CBD For Dogs

For most people, a pet dog is like a child whom they care for all their lives – they’re part of the family, and deserve to be treated well when they’re not in their best health.

Unfortunately for dogs, they not only have a short lifespan (when compared to humans), but also face many issues as they grow older. Right from cancer to bone problems, older dogs experience a number of issues which can cause them a lot of pain. 

The worst part is that they don’t have the means to explain what hurts and how much it hurts, so it’s the responsibility of their owners to ensure that they get all the care and treatment they need to relieve their stress. In fact, that’s the main reason why CBD oils have become popular in the veterinary community – let’s have a look at 4 ways in which CBD can help your dog.

1. It’s a safe and effective painkiller

Dogs often suffer from pain in various parts of their body – this could be a result of injuries, broken bones and fractures, pulled muscles, old age, arthritis, or weak bones and joints.

Whatever the reason, there are only a handful of ways in which their pain can be reduced – one of which includes treatment using CBD. CBD has been proven to be one of the least dangerous ways to treat and reduce body pain in dogs. 

So, if your dog looks like they’re in pain due to an accident, seems to have difficulty in their joints, or suffers from chronic body pain, you can consider applying topical CBD oil to the affected area – always remember to start with small quantities, as this should be enough to relieve minor issues.

2. It reduces anxiety and calms the nerves

Just like humans, some dogs are prone to suffer from anxiety and over-excitement or fear, due to various reasons. While this usually can be treated by training the dog, showing them love and affection, and treating them well, sometimes these non-medicinal treatments may not be effective for extreme cases.

In such instances, it’s important to consult your vet about the possible solutions first. If CBD seems like a suitable mode of treatment, go for vet recommended CBD oils to avoid accidentally using oils that have been adulterated or those which are too strong for dogs. 

Also, remember that every dog’s body is different, and the level of anxiousness they feel will vary as well. It’s a good idea to consult with a vet on how much you should include in their oral dosage, and how often the treatment should be administered.

3. Heals anti-inflammatory issues

Dogs can often experience inflammation for a number of reasons, usually, it’s because of an injury or an illness. This is part of their immune system’s response to distress occurring in the body, and is generally not something you need to worry about. 

 However, certain dogs can suffer from this often, due to a variety of physiological issues. In such cases, it’s a good idea to try treating it with CBD – which has been proven to have anti-inflammatory properties.

Since this may have to be ingested, you should consult your vet and find out how much should be administered to heal the inflammation. 

What is Separation Anxiety? 

Having a pet is fantastic as having an animal companion with whom to spend your time is amazing. A connection between you and your pet can be pretty intense, which has its pros and cons. 

One of the cons of having a close connection with your pet is that you can become attached. When the dog is more attached to you than vice versa, you will notice your pet acting out whenever you are not around, known as separation anxiety.

The first step to treating separation anxiety in your pet is to understand what it is. 

Signs of Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety will happen when a dog is extremely attached to its owner. The dog is very stressed when you leave the house or even leave it alone for some time.

When a pet experiences separation anxiety, it goes way beyond most dogs’ subtle whining and barking. It is troublesome mischief that often leads to many pet owners giving up their pets. 

There are several reasons why a dog may experience separation anxiety other than extreme attachment to the owner. It may be that the dog is undergoing a change of ownership which is difficult for any dog. It may also be because the dog has had a change of home. If you modify your regular routine, your dog may also show signs of separation anxiety. 

Signs of separation anxiety are often the result of too much stress in the dog. They will include extreme whining or barking whenever you leave the dog alone. They will urinate or defecate in the house even though you may have already trained the pet.

They may chew and damage things in the house. You may notice your dog pacing obsessively, drooling or panting more than usual, and other new or unusual behaviors that may not have existed before. They may try and escape your home, which is often an extreme sign of separation anxiety.

The pet will often be okay while you are around and exhibit the above behaviors when you leave. You may witness them by peeping in a window in your house or placing a camera that records your pet. If you see the above symptoms in your pet, it probably has separation anxiety, and you should take it to the vet so that you can both come up with a treatment plan.

Treating Separation Anxiety

If a veterinarian diagnoses your pet with separation anxiety or notices any of the above signs in your pet, there are measures you can take to address the situation, including: 

Leave Treats

Dogs love treats, and they often associate treats with positive emotions, which can be a fantastic way to address separation anxiety. You should try leaving a treat for your pet before you leave the house. CBD treat, in particular, is excellent for a dog as it helps with mobility and anxiety. Therefore, your pet will move well, be fit, and be relaxed.

A sufficient number of treats to keep your dog fed until you return home should be the goal. Leaving a treat will be for a dog with mild separation anxiety. 

Leave a Special Toy

Another thing dogs love almost as much as food is their toys. A toy with which a dog has an emotional connection could help address its separation anxiety. The main issue with a dog that has separation anxiety is it feels abandoned whenever the owner leaves. If the dog has something familiar around when you are not around, it will not feel as separated. 

Keeping your dog occupied when you are not around is an excellent way to address its separation anxiety. Leaving a toy behind will ensure your pet is busy for a while after you leave. A mentally stimulating toy will keep it occupied for even longer. Put the toy away whenever you come home to ensure the dog does not become bored with it. 

Minimize Disturbances

New stimuli will exacerbate the separation anxiety your dog feels when you leave. If people pass by the windows, loud noises, and strong smells in your home when you are not there, your dog could get very agitated. Without anyone to calm them down, they will exhibit some signs of separation anxiety, such as chewing things in the house. 

Therefore, you should reduce any disturbances your dog may experience when you are away. You should leave a space open to allow the room to be aerated but no more. You want as little stimuli as possible to aggravate your pet whenever you are not home. 

Get a Dog Sitter

You will find someone to do any job these days if you can afford it. If your pet has separation issues and misbehaves whenever you are not there, you can pay someone to watch your dog when you are not there.

There are excellent dog sitting services out there, and you can hire someone to walk your dog and spend time with it whenever you are out. Having a sitter will definitely reduce the stress they feel when they are alone. 

Encourage Your Pet to Relax

You should promote relaxing behavior in your pet if you want it less stressed when you leave the house. If your pet is already agitated, when you leave the house, it will become even worse. Therefore, you should do things to help your dog relax before leaving the house. 

Taking your dog for a walk for relaxation and to the bathroom before you leave the house is one thing you can do. You can also groom your pet or massage it before you go. 

Dog Anxiety

You know your fur baby better than anyone else. You know when he’s happy when he’s bored, when he’s relaxed… and you know when he’s feeling anxious or scared.

Anxiety is just as common in dogs as it is in humans, and it can have a significant impact on your best buddy’s quality of life. It might even prevent him from enjoying walks around the neighborhood and other fun dog activities.

Dogs with anxiety might become so stressed when you’re away that they become destructive, possibly even causing harm to themselves or your home. They might bark or whine incessantly, causing issues with your neighbors.

Yep, the signs of anxiety in dogs are often pretty obvious. And as a loving pet parent, of course, you want to help your baby relax and enjoy life. Before you turn to pharmaceuticals, why not consider these natural supplements for relieving anxiety in dogs?

Understanding a Dog with Anxiety

Before you can begin to treat your dog’s anxiety with natural remedies, it’s helpful to know what’s causing it in the first place.

Dogs can suffer from two different types of anxiety, situational and behavioral.

• Situational Anxiety:

  When your dog is afraid of specific experiences, he’s dealing with situational anxiety. Common triggers can include car rides, thunderstorms, fireworks, and going to the vet or groomer. With situational anxiety, the symptoms go away once the dog is no longer exposed to that particular situation.

• Behavioral Anxiety:

  Behavioral anxiety is an ongoing issue that the dog deals with daily. According to experts at Bond Vet in New York City, separation anxiety is the most common behavioral anxiety that pet parents deal with. It’s triggered by being left alone, even for just a few minutes. In many cases, behavioral anxiety is related to past trauma, abuse, moving to a new home, or losing a human or animal that the dog was very close to.

5 Natural Remedies for Anxiety in Dogs and How They Work

1. Flower Essences

Flower essences are an excellent natural remedy for anxiety in dogs. They can help restore emotional balance, relieve stress, and restore calm. 

The wonderful thing about flower essences is that they’re non-toxic, gentle, and they can’t be overdosed. They are unscented, dilute liquids that contain the essences of healing flowers.

Use them to rebalance your dog’s emotions and bring him back to a more naturally balanced state. They can reduce stress and anxiety, improve confidence, and minimize many negative behaviors, including separation anxiety.

While many of the other remedies on our list address your dog’s physical responses to anxiety, flower essences address and stabilize the emotional component. You can combine up to six essences at a time, depending on your dog’s emotional triggers. You can also use them in conjunction with other natural remedies.

Here are a few to consider:

• Rescue Remedy: Rescue Remedy is an excellent choice for relieving anxiety. It contains five flower essences that work together to alleviate stress during traumatic events.

• Aspen: Aspen is an excellent choice for dogs who suffer from general anxiety and jitteriness, especially when the owner is preparing to leave the house.

• Mimulus: Use Mimulus when there has been a frightening experience in the home or when your dog is feeling insecure about being left alone.

• Rock Rose: Choose Rock Rose when your dog is experiencing outright fear or panic.

2. Homeopathic Medicine

Homeopathic remedies target very specific symptoms. Once you’ve pinpointed the cause of your dog’s fear, you can use a homeopathic remedy to give him fast relief. 

Here are a few to consider:

• Aconite 30c: Aconite is an excellent remedy to try if you’re not sure where to start. It’s a good choice for fear in general and can be administered every 15 minutes during a stressful situation. However, if you don’t see improvement, you should try a different remedy.
• Phosphorus 30c: Phosphorus is recommended for noise phobias and can be administered up to twice per day.
• Gelsemium 6c or 30c: Gelsemium is one to try if your dog has separation anxiety.

In general, you should start with three doses of your chosen remedy. Administer them 12 hours apart and discontinue use when the symptoms subside or the dog stops responding to the treatment. 

Be aware that homeopathic remedies can produce side effects or even worsen symptoms if the wrong remedy is used. It’s best to consult with a qualified vet for proper diagnosis and to ensure that the correct remedy is being administered.

3. CBD

CBD has been getting a lot of press lately, and it does have many benefits for canines. It has been used to help with seizures, pain management, and even cancer. It’s also highly effective for treating anxiety.

CBD works through receptors in the central nervous system, called the endocannabinoid system. Dogs naturally release endocannabinoid chemicals on their own. When these chemicals connect with endocannabinoid receptors, they stimulate the body’s natural release of serotonin, a mood stabilizer.

Science shows that CBD oil increases serotonin release, helping to calm and soothe the dog’s anxiety naturally. It’s an excellent solution for situational anxiety because it works quickly.

For example, if you know your dog is scared of storms and there’s one on the way, you can give him CBD oil 30 minutes to an hour before the storm is expected. It will help the dog remain calm and relaxed until the storm passes.

CBD oil can be added to food or placed directly in the dog’s mouth following the label’s dosage instructions. Be aware that CBD may cause drowsiness, lower pressure, and other issues in some dogs. Be sure to follow dosage instructions carefully and discontinue use if your dog experiences side effects.

4. Essential Oils

Essential oils like lavender, chamomile, hemp, and violet are excellent for calming anxiety. They can be diluted and sprayed onto your dog’s bed, or you can diffuse them into the air. 

However, it’s important to remember that dogs are more sensitive to smells than humans. Make sure your dog has a way to leave the area if a fragrance makes him uncomfortable. Observe him for any adverse reaction and be prepared to remove the oil immediately if necessary.

Some essential oils can be very toxic to dogs and cats, even when they’re diffused or diluted. Be sure to do your research before using them around your pets, and never apply them directly to your pet’s skin or allow him to ingest them.

5. Herbs

Many herbs are safe for dogs and can be used to soothe their anxiety symptoms. Here are a few to consider.

• Chamomile: We’ve all heard of drinking chamomile tea before bed, and it’s safe for dogs too. It’s a gentle herb with mild sedative effects. It also has a soothing effect on the stomach, so it’s perfect for dogs with anxiety during car rides who also get car sick.
• St. John’s Wort: St. John’s Wort is considered to be a safe and effective alternative to antidepressant and anti-anxiety drugs. It’s an excellent solution for dogs with behavioral anxiety, especially separation and other fear-based anxieties.
• Valerian: Valerian also works as a sedative. It promotes physical relaxation and calms the nerves. It’s a good option for dogs who get overexcited or hysterical when facing stressful events.

These herbs can be administered to your dog as a tea, tincture, or capsule. Be sure to consult with your vet for dosage instructions. You should also talk to your vet first if your dog has a health condition or takes medication. Some herbs can worsen health issues, cause drug interactions, or interfere with a medication’s effectiveness.