Being a dog owner is a huge responsibility, but the responsibilities also bring a lot of benefits, and happiness is the most important one. However, one of those responsabilities is making sure that our pets are happy and leading healthy lifestyles.
This can be very difficult to do when our dogs surpass a certain age. Did you know that dogs start to get very prompt to suffering from certain diseases after the age of 10? Even after they’ve turned 5 years old, they might have to deal with several physical conditions that can cause a lot of pain, inflammation, and in some cases, depression.
Very good examples of these conditions include things like joint pain caused by old age, inflammatory diseases like arthritis and cancer, a reduction of mobility caused by the pain and inflammation, as well as an overall reduction of their appetite.
That is why, as pet owners, we should take proper countermeasures. Regular vet visits can help detect an issue before it becomes serious. Additionally, Bivvy’s dog health insurance can protect your pet in case of an accident or illness. This is an affordable option to prevent the financial burden of unexpected medical expenses. Furthermore, it can help you pay for some of the costs related to emergency care, hospitalization, prescription medicine, blood tests, and more. When it comes to arthritis, there are many things you can do, as stated by https://thebark.com/content/vet-advice-relieving-your-dogs-arthritis. However, back in the day, the most common approach involved the use of traditional drugs like painkillers and anti-inflammatories, but these are well known for causing a lot of side effects in the long-term run.
That is why pet owners have started to rely on an alternative method of treatment known as CBD. But what is CBD? Is it safe for dogs? And how does it work? In this article, we will cover the most important aspects pet owners should be aware of before using CBD, and teach how to use it as well.
Understanding CBD and Medicinal Cannabis
To understand CBD, we first need to understand how medicinal cannabis works. Medicinal cannabis has been used as one of the most reliable methods of treatment ever since ancient times. It was capable of reducing inflammation, alleviating pain, calming down nerves, and greatly reduce stress.
However, with the rise of its popularity, a lot of people started to misuse and misinterpret it as a very bad thing to consume. Thankfully, medicinal cannabis has been properly researched and studied, and now its presence in the current society has been accepted, to the point of being legalized in several countries all around the world.
CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is a compound that can be found in this plant, and all products derived from CBD are capable of granting the same results. However, there’s a big difference between the two… In comparison to medicinal cannabis, CBD products are not psychoactive, so they don’t get people high.
Why CBD is More Reliable
The reason why cannabidiol is incapable of being psychoactive is simple: it contains really low levels of THC. THC is the main compound found in the cannabis plant, and it is what provides the plant with its psychoactive capabilities.
However! Cannabidiol-based products are known for being created by using a different plant, known as the hemp plant. This plant has, originally, low levels of THC, reaching up to 0.5% of its chemical structure.
That is why the compound is much more reliable, just because it is capable of providing benefits without getting you high… But is it safe for dogs?
Why CBD is Safe for Pets
When medicinal cannabis and marijuana were legalized, vets started to receive a lot of cases in were pets were intoxicated because of THC. Sadly, a lot of dog owners didn’t know that THC is actually toxic for most animals…
The reason is simple: THC and CBD work in a very similar way since they target a compound of neurotransmitters known as the endocannabinoid system. These neurotransmitters are, to some extend, related to a great variety of functions of the body, and this is the reason why they can reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, reduce stress, as well as improve the quality of sleep.
However, the approach THC takes is much more aggressive, and its effects are much stronger. Now… Animals have a much more sensitive endocannabinoid system, meaning that they are much more prompt to being intoxicated for long periods because of this specific compound.
Thankfully, because of the low levels of THC found in CBD-based medication, this is no longer a problem!
CBD Oil
Among the products available in the market for use, CBD oil is probably the most commonly used, just because of its availability and how easily it can be used. If you look at this Holistapet product, you’ll get a solid idea of what I’m talking about.
The greatest aspect of oil is that thanks to droppers, finding the right dosage for your pet is much more doable. The right dose is difficult to find just because there are many factors involved in the process: the dog’s height, weight, and breed, for example, might affect the dose.
Still, droppers can become a really useful tool for finding the right dosage for your dog. Most stores also provide a chart showcasing information you should have in mind when coming up with a dose as well, so you shouldn’t worry too much about it.
A general rule of thumb is that, if your dogs suffer from side effects, you should reduce the dosage. Side effects are way harmless in comparison to the ones caused by traditional medicines like pain killers and anti-inflammatories since they usually only involve things like vomiting and diarrhea. However, make sure to pay attention to your dog during the first days of use, then decide based on the results.
