The stigma surrounding cannabis is starting to dissolve, especially in Canada where it’s legal. People have recognized the various benefits associated with this special plant. Scientific research has shown CBD oil for pets as being one of the most therapeutic compounds ever discovered.
In Canada, CBD oil is considered to be helpful for dogs and other pets with various conditions. For instance, anxiety, arthritis, chronic pain, diabetes, etc. Therefore, Canadian pet owners have started using CBD products for their furry friends more and more. In this article we are going to look at 6 different ways that CBD can help your pets.
- Your Dog’s Anxiety
It can be difficult to recognize anxiety in your dog or other pet. This can present in many different ways, just as it does in humans. However, they can’t communicate how they are feeling. Therefore, diagnosing anxiety happens gradually. The pet owner is encouraged to observe the pet’s behavior over a prolonged period of time and make notes on any changes. You may also want to consult with a veterinarian.
Common symptoms of anxiety include aggression, urinating, excessive barking/pacing, restlessness, compulsive behaviors, etc. Their anxiety may be triggered by short or long-term changes. Some common reasons are fear, separation, or aging.
Veterinarians have previously prescribed similar medications that they would to humans. These are classified as ‘SSRI’s.’ This means that they are selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors. However, there are usually harsh side effects that are associated with these drugs. For example, your dog may experience a loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, etc. There is also no guarantee that these medications will be helpful to your pet.
Luckily, CBD can be beneficial in alleviating anxiety-related symptoms. This has been evidenced in studies with both humans and animals. CBD works the same in dogs as it does in humans. This compound interacts with the body’s naturally occurring endocannabinoid system (ECS) to relieve these experiences.
CBD is completely natural. Accordingly, there is no risk of overdose. Pet owners are able to try different products and dosages with their furry friends. This leaves room for experimentation.
- Pain Management
CBD has become most well-known for its pain management properties. Again, this is through CBD’s interaction with the ECS. Some scientists believe that CBD activates this system to inhibit pain receptors. However, the exact interactions are not entirely known. Therefore, further research is required in order to fully understand how CBD works.
We do know that CBD has many anti-inflammatory properties. These properties result in pain-relief. Some people have started to use CBD products as an alternative to traditional medication.
Similar to anti-anxiety medication, pain relief medication is also associated with many harmful side effects. This includes nausea, vomiting, constipation, dizziness, and sedation. Furthermore, many of these medications are habit-forming. This means that there’s a higher likelihood for dependency. Clearly, these medications are not ideal for pets.
Many pet owners begin by slowly introducing CBD for pain management. They use CBD in conjunction with pharmaceuticals, or eventually integrate CBD as the main pain reliever overtime.
- CBD for your Pet’s Arthritis Symptoms
Arthritis is a common ailment in dogs. This can be defined as an inflammation of the joints. Arthritis causes stiffness and discomfort, accordingly it can be extremely painful. There is long-term damage to the bones and cartilage as a result.
Treatment for arthritis in dogs is miniscule. Therefore, the ultimate goal is managing the symptoms related to arthritis. Scientists have found that CBD affects inflammatory molecules and immune cells that are specifically related to arthritis. This means that it can reduce the rate at which dogs experience this disorder.
It is evident that further testing is needed in order to understand the true potential of CBD in relation to arthritis. However, the current research is promising. This also relates to the human world. These studies could undoubtedly impact dog lives as well as human ones.
- Heart Health Improvement
Many dogs suffer from cardiovascular health. Unfortunately, the onset is gradual. It’s hard to identify the decline from the beginning. Accordingly, pet owners are not able to mitigate symptoms until the later stages.
Veterinarians firmly believe that prevention is more effective than treatment. CBD proves to be a great prevention tool. Research has found that CBD may be helpful in preventing or delaying the onset of heart problems.
Furthermore, some studies have shown that CBD oil can be beneficial in the later stages as well. CBD has shown a reduction in damaged blood vessels. It has also been shown to improve irregular heart rates. Evidently, the blood vessels can be protected from more damage.
- CBD can aid in your Dog’s Digestive Health
Your dog will inevitably experience digestive issues throughout their lifetime. This is the result of various factors. For instance, eating poor-quality food, overeating, or even swallowing foreign objects. However, it could be due to a more serious ailment such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This can be anxiety-inducing for the owner as we always want to ensure that our pets are feeling their very best.
CBD has proven to have many anti-inflammatory properties. Accordingly, it can reduce inflammation in the bowels. It can also return the gut to a more stable state. For instance, it can help with loss of appetite, nausea, or diarrhea.
Digestive health is usually combatted with pharmaceutical medications. This is similar to other ailments that we have discussed. However, these drugs are inorganic and difficult to understand. Therefore, more pet owners are shifting towards using natural remedies.
- CBD to Treat Seizures
The exact cause of seizures in dogs remains unknown. Typically, it is an inherited disorder. Nonetheless, it is a traumatic experience for the dog. It is also terrifying to witness as the pet owner.
Studies have shown that there is a correlation between seizure frequency and amount of CBD found in the blood stream. These are encouraging results for dog owners who struggle to manage their pet’s seizures.
CBD-based drugs have helped treat seizures in humans. Manufacturers have started to use CBD in products that could help dogs as well. It is clear that we are just at the beginning stages of understanding how CBD can truly be beneficial. There is no doubt that further research will indicate how CBD can work the best.
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