Incredible Benefits of CBD for Senior Dogs

As dog owners, our canine companions become beloved members of the family, and we would do anything we can to help them live happy and healthy lives. As they begin to inevitably age, it can be difficult to see our pups start to slow down. Although they can’t verbally communicate to us how they are feeling, we can see the signs when our dogs are experiencing pain or discomfort due to illness or advanced age. 

At River Organics, we’re passionate about the holistic healing that CBD can bring to humans. But did you know that CBD can also offer incredible health and wellness benefits to our pets? And it can be especially valuable to our furry friends of senior age. 

In previous posts, we explored everything you need to know about CBD for your pets as well as how to determine the right dosage of CBD for your pets. But what about our furry friends of senior age who need us now more than ever? Can CBD benefit our senior dogs, too? 

So, we will be devoting today’s post to exploring the incredible benefits of CBD for our senior dogs in helping them to continue feeling their best for longer. 

But first, let’s take a closer look at how CBD can be of benefit to dogs in general. 

How Does CBD Affect dogs?

The reason CBD may be of great value to pets comes down to a major system in the body that helps it maintain a healthy state of balance: the endocannabinoid system. Similar to humans, our furry friends also have an endocannabinoid system. 

Our bodies make cannabinoids on their own, but when we ingest CBD or apply it topically, it activates receptors in the body allowing the cannabinoids to release their incredible benefits. And just like CBD has the potential to elevate health and wellness in humans, helping manage and reduce pain, inflammation, and anxiety amongst a myriad of other health issues, CBD can help our pets as well!

What Are The Benefits of Giving CBD to a Senior Dog?

CBD poses incredible potential benefits for dogs throughout all stages of their lives, but can offer especially important value to dogs of more advanced age. 

As time goes on and your canine friends begin to age, you may notice that his spry step becomes more limp, he may spend more time lying in bed, or his hungry appetite has begun to diminish. CBD can potentially help relieve the discomfort your beloved pet feels.  

Here are some incredible ways your senior dog could benefit from using CBD: 

Pain Management

It is common for senior dogs to experience pain and discomfort due to arthritis of the hips, knees, shoulders and elbows, as well as lower back pain. CBD may serve as a therapeutic remedy for your senior dog in helping to diminish his pain and discomfort and reducing inflammation.

In a study, rats who suffered from arthritis were given 62.3 mg of CBD and experienced reduced joint swelling and decreased pain as a result.

Improved Mobility

As your dog ages, you may notice changes in his mobility levels. This could be due to discomfort from arthritis or damaged joints, or simply because with age, moving tends to become less sprightly. A study performed by researchers at Cornell University, Colorado State University, and State College showed that 2mg of CBD administered twice daily was able to significantly reduce pain and increase mobility in dogs with osteoarthritis. Because of its ability to potentially reduce chronic pain, CBD could be a wonderful choice in aiding your elderly dog’s mobility and helping him remain playful and active for longer. 

Increased Appetite

While food and nutrition are key to healthy living, you may find your dog’s appetite begin to dwindle in the later years of life. Nutrients in food are essential to giving your pup the strength he needs, especially if he is battling certain health conditions and/or old age. With research still in its early stages in regards to the relationship between CBD and appetite in dogs, studies do suggest evidence of increased appetite after CBD use in humans. Therefore, it would suggest that CBD may also increase your senior pup’s appetite and ensure he gets the nutrients she needs to feel his best for longer. 

Relief of Anxiety

Managing your pup’s anxiety and stress becomes especially crucial in the later years of his life. As your dog grows older, you may notice some behavioral changes, or that he begins to become apprehensive when exposed to new places or circumstances. As CBD helps to promote a balanced and relaxed state in humans, it has been shown that CBD also supports dogs to feel more peaceful and calm, while aiding in the reduction of tension and anxiety. Helping your pup feel more relaxed, CBD can support him in refraining from anxious behaviors like panting or pacing. 

How Do I Choose a CBD Supplement For My Senior Dog?

Prior to administering CBD to your senior dog, we always suggest consulting with your veterinarian first – especially if your dog is already on other medications. 

When searching for the best CBD supplement to use for your older dog, it is important to always choose high-quality CBD oil with full-spectrum cannabinoids. As hemp is a bio-accumulator, absorbing substances in its nearby environment, it’s important to choose USDA certified organic CBD products that have not been tainted with herbicides or pesticides to ensure that your dog does not ingest any harmful chemicals. 

It is also vital to choose CBD specifically intended for use in dogs. CBD products for humans may contain other flavorings or a percentage of THC which could be extremely harmful for dogs. Our pet tinctures are safe and intended for use solely in pets and come in two delicious flavors: peanut butter and bacon.

How Much CBD Should I Give my Senior Dog?

We’ve previously discussed ways to determine the proper CBD dosage for pets, so let’s dig deeper into the nitty gritty of choosing the appropriate amount for aging dogs. 

As always, we recommend consulting with your veterinarian prior to administering any dose of CBD to your dog. The appropriate dose to choose will be determined by your pup’s weight and the specific issues he or she is facing. While there isn’t a customary dosage for either pets or humans, veterinarians recommend .2 mg of CBD per pound of weight. 

Depending on the severity of your dog’s condition[s], that dosage could vary. Lower to medium doses are used to enhance the general well-being of dogs. When first administering, it may help to begin with a lower dose, and slowly increase as you monitor how your pup reacts. As with CBD in humans, we recommend you “start low and go slow,” only upping your pet’s dose gradually after monitoring his response for 4-5 days at a time. 

A low dose of CBD may be used on your senior dog for:

  • Minor arthritis and joint inflammation
  • Minor aches
  • Immune system support
  • Minor anxiety and stress
  • Digestive issues 

A medium dose of CBD may be used on your senior dog for:

  • Heightened stress and anxiety
  • Moderate arthritis and joint inflammation 

Many senior dogs may need CBD for medicinal use as they suffer from arthritis and other severe illnesses. If your dog is suffering from severe pain, starting off with a medium dose and working your way up could provide the comfort he needs. This way, you can slowly increase the dose as you monitor your dog’s response. You will know you have found an appropriate dose when your dog seems more relaxed and no longer shows overt signs of pain. If your senior dog has osteoarthritis, a suggested dose is 1mg of CBD per pound twice a day.  

A high dose of CBD may be used on your senior dog for:

  • Severe arthritis and joint inflammation
  • Chronic pain
  • Extreme nausea and vomiting
  • Mobility issues
  • Tumors and symptoms of cancer
  • Severe anxiety
  • Seizures 

Here at River Organics, we’re passionate about improving the health and well-being of all our customers – including our four-legged ones! We are just scratching the surface in terms of the research around this incredible holistic remedy, but it’s exciting to think what other possibilities may be in store when it comes to how CBD can help our furry friends. While CBD can’t keep our puppy pals here with us forever, it could potentially play a major role in enhancing their later years with peace and increased comfort and relaxation. 

Comments

  • Posted by River Organics on

    Thank you Lori Colucci for reading our blog and your comment. We appreciate your feedback. We have talked about a salmon or fish flavor tincture or treats for cats. It will not be soon but it is definitely on our radar. Don’t give up on River Organics! We know the importance of taking care of our feline friends as well as our canine ones!

  • Posted by Lori Colucci on

    Already have pet CBD but beg for ‘salmon’ flavor for cats. My kitty is not fond of bacon. 😳

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