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It is a problem that most dog owners do not experience: weight loss. In fact, most dogs suffer from the opposite: being overweight.
Many dog owners do not even recognize this condition as a problem when it happens. Numerous breeds are either active by nature and therefore leaner, and others’ physique can be hidden beneath a lot of fluff and fur. A fit dog is often considered to be lean, muscular and almost aerodynamic in physique – so when a canine companion sheds some pounds instead of hair, their owners might not think much of it.
Nevertheless, there is a big difference between healthy weight loss and unexpected shedding of weight.
Ailment Guides:
Canine Weight Management
Causes of Weight Loss
Similar to many mammals, a large portion of a dog’s weight is made up of water. Weight is often attributed to food intake or levels of physical activity, but it is in fact more commonly affected by hydration. When a dog is dehydrated for long period of time, their weight can fluctuate drastically. It is important to monitor both your dog’s water and food intake – a decrease in one can affect the other and compound the problem.
Many illnesses can cause weight loss, but it is important to ensure that your dog is getting proper nutrition and hydration in order to eliminate certain potential causes. Some of the more serious culprits of weight loss in dogs are: heartworms, liver or kidney disease, hyperthyroidism and cancer. If your dog is showing significant weight loss, it can be a sign of these illnesses and should be looked over by your vet immediately.
A spike in your dog’s weight can mean many things: he/she is having reactions to their food or supplements, stress or anxiety is causing their weight to drop, or some GI (gastrointestinal) problems are developing. If the weight loss is sudden, short-lived but drastic, then it could be brought on by a serious ailment like an infection or damaged organs. On the other hand, chronic, sustained and long-term weight loss is more often associated with stomach viruses, an injury to the abdomen or possible consumption of a toxic/poisonous substance.
Symptoms of Weight Loss in Dogs:
The causes of your dog’s weight loss are not always obvious. Ultimately, paying close attention to your canine’s appetite, behavior and physical activity will help you to determine if there are any underlying issues.
Common Weight Loss Symptoms:
- Lethargy
- Increased rest/sleep
- Loss of appetite/thirst
- Unwillingness to be active/mobile
- Deterioration of skin/coat
- Noticeable change in behavior (around both humans and other dogs)
Why CBD can be an effective treatment & preventative
for weight loss
CBD – or Cannabidiol – can be a very effective remedy for the treatment and prevention of canine weight loss.
Cannabidiol (CBD) can be very beneficial for helping to maintain your dog’s weight. It is generally effective and it has been widely used for treatment of numerous ailments in dogs. Think of CBD as a supplement that can reduce the severity and frequency of most – if not all – weight loss symptoms, but it is not directly formulated to treat this specific condition.
CBD has the capacity to block pain receptors from being triggered, effectively stopping chronic pain from taking its toll on your canine. Cannabidiol does not just block the pain however, it can also reduce swelling and inflammation in the joints. This can be extremely beneficial if your dog’s weight loss is being triggered by pain or inflammation of the abdomen, GI or bowels.
CBD is a phytocannabinoid that has been shown to have a prominent effect on numerous ailments – including epilepsy and seizures. Remedies containing CBD achieve this by interacting with your dog’s endocannabinoid system. Almost all animals, like people, have an endocannabinoid system; this network of neurotransmitters is integral to physiological processes like memory, mood, pain, stress and appetite.
This complex biosystem is very prevalent in dogs in comparison to other species. Canines have a high concentration of CB1 & CB2 receptors in their brainstem. CB1 receptors affect the brain, lungs, vascular system and muscles, gastrointestinal function; whereas, CB2 receptors are linked to bones, skin spleen and glial cells. In combination, CB1-CB2 collaborate in influencing the overall immune system, liver, kidneys, bone marrow, pancreas and brainstem.
CBD can help your dog by producing anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, antipsychotic, antispasmodic and analgesic effects indirectly – that is, CBD interacts with your dog’s ECS (Endocannabinoid System) opposite to THC which directly binds to the Cannabinoid Receptors of the body. This does two things: makes the positive remedial properties more bioavailable to your dog; and lessens or negates the psychoactive effects, such as those associated with THC ingestion.
As you can see by the wide scope of ailments that CBD effects, it is clear to see how introducing CBD into your dog’s routine can help to maintain a healthy internal and external system.
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