When you take your pet dog to the vet, you will hear them prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and CBD as pain relievers to control pain. Your vet may also suggest using them together.

While both are great for pain management, they operate through different mechanisms and offer unique benefits. So, this begs the question: Which is more effective for dogs dealing with arthritis? Let's dive in!

Well, NSAIDs work by blocking enzymes responsible for producing inflammatory substances. Although they effectively relieve pain, they have potential side effects. CBD, on the other hand, has pain relief properties without adverse effects. In fact, despite limited research, dog owners who use CBD have reported fast, visible improvements in their pets' mobility.

When scientists studied dogs with arthritis, they found out that using the NSAID medicine and CBD oil together worked the best. In one study, they looked at 32 dogs with arthritis; out of those, 30 dogs felt better after using both CBD and the medicine. Their pain scores went down from an average of 3.2 to 0.7!

Even though both CBD and NSAIDs can provide arthritis relief, it's important to think about what each one is good at and where they might have some limits.

Your dog has an endocannabinoid system (ECS) which helps:

• Regulate moods
• Control appetite
• Modulate pain

Fortunately, your canine friend has many CB1 and CB2 receptors throughout its body, making it more responsive to CBD.

When cannabinoids or molecules react with CB2 receptors, their anti-inflammatory effects modulate immune cell activity to suppress excessive inflammatory responses, preventing prolonged joint inflammation, which causes joint pain and damage to joint tissues.

A full-spectrum CBD oil has a comprehensive profile of cannabinoids that contribute to the "entourage effect" to help alleviate pain, improve joint function, and enhance your dog's overall quality of life.

In addition to being effective in relieving joint pain, CBD also:

• Helps reduce anxiety and stress in dogs
• Helps manage seizures in dogs with epilepsy
• Has anti-nausea effects
• Helps reduce inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract

Although CBD products don't have severe side effects, CBD may cause the following to your pet dog:

• Dry mouth. CBD may reduce saliva production, leading to temporary dry mouth in your pet dog. You will notice your dog is increasingly thirsty.
  
  
• Mild sedation or drowsiness. This may vary depending on the amount given.

• Mild digestive issues, including nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, especially if CBD oil contains less tolerable additives. Read about "CBD Oil's Impact on Dogs' Diarrhea: Providing Relief".

It's essential to start with a low CBD dosage and slowly increase it while closely monitoring for any adverse effects. Check out "CBD Dosage Chart for Dogs".

So, you have opted for CBD for dogs. Now, what's next? Well, firstly, you should look for high-quality, full-spectrum CBD oil with less THC content (0.3% or less).

Why is that important? This is because THC can be toxic to dogs, and you want supplements with minimal side effects.

Another important factor is seeking veterinary guidance instead of opting for over-the-counter CBD products, as vets diagnose according to your dog's size and health to give your pet the right dosage.

What are NSAIDs? Well, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are traditional pain relievers that block the overproduction of prostaglandins.

Prostaglandins are "tiny messengers" in the body responsible for inflammatory response. When your dog has arthritis, there is an overproduction of these specific prostaglandins in the affected joints, causing considerable pain. NSAIDs block their production, providing relief from inflammation.

However, not all prostaglandins are bad. The useful prostaglandin produces mucus that helps protect your dog's stomach lining, maintain blood flow to the kidney, and regulate gastric acid production. Because NSAIDs block all prostaglandins, they can interfere with the "good" prostaglandin function as well.

When it comes to NSAIDs, how long they should use them is crucial. Since long-term use can be harmful, you should seek your vet's opinion. This is because factors such as the specific NSAID your vet prescribed, your dog's health condition, and any pre-existing health issues contribute to the overall decision.

Generally, you'll find that vets prescribe NSAIDs for short-term use to manage acute pain. But since arthritis is chronic, your vet may recommend long-term use to relieve pain. For this, your vet will recommend a low dose that effectively controls the pain.

Always talk to your vet before changing how much medicine your dog gets, especially if you're considering giving them more.

NSAIDs are acidic and can irritate the digestive tract, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, or gastrointestinal ulcers.

Giving your pup NSAIDs as a pain reliever for long periods can reduce blood flow to the kidney, affecting kidney function and leading to renal issues.

Looking for a natural alternative to NSAIDs for your dog's arthritis?
Learn how Happy-Furever™ could help you.

While NSAIDs designed for dogs are mostly considered safe, there is a potential risk of liver damage, especially if you don't administer medication according to your vet's instructions.

Wrong usage of NSAIDs, such as overdose, can affect your dog's normal blood clotting ability.

Call Animal Poison Control (1-888-426-4435) or your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your dog has ingested NSAIDs meant for people or in case of an overdose.

Here's a quick recap for when you are considering NSAIDs and CBD:

• Both NSAIDs and CBD have anti-inflammatory properties, but CBD has proven to have an upper hand thanks to its fewer side effects.
  
  
• If you consider NSAIDs, ensure you strictly follow your vet's instructions and closely monitor your dog for any adverse effects.
  
  
• Your vet can also prescribe that you give your dog NSAIDs and CBD, albeit with a reduced NSAID dosage.

Is your dog struggling with arthritis, and you want to offer a more natural therapy? Embrace a natural solution with Happy-Furever™ now!