Are you researching how much CBD oil for dogs with cancer? Do you want to know are the CBD benefits for dogs? Will it really help your suffering pup?
Being the leading cause of death in senior dogs, cancer is a heart-wrenching experience for the dog and the dog parent both. Cancer can leave your furry friend feeling a lot of pain so it’s only natural for you to explore all the options out there that can promise some comfort to your dog.
To look after you furry family member well during this stressful time, do make sure to take the time to nurture your own emotional health.
Here’s the good news: CBD oil can help your dog feel more like themselves! Along with traditional treatments for cancer, CBD oil is an element many pet owners are adding to their dog’s healthcare regime. And with recent research confirming many health and therapeutic benefits of CBD oil in dogs, it’s easy to see why.
So if you’re wondering how much CBD oil for dogs with cancer, our article is for you. Covering CBD benefits for dogs with cancer to how CBD works to aid your dog in its tough journey, we’re here to make you an informed advocate for your pup’s health! But before we get to that part, let’s answer this…
What Is Cancer?
Our bodies are made up of millions of cells with specialized functions. Typically, your body creates new cells to replace old and dying cells in a controlled way. But sometimes, new cells don’t stop growing when they should. These cells soon start forming a harmful lump, known as a tumor. This uncontrolled and abnormal growth of cells is known as cancer.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, approximately 50% of dogs over 10 years old will develop cancer while 25% will develop a tumor. But keep in mind that cancer is a broad term used to explain over 100 types of cell growth.
Here are some common types of cancer in dogs:
- Skin cancer (melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma)
- Lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system)
- Mammary gland tumors (breast cancer)
- Bone cancer (osteosarcoma)
- Hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the blood vessels)
- Mast cell tumors (cancer of the immune system)
- Soft tissue sarcoma (cancer of the connective tissue)
- Oral tumors (melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma)
- Brain tumors
- Testicular tumors
What Is CBD Oil?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a chemical compound derived from the cannabis plant and hemp. Most people assume that since CBD oil is a cannabis product, it will have intoxicating effects on whoever consumes it. However, CBD oil lacks delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound responsible for a “high” sensation. This also depends on the quality of CBD oil you’re receiving, but more on that later.
There are CBD benefits for dogs when used with traditional cancer treatments like chemotherapy. These benefits can prove to be a life-changing experience. But to believe that it’s a miracle drug that can cure cancer on its own is reckless and can cost your pupper’s life!
CBD benefits for dogs with cancer
Yes, CBD oil can definitely help most dogs with cancer. In fact, there are numerous research papers and clinical trials that have concluded many of the CBD benefits for dogs with cancer. So how does CBD oil work to benefit dogs with cancer?
CBD Benefits for dogs
Recent research by the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation revealed that the use of CBD oil to treat canine cancer has a promising impact on your dog’s health. Now that we know what CBD oil is and how it’s extracted, let’s discuss the CBD benefits for dogs with cancer.
Alleviate pain and inflammation
One of the main reasons many dog owners discover CBD oil is because it’s recommended as the best natural pain relief oil. Dogs with cancer often have to go through a lot of pain and inflammation which can make every day a battle for them. Yet, according to a recent study, CBD works effectively in reducing neuropathic pain in dogs! How does it do that?
The answer lies in the endocannabinoid system of a dog. Like every mammal, dogs have an endocannabinoid system (ECS) within the nervous system and perform a range of important tasks such as emotional processing, pain management, immune and inflammatory responses, temperature control as well as eating habits.
Once administered, CBD oil triggers the ECS to perform better, improving your dog’s ability to tolerate pain by stimulating the receptors in the nervous system.
Reduce anxiety, and boost the immune system
As we’ve mentioned above, your dog has an endocannabinoid system that performs many vital tasks in the body. But did you know that the ECS and immune system are so closely related in a dog that researchers tend to call it the immunocannabinoid system?
Once your dog’s ECS picks up on the CBD oil you’re administering, it acts to boost the body’s immune system. In turn, it creates a stronger body to fight off cancer and perform better against draining cancer treatments. To put it simply, it gives your dog a real fighting chance against the leading cause of death in humans and dogs!
CBD oil has also been proven through numerous studies to reduce anxiety and promote improved sleep in dogs with cancer. Again, having a proper sleep cycle and being relaxed can improve the body’s chance of fighting off cancerous cells and reacting more positively to traditional treatment from clinics.
So if your dog seems especially anxious through the process of getting cancer treatments, it may be a sign to start administering CBD oil.
Improve Nausea and Appetite
Nausea is a common aftermath amongst dogs and humans after going through rounds of chemotherapy or other traditional treatments for cancer. Nausea can also set you back in your recovery because it can induce anorexic patterns that limit your pup from getting the nutrients they need for the journey ahead.
CBD oil and similar cannabinoids were tested in research in 2014 and were found to improve both nausea and appetite in dogs with cancer. The findings suggested that cannabis-based products such as CBD oil could improve overall gut health and regulate metabolism in all consumers.
Anti-tumor effect
Perhaps the best CBD benefit for dogs with cancer is its proven anti-tumor effects. One of the latest studies on CBD in 2021 revealed that CBD was effective at hindering cancerous cell production at a rapid rate. Including CBD oil in your dog’s regime along with chemotherapy can boost the obliteration of cancerous tumors in your dog!
Drawbacks Of CBD Oil
So there are great CBD benefits for dogs but there are some drawbacks to keep in mind. Here are the two common drawbacks of using CBD oil for dogs with cancer.
Low blood pressure
Given the fact that CBD is a cannabis product, it provides a sedative effect on dogs. It does so by reducing your dog’s blood pressure and making them feel relaxed and sleepy. In some cases, the relaxed effect is crucial to your dog’s speedy recovery but if given an inaccurate dose, it can be detrimental for dogs to have abnormally low blood pressure.
Low blood pressure also creates a drowsy attitude in dogs that may not be recommended in some situations. If you’re taking your dog to a checkup or elsewhere, it’s best to have your dog have regular vital signs and an alert attitude! It all boils down to finding how much CBD oil for dogs with cancer is good for your pup.
Dry mouth
Reportedly, some pet owners noticed that CBD oil causes their dogs to have dry mouths compared to their usual slobbery mouths. Researchers back up this claim by noting that studies have shown CBD to decrease the overall production of saliva in dogs. But this drawback on dogs with cancer is not potentially harmful and will only result in your dog feeling more thirsty throughout the day.
Things to consider When working out How Much CBD Oil For Dogs With Cancer
So we have looked at CBD benefits for dogs that can make your dog’s journey easier. We want to emphasize again that CBD is not a standalone drug but can prove to be an exceptional supplement for stabilizing your dog’s symptoms. When considering how much CBD oil for dogs with cancer, here are some things to consider and to ensure are discussed with your pet’s specialist.
Dog’s Weight And Age
We want to preface by saying that each dog is different and will have a unique reaction to CBD oil in their system. This can cause confusion amongst dog parents but the best way to go about working out how much CBD oil for dogs with cancer is to go slow and steady. Start by infusing a drop at a time to build up and notice your dog’s reaction to the drug.
The amount of CBD oil you’ll give your dog mainly depends on their weight and age. A good formula to keep in mind is to administer 0.25mg of CBD oil per pound of dog weight. So if you have a 10-pound dog on your hands, you’ll be starting off at 2.5mg of CBD oil per dose.
Secondly, age is another main contributive factor when deciding your dog’s CBD dosage. Older dogs will react faster to a lower volume than younger dogs who will need bigger doses to come into effect.
Cancer Progression
Something to keep in mind is the current prognosis of your dog. If your four-legged pal is in the early stages and has better pain management, you can opt for administering a dose once in a while. This can help provide pain relief, offer relaxation, and improve the overall health of your pup.
On the other hand, if your dog is battling an aggressive stage of cancer and is dealing with enormous amounts of pain, it may be best to provide scheduled doses of CBD oil to avoid any flare-ups. This can ensure your dog gets well-adjusted and enjoys all the CBD benefits for dogs.
CBD Oil Quality
Another thing that impacts how much CBD oil will be needed for your puppy is the quality of the product. Pet parents should always look for organic and higher-quality CBD oil because quality always overcomes quantity. Organic CBD oil ensures that you’re not feeding your sick dog pesticides or chemical solvents.
Having higher quality and highest purity CBD oil is free of additives and works more effectively that a lower quality and cheap CBD oil. In this manner, you’ll be needing much less volume of CBD oil per dose!
Other Medication
Is your pup on other medications? Since CBD itself is a chemical component, it has the chance of reacting negatively with other medications. So instead of feeling better, your little friend could end up having worse reactions and a downhill health decline. The best way to deal with this factor is to talk to a professional, preferably a holistic veterinary specialist!
Talk To Your Vet Before Including CBD Oil In Your Dog’s Medication
While you want the best for your doggo, it’s important to have a professional’s opinion. Vets can guide you on how much CBD oil for dogs with cancer as well as ways to safely administer it.
There might be some cases where a specialist may advise against the use of CBD oil and we highly recommend following professional protocols. Keep in mind that vets outside California are prohibited from initiating conversations regarding CBD as a supplemental treatment so you’ll have to ask them yourself!
Conclusion
We all love our pets and want the very best for them. If your dog is diagnosed with cancer, there are a few things to make their journey comfortable ahead. Using CBD oil along with other treatments can comfort your dog by taking away their pain, and reducing inflammation and nausea while boosting their metabolism and immune system.
But these CBD benefits for dogs can only be truly enjoyed when you know how much CBD oil you should administer to your dog. CBD oil doses are dependent on your dog’s breed, weight, and cancer progression. But most of all, it’s best to work with your vet on deciding how much CBD oil for dogs with cancer is going to be beneficial!
So that is a lot of information to consider about CDB oil for dogs with cancer. Please comment below with your thoughts about the topics mentioned in this article below.
