CBD for Senior Dogs

This article explores CBD’s use for senior dogs that grapple with age-related issues like mobility, anxiety, and pain.

Which products are best, how should you use them, and can cbd really help your senior dog?

How Can CBD Help Senior Dogs?

Anxiety

Getting old is tough, on people as well as on dogs. And as we get set in our ways, change becomes harder to adapt to. This kind of difficulty can lead to stress and anxiety in senior dogs.

CBD can help your dog deal with the stress of getting older. A study from the UK found that all of the dogs given a calming dose of CBD (4mg/kg) were calmer and happier on car rides and vet visits. The best part is that there were no side effects noticed.

Mobility

As dogs age, more and more strain starts to show on their joints, since the fluid that keeps them moving starts to be produced less and less by the body. This leads to painful aches and pains which will leave your once-playful pooch barely wanting to go up a flight of stairs.

In studies, CBD has lowered the inflammation caused by arthritis, improving the mobility of senior dogs.

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What Kind of Product is Best for Senior Dogs?

There are lots of different CBD products for dogs. Choosing the best one for your senior dog will come down to a few factors.

Type of CBD extract

Relievet only uses broad spectrum CBD in our products. Broad spectrum has the most full plant benefits of hemp, without any THC. Some CBD products contain small amounts of THC, which can have an effect on some dogs.

While THC can have beneficial calming effects for many people, in some it can induce anxiety. Dogs react similarly, but are much more sensitive to its effects. Since they can’t tell us what they want, it’s important to consider whether a product you give them should contain THC.

Weight-Based Dosing

In the studies we mentioned earlier, and in all studies on CBD for dogs, it’s clear that CBD only works above a certain dose. Giving your dog too little will result in limited or no effect, meaning wasted money and dogs going without the help they need.

Relievet’s range of CBD Oils and Treats ensure dogs of all sizes can get enough CBD to work, and that the product will last at least a month for dogs of all sizes.

USDA Organic Certification

Because of the way CBD is extracted from the hemp plant, it’s important to make sure that you get a safe product for your senior dog. A simple way to do that is to look for the USDA logo on the bottle:

This label guarantees that the plant is grown without unnatural pesticides, and that the product is made without dangerous solvents, from seed to shelf, ensuring the best for your dog.

Type of product

CBD for dogs comes in multiple forms, the best one for your dog will depend on your situation:

• Oils: CBD oil for dogs is the gold standard if your dog will allow you to place the oil directly in either the side of their mouth or under their tongue. If they won’t allow this or if it would stress them out, while you can add it to their food, we often find that treats are a better choice.

• Treats: CBD treats can be a great way to give CBD to your dog. But while they are convenient, some CBD is lost through digestion. We make treats with extra CBD to make up for this, making the process as simple as possible.

Along with the oil or treats, chews are a great option as they contain additional natural ingredients that can help with senior dog mobility, calming or skin/coat health. We suggest picking the one that would benefit your dog the most.

How to Give Your Dog CBD

How much and how often you use it will depend on what you’re trying to help your dog with:

• Mobility issues: start at a regular dose (twice a day) for three days. After that you can increase gradually. If you find better results at a higher dose, stick with that dose. If not, go back to the lower dose.

• Calming and Stress: use a once-per-day high dose for your dog’s weight.

You can enter your dog’s weight on our dosage calculators and see how much to give them, as well as how long the product will last.

CBD Oil for Dogs Dosage Calculator

CBD Treats for Dogs Dosage Calculator

Possible side effects

While CBD is considered very safe, there are some possible side effects to be aware of. These can include:

• Dry mouth
• Lip licking
• Dehydration

When to See a Vet

There are some situations when it’s important to see a vet. If your dog shows any of the following signs, you should schedule a visit with your vet:

• Persistent pain or limping
• Sudden changes in behavior or mood
• Loss of appetite or weight
• Difficulty in urination or defecation
• Disorientation or wobbly walking

Final Thoughts and Recommendations for Pet Owners

CBD presents a promising way to help with various age-related ailments in senior dogs—from mobility issues to stress.

If you’re considering CBD for your senior dog, look for the USDA organic logo on the product, and select one with enough CBD for your dogs weight. Look for a product that comes in a form that your dog will like. This makes it easy for them, and for you, to improve their wellness.