Does pet CBD for joint pain work? Will it help relieve the pain from my loved companion?

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a serious illness in dogs that affects around 25% of all canines throughout their lives. OA might be the reason why your dog has lost some of her spring in her step, shows additional stiffness after regular activity, or refuses to do things she used to like.

Unfortunately, osteoarthritis—also known as arthritis—is a progressive illness that demands immediate veterinary care if your dog is experiencing pain or changes in mobility. Developing an early treatment strategy is critical to avoiding the suffering this degenerative disease can cause to your dog’s joints as she grows older.

This post examines the potential role CBD oil may play in a veterinarian-approved treatment plan for OA, as well as the scientific research that demonstrates the amazing promise this natural remedy holds for pain and inflammation relief. 

If you want to find out whether CBD oil may help your dog with arthritis, we hope this article will put you in a better position to make an informed selection and start a discussion with your veterinarian about safe treatment options for your pet.

Traditional Treatments For Arthritis In Dogs

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most common pain medicines given to dogs, which are used to treat inflammation, including osteoarthritis. Unfortunately, this sort of medicine has the potential to create significant, even deadly problems.

The number of adverse effects attributed to NSAIDs reported to the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine is greater than for any other veterinary medicine currently used, according to a 2015 study. As this research points out, the risk of renal damage and/or failure as a result of using NSAIDs for long-term issues is particularly worrisome.

The results of 35 studies and 29 clinical trials were examined in a 2013 systematic review on the effects of NSAIDs in dogs. According to the review, as many as 55% of these studies revealed significant negative effects. It’s probably worse for OA-afflicted dogs; according to their authors, the majority of dogs used in the research they reviewed were from a young and healthy population. Since it has been shown that NSAIDs are more likely to be a problem for older dogs, this gives dog owners with senior dogs cause to reconsider their choices before immediately adopting long-term NSAID therapy.

According to the FDA, veterinarians should only use NSAIDs under supervision if they are indicated in the treatment of pain associated with musculoskeletal conditions. The following words of warning were used when describing veterinary usage of NSAIDs:“Owners and veterinarians should carefully consider the potential benefits and risks of using an NSAID and other treatment options before deciding to use an NSAID. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual response.”

Given that veterinarians already understand that long-term use of NSAIDs, particularly in older dogs or those with damaged liver or kidney function, is potentially harmful—even fatal—the search for a safe pain and inflammation treatment has been a major priority in veterinary medicine.

Research On CBD Oil And Arthritis

CBD oil, also known as cannabidiol, has been extensively studied in people and, more recently, dogs. It is well understood to have both anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. Since OA involves both pain and inflammation, it is no surprise to see that CBD has been a major focus of research into treatment alternatives without the downsides of NSAIDs.

There’s even more. It was discovered that the endocannabinoid system, which is found in both dogs and people, may play a significant role in the development of osteoarthritis.

Cannabinoid receptors may be found in significant quantities in degenerated chondrocytes (joint cells) of OA patients, suggesting that they may respond to cannabinoid therapy.

In fact, recent research suggests that cannabidiol may help delay the progression of pain and joint deterioration caused by OA. This is major news for persons who suffer from osteoarthritis, whether human or canine.

Research On CBD Oil For Dogs With Arthritis

Veterinary medical research for pets is frequently behind the curve when it comes to the newest and most effective treatments. Part of this has to do with the funds required to develop new medicines, which are often only available from pharmaceutical corporations focused on human markets.

Because CBD oil is derived from hemp, which is currently an illegal substance in many countries, obtaining legal samples for study has been difficult. The evolving legal status of hemp and other types of cannabis has made it difficult to obtain lawful samples for study. Recent modifications to the laws regulating hemp may soon be able to do that.

The College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University conducted one of the most important studies on dogs with arthritis in 2018. Researchers gave oral doses of either 2 mg or 8 mg per kg twice daily of a full-spectrum CBD oil to dogs with OA.

The researchers evaluated the dogs before the study began, as well as at two and four weeks into treatment. The 2 mg-per-pound dose was found to effectively decrease the dogs’ visible symptoms of discomfort and significantly enhance their activity and mobility, according to the researchers.

Is CBD Safe For Dogs With Osteoarthritis?

Finally, recent research suggests that CBD does not create the high associated with THC. The authors of a study published in the January 2019 edition of Drug Testing and Analysis report that CBD “causes no psychoactive side effects” at doses up to 1,500 mg per day (equivalent to 2 bottles). This research builds on prior studies demonstrating the safety of correctly dosed cannabinoids in dogs.

What About Full-Spectrum CBD Oil For Canine OA?

Another common concern that many dog owners have regarding the usage of hemp or CBD oil is whether a full-spectrum CBD oil is safe for their pet. Full-spectrum oils, as the name implies, contain all of the trace components (known as cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes) present in the original hemp plant, including minute traces of THC (.3 percent or less by law).

Many pet owners believe that since dogs are sensitive to large amounts of THC, a full-spectrum product may not be safe.

THC is not the issue. By law, hemp has extremely minimal amounts of THC, well below the level thought to be safe for dogs. It’s completely safe for your dog as long as you buy a full-spectrum CBD oil that’s made just for pets and follows dosing instructions.

In fact, many pet owners have said that a full-spectrum CBD oil was more effective than one made with an isolated form of CBD.

This is backed up by science. The “entourage effect” is the term scientists use to describe this phenomenon. Dozens of studies have shown that the trace amounts of THC and other cannabinoids present in full spectrum CBD oils can improve the pain- and inflammation-reducing effects of natural chemicals.

Talk To Your Vet

If you’re coping with arthritis in your dog, it’s time to discuss adding a full-spectrum CBD oil for dogs like LolaHemp to his/her daily regimen.

Cannabidiol (CBD) may assist you and your veterinarian in developing a treatment strategy that reduces the need for possibly harmful NSAIDs, and in some cases entirely eliminates them. Because cannabidiol can react with other medicines, it’s critical to talk with your vet before adopting this approach — to put your dog’s overall health first.

A final word of advice: Even if CBD can be bought over-the-counter, it’s crucial to ensure that the product you’re using is made specifically for dogs. CBD products intended for people can sometimes include high doses of THC or other compounds (such as artificial sweeteners) that are harmful to dogs.

For more information about CBD for your pets pain click here.