CBD for pets has been a trending topic in recent times. Many tests have been conducted to determine the effects of CBD on illnesses that pets suffer as they grow older.

Some veterinarians conducted a clinical study to explore the effects of CBD oil on dogs with pain and other issues related to osteoarthritis.

These vets felt that frequently prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, treatments were not competent enough to provide arthritis pain relief that dogs needed.

Besides, the vets felt that the NSAIDs might be giving dogs kidney or gastrointestinal issues, especially in older dogs, and were looking for alternatives.

They also observed that other drugs commonly administered for neurological pain such as gabapentin and amantadine were not effective in dogs.

When they tested CBD oil, they discovered several improvements after administering the treatment for more than two weeks. Clinical results showed lower pain scores with CBD oil use that were comparable to the results from using NSAIDs.

The lameness or inability for dogs to move around was decreased with CBD oil, meaning the dogs moved more, whereas it increased with NSAID use (the dogs moved less.)

Also, based on anecdotal reports, many pet owners have reported using CBD for these issues with excellent results.

Below is a list of problems that CBD tackles when it comes to an aging pet:

CBD in animals

What is CBD? And how does it affect pets? CBD stands for cannabidiol, and it is extracted from the hemp plant. Hemp, also known as cannabis, has two primary compounds that affect the body of a human or animal: THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, and CBD or cannabidiol.

THC is responsible for the psychoactive properties of cannabis, and this is what produces a euphoric or “high” feeling when consumed. CBD, on the other hand, contains a negligible amount of THC and does not have this effect.

Humans and animals have receptors in tissues that process different parts of the hemp plant. These receptors or Endocannabidiol receptors are comprised of CB1 (cannabidiol 1) and CB2 (cannabidiol 2) receptors. These and other systems manage body functions including but not limited to anxiety, metabolism, and digestion.

According to CBD Kryo, CBD does not produce psychoactive effects because its receptors don’t bind with the CB1 agents that are responsible for that reaction. CBD does interact with the CB2 receptors, and these agents are responsible for inflammation, stress reduction, and other related functions.

It is only natural to question if administering CBD as a supplement to your pet is akin to administering marijuana. It is not, the THC in marijuana is dangerous to some pets, particularly dogs, because their CB1 receptors are super sensitive. CBD only contains .3% THC or less, and this amount is undetectable by these receptors.

CBD oil is shown to be the best way to absorb CBD. The chemical is extracted from the hemp plant and infused with olive, coconut, and other edible oils and put in an oil-based tincture or capsule form.

Mobility, Arthritis, Pain Management

Your pet may begin to lose their mobility as they get older. Along with this natural occurrence comes joint stiffness and muscle weakness. Arthritis is a prevalent condition that causes the loss of mobility and pain.

Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, is a condition that affects many older pets. This ailment happens when the cartilage that cushions bones breaks down over time. Arthritis can be degenerative and can damage any joint.

Pet owners, especially those with pets suffering the pains of arthritis, may notice that their beloved dog does not want to participate in the daily walks.

Some veterinarians conducted a clinical study to explore the effects of CBD oil on dogs with pain and other issues related to osteoarthritis. These vets felt that frequently prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, treatments were not competent enough to provide arthritis pain relief that dogs needed.

Also, the vets felt that the NSAIDs might be giving dogs kidney or gastrointestinal issues, especially in older dogs, and were looking for alternatives. They also observed that other drugs commonly administered for neurological pain such as gabapentin and amantadine were not effective in dogs.

When they tested CBD oil, they discovered several improvements after administering the treatment for more than two weeks. Clinical results showed lower pain scores with CBD oil use that were comparable to the results from using NSAIDs.

The lameness or inability for dogs to move around was decreased with CBD oil, meaning the dogs moved more, whereas it increased with NSAID use (the dogs moved less.)

Also, based on anecdotal reports, many pet owners have reported using CBD for these issues with excellent results.

Anxiety

Pet owner and D.V.M (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) Jeffery Powers noticed that his 10-year old Saint Bernard dog, Ella, would pant and pace at the sound of loud noises, especially those associated with celebrations. “The minute fireworks go off, she’s running to hide,” said Powers, in a Consumer Reports article.

Powers, who is also the vice-chairman of the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Council, says he used CBD and noticed that it helped his dog’s anxiety.

Powers is not the only one who has tested CBD on pets. Many other owners have noticed that anxiety is common in maturing pets and have used CBD to reduce symptoms.

CBD oil binds to CB2 receptors, and these regulate and help balance emotions. According to Healthcare Weekly, CBD helps with increasing serotonin levels, and this, in turn, can aid in reducing and alleviating issues of depression and anxiety.

Inflammation and Chronic Illnesses

Inflammation is how the body, be that of an animal or human, fights off infection-causing bacteria and viruses. Chronic inflammation sometimes occurs naturally with age and leads to long-term illnesses in pets. It is plausible that pain and lack of mobility further exacerbate this issue.

CBD oil has been successfully used by veterinarians and pet owners alike to provide relief from inflammation symptoms. Because CB2 receptors help modulate inflammation and pain, it can be a useful treatment for digestion, allergies, and autoimmune disorders.

Neurological Issues

Dr. Stephanie McGrath, a neurologist at Colorado State University, recently conducted a clinical study to figure out how cannabidiol, or CBD, could be used for dogs with epilepsy. This small study tested 16 dogs to review the short-term effects of CBD on seizure frequency.

McGrath gave nine dogs CBD and the other seven a placebo. Her study concluded that 89 percent of the dogs who received the CBD treatment had a significant reduction in the frequency of seizures. “It’s really exciting that perhaps we can start looking at CBD in the future as an alternative to existing anticonvulsive drugs,” she said.

Speak with your vet

CBD is being used by many concerned pet owners and veterinarians alike to alleviate symptoms associated with the aging process in pets. There is no FDA regulation on CBD as a prescribed medication.

Marijuana is illegal on a federal level, but more than half of the states here in the U.S. have legalized it on a local level, making it safe to use in those areas for both recreational and medicinal purposes. CBD oil is legal, however, as a result of the 2018 Farm Act, which legalized hemp that has a THC level of 0.3% or less.

“If a cannabis plant were to contain more than the 0.3 percent THC allowed, it would be classified as non-hemp cannabis, which removes the federal protections placed on it,” says an article on the Cool Things Chicago website.

The problem is that many manufacturers may not be accurately testing their product to ensure that it has the right amount of CBD in proportion to the THC. Higher levels of THC could be dangerous to your pet, as they have more sensitive CB1 receptors. Look at the label to ensure each CBD oil product has been tested for appropriate THC levels.

Overall, CBD oil has promising results in helping aging pets. Many vets support the use of CBD oil and are aware of the products most likely to work with your particular pet’s needs. Portion sizes matter and your pet may need a stronger dose of CBD or at least a certain amount of CBD to be present for its efficacy. Your vet is your best bet in finding this out. It’s prudent to begin researching with a vet to find the right product.

This article was written by Julian Gnatenco with JGBilling