Arthritis in dogs is a common condition that causes joint pain and reduction in general mobility. As many as 25% of all dogs, regardless of their age, are affected by osteoarthritis, and as many as 60% of dogs will show some sort of evidence of the disease on x-ray at some point in their life. Because of the prevalence of arthritis in canines, it’s considered one of the most common chronic conditions your dog can have.
While arthritis can significantly affect your dog’s life, there are treatments that you can give your pup to help them live a healthier, more pain-free life. One of the most common treatments for arthritis in dogs is medication called NSAIDs—which stands for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (similar to ibuprofen for humans). While these medications are effective for managing pain, they come with some nasty potential side effects. Prolonged use of NSAIDs in dogs can result in gastrointestinal issues, kidney problems, and more. While veterinarians will weigh the potential for negative side effects (according to your dog’s medical history) alongside the likelihood of the medication ultimately resulting in these side effects, the fact remains that the longer your dog takes these medications, the more likely they will get some sort of negative effect from it.
Given these facts, it’s understandable that dog owners would want to look for other options to help their pup suffering from arthritis feel better—ideally without the negative side effects. As a result, pet supplements and CBD for dogs quickly gained popularity.
CBD (cannabidiol) is a natural ingredient found in the marijuana plant that does not cause a “high” feeling (the psychoactive effect that people often associate with marijuana) but instead results in muscle relaxation, a reduction in anxiety, and a feeling of calmness. This means that giving your dog CBD can help relax their sore joints and muscles, giving them some relief from the pain of arthritis.
As a result, a wide variety of CBD products for dogs have become available on the market. One popular option is CBD oil because it can be mixed with your dog’s food or given to them directly with a dropper or in pill form. This begs the question—what is the best CBD oil for dogs?
In this article, we explore more about CBD for dogs with arthritis pain, including its benefits, some limitations, some product recommendations, additional uses for it, and debunking common myths.
CBD for dogs with arthritis has become a popular option for canine owners because of the prevalence of the disease, regardless of the dog’s age or breed. Incorporating CBD oil into your dog’s daily diet can have positive results in terms of mobility and pain relief. Some benefits of CBD oil for arthritis in dogs include:
Given that NSAIDs can potentially cause your dog to experience negative side effects, one of the most attractive facts about CBD for dogs with arthritis is that it doesn’t cause any negative side effects. One study found that giving dogs 2 mg of CBD oil for every 2 kg of body weight resulted in a significant reduction in pain and an increase in activity, with no observable side effects.
When combined with a therapeutic joint supplement for dogs such as TRI-ACTA H.A., you can easily get your pup off of NSAIDs and give them relief from their arthritis without having to worry about the potential of them developing secondary conditions or suffering from adverse effects over time.
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Stiffness and reduced mobility are common side effects of arthritis in dogs, which often means that they are not as active as they once were due to the pain and discomfort. Given that arthritis can cause muscle tension due to your dog’s body trying to protect their joints, the muscle-relaxant effect of CBD is noteworthy.
Another study on the effects of CBD in dogs with arthritis pain from Cornell University found that 4.4 mg of CBD per pound twice daily for a month resulted in extreme improvements in dogs that were so affected by arthritis that their owners considered euthanasia. After the initial one-month period, these dogs were climbing stairs with ease. It’s important to work with a veterinarian (even though they can’t prescribe CBD directly—more on that later in this article) to help determine the correct dosage for your dog. The most logical approach is to start with a small dose and ramp up slowly until improvements are noticed.
When your pup is in pain and dealing with daily discomfort, they may also develop anxiety—especially when they need to do things like climb stairs or otherwise exert themselves. Thankfully, CBD oil for dogs with anxiety is available. In humans, CBD helps manage anxiety by mimicking serotonin by binding and activating the 5-HT1A serotonin receptors in the brain. Dogs also have these serotonin receptors, so it’s possible that the CBD works in the same way for our canine companions. A study conducted by the Waltham Petcare Science Institute found that giving dogs a once-daily dose of 4 mg of CBD per kg of body weight resulted in a calming effect in the dogs that received the CBD and that their bodies tolerated it better than psychiatric drugs.
Beyond managing arthritis pain, CBD oil for dogs may offer several additional benefits, including:
When selecting the best CBD oil for dogs with arthritis, consider factors such as product quality, potency, transparency, and customer reviews. Look for CBD oils specifically formulated for pets, preferably derived from organic hemp, and third-party tested for purity and potency. Additionally, opt for products with clear dosage instructions and reputable brands known for their commitment to pet wellness. Consulting with your veterinarian can also provide valuable guidance tailored to your dog's specific needs and health condition.
With that being said, here are our recommendations:
It can be difficult to find pure CBD oil for pets. However, CBD Heal contains 99% CBD isolate without any other cannabinoids or THC, which is backed by a lab certificate of analysis, so you can be sure of what you are giving your pet. There are a variety of different concentrations available based on the size of your pet:
Starts at $29.99 CDN for a one-time purchase of the 150 ml bottle, or $23.99/month for a subscription. Pricing as of February 2024.
Joy Organics provides organic, THC-free CBD oil tinctures specially formulated for pets, ensuring high quality and safety for your furry friend. It contains only two ingredients, organic olive oil, and organic broad-spectrum hemp extract. It also had no detectable THC.
$31.47 USD or about $42.45 CAD. Pricing as of February 2024.
Medterra's pet CBD tinctures are crafted using CO2 extraction methods and third-party testing to ensure quality and consistency, making them popular among pet owners. It also comes in various strengths (depending on your pet’s weight) and pet-friendly flavours like beef or chicken.
$17.49 USD or about $23.59 CAD. Pricing as of February 2024.
Renowned for its extensive range of CBD products for pets, King Kanine offers CBD oil tinctures made from organic hemp extract and designed to support overall wellness and joint health. Like the other CBD offerings on this list, different concentrations are available depending on your pet’s weight.
$29.99 USD or about $40.44 CAD. Pricing as of February 2024.
Here is a quick comparison of the best CBD oil for dogs with arthritis recommendations listed in the previous section for quick reference:
|
Product Name |
Notable Ingredients (aside from CBD) |
Price* |
|
CBD Oil for Dogs Canada – Pets CBD Oil Tincture 150mg (CBD2HEAL) |
No additional ingredients |
Starts at $29.99 CAD for a one-time purchase of the 150 ml bottle, or $23.99/month for a subscription. Daily dose cost: Starts at $0.17 |
|
Joy Organics CBD Oil Tincture for Pets |
Olive oil, broad-spectrum hemp extract |
$42.45 CAD** Daily dose cost: About $0.04 per 1 mg dose |
|
Medterra CBD Pet Oil |
Organic MCT Oil (fat found in coconuts and palm oil; can increase appetite and energy), flavourings |
$23.59 CAD** Daily dose cost: About $0.30 per 1 mg dose |
|
King Kalm CBD |
Copaiba Oil (a natural anti-inflammatory), krill oil (helps the CBD be absorbed in the body more effectively) |
$40.44 CAD** Daily dose cost: About $1.00 per 1 mg dose |
*Pricing as of February 2024
**Price converted from USD to CAD
While the availability of CBD oil for arthritic dogs is definitely an important advancement in treating canines with this condition, it’s important to realize that due to the popularity of the medication, some myths surrounding what it can do and how it works have emerged. It can be difficult to determine what’s false and factual information when you’re searching online for information because much of the information you’ll find seems logical and easy to believe.
But just because CBD oil for dogs arthritis pain is effective doesn’t mean that it’s a cure-all. Here, we bust some common misconceptions and provide the real facts behind CBD oil for dogs instead.
CBD oil has been shown to reduce inflammation in dogs with joint pain, which helps them feel more comfortable and allows them to move more easily, but it’s important to recognize that CBD oil for dogs isn’t a cure for joint pain. The best CBD oil for dogs with arthritis helps manage pain and inflammation, which results in dogs becoming more active and having a better quality of life in general, but it will not cure or eliminate the condition.
This is why it’s important to use a joint supplement like TRI-ACTA H.A. in conjunction with CBD oil, as the natural ingredients in this supplement are proven to help strengthen your dog’s weakened joints over time by replenishing the ingredients that their bodies naturally produce. TRI-ACTA H.A. is an especially noteworthy option because it contains 100% therapeutic ingredients:
|
TRI-ACTA H.A. Ingredient |
Benefit |
|
Glucosamine Sulfate / Glucosamine HCl |
Both glucosamine sulfate and glucosamine HCl complement each other to optimize your dog's joint health. Glucosamine sulfate supplies crucial sulfur for joint maintenance and repair, while glucosamine HCl offers high bioavailability, ensuring rapid absorption for maximum effectiveness. |
|
Chondroitin |
In tandem with glucosamine, chondroitin aids in the repair and rejuvenation of cartilage within your dog's joints. |
|
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) |
MSM, a natural anti-inflammatory, diminishes swelling in your dog's joints, alleviating discomfort. |
|
Hyaluronic Acid |
By enhancing the viscosity of the synovial fluid in your dog's joints, this vital acid facilitates smoother and less painful movement. |
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This can be a tough one because while some research has been done that touts possible positive effects of the best CBD oil for dogs with arthritis, the research is still in its early stages. Publications like the use of cannabinoids for managing disease in dogs and cats can be found online, but they all end with the disclaimer that more research needs to be done. In addition, a veterinarian can’t actually prescribe your pup CBD oil or sell it to you. They might recommend that you try CBD oil and provide some advice for its use, but you can’t legally get a CBD oil prescription for your dog from your vet in Canada or the United States.
This might seem odd, considering if you do a quick Google search, you’ll find many CBD products marketed and sold for pets. The way that some pet product companies get around this is by marketing the product as hemp (which is a legal part of the cannabis plant that is often used for clothing and other goods). Hemp-derived CBD products, while you can purchase them easily over the counter or online, are still not approved by the FDA in the United States. This means that veterinarians also cannot legally prescribe hemp pet products and that the ingredients in these products are not regulated, so the quality and efficacy can’t be guaranteed.
Canada is similar; veterinarians also can’t directly prescribe CBD for pets, but they can discuss human CBD use in a therapeutic sense for a pet and even recommend it in an “extra-label” scenario (meaning that the use of the drug differs from the approved labelling).
Human CBD and pet CBD are both created from the leaves, stems, and flowers of the marijuana plant. Although the main ingredient (cannabidiol) is the same in CBD oil meant for humans or dogs, there is a distinct difference in the products meant for each:
One thing about CBD oil, whether for humans or pets, is that the dosage amount can’t be completely guaranteed. When looking at CBD oil products for sale for humans online or in a store in Canada, for example, you’ll often see that the THC or CBD that the product contains is listed as a range rather than a specific amount. This is because while the strain of plants can be controlled to some degree, there is no way to ensure that two plants, even if they were grown together in the exact same conditions, contain the same amount of these two ingredients. Therefore, some may contain slightly more CBD or slightly less.
While the difference in high-quality products is usually negligible for humans, you might notice a difference in therapeutic value for your dog. It’s important to pay close attention to the label and note that ingredients could differ for a current and past batch of the same CBD oil.
Choosing the best CBD oil for dogs with arthritis involves careful consideration of factors such as product quality, potency, transparency, and customer reviews. While traditional treatments like NSAIDs can effectively manage pain, they often come with potential side effects. CBD oil offers a natural alternative that can alleviate inflammation, improve mobility, and manage anxiety without adverse reactions. However, its benefits for joint health are limited to reducing the symptoms and it fails to address the root cause.
When selecting a CBD oil, opt for products specifically formulated for pets and third-party tested for purity and potency. Our recommendations include CBD oils from reputable brands like CBD2HEAL, Joy Organics, Medterra, and King Kanine. Additionally, beyond managing arthritis pain, CBD oil may offer several other benefits for dogs, including anxiety relief, seizure management, pain management, anti-inflammatory effects, and more. However, it's essential to debunk common myths surrounding CBD oil for dogs, such as its ability to cure joint pain or its equivalence to human CBD oil. Consulting with a veterinarian can provide valuable guidance tailored to your dog's specific needs and health conditions, ensuring a safe and effective treatment approach.
As part of a complete approach to managing your dog’s arthritis pain, it’s important to incorporate a joint supplement into their diet to address the root cause, in addition to pain relief, like what is provided through the best CBD oil for dogs with arthritis.
TRI-ACTA H.A. is one such supplement that will treat the cause and symptoms of a mobility concern. It can help dogs with arthritis and be used in conjunction with CBD oil.
Purchase TRI-ACTA H.A. online today or learn where to buy at a store near you.
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