Osteoarthritis exists in humans but also in dogs and cats.

A source of pain and locomotor difficulties, it unfortunately cannot be cured .

Osteoarthritis is often seen as occurring in older animals.

But although it frequently appears during aging, it can also exist in young dogs and cats.

While no treatment is possible to cure osteoarthritis, solutions exist to help your dog live better with its symptoms.

The management of osteoarthritis is based on changes in your pet’s lifestyle and pain relief.

Alongside classic anti-inflammatory drugs, more natural and less harsh remedies exist, such as CBD or cannabidiol .

CBD is a hemp extract that is experiencing a meteoric rise in the veterinary world, thanks to its therapeutic potential in some of our little companions, particularly dogs and cats.

CBD has, in fact, already proven itself as an effective natural solution against a number of ailments that your dog may suffer from, such as osteoarthritis.

Calming and soothing, CBD for dogs can help your pet improve their quality of life healthily and naturally.

This is what a number of studies reveal, including one from Cornell Veterinary University , which highlights the impressive effects of CBD on joint pain due to osteoarthritis in dogs.

We tell you more about CBD for dogs in case of osteoarthritis, the reasons for using it , its effect , as well as how and where to buy CBD against osteoarthritis in dogs .

 

Osteoarthritis in dogs: Overview

Before telling you more about CBD for dogs against osteoarthritis, it is good to redefine what it is.

Indeed, to help your companion and adopt the right actions, it is essential to know what your dog is fighting against.

Osteoarthritis or Arthritis: Know the Difference !

Osteoarthritis is defined as a painful condition of the joints due to abnormal wear of the cartilage which usually acts as a cushion at the joints.

The movement then becomes particularly painful for the dog who has difficulty moving.

Worn cartilage cannot be replaced and pain is therefore inevitable. Joint problems mainly occur in targeted areas in dogs such as the knee, hip, ankle, shoulder, or spine.

Unlike osteoarthritis, arthritis is an inflammatory condition of the joints due to infectious causes .

Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of chronic joint pain in dogs. The pain is exacerbated by a hypersensitization phenomenon in the central nervous system.

WARNING: Even though both pathologies belong to the rheumatism family, do not confuse arthritis and osteoarthritis. Arthritis actually causes the secretion of quinines, substances that gradually destroy the joint, while osteoarthritis is a “mechanical disease”. Arthritis therefore causes pain in dogs even when they are motionless, while osteoarthritis is only felt when they are moving.

Osteoarthritis in Dogs: Symptoms

There are several signs that can alert the owner of a dog suffering from osteoarthritis.

Observable symptoms include :

• Loss of energy, interest, reduced movement
• Depression or aggression
• Severe fatigue after exercise
• Resistance to perform a movement (jumping on the sofa, climbing stairs, etc.) more marked “when cold” as in the morning when waking up
• Rigidity of limbs
• Stiffer movements and tense gait (limp, locked hips, etc.)
• Tremors
• Licking or biting painful joints
• Loss of appetite
• Behavioral changes (vocalizations, aggression , etc.)

Some of these symptoms may be signs of other health problems or diseases. If in doubt, do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian.

Osteoarthritis in Dogs: Causes

90% of older dogs develop some form of rheumatism over time, whether it is arthritis or canine osteoarthritis.

However, younger dogs can also develop one or more of these conditions. Here are the main reasons why:

• Overweight : Osteoarthritis or arthritis, an overweight or obese dog is more easily prone to joint pain.
• Traumatic injury or health problems : Certain accidents or infections can damage cartilage and cause acute joint pain such as a torn cruciate ligament.
• Growth disorders : Some breeds of dogs such as Labradors , Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds or Rottweilers are predisposed to abnormal cartilage degradation. Examples include hip, elbow or shoulder dysplasia which is a hereditary abnormality.
• Congenital anomaly : An abnormality at birth can lead to joint problems later on. This can include the luxating patella common in small breed dogs such as Poodles, Bichons or Yorkshire Terriers.

Osteoarthritis in dogs: Diagnosis

The veterinarian will carry out a clinical examination which will be accompanied by careful listening to the history of the disorders.

The veterinarian will first try to detect any possible damage to the nervous system. He will perform a careful palpation to assess the condition of the muscles and joints. The veterinarian may also decide to perform additional tests such as an X-ray or a scan.

Osteoarthritis in dogs: Treatments

In the event of a growth or congenital abnormality, surgery may be considered by the veterinarian early on to prevent the onset of osteoarthritis. Indeed, cartilage, once worn, cannot regenerate.

The goal is therefore to intervene at the level of the factor which creates joint pain in order to eliminate it and allow the dog to regain a healthy joint.

Once osteoarthritis has set in , the goal is to slow its progression and relieve your pet’s pain, which can be very invasive. Often, the administration of anti-inflammatory drugs is recommended by the veterinarian.

However, the side effects are very severe . This is why they cannot be given continuously. They are often used during acute osteoarthritis attacks but their analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects diminish over time due to a habituation effect.

This is where CBD can help, but not only.

 

Osteoarthritis in Dogs: What is CBD for Dogs?

CBD or cannabidiol is extracted from the hemp or cannabis plant and is therefore a completely natural product.

Hemp is a flowering plant and mainly produces two radically different types of substance that are unfortunately often confused:

• THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) which is the psychoactive substance used to make cannabis resin or herb, as a recreational product in humans .
• CBD , a completely harmless, non-psychoactive substance with calming properties without side effects or addiction.

CBD is therefore not a narcotic product and does not present any danger to animals or humans.

Does your dog suffer from osteoarthritis? Here’s how CBD can help . What are its effects . But also where and how to buy it.

 

CBD for dogs: 5 benefits in case of osteoarthritis

You’ve heard about CBD for dogs but you’re not really sure how it can help your companion? Here are 5 effects that CBD can have on your pet in case of osteoarthritis.

1. Fight against joint pain

Researchers at Cornell University recently completed a study on the effects of CBD on dogs with joint pain.

During the six-week dual-dose study, dogs were given either CBD or a placebo twice daily.

The effects of CBD oil have been very positive as veterinary researchers have observed a decrease in pain as well as an increase in activity for animals under CBD. Better yet, owners have not reported any side effects in dogs that have taken CBD oil (source: Cornell University study ).

Great news for owners whose dogs suffer from joint pain!

Also read: Review: CBD for dogs against pain

2. Relieve stress

CBD also combats the stress and anxiety that the disease can generate. The disease, and the pain it causes, creates fatigue, stress and hypersensitivity to the environment in dogs.

The calming properties of CBD promote relaxation and calm in animals that are suffering, and may become anxious, depressed, or even aggressive (source: University of Kentucky study ).

3. Alternative and/or support to anti-inflammatories

Through its global approach, CBD can sometimes avoid taking anti-inflammatories or at least reduce it (to be discussed with your veterinarian).

Until now, most owners have indeed resorted to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve their dogs’ joint pain. However, several problems accompanied them.

Veterinarians have in fact observed that NSAIDs do not always provide adequate relief for arthritic pain and can have negative side effects on the body.

Some dogs, especially older dogs with kidney or gastrointestinal disease, cannot take them at all.

Since research on CBD has shown no apparent side effects, it therefore presents itself as a particularly interesting solution against discomfort or at least to reinforce the action of NSAIDs.

Senior dogs, dogs with neurological issues, and now dogs with joint pain are now seeing the benefits that CBD can provide without damaging organs and tissues.

Also read: Anti-inflammatories for dogs: Our advice!

4. Relieve side effects of medications

Nausea, vomiting, but also psychological disorders, depression, disturbed sleep, agitation… Chemical drugs against osteoarthritis can come with their share of side effects.

Science has revealed that CBD can relieve some of these effects, such as anxiety, but also nausea (sources: European Journal of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics journal ).

5. Regulate appetite

Many dogs suffer from osteoarthritis due to being overweight.

In addition to a healthy lifestyle, a suitable diet and regular exercise, CBD can help maintain a healthy weight in our animals, while regulating appetite (source: Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine ).

A suitable diet is all the more important because the depression and anxiety generated by the disease tend to disrupt the appetite of dogs, as they do in humans.

A dog that absorbs the necessary nutrients, neither too much nor too little, will in fact have more energy and strength to fight against osteoarthritis.