Only pet parents understand how hard it is to see their dog in pain caused by injuries, overplay, or underlying diseases. Just like humans, our canine friends also feel pain and need immediate assistance.
Be it joint pain, chronic pain, nerve pain, or visceral pain, it can make your dog’s daily life stressful and scary. If not attended to on time, it could lead to severe degradation of your sweet pup’s mental and physical health.
Dogs are notorious for hiding their pain, so you should always be on the lookout for changes in their behavior that might indicate underlying pain and stress. From top-rated CBD oil for dogs to compression vests, there are plenty of ways to help your dog with pain.
Today we’ll take an in-depth look at this topic so that you can provide comfort and relief to your furry friend in their hour of need.
How to tell if your dog is in pain?
It’s not always easy to tell what your dog is going through, especially when they are in pain. Let’s take a look at some sure-shot signs that indicate that your canine friend is suffering and is in immediate need of medical attention.
- Drooling
- Shaking & Trembling
- Muscle Twitching
- Rapid breathing
- Elevated heart rate
- Whimpering
- Groaning
- Aggression and Biting
- Excessive Licking
- Appetite loss
- Difficulty in standing up
What to give your dog at home for pain relief?
Now that we have covered the symptoms indicating pain, let’s take a look at some potential remedies.
CBD Oil, Treats & Chews
Many pet parents now include CBD oil in their dog’s diet. CBD is a naturally occurring plant compound that is popular for its healing and therapeutic effects. It mainly works by interacting with cannabinoid receptors in mammals’ bodies. These receptors are part of the endocannabinoid system.
They are spread throughout the body and work by interacting with cannabinoids to control sleep, pain, inflammation, anxiety, stress, appetite, mood, and other biological and neurological processes. Studies have shown that giving CBD oil to dogs can lower their pain, anxiety, and fear levels.
It can help dogs stay calm and comfy during travel, thunderstorms, and separation anxiety. The best way to administer CBD is to mix a few drops of high-quality, pet-specific CBD oil in your dog’s food.
You can also give them CBD-infused chews and treats as a reward after a strenuous playing session. There are also CBD balms and rolls for dogs, which can keep their toes healthy, strong, and protected from pain and inflammation.
NSAIDs
NSAIDs, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, can help your dog by providing relief from pain stemming from swelling, stiffness, or joint pain. They are usually prescribed by vets for post-surgery pain management. However, just like CBD oil, you should only give dogs special NSAIDs made for them.
For example, Deracobic, Grapiprant, Firocoxiba, and Meloxicam are some of the best dog-friendly NSAIDs. Generally, they are pretty safe when given in an appropriate dosage under a qualified vet’s guidance.
Still, there can be some negative symptoms, such as changes in behavior, scabs, diarrhea, and appetite loss, which indicate a bad reaction to NSAIDs. In such a situation, immediately drop the dosage or stop it altogether and consult a vet as soon as possible.
Gabapentin & Tramadol
Both Gabapentin and Tramadol and painkillers, which are usually given in combination, provide relief from long-lasting pain. Gabapentin is usually given to provide relief from pain caused by nerve damage and tends to cause drowsiness in the initial days.
Tramadol, on the other hand, works in similar ways as opioid-based painkillers and is mainly given to older dogs to provide constant pain relief in their last few days. Usually, these medicines are only prescribed by vets in severe conditions when all other alternatives become useless.
Massage
You can massage your dog to improve their blood circulation which can lead to faster recovery and long-lasting pain relief. The best way is to start with slow and gentle back rubs to calm them, now move on to their forehead and rub it gently to make them comfortable and loved.
Then you can gently give their thighs and glutes a slow rub, it’s very effective for aging dogs, and the ones suffering from arthritis pain. Rubbing their ears and neck can also make your canine friend feel relaxed and blissful, and may also help them to slide into a deep and restful sleep.
The Key Note
Well, that’s a wrap. By using the above-discussed natural products, medications, and massage therapies, you can help your dog recover from all sorts of pain and discomfort. Incorporating CBD into their food will not only help with pain relief but also improve their sleep, appetite, stress, anxiety, and overall mobility.
Just make sure to buy these CBD products only from trusted and well-tested brands like Colorado Botanicals. Also, there are specific pet CBD products out there, so don’t try to cut costs and risk your pup’s health by giving them your own CBD oil.
Other than this, you can give your furry friends some approved NSAIDs and opioid-based painkillers, but only after consulting with a certified animal doctor. You can also try alternative therapies like cold compression, massage, hydrotherapy, and laser therapy.
In most cases, CBD will be more than enough; just keep a constant check on their behavior, take them for walks, try to create a safe space, and shower them with as much affection as possible.
