Does your furry friend whine, cry, or bark when you leave the house? Do you come home to find shredded pillows, overturned garbage cans, or a slobbery pile that used to be your favorite running shoes? If so, you’re not alone: Separation anxiety is one of the most common behavior problems, diagnosed in 20 to 40 percent of dogs referred to animal behavior specialists.
Or maybe your dog is afraid of thunderstorms, veterinary visits, strangers, bathtime, or even seemingly random objects or situations. Whatever triggers fear and anxiety in your best friend, you want to help. You’ve tried everything, from toys to distract, weighted vests to calm, music to soothe, and creating a safe space in a quiet room.
If you feel like you’re running out of options to help your poor pup, have you considered CBD oil for your dog’s separation anxiety or other issues?
Anxiety and Stress in Dogs
Even at the best of times, dogs can have a lot to worry about too. Thunderstorms, fireworks, separation, car rides, nail trims, or a flurry of new faces can have the friendliest of dogs acting skittish, fearful, or even aggressive.
Do you know how to tell if your canine companion is feeling anxious or stressed? From mild to severe, never ignore these signs that your dog might be afraid or anxious:
- Hiding, shaking/trembling, tucking the tail, or passively trying to escape a situation
- Panting, pacing, or even hurting themselves actively trying to avoid a situation
- Excessive licking or biting their paws, tail, or other areas of the body
While no one cause triggers fear or anxiety in dogs, it can stem from a variety of factors:
- Lack of socialization as a puppy or the onset of age-related health issues
- A traumatic experience or even genetics (some breeds are more prone to anxiety)
- Being forced into situations or experiences that are unfamiliar or frightening
- A history of being abandoned or neglected, which evolves into separation anxiety
- Feeling trapped and unable to escape from a scary situation
Because every dog is different, and the severity of their stress can vary, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. It's always best to have a conversation with your veterinarian to discuss behavior issues and come up with the best option based on your dog's overall health. From simple changes in daily routines to behavior modification to medication, you have many options to help your best friend.
As you explore the best way to deal with your dog’s issues, you might want to consider hemp-derived CBD oil for your dog.
What Is CBD?
If you don’t use CBD, or cannabidiol, yourself, your first question is probably, “What is CBD?”
First things first: CBD is not pot. While CBD and THC are both cannabinoids found in Cannabis sativa L, THC can be found in marijuana, and CBD is the abundant compound found in industrial hemp. Industrial hemp is defined as the plant, or any part of the plant, with a THC level of less than 0.3 percent based on a dry weight basis.
Therefore, by definition, CBD and CBD-based products, when federally legal and compliant, can only come from a variety of the plant that must contain less than 0.3 percent THC; this means that there is no associated high when taking hemp-derived CBD products.
What CBD does do, however, is work in tandem with the systems in the body that regulate and balance everything from digestion to sleep to stress levels to temperature. This process is why CBD is becoming more widely used to help support daily wellness in both people and pets.
CBD for Your Canine Companion
While there is still a lot of confusion about CBD – no, it won’t get people or pets “high” – more and more people are trying it for themselves. And when they have a positive experience, they are naturally curious as to how CBD can help their cat or dog, too – especially if they’re looking for something to support a calm, happy pet.
If you’ve wondered if CBD oil can help with your dog’s daily wellness or separation or anxiety issues, you’re not alone. An increasing number of pet owners are turning to CBD to explore its many applications.
According to PetMD, a survey published in the Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association found that, out of 632 people, 72 percent reported using or having used a hemp product for their dog, and 64 percent felt that it helped their pets.
If you’re ready to explore CBD for your canine companion, here’s how to get started.
How to Choose CBD Oil for Your Dog
Finding CBD products for pets has become much more accessible, with options readily available at pet stores and specialty boutiques. Even groomers, boarding facilities, and veterinary clinics are now carrying CBD for pets.
But just because it’s easy to find doesn’t mean that all products are being created equal. Because CBD products are still mostly unregulated, quality can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and even product to product. With so much misinformation out there, it’s important to do your research to find safe, quality, effective CBD.
Pet owners need to understand how products work and what quality controls are in place to ensure safe ingredients and use. When shopping for CBD products, it’s important to:
- Know the sourcing of the hemp and where the product is manufactured
- Understand all the ingredients listed and avoid fillers and anything artificial
- Make sure the CBD used is third-party lab tested to be THC-free
- Look for products that are veterinarian-formulated for your pet’s safety
How to Use CBD Oil for Your Dog
Now that you’ve decided to try CBD oil for your dog’s separation or anxiety issues, or to support their overall wellness routine, here’s what you need to know about using CBD for pets.
One of the easiest ways to provide your pet with the powerful, beneficial properties of CBD is with oil tinctures or chews made with CBD oil. Tinctures can be easily added to their daily routine, while hard chews or soft chews are even more portable and easy to give. There is even CBD oil peanut butter!
Once you find a CBD oil or product you are comfortable with, the next question is usually, “How much CBD oil should I give my dog for anxiety or stress issues?”
As with people, factors like weight and overall health will determine the proper CBD oil serving and the results you will see. The right CBD product will come in different strengths based on the pet’s weight and have appropriate serving suggestions.
Starting with the lowest indicated serving size and see how your dog reacts is advised. When beginning a CBD regimen, maintaining a daily serving for 30 days to achieve optimal results is suggested. If you don’t see the desired results after a couple of weeks, you can gradually increase the serving.
What to Expect When Giving Your Dog CBD
CBD is still a relative newcomer to the world of wellness, and not a lot of studies have been done, especially with pets. However, anecdotal responses by happy pet owners are easy to find. Many have claimed that they’ve seen overwhelmingly positive results for their dogs in dealing with physical and behavioral issues and that a daily CBD routine has made a big difference in their dogs’ overall wellbeing.
The common question is, “Can my dog overdose on CBD?” And the short answer is no, especially if you follow the recommended serving size and are using the correct strength product for your dog’s weight. While some owners find that CBD may make their dog a little sleepy at first, your dog cannot “overdose” on CBD when used according to label instructions.
If you have any questions or concerns about your dog’s overall health or behavior, talking to your veterinarian before starting a CBD regimen for your pets is always recommended. For more serious or chronic issues, it is always suggested to seek advice from a medical professional.
CBD Calming Products
While many pet owners see positive results with regular CBD products, you can find some on the market created specifically for calming. These products are formulated with soothing ingredients like chamomile, melatonin, valerian root, and L-tryptophan to help maintain calmness, especially during stressful situations.
Calming CBD oil tinctures can be served just like any CBD oil to help ease your anxious pup, and calming CBD soft chews are an easy, portable, convenient way to make sure you have a little extra calming support whenever your pet needs it. If you’re not sure which one your dog might like better, you can try a Calm Canine Bundle, offered in two strengths (S/M for dogs under 50 lbs and M/L for dogs over 50 lbs).
CBD Can Be Your Dog’s Best Friend
No dog owner wants their best friend to suffer. From separation anxiety to noise aversion to stressful situations, we want to help our canine companions feel their best.
Now that you know a little more about what CBD is, what to look for, and how to use it, you’re ready to offer up some CBD support for when things get a little “ruff” for your faithful friend.
About Paw CBD by cbdMD
Paw CBD was created by cbdMD to offer a comprehensive, veterinarian-formulated selection of CBD products for pets, made with premium hemp grown in the USA. You can learn more about the full lineup of flavored and natural tinctures, baked and soft chews, creamy peanut butter, soothing balm, and specialty formulas for both cats and dogs at www.pawcbd.com.
Disclaimer: Any information provided should not be considered or treated as medical advice; always consult a veterinarian before changing your pet’s health regimen. Products and information mentioned are not intended to be used as a substitute for medical diagnosis, advice, or treatment. Any links to third-party websites are provided as a convenience only and Paw CBD is not responsible for their content.