Is your anxious dog giving you anxiety? Whether you are dealing with constant whining or barking at every little thing, you’ll be sure to want a solution fast.
In severe cases, your veterinarian might recommend pharmaceuticals, such as SSRIs or benzodiazepines. But many people would prefer not to medicate their four-legged friend and are searching for more natural alternatives.
One promising candidate is cannabidiol, also known as CBD. This hemp-derived compound is known for its anti-anxiety properties, and many companies are now selling products like CBD treats for dogs. But are they really effective, and more importantly, are they safe? Let’s take a closer look.
What Causes Anxiety in Dogs?
Dogs can become anxious for many different reasons. Some of them are predictable one-off events, such as fireworks, a trip to the vet, or a long car journey. Other reasons can be recurrent, and some dogs become nervous around unfamiliar animals or humans, while a large number of canines experience separation anxiety when their family is away for extended periods. Other dogs simply get more anxious as they age as a result of cognitive decline.
Whatever the cause, it is distressing for the animal and their family alike. Therefore, it can be helpful to recognize the symptoms of dog anxiety so that you can decide on the best course of action.
Symptoms
Dog anxiety can manifest in many different ways. You might notice that your furry pal seems restless or is barking more than usual. Other symptoms include aggression, destructive behavior, repetitive movements, or urinating or defecating indoors.
If you think your dog seems depressed or is acting strangely, it could be that they’re feeling anxious. Check the environment and see whether you can identify anything that might be upsetting them and remedy it if you can. In some cases, this will be enough to stop the anxious behavior. However, in more extreme cases, some form of treatment might be required.
Treating Anxiety in Dogs
The first stage of treatment should be a consultation with your pooch’s veterinarian. They can confirm that their symptoms are because of anxiety and not an underlying medical condition. After a detailed examination, your vet can recommend the most appropriate treatment for your doggo’s needs.
As we mentioned, the pharmaceutical route is an option, although you might see this as a last resort. If you are agreeable to it, your vet might prescribe tranquilizers like benzodiazepines as a treatment for one-off anxiety-inducing events or antidepressants like SSRIs for more ongoing issues.
Training is another option that could involve various methods for helping your dog deal with their anxiety. Counterconditioning is one popular technique, and it aims to change your dog’s response to stressful situations. Another is desensitization, which entails slowly exposing your dog to the source of anxiety and rewarding it for improved behavior. These methods can be highly effective but are best carried out by a specialist dog trainer.
Okay, so now you have some background on canine anxiety. But this article is about CBD treats for dogs, so how do they fit into the picture?
CBD Treats for Dogs: A Natural Remedy for Anxiety?
You have probably heard of CBD. If not, you must have been out on a very long dog walk!
In summary, it is a non-intoxicating compound that comes from hemp plants. In the past decade, it has become hugely popular as a natural remedy for all kinds of ailments, including anxiety. Research on humans has shown that CBD could be effective for a range of anxiety disorders and, unlike many other anxiety drugs, it has minimal side effects.
CBD works on a biological system called the endocannabinoid system. It is responsible for maintaining mood, regulating appetite, managing inflammation, and so much more. Both humans and dogs have an endocannabinoid system, meaning that CBD should work equally effectively for both you and your favorite furball.
CBD dog treats are an ideal way to get your pup to consume the substance as they taste great and can be easily incorporated into your training regime. Dog treats are more convenient to use than CBD oil as they take the hassle out of dosing and make using CBD an enjoyable and anxiety-free experience. Woof woof!
The Ultimate Question: Is CBD Safe For Dogs?
Research on CBD treats for dogs is still quite limited, but a study published in 2022 suggested that the compound is well-tolerated by healthy animals, even when used long-term.
Of course, using the right dose for your dog is essential, and a tiny terrier will need much less CBD than a giant Great Dane. The aforementioned study involved doses of four milligrams per kilogram of body weight daily, which equates to 40mg daily for a 10kg dog. Weigh your dog and calculate their daily CBD needs for the best effects.
The study followed the dogs for six months and noted no serious adverse reactions. However, it is best to consult your vet before giving Fido his CBD, just to be on the safe side. This is especially important if your dog has any other health conditions or is taking any medication.
Other Anxiety Prevention Methods for Your Dog
CBD treats for dogs work best when your dog is given a calm environment where they can feel safe and comfortable. Some final tips for preventing anxiety in dogs include the following:
- Avoid stressful situations where you know there will be loud noises, unfamiliar people, or animals.
- Learn to recognize the early signs that your dog is getting anxious so you can remove them from a stressful situation as early as possible.
- You should try to stick to a regular routine for feeding and walk times.
- Slowly introduce your dog to new human and animal friends so they won’t become overwhelmed.
- Be sure to give your dog enough exercise and stimulation so they don’t become bored.
- Send your dog for training with a professional to help them learn to build trust and prevent unwanted behaviors.