There’s nothing more heartbreaking than watching our outdoor companion of 10 + years begin to slow down.  Their huge hearts push them to follow you on that 20-mile bike ride or 12-mile peak scramble. But the next day, they lay by your feet and struggle to stand as you move to the kitchen. Looks like CBD can really help your dog.

The CBD Pet Study

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine in collaboration with Medterra CBD conducted the first scientific studies to assess the potential therapeutic effects of cannabidiol (CBD) for arthritic pain in dogs. (BTW, results could lead the way to studying its effect in humans!) Researchers focused first on dogs because their condition closely mimics the characteristics of human arthritis, the leading cause of pain and disability in the U.S. . Not to mention that arthritis is a common condition in dogs. According to the American Kennel Club, it affects one out of five dogs in the United States.

Published in the journal PAIN, the study first showed both in laboratory tests and mouse models that CBD, a non-addictive product derived from hemp (cannabis), can significantly reduce the production of inflammatory molecules and immune cells associated with arthritis. Subsequently, the study showed that in dogs diagnosed with the condition, CBD treatment significantly improved quality of life according to vets and pet owners. 

“CBD is rapidly increasing in popularity due to its anecdotal health benefits for a variety of conditions, from reducing anxiety to helping with movement disorders,” said corresponding author Dr. Matthew Halpert, research faculty in the Department of Pathology and Immunology at Baylor. 

The Results of the CBD Pet Study

Researchers found that CBD treatment reduced the production of both inflammatory molecules and immune cells linked to arthritis.

The researchers also determined that the effect was quicker and more effective when CBD was delivered encapsulated in liposomes than when it was administered ‘naked.’ Liposomes are artificially formed tiny spherical sacs that are used to deliver drugs and other substances into tissues at higher rates of absorption.

The 20 client-owned dogs enrolled in the study were randomly provided with identical unidentified medication bottles that contained CBD, liposomal CBD, or a placebo. Neither the owners nor the veterinarian knew which treatment each dog received.

After four weeks of daily treatment, owners and veterinarians reported on the condition of the dogs, whether they observed changes in the animals’ level of pain, such as changes related to running or gait. The dogs’ cell blood count and blood indicators of liver and kidney function also were evaluated before and after the four weeks of treatment.

“We found encouraging results,” Halpert said. “Nine of the 10 dogs on CBD showed benefits, which remained for two weeks after the treatment stopped. We did not detect alterations in the blood markers we measured, suggesting that, under the conditions of our study, the treatment seems to be safe.”

The findings support conducting studies to evaluate CBD for the treatment of human arthritis.

This study was funded in part by a sponsored research agreement between Medterra CBD Inc and Baylor College of Medicine. This project also was supported in part by the Cytometry and Cell Sorting Core at Baylor College of Medicine with funding from the NIH (grants AI036211, CA125123 and RR024574).

With fall looming, the ill-tempered weather gods will have a field day. It seems like the entire western US catches fire then faces massive mudslides while the east gets swallowed up in tornadoes and hurricanes. No one is immune from the devastation of a natural disaster but you know who usually get ignored? Our pets- members of our family. Pet safety in the wake of natural disasters is a real thing.

Here are six suggestions from TurfMutt to keep in mind for your pet safety plan.

• Have your pet microchipped or at least tagged with your phone number. In the event of an emergency—natural or otherwise—you want to ensure your pet can get back to you if you’re separated. Be aware that collars and ID tags, though important, can break or detach. Microchips—computerized and scannable implants about the size of a grain of rice—are more fool-proof since they’re inserted under your pet’s skin. Personally, I avoid the chip because I’d rather a person who finds my dog call me and not send him off to the animal shelter but if you think your pooch is a flight risk, go for the chip.

• Bring your pets inside at the first sign of danger. Disasters can be disorienting for pets, and they could run away or hurt themselves reacting to loud noises and strange changes to their landscape. Also, rain, flying debris and high winds pose a danger. My dog and cat have a doggy door they use. If I know it’s getting sketchy outside I lock it down so they can’t go out.

• If you have to leave, keep your pet with you. Leaving your pets behind during a natural disaster is never a good idea because they could escape or become exposed to a number of life-threatening hazards. Keep them on a leash or in a pet carrier so they don’t escape even in a “familiar” neighborhood.

• Determine where you’ll go. Coordinate, in advance, to stay with friends or family members, or find a pet- friendly hotel outside the disaster area. Have those conversations and do your research well ahead of time so you have a plan in place when needed.

• Create a pet-friendly resource list. Not all emergency shelters will accept pets, so you need a Plan B. Develop a list of the pet-friendly hotels outside your immediate area. Research a list of veterinarians in the area should your pet need medical care (your regular vet may have some recommendations). Also, figure out which boarding facilities are nearby in case you need to separate from your pet for a time.

• Pack an emergency bag. Just like you do for your family, you’ll want emergency provisions packed for your pet well in advance of a catastrophe so you can evacuate your home in a flash. Choose an easy-to-carry bag, label it and keep it where everyone in the family can find it quickly. The bag should include a pet first aid kit; enough food and bottled water for a week (rotate this every couple of months to keep it from going bad); medications of they need it; food and water dishes; poop bags (or litter for cats); an extra collar and leash; photocopies of medical records; towels; recent photos of your pets; and a favorite toy or chewy. It’s also a good idea to have a sturdy carrier or crate for each pet.

By having all this in place, you can immediately put your pet safety plan into action when you know a storm is coming instead of spending valuable time trying to determine what needs to be done to best protect your pet.

If you’re a brand that’s looking for uber love from customers all you have to do is rescue animals. Ruffwear brand has been in the “awwwww” game for a few years now, bringing adventure-worthy dogs from local shelters to the GoPro Games and into the Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City, Utah. Not only did they parade them around the show, tempting attendees to adopt, but they provided transport costs to get the dogs back to their new homes. 

Starting this winter 2017-18 and moving forward, Ruffwear partners with the National Ski Patrol to style out avalanche rescue dogs all over the country. Said NSP Executive Director Meegan Moszynski, “NSP patrollers across the country train and work with avalanche rescue dogs all season long. These dogs are true working animals, and they will greatly benefit from the professional gear that Ruffwear creates.”

Founded in 1994, Ruffwear rocks the performance dog gear category. The brand manufactures multiple product lines including harnesses, packs, toys and more. “Our relationship with and support of the National Ski Patrol is an important part of what we get to do here at Ruffwear,” said Patrick Kruse, Ruffwear’s founder and director of product development. “On occasion, we have had the opportunity to participate in the training of these amazing working dogs and their handlers at the Wasatch Backcountry Rescue International Dog School. Over the years, we’ve been so appreciative of the dedication of these teams and the feedback they share about how our gear functions in demanding conditions. We know we’re getting it right when our gear performs in the extreme environments encountered by avalanche rescue dogs and their handlers. The relationships we share with working dogs are meaningful for all of us at Ruffwear. We’re very grateful for the efforts of ski patrollers and their dedicated dogs.”

Like Ruffwear, the National Ski Patrol supported the 2017 WBR International Dog School, including offering scholarships to a select few patrollers through its partnership with Subaru. This new partnership with Ruffwear will help both organizations promote and support the important work of avalanche rescue dogs, who work with ski patrols and mountain rescue organizations all over the world.

Ruffwear is not Just About Avalanche Dogs

Photo courtesy Ruffwear

Ruffwear is committed to enhancing the lives of all dogs and their human companions. To date, the RAD Adoption Program has helped bring together 72 outdoor adventurers and human companions, uniting trail mates, climbing partners, paddle pals and fishing buddies — and supporting the special bond shared by best friends.

You don’t have to be an outdoor retailer or ski patroller to benefit. All you need is a love for the outdoors and desire to provide an amazing lifestyle for a dog in need. Through its Ruff Adventure Dog Adoption Program with Best Friends Animal Society, Ruffwear covers the cost of adoption fees and travel expenses for newly adopted dogs from the Kanab, Utah sanctuary, as well as a new Ruffwear collar and leash to go home with. 

Based in Bend, Oregon, you can find Ruffwear products online and through specialty pet and outdoor retailers.

Give a good dog a home!