Dogs are, according to many, mankind’s best friend, and there are many reasons for that: They are affectionate, trusting, loyal, protective, and of course, lots of fun! However, every dog owner out there can tell you that there are many responsibilities you have to deal with when it comes to owning a dog.
As a dog owner, you are pretty much responsible for providing a healthy, comfortable life to your companion. From the place it sleeps, the baths it will need, to the food it eats, it is up to us to ensure that our dog is leading a fulfilling life. This also involves taking care of its health, but things can be a little difficult to manage at times, especially when the dog reaches a certain age.
There are even some problems related to the mind that can cause them a lot of distress, such as separation anxiety, a very common affliction in adopted dogs, and dogs that require considerable amounts of socialization and attention.
Some of the Challenges of Being a Pet Owner
Veterinaries! We all know that they can be rather expensive at times, and that is why a lot of pet owners always recommend having an emergency fund to handle such scenarios. Baths, grooming, exercising, and medication are also part of the whole deal.
But when a dog reaches senior age, as shown over here, they become a lot more prompt of suffering from specific physical conditions that can not only cause them a lot of pain but also, greatly affect their physical capabilities, making it necessary for us to take certain precautions.
Some of the afflictions they can suffer, include inflammatory diseases such as cancer, problems related to their kidneys, and complications linked to their joints and limbs. Depression and anxiety are common results caused by the pain and the way it affects their mobility.
Back in the day, it was very common to rely on traditional forms of medication such as anti-inflammatories and pain killers, but they are infamous for causing long-term side effects. However, there’s a new alternative method of treatment that has been gaining popularity over the years, and this form of treatment is known as CBD.
But What is CBD?
CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is a compound that can be found in the cannabis plant, yet, contrary to the plant itself, this specific compound is known for being non-psychotropic, meaning that it won’t get you high no matter what.
When it comes to humans, we can handle getting high fairly well. However, animals are unable to handle the compound that gets people high: THC, causing them medium-term side effects and intoxication. CBD medication is favoured for containing only around 0.3% of THC, thus, all CBD-Based products are pretty much harmless, and far more reliable than your regular medicinal cannabis.
Right now, you can find a wide range of presentations, being CBD oil the most common one. However, if you are a dog owner, you can easily find dog treats online that are far more enticing for your pet, making them easier for you to use.
But before we jump into how to use CBD as an alternative method of treatment, let’s discuss the reasons why you should consider using it in the first place.
A Great Medication for Pain and Inflammation
The reason why a lot of people use cannabidiol medication is that it is capable of greatly reducing inflammation and alleviating pain, to the point of being used by hospitals to help their patients handle the pain caused by some physical conditions and treatments.
Since senior dogs can suffer from similar pain-inducing conditions, they can greatly benefit from CBD. Not only that, they might recover some of their mobility in the process, making life a lot more enjoyable for them!
Good Choice to Fight Anxiety
Believe it or not, dogs, just like humans, are capable of suffering from stress and anxiety. Adopted dogs, for example, are very likely to suffer from separation anxiety, which causes them a lot of distress when they are left alone, making them engage in destructive behaviour and act erratic.
Although there are many ways to handle this specific affliction, cannabidiol-based treats are great choices to calm them down and help them get used to the idea of being left alone. All thanks to its relaxing capabilities!
Other uses include reducing anxiety levels during trips, moves, and when meeting a new pet you recently adopted.
How to Use Cannabidiol-Based Dog Treats
A great advantage of CBD-based medication and products is that they, contrary to more traditional forms of treatments such as pain killers and anti-inflammatories is that they don’t cause harmful side effects, especially in the long-term run.
However, CBD is still capable of causing side effects, such as vomiting, diarrhoea, and excessive drowsiness. That being said, these side effects can be easily managed by lowering the dosage.
That is why dog treats are such great choices for beginners. They are easy to handle and manage and controlling the dosage for your dog is a lot easier to do. It is always recommended to start with small dosages, however, and go up until you find the desired results.
That is why providers often gift charts that contain information you should consider when providing a dosage to your dog, so you avoid side effects in the process. During the first days of trying it out, try to pay attention to your dog and see how it reacts, then act accordingly based on the results!
