Can CBD Oil Help Dogs With Cancer?
As unfair and tragic as it seems, even dogs can face a cancer diagnosis. Cancer can develop in some dogs despite how much you care for their health and wellbeing. Some of the most common types of cancer in canines include melanoma, lymphoma, bone cancer, mammary cancer and mast cell tumours. Cancer has a number of different treatment options from conventional to alternative and holistic.
If you’re interested in a holistic, organic and natural cancer supplement for your favourite furry friend, CBD oil for dogs may be an option. It’s important to state that CBD is not a cure for cancer. However, people do use it as a supplemental treatment and support aid amongst other traditional forms of treatment including radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Working in tandem with conventional cancer treatments, CBD oil for dogs is used by owners to try to improve your pup’s overall quality of life.
Let’s take a look at the ways CBD oil for dogs with cancer might help your dog through cancer.
Common Types of Cancer In Dogs
Cancer for dogs does differentiate from the type of cancer that humans have and are diagnosed with. The most common types of cancer in dogs including the following:
- Canine Lymphoma: This type of lymphoma can affect the dog’s lymph nodes as well as their sleep, the gastrointestinal tract and bone marrow. Canine lymphoma is among the most common types of cancers diagnosed in dogs and there are over 30 types of this cancer.
- Melanoma: This type of canine cancer is found within the skin and most often is located in the dog’s mouth. This is a dog skin cancer and most common types of melanoma include malignant melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
- Mammary Cancer: This type of cancer affects the mammary glands of the canine. It is primarily found in female dogs and rarely in male dogs or cats. Mammary cancer can develop in female dogs that have not been spayed or were spayed after they turned 2
What Are The Benefits of CBD Oil For Dogs With Cancer?
CBD oil is popular holistic supplement among humans in helping relieve their pain during cancer.
Like humans, dogs can benefit from using Pet grade CBD as an attempt for pain relief and anti inflammatory purposes.
CBD oil for dogs interacts with the canine’s endocannabinoid system, which is known to help with the regulation of pain and inflammation.
Because of this reason, CBD has risen to the top of the health and wellness chain for humans and pets.
It’s used by pet owners as dual treatment solution when used with other conventional therapies, especially for cancer.
So, what are the benefits?
Support Anti-Tumor Medications
A study on tumor growth and cancer cells found that mice taking CBD had an increased survival rate when taking it with traditional anti-tumor medications.
As more and more research emerges on the science and effectiveness behind CBD, pet owners can further conduct their own research and consult with a veterinarian on combining CBD oils with their pet’s cancer treatments.
May Reduces Pain and Inflammation
CBD can possibly help with pain management in cancer cases for dogs. Pain and inflammation is often a side effect of cancer itself.
As for humans, many prescription medications have caused undesirable side effects and the same can be said for pets. Opioid medications especially have been found to be dangerous or lead to harmful results. The same can be said for NSAIDS which have been scrutinized for its dangerous side effects.
So can CBD oil for dogs help reduce pain, inflammation and irritation caused by many chronic conditions? Some studies have concluded that it may even help enhance certain traits and functions of other pain medications prescribed by the veterinarian or doctor. You can read a study here.
Boosts The Immune System
The immune system and endocannabinoid system are closely connected. Some researchers have even found that the two systems are so connected that they are interrelated and referred to them as the immunocannabinoid system.
CBD oil has also been found to decrease oxidative stress which is an important function related to the body’s ability to fight of pathogens without damaging healthy tissues. CBD oil also helps regulate and ensure optimal gut function which is connected to immune health.
Helps With Nausea and Appetite
One of the most common side effects of cancer treatment for dogs include the inability to maintain a normal, healthy appetite and continuous nausea.
Some cancer forms can cause a severe drop in appetite which can be persistent. Many oncologists are now more intrigued about how cannabis and CBD based medicine integrated into a full cancer treatment plan can help improve appetite and nausea.
The endocannabinoid system has an important role for regulating metabolism and a healthy gut.
Selecting The Best CBD Oil for Dogs With Cancer
Cancer is one of the most dangerous and common diseases that affect dogs. It is highly recommended that pet owner’s conduct meticulous research prior to selecting the CBD oil brand and product of choice, especially when it comes to cancer. In addition to several pharmaceutical and conventional treatments for dogs with arthritis, there are several CBD options available.
However, not all CBD oil products for cancer are as effective and may not work for your pup.
There are several CBD products on the market that claim to treat pain and inflammation caused by arthritis, but some cut corners to deliver quick results that are not long term.
Make sure you are always buying from a third party tested and certified CBD brand. Here are the top CBD oil selections to manage a dog’s anxiety:
Consider Isolate Oil For Pets
Isolate CBD oil is completely THC free. THC can be toxic and dangerous when ingested or administered to dogs. CBD isolate for dogs contains primarily CBD molecules and does not include any other cannabinoids, terpenes or flavonoids. Not only should the pet CBD you buy be THC free, they should be pet grade, not human grade to ensure 0 traces of toxicity. Isolate is the basic form and is all natural and organic. Isolate CBD oil supports wellness and increases calmness in animals while maintaining their health and happiness.
Hemp Oil. Vs Marijuana Oil
CBD products for pets should only be from a hemp extract. Hemp derived CBD contains either zero or less than 0.3% of THC which ensures the safety of your pet and that they will not experience any undesirable “high” sensation. Not only is THC the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, it’s also quite toxic to animals and therefore dangerous.
CBD Oil That Contains Organic Cannabinoids and Ingredients
There is potential for toxins to get into the soil CBD oil is developed at times. This is because of the pesticides and bacteria located in farming soil which can be dangerous to pets.
This is why it is so important for CBD oil to be farmed meticulously and safely to avoid any dangers. Because of this issue, it’s critical for prospective CBD consumers to only purchase CBD oil products from a company that extracts oil from organic hemp grown only in America.
Balance CBD’s products are made entirely in the US from a third party, NSF tested, cruelty-free lab to ensure consumers have access to the most high-quality, safe and organic CBD products.
CBD Oil That Is Free of Dairy, Gluten and Is Vegan
All pet products given to your dog should be natural, organic and vegan to ensure their health and safety. CBD products that are free of dairy, gluten, organic and vegan ensure the safety of animals and are more accessible for different breeds of dogs.
CBD Oil Brand Certificate of Analysis
The Certificate of Analysis (COA) is a document provided by a reputable third-party laboratory that has meticulously tested the CBD oil products and confirmed their safety and quality. The COA document also proves the concentration of each cannabinoid and ingredient in the oil to verify that it contains less than 0.3%.
Talk to Your Veterinarian About CBD Oil for Dogs With Cancer
CBD oil is a natural, holistic product that you can purchase without a prescription and is known for its safe, organic qualities. However, it is still important to discuss integrating it with your cancer treatment plan with your veterinarian.
This is especially critical if your canine is receiving other cancer medications, especially pharmaceuticals. CBD can have drug interactions. In some instances, this may mean you can administer fewer conventional medications to your dog for pain management. In other cases, your veterinarian may prescribe medications at different times than when you administer your dog’s cannabidiol to ensure the drugs do not counteract.
In certain states across the nation, CBD oil has received full support from the veterinary community to support health and wellness. However, not all veterinarians are receptive to this research which is why you must discuss this with your veterinarian prior. You can always look for another veterinarian that is open to CBD oil support for cancer treatment if your veterinarian is uninterested.
Final Thoughts on CBD Oil For Dogs With Cancer
If you are approved to integrate CBD oil for dogs into your canine cancer treatment by your veterinarian, it’s ideal to start off slow with administration.
Once you start off with a low dosage of the CBD oil tincture, you can monitor your dog’s behaviour after they take the supplement.
In a recent canine study on how CBD can help reduce cancer cell proliferation, canines that took CBD oil in a lower dosage from 2.5 to 10ml, the cannabinoids significantly reduced cancer cell proliferation more than CBDA.
Ultimately, if you choose to try CBD oil for dogs with cancer treatments and medications, your pet also needs plenty of sleep, a great diet and exercise to live a healthy lifestyle.
Sources
This article was created with information from an article that has been medically reviewed by Victor Nguyen, PharmD.
- Purdue Comparative Oncology Program. Canine Lymphomas. Available at: https://vet.purdue.edu/pcop/canine-lymphoma-research.php.
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- American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS). Mammary Tumors. 2021. Available at: https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/mammary-tumors.
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