CBD for Senior Dogs - what you need to know
Dogs are so much more than pets—they’re family. As family, it can be heartbreaking to see them winding down and heading towards the end of their life. Arthritis is the number one cause of chronic pain in dogs and can cause a number of problems for older dogs including stiff joints, pain, and mobility issues. Of course, we want to see our dogs live long, healthy, happy lives. If you’re looking for holistic methods of caring for your senior dog, CBD is a great option to consider.
What is CBD?
If you’re not entirely sure what CBD is, this is an excellent place to start in your inquiry of whether CBD is right for your dog. Even if you are familiar, we’d like to provide you some information for your knowledgebase.
CBD is shorthand for Cannabidiol, a biologically occurring cannabinoid component of cannabis. It is one of many cannabinoids derived from hemp, or the cannabis plant. Full-spectrum CBD oils (which are the most effective) include all beneficial cannabinoids found in the hemp plant.
Since CBD is non-psychoactive, you don’t have to be concerned about behavior changes in your pet. Emerging studies show the benefits CBD produces in humans, which also points to the health-enhancement available for your beloved dog.
How Does CBD Affect My Pet?
Full-spectrum CBD positively influences the endocannabinoid receptors in the peripheral and central nervous systems. The function of these receptors is critical in the ability of your pets’ body to sustain a state of homeostasis, or balance.
Endocannabinoid receptors act as neurotransmitters, sending and receiving information from the brain to body, and the body to brain. CBD affects these neurotransmissions through sensory regulation—upregulating or downregulating the neuroactivity, to produce vital homeostasis.
What does this mean for your pet? Their body and brain maintain the equilibrium required for optimum health.
What Are the Benefits?
There are many benefits to using Full-Spectrum CBD products in supporting your dog's mobility or overall health and wellbeing; we’ll explore some of the advantages here.
- Anti-inflammatory properties help reduce the risk of disease (inflammation is at the source of all disease)
- Anticonvulsant properties regulates spasms, tics, tremors, and seizures
- Neurotransmission enhancement properties act as natural painkillers (for stiff or deteriorating joints, arthritis, and other pain)
- Neurotransmission enhancement properties act to diminish stress or anxiety in your pet, as their capacity to maintain homeostasis increases from the CBD action on the nervous and peripheral systems
- Antiemetic properties ease reflexes, both reducing nausea or upset stomach, and stimulating a healthy appetite
- Neurotransmission enhancement properties act to reduce the risk of tumor manifestation, and may diminish the growth of, or spread of malignant tumors
How it works
What’s truly amazing about the action of CBD in these processes, is that canines have specific receptors for CBD, by design, as described above and elaborated on here.
The endocannabinoid system is a biological structure inherent in all mammal species and is responsible for overseeing a wide spectrum of biological mechanisms, such as immune responses and reactions, memory, sleep, and others.
The cannabinoid receptors are constructed to network with endocannabinoids, the naturally occurring cannabinoids produced by the brain. As studies have shown, these receptors also interact with the cannabinoids of plant-derivative CBD, to produce a variety of beneficial responses in the brain and body, as we’ve explored.
While CBD is not a miracle cure, it has the potential to help reduce inflammation, improve mobility, and help keep your senior dog comfortable while you both enjoy the last few years of his life.
Choosing the Right Product for Your Dog
Just as you’d want the very best medicines available for a family member, it’s important to choose a high-quality CBD product. Marley's Medicinals offers several products to choose from all formulated with Full-spectrum CBD containing all beneficial compounds found in the Hemp plant. All of our products are grown and produced in manufacturing facilities in Colorado. These facilities are GMP certified and registered by the FDA. Our commitment to safety and purity is guaranteed through third-party testing. Each batch of CBD is tested individually, and a Certificate of Analysis is available for every product we offer. Our products are free of pesticides, phthalates, parabens, additives, and preservatives.
Here’s to a long, happy, and healthy life for your senior dog!