiety, indigestion, diarrhea, pain, inflammation, aggressive tendencies, and poor sleeping habits when this happens.
CBD helps replenish these endocannabinoids and makes it easier for them to bind to key receptors. This process can help positively balance your dog’s health, especially as they age.
The Benefits of CBD for Your Aging Dog
Pet owners looking to support the health and wellness of their aging dog may turn to CBD for many ailments. These include joint pain, anxiety, seizures, lack of appetite, mobility issues, low energy, and inflammation.
A growing body of scientific research reveals that CBD may:
- Help elevate energy levels by increasing mitochondria
- Assist with your dog’s anxiety issues
- Reduce cancer cell spread in canine cancer
- Increase appetite by regulating nausea
- Reduce pain and elevate mobility levels in dogs who have osteoporosis (arthritis)
- Positively regulate inflammation to protect nerve cells
- Act as an antioxidant to reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases
- Assist with canine seizure control
- Help treat strep throat and other bacterial infections
- Improve skin issues in dogs to help reduce itching
- Help both animals and people get a better night’s sleep
What to Look For
Gentle and effective canine CBD formulas contain no pesticides or heavy metals and are cruelty-free, meaning they’re not tested on animals. Look for ‘CBD isolate,’ which means the product contains pure CBD oil and no THC (the ingredient in cannabis responsible for the “high” some users experience). CBD isolates are also free of other cannabis ingredients like terpenes and additional cannabinoids, making them ideal for even the most sensitive pups.
CBD oils are an optimal choice for senior dogs because they use a natural carrier oil to help with the absorbency of CBD. They can be mixed with pet food or taken straight. Plus, CBD oil like Allvane’s Bacon Flavored CBD Oil Canine Formula includes tasty flavors that help your pet enjoy the natural benefits of CBD!
Check out our CBD 101 Guide to learn more about the highest quality CBD products – for you and your pet.
CBD Dosing for Senior Dogs
As with pets of all ages, start with a lower dose of CBD for senior dogs to see how they tolerate it. You should also check with your veterinarian before beginning a CBD regime. While CBD is generally considered safe and has few side effects, it can interact with some medications.
Begin by giving your dog 0.2 mg of CBD for every pound they weigh. For example, if your dog weighs 25 pounds, you can multiply 25 by 0.2 mg to get the dosage. In this example, you would give your dog 5mg of CBD.
Some conditions, such as joint pain, cancer, and anxiety, may require somewhat higher doses of CBD. You can discuss dosing for your dog’s specific conditions with your veterinarian.
Contact us today to get started using CBD to help boost your senior dog’s overall quality of life and make their golden years happy and healthy!