Can CBD Help Dogs With Anxiety? 

CBD has been shown to help dogs suffering from anxiety. 

If you’ve ever seen a large dog trying to hide from a thunderstorm, you know it’s a pitiful sight. You may have tried all kinds of remedies, but getting through to 100 pounds of furry panic can be challenging. Unfortunately, it’s not just large dogs that can suffer from severe anxiety, affecting all sizes and breeds. Nevertheless, dog owners everywhere have welcomed the natural approach CBD for dogs with anxiety, breathing sighs of cautious relief, and optimism. 

While the use of CBD in veterinary medicine is still largely un-researched, there is also a large body of real-world evidence that shows it can help treat dogs for several conditions. For example, CBD has been used for pain relief, arthritis, seizures, and much else. So, should you try CBD for your dog’s anxiety attacks? 

Does CBD Help Dogs With Anxiety? 

Since CBD has been used successfully for anxiety-related problems in humans, many dog owners have been wondering if they can use it for their furry friends as well. Anxiety in dogs can be triggered by many factors like travel, fireworks, separation from owners, and more. Like many other dog owners, you may have already tried many different medications and treatments, only to find that nothing works. 

If you’re ready to try using CBD oil to help your dog with anxiety problems, you will be heartened to know that there are plenty of anecdotal accounts of dogs who have benefited from it. Some anxiety inducing conditions for which CBD has been used for dogs with anxiety include the following: 

• Seizures
• Fear of thunderstorms
• Separation anxiety
• Social anxiety
• Fireworks
• Travel stress
• Restless nights
• Aggression

Anxiety may take the form of aggressive behavior in some dogs. Dog owners have successfully treated aggressive behaviors with CBD when conventional treatments like Prozac did not help. 

What Kind Of CBD Should You Use For Your Dog? 

You’ll find many different CBD treats, oils, and supplements for pets on the market. Choosing the right CBD supplement for your dog can be confusing, but some basic guidelines can help you. First, it’s best to use organic CBD, which should not contain chemical additives like pesticides and solvents. 

Further, to ensure that you are getting a quality product that will be beneficial for your pet, you should buy CBD from a manufacturer who will provide a content analysis certificate. The certification tells you the amount of CBD the product contains. This way, you can also ensure that it doesn’t have over 0.3% THC, the legal limit for CBD.

It’s important to remember that you should only use CBD products specifically made for dogs for your pet. You should never use CBD products made for humans because they may contain THC at levels over 0.3%, which would be toxic to dogs. 

How To Give Your Dog CBD

Using CBD for dogs and other pets is not only under-researched, but it is also not regulated at all. The FDA has not recognized CBD as veterinary treatment, making some vets reluctant to discuss its use and dosage. However, it’s important to remember that many other commonly used veterinary treatments like glucosamine for chronic pain are also not recognized or approved by the FDA.

You can give your dog CBD in several ways – as dog treats or chews or as oil or tincture mixed into their food or water. It’s easier to get started with CBD dog chews or treats, but it may be better to use a liquid version instead. Using CBD oil or tincture allows you to control the dosage and increase or decrease it as needed. It also acts faster in liquid form.

Most dogs will happily take their medication if you hide it in a bit of peanut butter. Some dogs may even allow you to place a drop of CBD oil on the tongue.

The CBD effects take a few days to kick in, so you should give it in advance of known stressful events like fireworks or travel. 

When the anxiety triggers are unpredictable, like storms or loud noises, or for ongoing conditions like seizures or separation anxiety, you can give your dog a dose. 

What’s The Right Dosage? 

As with all medications, the right dosage is crucial for success. In addition, the dosage amount must be both safe and effective: sufficient to produce a successful outcome, but not so much that it has adverse effects. 

The best estimate for treating dogs with anxiety or seizures is around 1-2 milligrams per 10 lbs. of body weight, given twice daily. If needed, you can increase the dosage without exceeding the upper limit of 2-3 milligrams for 10 lbs. of body weight. 

There are also unique CBD oil formulas for large pets, which can be more effective for dogs weighing over 80 pounds. 

Is It Safe To Give Dogs CBD?

 Most people who give their pets CBD have tried all kinds of other medications without much success. If you’re one of those concerned pet owners who is considering CBD, you must be aware that some dogs do suffer adverse reactions. However, most of these have been attributed to THC toxicity, which is why the quality of CBD you use is so important. 

If your dog is on any other medications, it’s best to consult with your vet before using CBD because it may interfere with these. In any case, you should discuss it with your vet, even though they are forbidden by law from prescribing CBD or even discussing it with you in some states. 

There isn’t much information on the effects of long-term CBD use for dogs, but anecdotal evidence shows that many dog owners swear by it. It is best to monitor your dog’s reactions and health when using any medication.

Finally, make sure to store your pet’s CBD oil in a cool, dry place where it will not be exposed to light. This will help preserve its efficacy for 1 to 2 years. 

Using CBD To Ease Your Dog’s Anxiety Attacks

There are few things sadder for a pet parent to watch than a doggy anxiety attack because of the extreme distress they manifest. And there’s also the risk that panic and anxiety may cause some more long-term damage. 

CBD oil offers many dog owners the hope of healing their pet’s anxiety with a simple, natural, and effective cure. 

If you’d like to try CBD for your dog, Saving Grace has two Pet Care Formulas: Regular and Large Pet Care Formula. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. Our team is always happy to help out.