Dogs can suffer from stress and anxiety just like humans do, and if your pet struggles with these or similar issues then you know just how heartbreaking it can be. Luckily CBD (cannabidiol) has been shown to help ease the symptoms of these conditions in both humans and animals, with little to no side effects. Here’s everything you need to know about how CBD could help your nervous dog.

Symptoms of stress and anxiety in dogs

There are many reasons why your dog may suffer from anxiety, ranging from stress caused by loud noises such as thunderstorms or fireworks, separation anxiety, and fear resulting from a history of abuse or neglect (sadly this can be common in rescue pups). It can manifest in numerous different ways, but some of the most frequently seen symptoms include:

• Panting
• Whimpering, whining, or barking
• Pacing
• Aggression
• Shaking or trembling
• Hiding, cowering, or trying to run away
• Urinating or defecating inside the house
• Loss of appetite
• Nervous licking 
• Being clingy
• Destroying toys, furniture, or other items in the house
• Vomiting
• Being easily frightened

How CBD can help your anxious dog

CBD oil has been gaining a lot of popularity lately as a treatment for stress and anxiety in humans, and these principles can also be applied to pets. It’s made using a compound that’s extracted from the cannabis plant, and contains no psychoactive properties so will not get your dog high. This is important, because THC (the compound that gives cannabis its psychoactive nature) can be toxic to dogs, so always buy CBD oil with less than 0.3% THC content for them.

CBD for dogs works through the body’s natural endocannabinoid system to soothe and calm anxiety. It stimulates the production of serotonin, which acts as a mood stabilizer. Giving CBD to your dog can therefore have a calming effect, helping to reduce their nervous behavior and other symptoms of anxiety. This can then enable them to better cope with stressful situations, such as visits to the vet or meeting new people.

In addition to anxiety, CBD can also be used to treat a number of other health conditions in pets. These include chronic pain, arthritis, seizures, and even symptoms of cancer.

How do I give CBD to my dog?

CBD can be administered to your pup in a number of different ways. This includes in hemp treats for dogs, directly into their mouth via a dropper, added to their food, or in a capsule. The oil has a slightly bitter taste, so your dog may prefer to take it as a treat, a capsule, or with food rather than on its own. Whichever method you choose, be sure to choose a high-quality product and check what the appropriate dosage is first. 

If your dog is on any other medication for anxiety or other conditions, ask your vet whether it can be taken alongside CBD. Compared to pharmaceutical medication, CBD has very few known side effects, with the most commonly reported ones to look out for being dry mouth, increased appetite, and drowsiness. Luckily these are very mild, and far outweighed by the potential benefits that CBD can bring to your furry companion.

Have you used CBD for your dog’s anxiety and stress?

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