How CBD Oil can Calm your Anxious Dog

In a recent study discussed by Medicalnewstoday.com, 13,715 pet dogs living in Finland were observed, and 70% of them were found to have some form of anxiety and stress. Certain breeds are more prone to anxiety and it’s estimated that 30% of dogs in general show signs of anxiety. That number is only increasing. 

How can you ease your furry friend’s stress? The use of hemp and hemp-derived cannabinoids (CBD, CBG, CBN in particular) is among the major fast-growing segments within health and wellness markets. The good news is CBD isn’t just limited to humans.

According to the American Kennel Club, cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid receptors located in the central and peripheral nervous systems, which help maintain balance in the body and keep it in a normal healthy state. In other words, CBD oil boosts serotonin levels and will have a calming effect on your dog. While there are very few scientific studies on CBD for dogs, the evidence that does exist is quite positive. 

There is a myriad of benefits that CBD oil can offer your pup. Aside from anxiety, CBD oil has anti-inflammatory properties, possible anti-cancer benefits, and more.

If you go into any pet store or shop online, you’ll no doubt see numerous CBD products. You can purchase dog treats and chews infused with CBD oil, which is very convenient, however, you’ll need to pay attention to the proper dosage based on weight. 

Since you never truly know what’s in your dog’s commercial food and need a translator to decipher the ingredients, you may not understand the ingredients in its CBD treats either, which can be scary. The last thing you would want to do is give your dog too much CBD by accident. 

Alternatively, you can use CBD oil with a dropper and measure it yourself, giving you more control of the dosage. There are also tinctures, topical creams, and gels infused with CBD. 

While your veterinarian may not agree with the use of CBD to treat your dog, they can certainly guide you to ensure the health and wellness of your pet. If you’re wondering why your vet may not be onboard the CBD train, they’re not allowed to promote it because the Food and Drug Administration hasn’t approved it yet.

There’s no shortage of options for consumers to choose from. The global CBD pet market size was valued at USD 27.7 million in 2019 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 40.3% from 2020 to 2027.

It’s important to mention that CBD oil humans use should not be shared with your pets. Dogs in general weigh less than people which impacts the potency of the product. In addition, CBD for dogs will have different elements than that for humans. Check the packaging to ensure what your purchasing for your dog is a dog product and never give it anything with THC. 

When choosing a CBD oil to pacify your pup, there are certain factors to pay attention to. Just because a label claims something, doesn’t make it true. You want to look for a company that you can trust and one that’s transparent from soup to nuts. It’s rare to find but a company that has a vertical aligned supply chain from cultivating, farming, processing, extracting, manufacturing, and distribution is going to produce products you can trust.

There haven’t been any concrete studies as of yet showing the side effects CBD has on dogs. If the CBD oil you’re giving your pet is made for pets at the right dosage or in a product made specifically for dogs at the right dosage, you shouldn’t be concerned about its safety and effectiveness. However, anytime you give your dog something new, there are signs to watch out for if a negative reaction does occur.

The American Kennel Club shares those signs with us:

Dry mouth: Research has shown that CBD can decrease the production of saliva. For dogs, this would manifest as an increased thirst.

Lowered blood pressure: High doses of CBD have been known to cause a temporary drop in blood pressure. Even though the drop is small, it might create a brief feeling of light-headedness.

Drowsiness: Dog owners have used CBD to treat anxiety. The calming effect of CBD can also cause slight drowsiness, especially when using higher doses.

If your dog is taking medications, check with your vet to make sure there won’t be any interactions with the CBD oil.