Reviewed by: Dr. David Tittle, BVetMed, CertVA, GPCert (WVA&CPM), MRCVS
Approximately 80 percent of dogs older than eight experience some form of joint discomfort, according to research by Dr. Spencer Johnson published in Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice. All dogs are susceptible to joint challenges as they age. However, onset can happen earlier in large breeds, such as Great Danes, and those with long spines, such as Dachshunds. Fortunately, CBD may offer meaningful support for joint discomfort.
Some dogs tend to be stoic, making it hard to tell if your pup is in discomfort. Pet parents will often attribute their dog’s slowing down or losing interest in activities to aging. However, these changes may be a sign of discomfort.
So, how can you tell if your pup might be experiencing joint discomfort? Here are a few key indicators to look for:
- Does your dog have difficulty getting on or off the couch?
- Has your dog stopped climbing stairs or appear to hesitate before climbing stairs?
- Have they stopped jumping in or out of the car?
- Has your pup stopped playing with toys or other dogs as much as they used to?
- Restlessness, panting, agitation
- Stiffness or lameness
All pet parents want to see their dog’s body keep up with their spirit and will to play. If you notice any of the above signs, it might be time to explore support options for your canine companion. Unfortunately, while commonly used products can help address joint discomfort, they can be associated with unwanted reactions, particularly with long-term use.
High-quality pet CBD + CBDA is a well-studied option that can serve as a helpful, well-tolerated option worth exploring first for supporting your pet. However, with hundreds of CBD products on the market and significant variation in quality, how do you know which is right for your dog?
Well, there are several important questions to ask when choosing a product. One of the most important is whether the product contains CBDA.
Why is CBDA important for joint discomfort support?
When it comes to CBD products, CBDA is crucial for both absorption and optimal efficacy. ElleVet Sciences’ research has shown that CBDA increases absorption and availability in the body, and plays a meaningful role in supporting comfort and balance. In fact, some animals only absorb CBDA, which is why ElleVet’s CBD + CBDA oil for dogs is formulated to ensure your pet receives an effective product.
In a groundbreaking clinical trial, ElleVet studied CBD and CBDA absorption in dogs and found that CBDA is often better absorbed and retained than CBD. It also can maximize the effect of CBD. CBDA’s superior absorption and retention offer great promise in veterinary use.
Backed by science
ElleVet partnered with Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine to conduct the first pharmacokinetic (PK) study and clinical trial on the use of cannabinoids in dogs experiencing multi-joint discomfort, using ElleVet’s proprietary CBD + CBDA formulation.
The results of the study were extraordinary, with 75% of dogs showing a noticeable positive response. According to Dr. Joe Wakshlag, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Nutrition), DACVSMR, the veterinarian who conducted the Cornell study, ElleVet’s product is “…a game changer that could change the face of veterinary medicine.” The study was particularly compelling because many of the dogs enrolled had not responded to other options and weren’t enjoying their best quality of life. The extraordinary difference they experienced is evident in the fact that several dogs in the study, who had a euthanasia date scheduled, responded so well that they lived an additional 2 years with a good quality of life.
Annie’s story
Watching a dog who was once a young, energetic puppy get older and slow down can be difficult. At the age of 13, Annie the German Shepherd was having a hard time getting around and it was clear to her family and veterinarian that her quality of life was deteriorating. Unable to navigate stairs, keep up with her canine siblings, or show interest in her family, Annie was not living her best quality of life.
In 2016, Annie’s parents had scheduled euthanasia for her. They heard about ElleVet’s clinical trial on dogs with joint discomfort at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and enrolled Annie as a last hope. Within 48 hours of taking the ElleVet CBD + CBDA Oil, Annie exhibited noticeable improvement in her mobility and joint discomfort and climbed the stairs to sleep in her parent’s bedroom for the first time in four years. Annie’s mom was a veterinary technician at Cornell, and she showed up in the office of the veterinarian conducting the trial in tears of joy and relief—she had her beloved dog back.
Annie went on to play in the backyard with her family and engage in activities that hadn’t been physically possible for her in years, living an additional two years on ElleVet. According to Dr. Wakshlag, “I’ve never had someone in my office crying about how well a product works before!”
CBD + CBDA administration for joint discomfort
The CBD + CBDA administration amounts for joint discomfort differ from those for skin health or stress. ElleVet has conducted extensive research to determine appropriate administration guidelines for our products.
Based on our studies, the recommended administration for joint discomfort in dogs is a loading amount of 1.5mg/kg twice daily for week 1, followed by a maintenance amount of 0.75mg/kg twice daily. If the maintenance amount does not provide sufficient support, pets can safely remain on the loading amount through the course of ElleVet use.
Is CBD + CBDA safe for pets?
In 2019, ElleVet published a successful safety study on dogs and cats. In addition to confirming the long-term safety of using our products, the study also looks at how long the product remains in the body and how much is absorbed. This enables us to provide the most accurate administration guidelines.
These are the only safety studies in both dogs and cats for which results have been published, to date. At ElleVet, we put safety, quality, and science first so both pet parents and veterinarians can feel confident in our products.
Finding the right CBD + CBDA product
So, how do you find the right product and which questions do you need to have answered before buying? CBD + CBDA can be a good option to explore before looking to other commonly used products, but it’s important to emphasize that not all CBD for pets are created equal. The results of a study using one product cannot be applied to another product. When researching CBD + CBDA products for your pet, ask these questions:
- Has the product been tested in clinical trials? Can you see the paper and study results? ElleVet remains the only CBD + CBDA product proven to work in multiple clinical trials. Our joint discomfort study with Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine had a 75 percent success rate!
- Does the company grow its own product or buy from a bulk manufacturer? ElleVet grows, extracts, and manufactures its own product, allowing us to have control over every step of the process.
- Does the product contain a 1:1 ratio of CBD to CBDA? The acidic form, CBDA, is crucial to the success of the product. ElleVet’s product contains 50 percent CBDA, as it is proven essential for absorption and a healthy immune response.
- Which extraction method was used? The most commonly used extraction method, CO2 extraction of CBD, doesn’t allow for preserving the acidic forms such as CBDA.
- Has the company conducted safety studies on dogs and cats? In 2019, ElleVet published a successful safety study that confirmed the long-term safety of using our products.
- Is there a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and a heavy metal and pesticide test available upon request? Every ElleVet batch is tested for consistency and purity, and each product has a COA and batch number readily available.
- Are the administration recommendations based on science and specific to each species and application? With multiple extensive metabolic studies, ElleVet offers the most accurate and effective administration amounts for individual species and multiple areas of support, backed by science and data.
Bottom line
ElleVet’s CBD + CBDA products can work better for joint discomfort than many other options and are extremely safe for pets. We were the first CBD + CBDA company to conduct a clinical trial using our CBD + CBDA formulation in dogs, and we continue to lead the way in research-backed administration amount guidance and safety studies.
ElleVet products are backed by science because our motto is to do our best for pets, and we embody that sentiment in everything we do, from customer service and product development to clinical trials. Your pet trusts you, and veterinarians trust us. We work to earn that trust every day.
Any health or medical information in ElleVet blogs is from a variety of public and reputable sources. This information is intended as an educational resource only and is not a substitute for expert professional care.