Can CBD Calm Your Anxious Dog?Posted by Gloria Fox on November 9th, 2020 Can CBD Calm Your Anxious Dog? Does your dog start barking impatiently whenever he sees new people in the surrounding? What about when he is left alone at home for some extra hours? Does he hide beneath a chair whenever he encounters a thunder sound? If there is some unusual, nervous, anxious behavior observed by you in your dog in these situations, you need to find a solution to calm your anxious dog down. For that, you need to identify what are the common gestures and symptoms your dog exhibit during anxiety. Don't worry, have a look at the upcoming paragraph to find the answer to your question. What does an anxious dog do?
As you identified the abnormal behavioral signs in dogs, now the point to ponder is that: What are the possible triggers' of anxiety in dogs? There may be any reason behind your pet dog's anxiety, which makes him come out of his comfort zone. One of the most common reasons is separation anxiety in dogs. Many others, like phobias from certain specific environments or things happening around, phobias related to noises, fireworks, and traveling, can lead to stress in dogs. All these can seriously affect the quality of life of dogs. WHAT CAN HELP TO CALM MY ANXIOUS DOG? Cannabidiol, also commonly known as CBD, is a compound extracted from the hemp plant, gaining immense popularity as a stress reliever in dogs. CBD oil is used for medicinal purposes, such as relief of anxiety in humans and dogs. CBD OR MARIJUANA__WHICH IS BETTER? Some people confuse CBD and Marijuana as the same oils because both are extracted from the same hemp plant, but they are different. CBD has lower levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as compared to Marijuana. Tetrahydrocannabinol has psychoactive properties, and it is found in more significant amounts in Marijuana, which can make the dogs high. Thus, Cannabinol oil extract with low THC is preferable for dogs as it is non-toxic to them. Studies explained that how CBD oils soothe and naturally calms anxiety by interacting with the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system includes receptors present in the brain, the Central Nervous System, and other organs. This is a complex system that is still not understood completely. Still, research shows that when a cannabinoid chemical is naturally released from the body or is administered as a tincture, it interacts with receptors, releasing serotonin that serves as a natural source of stress relief. In simple words, it means that CBD reduces the nervous and anxious behavior of dogs by exerting a calming effect on the nerves, thus making their life stress free and serving as a key to peaceful and happy living dogs. PetMDpublished a survey in the Journal of the Veterinary Medicine Association, which states that 72 percent out of 632 people used CBD oil for their dogs, from which 64 percent found the product helpful for their dogs. OTHER HEALTH BENEFITS OF CBD: In addition to showing its outstanding effects as a stress reliever, CBD is also useful in some other health-related issues such as:
WHAT IS THE OPINION OF EXPERTS? It has now become legal to use CBD in humans, but less is known about the safe use of CBD in dogs as the studies conducted are very few, as claimed by the American Kennel Club. However, the product has shown relief of symptoms such as pain and anxiety in dogs, but it is still not legalized to use in veterinary practice. Dr. Mark Verdino, who is working in North Shore Animal League America serving as the chief of veterinary staff and MD, says, "We are not sure if CBD actually helps in relieving pain, but they become less reactive to the stimulus of low-level pain, such as arthritis after having CBD. Also, they become less responsive and anxious about certain things." Doctor Verdino shared that he uses this oil for his own dog, which becomes too jumpy at night, but CBD administration relaxes him. Dr. Verdino advised that if you want to give CBD to your dog, you should choose a product specifically for pets to know the product's right concentration. COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT CBD OIL
CBD oil is non-toxic if given in recommended dosage levels, but there is nothing extremely dangerous or life-threatening for dogs, even with the high dosage. Dogs just become sedated or sleepy with the overdosages. However, while using CBD, you must consult your veterinarian for his expert advice and the possible contraindication with the use of other drugs with CBD.
The right amount of CBD which you should provide to your dog depends on weight, age, breed, and the condition for which you want to use this oil. Generally, the dosage instructions are mentioned on the good quality products in the market, and it is better to start by using lower doses. If lower doses seem ineffective and do not calm your dog, you may gradually increase the quantity. On the other hand, if your dog’s become over sleepy with the dose, it means you need to decrease it.
It is better to use a product especially made for your canine because it will have the best-suited formula for dogs. There are no safety issues with human CBD oils if used in dogs, but sometimes they may have higher amounts of THC, which may be psychoactive for dogs. They may also have certain additives such as chocolate, raisins, and Xylitol, which may be toxic to dogs. It may be easier for you to understand the dosage instructions according to your dog's weight using a product specifically for pets, and no confusion will be there.
The best practice is to feed your dog with CBD with a meal such as a single dose in breakfast and gradually increase it to two doses a day, including dinner. If you feed CBD oil for anxiety issues in your pet-related to some specific situations, it is unnecessary to provide CBD daily. Instead, you can dose your pet just before that particular event. For example, if your pet gets frightened and anxious with a thunderstorm, you can feed CBD at the event's start.
Like many other products of dogs, some may be better in quality than others. While choosing a product for my furry friend, I feel it is of utmost importance to find the best quality product and a trustable company. Most CBD oils are available in small bottles, which could be easily carried by you anywhere, anytime. They are travel friendly. This oil readily gets absorbed into the blood as it has high bioavailability in the body. In the end, I must say it is so important to consult a veterinarian before you add a supplement to your dog's diet to make sure your dog gets the right treatment. CBD may be an excellent option to improve anxiety issues in dogs and calming them down. It is still under process, and not much can be predicted about this product's legal recommendation by the veterinarians. Yet, it is proving as a blessing to calm your dog during anxious moments such as loud noises, Halloween, a veterinarian visit, traveling, or a thunderstorm. Like it? Share it! |