As dog owners, we are the best health advocate for our beloved furry friends. We are often concerned for their health, daily activities, and most importantly, their diet. Diet is one of the most important factors in promoting their wellness (read more) and extending their lives. With an unbalanced diet, two results might happen: malnutrition or obesity.
Malnutrition for dogs can lead to many complications like neurological compromise, organ failure, lethargy, fatigue, skin conditions, and dehydration. Despite looking cute for some people, obesity for dogs can also result in many complications and, worse, a heart condition. Promoting wellness is not an easy feat but doing so will help prevent such complications.
Thankfully, there is a new wellness trend circulating on the internet in the past few years. As you have guessed, I am talking about CBD Oil! I know what you are thinking. How can this product help dogs who are malnourished or obese? Read further and find out more about how the product can help malnourished and obese dogs!
Product Overview: CBD Oil
Cannabidiol – CBD for short – is a phytocannabinoid known for its health benefits and inability to intoxicate users. Hemp, a type of cannabis plant, houses a large amount of cannabidiol. Traces of tetrahydrocannabinol or THC are also found in hemp but not enough to make a person feel its effects. For that reason, hemp is non-psychoactive and only gives benefits without causing the user to get high.
I know you are familiar with cannabis plants, particularly marijuana. Marijuana is famous for a reason as it intoxicates users with its euphoric effects. THC is the one responsible for these side effects, and it is predominant in marijuana. It is also the reason why the cannabis plant is still illegal to use in large amounts.
One of the most famous cannabidiol products in the pet hemp market is CBD oil. It is well-known for its versatile use as you can mix them with their food, water, and drinks. You can also directly drop a dose in their mouth!
In a nutshell, CBD Oil is a carrier oil infused with cannabidiol, other cannabinoids, terpenes, and plant extracts. For dogs, the oil does not contain any traces of THC (0.3%), unlike the human product counterpart. THC is dangerous to our furry friends as the stimulation from the substance can overload the cannabinoid receptors in their nervous system.
The cannabinoid (CB) receptors are the ones that bind with cannabinoids to send signals to the central and peripheral nervous systems. As a result of taking THC, the poor dog might have symptoms from as mild as fatigue to as severe as coma. For that reason, CBD oil for dogs should not contain any THC. Luckily, pet hemp companies are aware of this problem and only offer THC-free products.
Benefits Your Dogs Can Get From CBD Oil
- Anti-inflammatory effects
- Relieves anxiety
- Reduces stress
- Improves sleep
- Promotes good mood
- Prevents seizures
- Increased Appetite
How CBD Helps Malnourished Dogs Get Back To Health
Malnourishment is the result of not taking in enough nutrients in the body. The cause can be the lack of food provided for your pet, poor eating quality, or pre-existing illnesses that made your dog refuse to eat. With approximately 10% or more bodyweight lost, your poor pup would appear thin, and their bony parts become more prominent.
The treatment for this condition is a careful process. At first, they require medical intervention to treat any underlying causes. It does not involve putting excessive amounts of food on their plate but rather a scheduled meal with adequate nutrition. Giving excessive food right away would cause them to feel nauseous and vomit. Then they are weighed daily to track their progress, and the change of treatment plans depends on their evaluation.
As for dog owners who take care of a recovering malnourished dog, CBD can be a gamechanger. One of the benefits of cannabidiol is increasing their appetite, which would greatly help them progress into healthier pups. But that is not all because cannabidiol can also prevent them from nausea and vomiting, a pretty neat add-on if you ask me!
How Cannabidiol Assist Obese Dogs In Losing Weight
Obesity is the other end of the spectrum of an imbalanced diet. When malnutrition is the outcome of inadequate nutrition, obesity is the result of overeating unhealthy foods. Though they may be different, they both are equally bad for your beloved pets.
Obese dogs appear to be chubbier than their average fellow breed. To help you see the difference, look for a photo of the same breed as your dog and compare. As for knowing the exact weight, visit a veterinarian as they know how to calculate their body condition score or BCS (link: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/body-condition-scores), which is like your body mass index (BMI). Generally, dogs weighing 10-20% heavier than average are overweight, and more than 20% are obese.
The treatment plan involves more exercise and eating a well-balanced diet for your pet. Doing a lot of work out while bearing the weight of their body would lead to inflamed joints. They would also have some aches after a few good runs in the park!
Obese pups with inflamed joints would find working out difficult. The pain from their inflamed joints significantly limits their mobility. Luckily, CBD has potent inflammatory effects that can relieve those inflamed joints.
It can also serve as an analgesic for those aching muscles. Above all, Cannabidiol can assist in burning their fat faster, control blood sugar levels, boost metabolism, and improve their overall cardiovascular health!