This post is brought to you in partnership with Good Dawg Gravy.
CBD (short for “Cannabidiol”) has become an enigmatic buzzword. It seems to be used by everyone and their mother these days.
But what even is CBD – what’s the hype about? Why is it good for dogs? And how should I be giving it to my dog? (Disclaimer: it’s recommended to check with your vet before introducing a new supplements to your dog’s diet.)
What is CBD?
CBD is on everyone’s minds because it’s been discovered as a super effective supplement to reducing chronic pain and inflammation.
What do most aging dogs have that keep them from having the best days they can? Inflammation, arthritis, and chronic pain.
Let’s start with the basics. CBD is a compound derived from hemp. In hemp, there’s little to no THC (like in hemp’s cousin, marijuana), so CBD is a compound that has the benefits of medicinal marijuana, but doesn’t have the side effects of intoxication.
That’s why CBD is legal for humans and animals in all 50 states.
Why is CBD good for my dog?
CBD has started taking the pet industry by storm after people are discovering that it’s helping their aging dogs move better and live happier, less anxious lives.
Dogs that were once creaky and slow rising to greet you, are suddenly having a bit more spring in their step. Some dogs that have anxious personalities are suddenly easing into life a bit better once they take their CBD supplement.
CBD has been proven to ease anxiety and inflammation
For aging dogs (and younger dogs), supplemental CBD can help regulate various physiological processes – including mood and stress responses – making it useful for dogs who experience anxiety or stress due to a variety of reasons, such as separation anxiety, noise phobias, or travel anxiety.
CBD also has anti-inflammatory properties, which are beneficial for dogs with arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, or other inflammatory conditions.
And since chronic pain is caused by inflammation, dog guardians are realizing that cannabanoidal supplements are helping to ease chronic pain in their dogs too.
What is the Endocannabinoid System? And why should I care about it?
The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is a complex system of receptors, proteins, and synapses found throughout the body, and is responsible for overall physiological well. According to studies conducted by Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine, this complex system helps regulate essential functions like:
- Learning and memory
- Emotional processing
- Sleep
- Temperature control
- Pain control
- Inflammatory and immune responses
- Eating
All mammals produce cannabinoid-like proteins that activate cell receptors associated with the ECS, and like many systems, our bodies stop producing those proteins as we age – just like we slowly stop producing hormones and other vital compounds.
Maintaining the ECS in order to achieve the best physiological benefits – like mood and mobility – has become as important for dogs as it is for humans.
So as dogs age, they could need a little figurative push to make up for these lost proteins – that’s where CBD comes in. A supplement is vital to maintaining your best friend’s endocannabinoid ecosystem.
How can I try a CBD supplement for my dog?
Russ and Stu – the founders of Good Dawg Gravy – are revolutionizing the way we give CBD to our pets – by making a delicious, daily “gravy” that is all-natural, healthy, nutritious, sized and formulated for your individual dog.
Good Dawg Gravy addresses each dog’s emotional and mobility needs with their personalized gravy dosage regimen. They’ve created the world’s first line of daily CBD supplements that do not require tedious measuring or dosing, which takes the guesswork out of CBD supplements.
Good Dawg Gravy isn’t filled with chemicals and flavor masking agents, or come with the risk of fatty liver disease, pancreatitis and weight gain, like the two other forms of CBD supplements on the market today, like treats and tinctures.
Good Dawg Gravy’s tagline is #MoreFunDays because that’s all we really want with our dogs – we want them to have the most fun days with us as possible.
Do you want your dog to try a CBD supplement, but don’t want to spend an arm and a leg testing it out? Russ and Stu are currently offering a FREE 2-Week Trial of Good Dawg Gravy.
Why a 2-week trial?
Because CBD is not like taking Advil for a headache. It requires time to build up in a dog’s system before the benefits begin to show. Results typically begin to show around day 7-10 depending on your dog.
First, choose the CBD formulation you would like to give your dog, and snag your free two-week trial of Good Dawg Gravy – a $50 value – here. No credit card needed and no strings attached.
Author: Ely Twiggs
Ely's love for the outdoors and having first hand experience of the shortness of life was the impetus for her move from Australia into an RV to travel the US. When she got to Bend, she knew this was the place. After creating The Dog in Us, a multi-channel platform about exploring National Parks with Dogs, she wanted to bring dog-approved resources to a local community she loves. Enter The Dog Guide Bend, a resource made for the Bend Dog Community. Ely is the guardian of two rescue dogs, Alaska and Smoky Joe, and they are the center of her universe. Ely and her husband Tom run a mobile RV repair business called Meet You There RV Repair & Inspection.