Pain Management for Dogs: How CBD Can Give Relief

Is your dog suffering from arthritis or another condition that's causing them pain? Chronic pain could impact their mood, sleep, and overall quality of life.

Sales for CBD pet products have grown from $8 million to $32 million in a single year. The market could grow to $1.16 in the US alone by 2022. More pet owners are turning to CBD as they see the relief these products can provide.

Are you thinking about using CBD oil for dogs in pain? It helps to learn more about CBD before you do. In this guide, we'll review everything you need to know before giving your dog CBD for the first time.

Help your dog relax and live pain-free. Keep reading to learn more about CBD for dogs in pain. 

1. What is CBD?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a cannabinoid that's found in cannabis and hemp plants. These compounds are called phytocannabinoids because they're plant-based. There are many other phytocannabinoids, each offering their own list of potential health benefits.

CBD is usually extracted from hemp plants, where it's more abundant. 

THC is another phytocannabinoid and is usually associated with cannabis. While THC can cause psycho-intoxicating effects, CBD does not. Rather, CBD causes a therapeutic effect while offering the pros of being non-intoxicating & non-sedative. 

Many CBD products are going to be "hemp" based, meaning they contain at most 0.3% THC (the legal limit). CBD products that contain numerous cannabinoids are called full-spectrum CBD. One of the benefits of full-spectrum CBD is that it can produce what's known as The Entourage Effect.

The entourage effect occurs as different types of cannabinoids come together to offer a range of synergistic health benefits. If you're only concerned about pain relief for your dog, a CBD regimen is always worth giving a try to help.

As with any supplement, it's always advised to consult with your pet's veterinarian prior to using. This is easier done in states like California where veterinarians can now discuss and recommend cannabinoids for pets under California Assembly Bill 1885.

About now you might be wonder "how does CBD work for pets?" CBD works by interacting with the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS) which is a regulatory system that all mammals have. Let's take a deep dive into how all of this works.

2. The Endocannabinoid System

The endocannabinoid system is responsible for regulating numerous bodily functions, including:

• Emotion and mood
• Appetite
• Coordination and movement
• Memory and concentration
• Pain and inflammation

The ECS is composed of two receptors, CB1 and CB2. The majority of the body's CB1 receptors are located in the brain. Meanwhile, CB2 receptors are primarily found in the immune system.

2.1 The ECS and Inflammation

These receptors are responsible for regulating inflammation, which is the body's natural response to injury and invaders. The body uses inflammation to fight off illnesses or help speed up the healing process.

Too much inflammation, however, can have a negative impact. For example, excess inflammation over time can cause:

• Chronic pain
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Stroke
• Lupus
• Heart disease

Inflammation can also cause heat, redness, or swelling. Your dog might also experience sore muscles and joint pain.

3. How Does CBD Relieve Pain?

CBD has anti-inflammatory properties that can help provide pain management for dogs. By acting on the body's natural cannabinoids, CBD can help regulate the ECS.

In fact, CBD can also attach itself to pain receptors to control how the CB1 and CB2 receptors activate. By keeping these receptors from activating, CBD can reduce inflammation and help support comfortability.

By reducing inflammation throughout your dog's body, CBD can work to help ease their pain, while promoting a host of underlying holistic health benefits.

In one study, CBD helped reduce inflammation and pain-related behaviors. However, it's important to have realistic expectations when using CBD for dogs in pain. Pets (and their owners) all respond to CBD differently. How your pet responds to CBD for the first time might depend on their:

• Weight
• Health condition
• Size
• The severity of their pain
• The potency of the CBD product

When using CBD oil for dogs in pain, watch how your dog reacts to the CBD product.

3.1 Other Benefits

The benefits of CBD for dogs don't stop at pain management. In addition to suppressing neuropathic pain, CBD can also help with:

• Reducing anxiety and depression symptoms
• Easing fear and paranoia
• Treating epilepsy
• Easing vomiting and nausea
• Improving heart and circulatory system health
• Reducing seizures
• Easing osteoarthritis symptoms
• Improving mobility
• Treating irritable bowel disease

In one study, CBD's anti-inflammatory properties helped treat dogs with osteoarthritis. About 80% of the dogs in the study experienced reduced pain and improved mobility.

Meanwhile, another study found that epileptic dogs who were given seizure medication and CBD experienced fewer seizures. The study compared the results to a control group that received seizure medication and placebo. 

These studies give us insight into the potential benefits of CBD for dogs. However, more research is needed to confirm the full range of CBD benefits for pets. We are just at the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the abundance of knowledge there is to learn about how cannabinoids from plants interact with humans and pets alike.

4. Is CBD Safe for Pets?

Yes! Generally speaking CBD is safe to give to man's or woman's best friend. Before you give your pet CBD for dogs in pain, however, consider consulting a vet to ensure there is not going to be a negative interaction with any other supplements or medications your pet may be on.

Your vet can help you review the potential benefits and side effects of using CBD. If your dog is currently on any medications, it's important to always consult a veterinarian first. CBD can have adverse effects when administered with certain medications for some pups.

You can also discuss the best way to administer the CBD (we've provided a few tips below).

4.1 Potential Side Effects

When using CBD to provide pain management for dogs, it's important to note how your dog reacts. While CBD is safe, your dog could experience mild side effects. 

For example, your dog might experience vomiting or lethargy. If you notice excessive panting or loss of balance, consider visiting a veterinarian. 

4.2 Choosing Products

Hemp-derived CBD products are legal to purchase as long as they contain less than 03.% THC. These products are legal on the federal level. However, some products are still illegal under certain state laws. 

Keep that in mind before purchasing CBD for the first time. 

As you explore different CBD products, look for a certificate of authenticity. This certificate indicates the product is reliable and was tested in a lab.

You can also check the label to make sure the product is free of GMOs.

4.3 Administration Tips

Unsure how to give a dog CBD? There are a few ways you can administer CBD oil.

First, consider using an oil dropper to drop a small amount directly into your dog's mouth. Bailey's CBD Oil For Dogs is a product that helps make this easy with an accompanying veterinarian suggested use guide that comes with every bottle. It is also calibrated for accurate and transparent dosing.

However, if that doesn't work, you can apply the CBD oil to a porous dog treat or mix it with peanut butter. PRO TIP: Bailey's makes a full line of delicious CBD dog treats that are calibrated with a weight guide to help make this as easy and simple as possible.

When giving your dog CBD for the first time, start low and go slow. Start with a low dose. Then, watch how they react.

If you don't notice effects, slowly increase the dose over time. 

5. Pain Management for Dogs: Sweet Relief With CBD

Eager to ease your pet's pain? Consider using CBD to provide pain management for dogs. By giving your pet CBD, you can ease their pain and improve their quality of life. 

Don't forget to start low and go slow!

Looking for the perfect product? Explore our CBD Pet Products today to start relieving your dog's pain.