CBD for Senior Pets
There almost 15 million dogs living in UK households, which means that 33% of British households own a dog. As for cats, they come second, with 12 million cats sharing our households. We are a nation that loves pets, cares for them deeply, and enjoys their company.
Unfortunately, when they get older, they face similar health issues as elderly humans do, such as joint pain, reduced mobility, inflammation, and even anxiety.
We want to give our pets the best life, the fun to run around, and the happiness to be who they are. When they get old, however, they are less mobile, sleep more, and feel uncomfortable.
If your pet is growing older and you are concerned about its quality of life and overall well-being, you may be considering giving your four-legged friend some CBD to boost their wellness and improve their levels of activity and joy of life.
Many people in the UK use CBD to help them with occasional inflammation and pain and to support their mood. Since humans, dogs, and cats all have an endocannabinoid system, might CBD be used for senior pets as well?
Here’s what research is telling us and how you can help your best friend lead a better, happier life as it grows old.
Understanding Age-Related Issues in Senior Pets
The most common health problems among senior pets include arthritis and joint pain, which can limit mobility and cause discomfort during daily activities. This is particularly true for overweight animals as well as purebreds that often suffer from certain conditions. For example, larger breeds, such as Labrador retrievers, Golden retrievers, German Shepherds, and Saint Bernard have a genetic predisposition for osteoarthritis.
Even if senior dogs don’t display signs of arthritis, they do have reduced mobility and stiffness because their joins are less flexible than what they used to be.
Just like with humans, pets like dogs and cats experience muscle loss and weakness as they age. Their muscles become less strong and less functional. Dogs can take shorter walks and cats don’t like to jump as high as they used to.
Dogs and cats also display signs of anxiety and cognitive changes as they grow older. It’s as if they understand that they have less strength and their body is showing signs of wear and tear.
Some senior dogs also display separation anxiety when their owner leaves for work. Cats may become nervous as well. They need the comfort and knowledge that their best friend is there for them at a time when they become weaker need more support.
Finally, many cats and dogs often lose their appetite as they grow older. They eat less or may want to eat smaller quantities more often. Things they use to crave might feel less appealing to them as they age.
All this is exactly how many humans experience their own aging process.
How CBD May Help Senior Pets
CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system present in mammals. All mammals have an endocannabinoid system that regulates many bodily functions like appetite, reproduction sleep, mood, memory, temperature perception, inflammation, and pain. Humans, cats, and dogs are all mammals, so CBD has the potential to act in similar ways for humans as for pets.
Pain Management
CBD may help manage the pain associated with arthritis and joint degeneration by interacting with pain receptors. Many humans use CBD to help with pain management, but there is also research suggesting that dogs may benefit from CBD to better handle pain associated with osteoarthritis.
Anti-inflammatory Properties
Studies suggest CBD has natural anti-inflammatory effects that could help reduce joint inflammation common in older pets. With regards to osteoarthritis in dogs, preliminary results were promising.
Improved Mobility
It’s a reasonable assumption that when a senior pet doesn’t feel as much pain and inflammation, it will be more mobile and happier about life. There is the potential for higher quality of life for animals that experience less pain and regain part of the mobility and agility.
Anxiety Reduction
Many senior pets develop anxiety as they age and their senses diminish; CBD may help calm them. A recent study showed that dogs given THC-free CBD displayed less stress and anxiety.
Senior pets can get separation anxiety or even stress about things that didn’t use to bother them when they were younger, like traveling on long road trips. CBD may make their life better and more manageable so that they can handle change or stressful situations more gracefully and with a more balanced demeanour.
Appetite Stimulation
Some older pets struggle with decreased appetite. Since they are less active, they need less food. Or, in other cases, their metabolism slows down with aging. Health conditions like arthritis or a problem with the kidneys or liver can affect their appetite as well.
Many pet owners struggle to find tasty enough food for their pets to enjoy. Anecdotal evidence among pet owners suggests that their senior pets have an increased appetite when they start taking CBD.
Right Dosage for Senior Pets
CBD is given as a supplement and finding the right dosage can be complicated. The most common recommendation is to give your pet 1 to 4 mg of CBD per 10 pounds of body weight. It’s best to start on the lower end and increase the dosage slowly over several days to assess how your pet is reacting to CBD.
CBD is generally well-tolerated by the body and has few side effects. The most common side effects are drowsiness, dry mouth, and nausea. If your pet is displaying any signs that it’s taking too much CBD, you should lower the dosage. As always, consult with your vet before you introduce CBD to your pet’s nutrition.
CBD Product Choice for Senior Pets
There are plenty of CBD products on the market so it won’t be hard to find the one that best fits your senior pet’s preferences.
If your pet loves food and will eat anything and everything, then CBD oils are a great way to start. The subtle smell won’t bother it and they will get their full dosage with their food. On the other hand, treats, pills, and capsules might be a better way to treat a picky eater, as the musky flavour of CBD is masked by other ingredients or disappears entirely in the case of capsules and pills.
The most common ingredients in CBD for pets are peanut butter, butternut or pumpkin, coconut oil, sweet potatoes, and berries. There are also recipes online where you can find how to make your own CBD treats for pet if you so wish.
If you want to buy quality CBD products, always choose third-party tested products that come with quality assurance. Ideally, pick organic CBD because it’s free of pesticides, heavy metals, and other unwanted compounds.
A big no-no is to give your pet human CBD. CBD for humans may contains extra ingredients that may not be good for your pet. While the CBD itself remains the same, the product may contain ingredients like mint, lemon, citrus, and various scents and flavours that may be harmful for dogs and cats.
Also, THC can be toxic to pets. Human CBD products come in many shapes and forms, some of which—for example, full-spectrum CBD—contain traces of THC. Such a CBD product may cause important side effects to your pet.
As the CBD market evolves, you will find plenty of CBD products that specifically target pets, addressing health concerns such as occasional inflammation or stress.
Complementary Approaches
CBD works best as part of a comprehensive care plan that is targeted towards your pet’s well-being.
Exercise and active pet life
Aging pets require exercise to feel happy and active. If you have a senior dog, take it for walks, even if they are shorter than they used to be. As for cats, give them space to climb and exercise around the house.
Don’t overstretch your pet
Don’t tire your pet with extreme sports and exercise that is beyond their age or physical abilities. Remember your pet’s age and physical limitations and respect its boundaries.
Adjust your home to your aging pet’s needs; for example, put its feeding bowl on a small step so it doesn’t have to lower its body too much to drink or eat. If your pet likes to sleep on a sofa or in your bed but doesn’t have the physical strength to jump, add a small step.
The fact that your pet is taking CBD and feel better doesn’t erase reality that it’s a senior dog or cat that requires home modification, patience, and love.
Weight management
Check your pet’s weight and keep it within a healthy range. A pet with normal weight is more agile, its heart doesn’t need to work so hard, and weight-related health conditions are kept at bay. Heavy dogs or cats experience joint problems because their legs have to carry more weight, as does their heart.
Veterinary check-ups
The fact that you are giving your pet CBD doesn’t mean you should skip the vet check-up. Keep a close eye on your senior pet is doing and schedule regular check-ups to have the opinion of a medical specialist regarding your pet’s well-being.
Monitoring Progress
If you have a senior pet in your life, track its mobility and assess how it’s doing.
Check how much your dog can walk or run or how high your cat can jump. Assess how much they are eating and how they are living and enjoying life. As you have had your pet for years, you can tell whether there is a change in its behaviour and whether CBD is making a positive impact.
CBD for senior pets: a helpful supplement
Because CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system found in all mammals, it means that it can be taken by dogs, cats, and other mammals.
Aging animals often experience the loss of mobility, less joint flexibility, anxiety and stress. Aging acts on animals exactly as it does on humans. They become more insecure and nervous and experience their physical discomfort by being less bouncy or playful.
There are many CBD products specifically designed to pets. If your pet is showing signs of aging or has a condition that lowers its quality of life, discuss with your vet the possibility of CBD. Your vet will tell you whether CBD is a good supplement for your pet and they are the best person to guide you with regards to dosage and type of CBD product. As sometimes vets hesitate to mention CBD, take the first step and discuss it with them so that you can offer your pet a better quality of life and more happiness in its senior years.
And, of course, always buy from reliable and trusted brands. Check out CBD oil reviews and our list of the best UK CBD stores to be sure that the CBD you purchase is as pure and effective as possible.
Nicholas Rossis, PhD is a specialized, NSF-trained writer who has written hundreds of posts on CBD and nutritional supplements. His work combines critical acclaim with the analysis of the latest news, studies, research, and legal developments in the world of CBD, providing readers with valuable data and insights.
