Is you pet suffering from gastrointestinal issues? If your dog or cat as tummy upsets you can’t resolve, CBD may be worth considering with your vet.
The future of CBD oil treatment is bright. Every year, more and more studies are revealing just how far-reaching medicinal cannabis can be in treating a wide range of diverse ailments.
In a recent blog, we talked about the potential role CBD could play in the future of diabetes treatment.
In this post, we’re exploring another emerging area of CBD treatment for pets: gastrointestinal issues.
At this point in time, neither diabetes nor digestive problems are primary conditions for CBD treatment. However, as more research is conducted, we are excited about seeing the expansion of the clinical uses of medicinal cannabis to help our pets live their best lives.
How CBD and the gut can work together
Let’s first consider the nature of tummy issues and how this connects with properties of CBD oil.
Inflammation and pain are both key hallmarks which are common to various gastrointestinal problems in our fur babies.
Luckily, CBD is well established as an effective way to help ease pain and inflammation in both humans and animals.
Anxiety and stress can also trigger gastrointestinal upsets, and medicinal cannabis may be able to assist in calming and soothing these feelings in our pets.
Furthermore, CBD serves as a muscle relaxant, and this can help facilitate digestion.
Medicinal cannabis has also been shown to increase appetite – and we know that a pet’s appetite can go rapidly downhill when they are feeling tummy discomfort.
CBD and gastrointestinal motility
While more studies are needed to define the effectiveness and appropriate dosage of CBD as a digestive treatment, there are some key facts we’ve learnt from studies to date.
When it comes to understanding digestive problems in pets, it’s important to appreciate the concept of gastrointestinal (GI) motility.
GI refers to how well the intestines (the bowel) can move waste along and expel it from the body.
When a pet’s motility isn’t functioning properly, they will start to feel discomfort and pain from their lower belly.
Conditions like constipation, gastrointestinal reflux disease and nausea are all linked to GI motility.
Laboratory studies have highlighted that CBD oil can improve gastrointestinal motility. It does this both by radically reducing inflammation while also playing a role in triggering the muscles and enzymes critical for the proper functioning of the digestive tract.
The importance of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in pets
The potential of CBD as a treatment for tummy problems doesn’t stop at motility.
Some experts have pointed out that irritable bowel syndrome (IBS – a common gastrointestinal condition) may even be related to Clinical endocannabinoid deficiency (CECD).
This means that for pets suffering IBS, they may also be experiencing a deficit of the ECS itself – and CBD targets this system.
Research on CBD and the intestinal barrier
The intestinal mucosal barrier, also referred to as intestinal barrier, refers to the thin lining of the gastrointestinal tract. It helps make sure that the gut can absorb nutrients from the food we eat, while stopping waste from entering the bloodstream. When this barrier is damaged, a range of different gastrointestinal problems can arise, including food allergies, intolerances and IBS.
Preliminary research has shown that CBD can help regulate and even heal damaged tissue of the intestinal barrier – which is promising news for pets who are suffering from gastro symptoms.
Looking ahead: using CBD oil for your pet’s digestive health
The current body of research we have on this topic is limited, and more studies need to focus on the use of CBD oil in pets with gastrointestinal issues.
Given the lack of evidence, it is essential to talk to a veterinarian before you try treating your pet’s tummy troubles with CBD oil.
Chat to our friendly team today at CBD Vets Australia about whether CBD oil is right for your pet and how we can help you access this treatment safely via your local vet.
Give us a call on 02 8294 9303 or email us on [email protected].
