If we suffer from anxiety ourselves, we can often deal with it using rational logic. It’s a different story with dogs. If dogs feel fear and anxiety, you can’t achieve anything with words. Depending on your pet’s character, there are different situations in which your four-legged friend is afraid. The experience of many dog owners suggests that CBD oil for dogs with anxiety could be a game changer. Is this really the case and what effect can be expected?
Why are dogs afraid? The most common reasons
You do everything you can to give your beloved dog a stress- and anxiety-free life and yet there are typical situations in which anxiety cannot be prevented. There can be various reasons why dogs are affected by anxiety. Sometimes the animals lack the phase of socialization in puppyhood, but sometimes there have been traumatic incisions and experiences in the dog’s life.
Some animals can become anxious for breed-specific reasons, while others react if you as the owner do not take a strong and dominant lead. Finally, there are also typical stressful situations that can make even a courageous four-legged friend fearful and anxious. These include
- New Year’s Eve and fireworks in general
- Loud noises that your dog is not familiar with
- Changes in your personal life situation
- Visits to the vet
How CBD can help dogs with anxiety
If your four-legged friend is unwell, as a dog owner you naturally want to do everything you can to alleviate the problems. Anxiety that occurs during New Year’s Eve often only lasts for a few days, after which your dog goes on with its normal life. However, some animals also develop anxiety in everyday situations, so that their whole life consists of stress. There are increasing reports that CBD oil for dogs can effectively alleviate anxiety.
We know from studies in humans that CBD can positively influence depression, anxiety and even psychotic episodes. Sales of such products are now higher than ever, and CBD oil in particular plays an important role in everyday life for many people. But can it have the same effect on dogs? If we believe the CBD reports of many dog owners, then yes!
If we look at the structure of a dog’s body and brain, it becomes clear that there are some similarities with humans. For example, dogs also have an endocannabinoid system that works in the same way as ours. This system, which consists of receptors in the body, ensures that endogenous cannabinoids take over the control of many areas. They support the immune system, they reduce pain, they are responsible for the production of dopamine and serotonin. If the body breaks down endocannabinoids too quickly or is unable to process them, anxiety disorders, restlessness, a weakened immune system and other symptoms develop.
If we now assume that CBD stimulates the endocannabinoid system to slow down the breakdown of the body’s own endocannabinoids, the effect can be explained. The cannabinoid CBD is also able to interact with the CB1 and CB2 receptors. This allows the active ingredient to enhance the calming effects of the messenger substances produced in the body.
Serotonin levels and their influence on well-being
Serotonin is considered the body’s happiness hormone and plays a role in the development of depression, among other things. A serotonin deficiency favors anxiety disorders, but also depressive moods. In conventional medicine, an antidepressant of the serotonin reuptake inhibitor type is prescribed in such cases. This is intended to prevent serotonin from being broken down too quickly. However, we are now talking about drugs that are approved for humans and that can have considerable side effects.
Drugs such as Prozac are known to be used in dogs with sadness and anxiety, but many pet owners shy away from such medication.
This is where CBD oil for dogs comes into play, as the oils are said to be able to increase serotonin levels in dogs. Although this has not yet been confirmed by any scientific test reports, it has been confirmed by the numerous experiences of satisfied dog owners. In addition, cannabidiol is also said to increase the anandamide level, which is also responsible for the development of anxiety.
When your pet panics - finding the right CBD dosage
At present, CBD is not considered a medicinal product for either humans or animals and therefore official information on its correct use is simply not available. Current knowledge on the treatment of anxiety in dogs using hemp oil is based on user reports. More and more vets are also appreciating the effects and are making an effort to recommend or use CBD as an alternative with few side effects.
In all this, it must be remembered that CBD is not a miracle cure, but can only provide support. If you have a serious problem with your dog, a dog school can be helpful. Here, your four-legged friend will learn how to work through their traumas and reduce their anxiety bit by bit.
When it comes to the correct dosage of CBD oil, various factors come together. A small and light dog needs less CBD than a large, heavy animal. At the beginning, it is advisable to use a small dose and keep an eye on the dog. If you have the feeling that the effect is not sufficient, but your pet tolerates CBD well, increase the dose gradually. Make a note of the quantities given, the course of treatment and the results achieved so that you can also discuss them with your vet.
Eine Faustregel besagt, dass CBD bei Hunden nach Kilogramm dosiert wird. Pro Kilogramm Körpergewicht können zwischen 0,2 und 0,5 mg CBD eingesetzt werden. Wiegt Dein Hund also 20 Kilogramm, wäre eine Höchstdosis von bis zu 10 mg denkbar.
Tipp: Achte darauf, dass der CBD-Gehalt je nach Produkt variieren kann. Hanföl beginnt meist mit Stärken von 5 % und geht dann hoch bis zu 10 %, 15 % und darüber hinaus.
Administer CBD oil for dogs without stress
It is not easy to explain to dogs and cats that the hemp plant can help them with their ailments. Taking tablets can therefore often become a problem. As most CBD products are available as drops and oil, this makes administration somewhat easier. Due to the slightly bitter flavor (when using a hemp oil), your dog may refuse it. However, if you mix the cannabidiol oil with something he loves, the aroma is no longer a problem.
Tips on how else you can treat anxiety in dogs
Not all dogs react immediately to CBD, sometimes the dosage is not right, sometimes you have not chosen the right CBD products. If your dog suffers from acute anxiety, for example due to an external stimulus (New Year’s Eve, etc.), try to make the environment safer for him. Prevent him from being left alone on New Year’s Eve, close windows and doors to keep noise outside.
Important: CBD oil for dogs can be helpful if your pet is generally anxious or suffers from fear in certain situations. However, if dogs develop spontaneous fears that were never present before, be sure to consult your vet. Animals sometimes react in this way when they are in hidden pain or feel stressed by external circumstances. If your vet has checked your pet’s health and finds nothing wrong, talk to them about CBD oil and incorporate it into their treatment.
Conclusion: Dogs can benefit from CBD oil for anxiety and panic
The experiences of numerous pet owners make it clear that the effects of CBD oil can also be useful for dogs. Discuss the topic with your vet if you are unsure about its suitability for your pet. Also bear in mind that existing liver diseases could be an exclusion criterion. CBD is broken down by the liver, so problems can occur if it is damaged.
