CBD for Dog Pain Relief

CBD for Dog Pain Relief

What can you do when your dog is suffering from intense pain? Of course, a visit to your vet is the first step. But depending on the condition, even with proper care, pain can be so debilitating it’s difficult for your dog to drink, eat, or squat to use the bathroom. Prescribed medications can help, but they don’t always take away all of the pain, which is why many pet owners look for alternatives like CBD for dog pain relief.

Because CBD isn’t “prescribed” by veterinarians, many people look to other pet owners for information and inspiration on how to use CBD for dog pain relief. It is important, however, to remember that all pets are different. And it’s also crucial to keep your vet informed about the supplements, including CBD, you are giving to your dog, especially if they are also using medications. This is because CBD may affect how a substance is metabolized by the body, which could reduce how effective the medication is. 

CBD for Dog Pain Relief

Photo by Atanas Teodosiev on Unsplash

What Is CBD?

CBD is one of the most well-known and well-studied cannabinoids. The other is THC. These compounds have been found to mimic natural chemicals found in all mammals called endocannabinoids, so there are receptors found in every system in the body. Endocannabinoids are used by the body to regulate signals and help stabilize the body to maintain homeostasis. Because cannabinoids affect the same receptors, they may also affect these systems.

Cannabinoids are found in various foods, but the most common source is the cannabis plant. Some of these plants produce high levels of the THC compound, which causes users to feel high or stoned. Others, however, have very low levels of THC (less than .3%) and are typically referred to as industrial hemp. These plants can be grown to create higher levels of CBD, which avoids the “high” and instead may increase relaxation and pain relief. 

How Effective Is CBD for Dog Pain Relief?

CBD research is only in its infancy, but the results so far have been very promising when it comes to CBD for dog pain relief, especially arthritic pain. For instance, one study from Cornell University found that 2 mg/kg of CBD given twice per day helped increase comfort in dogs with pain from osteoarthritis. 1 According to the lead investigator, some dogs’ conditions were so bad that their owners had considered euthanasia. Within days of supplementing with CBD, some dogs were found to be significantly more mobile and even able to climb stairs. 2

CBD may be helpful for dogs by:

  • Managing pain
  • Supporting healthy levels of inflammation
  • Reducing the use of other pain medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs)—remember to work with your vet if your dog is on any medications
  • Promoting greater mobility

Many pet parents are more concerned with the safety of CBD for their dogs. Fortunately, a study done at Colorado State University found that CBD was well tolerated at dosages of 10 to 20 mg/kg/day for 6 weeks. 3 Minimal side effects were found, including mild diarrhea.

CBD appears to help relieve pain by reducing inflammation as well as affecting the opioid receptor response and the central nervous system. 3 And human studies as well as pre-clinical studies suggest CBD may help reduce other types of pain and the anxiety and stress that pain can cause. 

Photo by Luis Negron

How Soon Will Your Dog Find Relief?

Again, the research is still new, and all dogs are different. Depending on the condition, how well your dog metabolizes CBD, and how much you give them makes a big difference on how soon you’ll see results. 

In general, however, many pet parents have found that pain and mobility start to improve within two to four weeks. You may, however, have to adjust how much CBD you give your dog, starting with the lowest dose and slowly increasing as you find the sweet spot for your pet.

CBD Oil for Pain in Dogs Takeaway

CBD is showing so much promise in many aspects of the body. While the endocannabinoid system is one of the largest systems in the body, it’s also one of the latest to be discovered and, thus, the least explored. So keep checking back here with this blog as new research and uses emerge to help our furry friends. 

Ready to see how the best CBD for pets—ABSC Organics—can help your pet live a more vibrant, healthy life? Get started here

Related Information: 

References

  1. Gamble LJ, Boesch JM, Frye CW, Schwark WS, Mann S, Wolfe L, Brown H, Berthelsen ES, Wakshlag JJ. Pharmacokinetics, safety, and clinical efficacy of cannabidiol treatment in osteoarthritic dogs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 2018:165. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2018.00165/full
  2. Morrow L, Belshaw Z. Does the addition of cannabidiol alongside current drug treatments reduce pain in dogs with osteoarthritis? The Veterinary Record. 2020 May 2;186(15):493. https://www.proquest.com/openview/2c104cf1e29cb68615b962606a33adc2/1
  3. Richter G. The Current State of Cannabis Research in Veterinary Medicine. https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/03/TVP-2020-0102_News.pdf