Your beloved pooch is your treasured companion and family member—and in many cases, even your best friend. That’s why it hurts to see them in pain or discomfort, particularly as they age. Sometimes there is little your vet can do to help alleviate this discomfort. All is not lost, however, as a few organic treatments are very effective at providing relief to aging dogs. Stick with us as we walk you through everything you need to know about using CBD oils for older dogs.
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Contents
1. Common Ailments That Affect Aging Dogs
1.1 Degeneration of Sensory Function
1.2 Joint Problems
1.3 Dementia
1.4 Cancer
1.5 Heart Problems
1.6 Gastrointestinal Issues and Incontinence
1.7 Kidney Failure
2. The Benefits of CBD Oils for Your Pet
2.1 Pain Relief
2.2 CBD Helps to Mitigate against Convulsions
2.3 CBD Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties
2.4 CBD Reduces Mental Distress
2.5 CBD May Provide Antiemetic Relief
2.6 CBD May Impede the Development of Cancer
2.7 Promotes General Health
3. How to Choose CBD Oil in Pet Products for Dogs
3.1 Is It Organic?
3.2 Is It Too Cheap?
3.3 What Does the Label Say?
4. Conclusion
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1. Common Ailments That Affect Aging Dogs
As painful as the thought of losing your dog may be, dogs, unfortunately, have a much shorter life span than humans do. By the time a dog approaches the age of seven or thereabouts, they will be considered relatively old, depending on the breed. This is when you should be extra watchful for the signs of common doggie ailments.
For larger dogs, the aging process tends to happen faster and sometimes comes with a few more complications, especially concerning joint health. If you have a dog that is getting advanced in years, you will likely be concerned about proactively protecting their health. While you should generally ask your vet to provide you with detailed guidance for your particular breed, spotting the signs of trouble early can also help prevent more severe complications.
Check this out:
Here are the seven most common old-age health problems that dogs may face and the symptoms to watch out for.
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1.1 Degeneration of Sensory Function
As dogs age, just as with humans and other animals, sensory organs tend to undergo varying degrees of degeneration. In dogs, this phenomenon frequently occurs in the eyes, ears, and nose tissues, leading to losses of sight, smell, and hearing. Older dogs are also particularly predisposed to developing cataracts.
While there are a few anatomical and physiological signs of the onset of tissue degeneration in dogs, the symptoms will likely be most visible in behavioral changes. As dogs lose their senses of sight and smell, they may respond differently to their pet parent or other close family members.
Sometimes, these problems can be taken care of by regular care and proper hygiene, but do not hesitate to seek medical attention if you think your dog has begun to lose functionality in their sensory organs.
1.2 Joint Problems
Osteoarthritis in pets is one of the more common sources of concern, especially for larger breeds. Unfortunately, there is no cure for osteoarthritis, as the cartilage’s degeneration that leads to this condition is a natural part of the aging process. However, the good news is that the process can be slowed down and the pain minimized simply by ensuring that you keep your dog well-fed with proper nutrition.
1.3 Dementia
As previously noted, the ailments that affect dogs are generally similar to those that may affect human beings as they age. Dementia is one of these. The symptoms of dementia in dogs include loss of critical cognitive functions such as recognizing their owner or their surroundings. However, these symptoms are not always linked to dementia, as they may also be signs of degeneration in sensory organs or other ailments.
1.4 Cancer
Dogs can get cancer, too, but luckily, not all bumps and lumps that you may notice on your senior dog will be cancerous. To be sure, once you notice any new bumps, consult with your vet immediately, as delay might mean the development of severe health complications for your pet.
Additionally, cancerous lumps are not always visible, so be sure to take your dog for regular checks even if you do not notice any signs of cancerous growth. You may also proactively inhibit the growth of cancerous tumors by ensuring a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition, including the use of CBD oils such as Liposomal CBD Oil for Cats and Dogs.
1.5 Heart Problems
As dogs age, they become more prone to heart disease. In particular, dogs may experience congestive heart failure. The common symptoms of congestive heart failure may include loss of capacity for physical exercise, coughing and other respiratory complications, episodes of passing out, and vomiting. Individually, these may also be signs of milder issues, but you must report these to your vet right away once noticed.
1.6 Gastrointestinal Issues and Incontinence
While several issues may trigger gastrointestinal problems in older dogs, these are not always serious and can be treated by maintaining proper nutrition. However, these may sometimes point to more serious issues such as kidney disease.
If you notice any long-term vomiting or other gastrointestinal distress symptoms such as diarrhea, these may point to a more serious underlying problem. In these instances, you will need to seek medical attention for your dog as soon as possible.
1.7 Kidney Failure
With age, the risk of chronic kidney failure increases and is something to monitor closely. Chronic kidney failure cannot be cured; however, its symptoms can be managed with proper treatment.
A word of caution:
Kidney failure can be caused by some medication used to treat other health challenges, so as your dog ages, you may need to have a conversation with your vet about the types of medication they take.
This might have made for depressing reading so far, but now for the good news:
While aging and tissue degeneration is a reality for all dogs, there are readily available nutrients that can be administered to help provide relief or otherwise alleviate the symptoms of these conditions if and when they do occur. Of these, CBD oils have risen to prominence and come highly recommended. (Click to tweet)
Here’s what you need to know about CBD oils and dog health.
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2. The Benefits of CBD Oils for Your Pet
CBD is short for cannabidiol and is extracted primarily from the Cannabis sativa L. plant. To relieve any fears you might have, cannabidiol does not possess any of the psychoactive properties found in marijuana, which are contained mainly within tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). In other words, CBD products won’t get your dog high.
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You may be wondering:
Why does this matter for your dog? While it is still undergoing several studies, CBD is confirmed to provide a series of health benefits to dogs. Some of these are particularly relevant in helping to cushion the effects of the common dog ailments mentioned previously. Here they are:
2.1 Pain Relief
CBD products—and oils, in particular—help to provide significant relief for both humans and pets suffering from ailments such as chronic joint or back pain. (Click to tweet)
One 2016 study carried out on rats showed that CBD was capable of providing pain relief when administered in relatively high doses. [1]
While the precise biochemical mechanism that makes this possible is still under study, scientists believe that the endocannabinoid receptors found in each cell are responsible for this effect. For pets suffering from conditions that cause chronic pain, such as osteoarthritis, the use of CBD oils to support medical treatment may be an excellent idea.
2.2 CBD Helps to Mitigate against Convulsions
Studies have shown that CBD may help subdue seizures, improve sleep, and otherwise aid in managing epilepsy and chronic convulsions in pets.
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2.3 CBD Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Along with its pain-relieving function, CBD also possesses anti-inflammatory properties. Again, this property is particularly relevant for dogs that may suffer from joint pain and other osteoarthritic symptoms. (Click to tweet)
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2.4 CBD Reduces Mental Distress
Studies have found that cannabidiol may help suppress anxiety symptoms both in humans and in pets. [2]
As pets can also suffer from anxiety, particularly as they lose their sensory functions—which causes problems recognizing people and places—CBD oils may help set them at ease and alleviate their suffering. (Click to tweet)
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2.5 CBD May Provide Antiemetic Relief
With some conditions, particularly gastrointestinal ones, vomiting and nausea are typical symptoms your dog might face. CBD oil will come in handy in such cases, helping to alleviate these symptoms and providing an appetite boost. (Click to tweet)
2.6 CBD May Impede the Development of Cancer
Studies have shown that CBD is extremely promising at improving the body’s response to malignant tumors. [3]
While the precise mechanism through which this happens is not fully known and is still under study, what you need to know is that you can proactively boost your pet’s health by including CBD oils in their diet and nutrition plans.
2.7 Promotes General Health
Some studies show that CBD may stimulate the production of anandamide, an endocannabinoid that binds to cannabinoid receptors and helps promote nerve cell development in the brain. [4]
For your pet’s overall health, you may use CBD oils to proactively support a healthy diet along with regular trips to the vet. (Click to tweet)
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3. How to Choose CBD Oil in Pet Products for Dogs
As you probably already know by now, there are lots of CBD vendors out there, promising that their products are the best thing since sliced bread. The truth is, many of these do not offer the benefits that they promise. For people who buy just any CBD oil out there, getting the right one is essentially a gamble.
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There is also a wide variety of pet products available to choose from. As a pet parent, you only want the best for your dog, and you probably would not knowingly take a gamble with their health and wellness. This is why you should use only trustworthy CBD oil brands like SOL*CBD.
Here’s what you’ll want to remember.
While checking with your vet is always a good idea, here is a quick checklist of the essential questions to ask when choosing a CBD oil:
3.1 Is it Organic?
Organic CBD oils provide natural nutrients without any of the side effects of synthetic CBD products. Also, the best CBD oils will not be tainted by pesticides or heavy metals.
3.2 Is it Too Cheap?
When it comes to CBD oils, price is often a good indicator of quality. High-purity CBD oils generally cost more to produce.
3.3 What Does the Label Say?
Check to see just how much CBD is contained in the product. This will either be stated on the label or provided in a certificate from the manufacturer. If it isn’t provided at all, you may do well to steer clear. Another thing to watch out for is tetrahydrocannabinol, which does not offer the same benefits as CBD and may come with side effects.
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While CBD nutrients are available in various forms, oils are remarkably advisable, as they contain exceptionally high concentrations of CBD and are easy to administer. Our Liposomal CBD Oil for Dogs and Cats is an especially excellent choice. It has been formulated to enter your pet’s cells quickly, allowing them to enjoy its effects faster and at lower doses. The liposomal system delivers 17 times better cannabidiol absorption—and your pup will love its salmon flavor!
4. Conclusion
While health issues and aging are inevitable for all of us, there are things we can do to ease some of the discomfort—both for ourselves and for our furry friends. With its plethora of benefits, CBD oil is an excellent supplement to include in your dog’s regimen to ensure a longer and healthier life. After all, we want them with us as long as possible, don’t we?
Sources:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4851925/
- https://www.thecannabisadvisory.com/clinical-studies/health_condition/anxiety/study-cannabidiol-potential-treatment-anxiety-disorders/
- https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/hp/cannabis-pdq
- https://www.emcdda.europa.eu/system/files/publications/497/emcdda-cannabis-mon-vol1-web_103716.pdf