Is CBD Safe For My Dog?
What are the Benefits of CBD for Dogs?
CBD is a product that is directly derived from cannabis. Some associate cannabis with the psychoactive or "high" effect that comes from the THC cannabinoid in the marijuana plant. However, while it is a derivative of the marijuana plant, CBD does not induce a high and has been found to provide many benefits for humans, and for our furry best friends. Among the large amounts of benefits CBD can offer, aiding in anxiety-related behavior is the most well known. CBD has been found to alter the way our dog's brain receptors respond to serotonin, a chemical linked to mental health. CBD can reduce stress, the correlating physiological effects such as elevated heart rate, improve PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) symptoms, aiding in better sleep, and much more.
Another supportive element of CBD is neuro-protection. CBD has been found to slow, or sometimes stop, neurodegenerative disorders. Neurodegenerative disorders deteriorate the brain and nerves over time. CBD has also been found to reduce the brain inflammation that accompanies, and more often than not, worsens neurodegenerative disorders. Giving your pup Green Gruff with CBD can aid in maintaining their brain and mental health for years.
Lastly, CBD when given to your pup, can aid in pain management. As we know, our younger dogs love to be active. Dogs get sore just like humans do and although we all wish they can talk to us, they can't always tell us if there's something wrong. CBD can support aiding the pain associated with soreness, pulled muscles, sprained limbs, and more. For older dogs or dogs susceptible to joint or back pain, CBD can support the return to long games of fetch, outdoor walks, and having fun like they did when they were puppies!
At Green Gruff, we see the benefits of CBD in our dogs every day. It has helped all of our furry best friends in many ways and we're sure your pup can benefit too. Giving your dog Green Gruff with CBD can allow for mail-man chases, long games of fetch, and head-out-the-window rides for years to come.
What Dog Health Problems Can CBD Help?
As mentioned above, early research shows that cannabidiol may have properties which reduce stress from anxiety, help manage pain caused by joint issues, and prevent dry or cracked skin from environmental irritation.
This means CBD can likely aid with the treatment and prevention of various ailments. Starting from a young age helps your pup by potentially delaying the development of future disorders.
Let’s take a look at some specific health problems that your canine friend might be coping with and where CBD might fit in.
Anxiety and Nervousness
Stress or anxiety in pets is associated with particular stimuli such as loud noises or social setting in most cases. However, that is not always the case and some dogs appear to be anxious no matter their setting. If you find your pet has trouble relaxing and never truly seems calm, they may suffer from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). They could benefit from a daily CBD regime to support relaxation and help reduce stress.
Another class of anxiety in pets is social anxiety disorder (SAD) where their symptoms tend to surface when in a strange environment. This could be a group setting, just going somewhere they’re not familiar or even while traveling in the car to your destination. If your dog tends to remain perfectly calm among human family members, but has noticeable behavior changes around others, they might be dealing with social anxiety.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is commonly diagnosed among humans, but also something your dog can experience. There are a variety of reasons a dog might develop PTSD, such as being abandoned by their caretaker, a scary situation with other animals or something like a particularly frightening natural disaster. Unless a specific moment really stands out, it can be tough to diagnose PTSD in dogs as the signs are similar to other forms of anxiety. That is why it’s important to monitor their behavior on a regular basis and recognize notable changes.
Joint and Hip Pain
Stiffness or joint pain in pets is usually brought on as an effect of aging. Your dog may develop osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease where the cartilage breaks down over time. Difficulty getting up, limping, or reluctance to jump are some signs to keep an eye out for in your older dog. Though disheartening, an osteoarthritis diagnosis is not the end of playtime with your pal. Given on a daily basis, CBD may help loosen up joints in your dog and get them moving again. And you don’t have to wait until symptoms appear, start when they’re younger as a preventative measure.
Getting old isn’t the only cause of joint pain in dogs though, they might be dealing with a developmental issue from birth. For example, hip dysplasia is a common hereditary condition in our canine friends. This is where the joint does not develop properly when they’re still a puppy. If the problem is significant, your vet may suggest a total hip replacement, where they perform surgical correction. If minor, you can improve their quality of life with nutritional supplements that contain ingredients such as glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and omega-3 fatty acid.
If your dog is very active, then you’ll also need to watch out for any injuries they sustain. Just like humans, a dog may sprain, dislocate, or even break a bone. That can be painful and lead to reduced mobility. Same as a preventative measure against arthritis, a daily dose of CBD can help keep your dog moving for years to come. And it’s easy to get started with any size dog, take a look at our CBD dosing chart for dogs to find the serving size for your pup.
Itchy and Irritated Skin
Itchiness or skin irritation in pets is commonly caused by allergies related to pollen or other environmental factors such as mold. Frequent licking, scratching, and chewing behaviors are common signs that your dog is experiencing irritated skin. If left unattended, this can lead to a “hot spot” forming. This red, irritated area may then become infected, so it’s important to recognize signs of compulsive licking/scratching early.
If your dog spends a lot of time outside and needs frequent bathes, contact dermatitis from soaps or shampoos. Consider a “trial period” whenever changing hygiene care products to ensure your dog doesn’t have a negative reaction. Though it is not limited to personal cleaning products, other chemicals could be to blame such as fertilizers, pesticides, or even mulch. Canines with sensitive skin might experience rashes or bumps if a reaction occurs.
Another cause for skin irritation is boredom or anxiety, which leads to excessive scratching or licking. Be sure to provide your dog with plenty of options to keep them active and entertained. It’s a good practice to rotate through their collection of toys to keep their interest levels high. You’ll be surprised how excited your pup will get when reintroduced to a toy they haven’t played with in a while. If it’s not boredom that’s causing the licking or chewing, it may relate to anxiety.