Everyone gets old, including pets. That adorable pup that grew into a strong and constant companion could show signs of aging. Different sizes and breeds of dogs and cats age differently. Dogs like Chihuahuas are usually considered old at seven to ten years, while large breeds like Great Danes are seniors at six.
Aging comes with various health issues, including cognitive decline, discomfort, mobility issues, and arthritis. Fortunately, CBD is showing promising results in managing these issues.
What is CBD?
CBD, cannabidiol, is a natural-occurring compound found in hemp and marijuana plants. THC is also found in these plants, but unlike CBD, THC produces a psychoactive effect, or what is commonly known as “high.” CBD products in Moon Mother Hemp and other reliable stores interact with the endocannabinoid system to promote homeostasis and balance.
Although the exact legal status of CBD has been in flux, it’s easily obtainable in the U.S. The compound has become a natural solution for several health issues like inflammation, anxiety, arthritis, and epilepsy. But can CBD improve the quality of life for senior pets? Let’s explore the health benefits of cannabidiol in aging pets.
Understanding Aging Pets
Like humans, dogs undergo physical and behavioral changes as they age. You may notice the following:
Vision Loss
Dogs’ eyesight can get impaired as they enter their senior years. Many factors can cause vision impairment, including macular degeneration and glaucoma. A cataract is the biggest culprit, which happens when the eye lens is clouded over.
Hypertension can also cause ocular problems, like retinal detachment, leading to blindness. Besides, untreated infections, tumors, and chronic dry eye can also cause vision impairment. Your pet might bump into furniture or walls or have trouble tracing toys and food.
Your senior dog can also stop maintaining eye contact with you. You may not notice your pet lost vision until you rearrange the furniture or take them to a new environment.
Weight loss
As a dog owner, seeing your pet lose weight drastically is tough. Seniors dogs can lose weight to various factors.
- Diabetes: Diabetic dogs may lose weight unintentionally since their bodies cannot produce enough insulin to convert food to energy. You may notice your dog is always thirsty and taking more water than usual.
- Kidney disease: The cellular function of systems or organs of senior dogs tends to decline with age. Dogs with kidney disease will start losing weight since they feel sick. As the disorder kicks in, the pet might have a mild increase in urination and thirst.
- Cancer: Weight loss is a common sign of cancer. You may notice changes with your senior dog, like increased urination, drinking, diarrhea, limping, vomiting, and decreased appetite. Withdrawn behavior or lethargy are other changes you may notice with your pet.
Anxiety
Dogs, like humans, experience anxiety. Anxiety in dogs can affect all breeds, and when left unchecked, your pet can develop an anxiety disorder and behavioral challenges. Some common causes of anxiety include:
- Separation: Separation fear prevents your dog from getting comfortable in a new environment. The anxiety manifests in undesirable behaviors, such as defecating and urinating in the house.
- Fear-related anxiety: Dogs can get anxious from strange animals or people, new environments, car rides, loud noises, and even surfaces. Although it can happen briefly, reactions to these stimuli can worsen anxiety in dogs.
- Age-related anxiety: Senior dogs can have cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), where learning, awareness, memory, and perception decline. It’s similar to Alzheimer’s disease, which affects humans.
How CBD Can Benefit Your Senior Pet
With these challenges, the intervention can help your pet live comfortably even as they age. Research suggests that CBD may have the following potential benefits.
Enhanced Mobility
CBD is the fasted growing health trend for pets and humans. Perhaps you’ve seen it in online stores or your local pet boutique. If your dog is suffering from mobility impairment or struggling with issues like hip dysplasia or arthritis, CBD may be the remedy you need.
It turns out that cannabidiol oil has been expansively researched to address mobility challenges. As the dogs age, they show less interest in activities like swimming or daily walks. Fortunately, CBD oil may improve your senior dog’s mobility. Administering about 2 mg of cannabidiol oil twice a day can enhance mobility for pets affected with arthritis.
Reduced Anxiety
Moving to a new environment, traveling, and visiting vets are among the reasons your senior dogs can have anxiety. CBD is a natural solution for pet owners seeking an alternative to anti-anxiety drugs. Some research shows that a single dose of CBD may curb stress related to car trips or separation anxiety.
You may use trial and error to find the correct dosage for your dog’s anxiety. But 1 -5 mg /10 pounds of body weight is on a safe level with no known toxicity. But every dog responds differently, so watch how your senior dog responds.
Improved Cognitive Function
You may notice behavioral changes when your furry friend enters old age. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD) is dementia in dogs or “dogzheimers” like Alzheimer’s in humans.
CBD research shows that this natural compound can help with neurological issues in senior dogs. Cannabidiol can minimize stress, which is a leading factor for dementia in dogs. CBD has neuroprotective benefits, such as preserving cerebral circulation and decreasing cytokines production.
Pain Relief
Recent studies indicate that CBD effectively alleviates pain associated with cancer, itchiness, and arthritis. CBD products are found to reduce inflammation, skin lesions, and tingling. Cannabinoids can prevent metastasis and induce cancer-cell elimination. CBD is also effective in managing seizures in old dogs.
Although CBD oil for senior dogs is readily available without a prescription, talk to the veterinarian first. CBD can interact with other drugs and supplements. When starting the dose, start with a small amount, then increase or reduce it based on your dog’s reaction.
Wrapping Up
Although extensive research is required to determine the efficacy of CBD in pets, the potential benefits of CBD for aging pets cannot be ignored. The product can enhance mobility, relieve pain and inflammation, and reduce anxiety. Follow the given prescription consistently to get desired results.