Alex Seilis
Did you know that just like us, dogs can feel anxious or stressed? And it can really affect their mood and behavior. Whether it’s thunderstorms, car rides, meeting new people, or just being left home alone, these stressors can make your dog feel pretty uncomfortable and cause anxiety symptoms.
Luckily, there are ways to help, and one option that's gaining popularity is CBD oil, which can naturally calm your pup's nerves.
CBD oil is a great way to help your dog chill out during tough situations, whether it's loud fireworks or separation anxiety disorders. It’s a natural way to keep him calm and happy when life throws stressful stuff his way.
But is CBD oil for anxiety in dogs safe? And how does it work? We'll explore below. But first, let's cover how to know whether your dog really has anxiety in the first place.
Common Anxiety Symptoms In Dogs
Before treating anxiety, it's important to make sure your dog actually has it. There are a few tell-tale symptoms to watch out for.
Ever noticed your dog pacing around, shaking, or panting like they’re nervous? These are classic signs that your dog might be feeling anxious. It could happen during storms, when he meets strangers, or even just out of the blue. This is similar to generalized anxiety disorder in humans ... but dogs can even have things like posttraumatic stress disorder, too.
Sometimes the signs of anxiety in dogs aren’t so obvious. Your dog might start licking his lips, lose interest in food, or have accidents inside the house even though he's potty trained. These are all ways your dog’s body is reacting to stress.
The earlier you spot anxiety, the better you can help your dog before it gets worse. Addressing it early with something like CBD oil can make a huge difference in helping him feel more relaxed and relieve anxiety in stressful situations.
How CBD Oil Works To Promote Calm In Dogs
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a naturally occurring compound found in the hemp plant, and it's gained a lot of attention for its calming properties.
Unlike THC (the psychoactive compound found in marijuana), CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning it won’t make your dog feel “high.” Instead, CBD works by interacting with your dog’s endocannabinoid system—a complex system of receptors found in the brain, nervous system, and even the digestive tract. This system helps regulate everything from mood to pain and stress. When CBD enters your dog’s body, it supports this system, helping to create balance and allowing your dog to naturally manage stressors like separation anxiety or thunderstorm jitters.
You’ve probably noticed that when your dog gets stressed or anxious, his whole demeanor changes—they might pace, pant, or even start shaking. These behaviors often occur because your dog’s serotonin levels, which are key in regulating mood, are off balance.
CBD oil works by helping the body regulate those serotonin levels, which can make a huge difference in promoting calm behavior. It essentially acts as a natural "chill pill" without the risk of side effects common with pharmaceutical options. So whether your dog hates car rides, freaks out during fireworks, or gets anxious being left home alone, CBD can help soothe them by working with their body’s own systems.
One concern pet owners have when it comes to CBD oil is whether it will alter their dog’s behavior in a negative way or make them feel “out of it.” Rest assured, CBD oil contains no THC (or very low, legally allowed levels of less than 0.3%), so there’s no risk of psychoactive effects.
Your dog won’t act “stoned” or groggy. Instead, he'll feel more at ease and capable of handling the things that typically make him anxious. Plus, high-quality CBD products undergo rigorous testing to ensure they're safe, non-toxic, and effective for your pet.
Choosing High-Quality CBD Oil For Dogs
With the growing popularity of CBD for pets, the market has become crowded with products of varying quality, making it tricky to choose the right one.
The first thing to look for in a high-quality CBD oil is whether it's made from organically grown hemp. This ensures that the plants are free from pesticides, chemicals, and harmful toxins that could end up in your dog's supplement.
Another crucial factor is third-party testing. Always choose a product that has been independently tested, and make sure the company provides a Certificate of Analysis (COA). This document confirms that the CBD oil contains the amount of CBD advertised, and that it’s free from contaminants like heavy metals or solvents.
Full-spectrum CBD is another term to look for, as this type of CBD contains additional beneficial compounds like other cannabinoids and terpenes, which may enhance the calming effects through what’s known as the “entourage effect.”
Not all extraction methods are created equal, and some CBD oils are made using cheaper, potentially harmful solvents like propane or butane. These solvents can leave toxic residues in the final product, which you definitely don’t want in your dog’s system.
Instead, look for CBD oils extracted using supercritical CO2, which is the cleanest and most effective method. You also want to ensure the product contains less than 0.3% THC. Any higher, and you’re getting into the danger zone where your dog could experience psychoactive effects, which are not only undesirable but potentially harmful.
Be sure to thoroughly vet the product, check for unnecessary fillers, and always read the ingredient list to make sure everything included is safe and beneficial for your dog’s health.
How To Use CBD Oil For Anxious Dogs
Figuring out the right dosage of CBD oil for your dog can feel like a guessing game at first, but starting low and slow is generally the best approach. Most CBD oils come with dosage recommendations based on your dog’s weight, and it’s important to follow these guidelines to avoid under or over-dosing.
A typical starting point is around 1-2 mg per 10 pounds of body weight, but it can vary depending on the concentration of the oil. Some dogs may respond to a low dose immediately, while others may need a slightly higher amount or more time to show noticeable effects. The key is to monitor how your dog reacts and adjust as needed, gradually increasing the dose if you don’t see results right away.
Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is widely studied, including in clinical trials and cannabinoid research, for its calming effects on various anxiety related disorders, but it’s important to tailor the dose to your individual pet.
Dogs experiencing generalized social anxiety disorder or chronic stress may take longer to respond as CBD builds up in their system. Consistency is key, so stick to a regular dosing schedule and be patient—anxiety relief can take time, just as it does in humans with different psychiatric disorders.
Other Ways To Help Calm Anxious Dogs
Using CBD oil can be an effective way to reduce anxiety in your dog, but a CBD product works even better when combined with other calming strategies. A balanced diet, regular exercise, and creating a soothing environment at home can all help improve your dog’s overall mood and anxiety levels.
Much like how people with social anxiety disorder or post traumatic stress disorder benefit from multiple therapies, a holistic plan is the most effective way to manage your dog’s anxiety and related neurological disorders. Supporting your dog’s overall health helps maximize the benefits of CBD oil and promote a calm, balanced mood.
That said, regular use of CBD oil can play a helpful role, especially for dogs who experience chronic pain, long-term anxiety, or episodic stress, such as during thunderstorms or travel. Whether dealing with situational anxiety or more constant issues like different anxiety disorders, consistency will help regulate your dog’s mood.
Just like how treatments for depression symptoms require time and steadiness, giving CBD oil consistently ensures your dog is benefiting from its natural anxiety-relieving properties.
FAQ
Does CBD oil actually reduce anxiety? Yes, research on the effects of CBD shows that it may help reduce anxiety by interacting with the endocannabinoid system, promoting calm in both humans and dogs. The World Health Organization has noted that CBD has potential benefits for anxiety and other anxiety disorders without the risks associated with traditional medications.
What type of CBD oil is best for anxiety? Full-spectrum CBD products are often considered the most effective for anxiety because they contain a range of beneficial compounds from the hemp plant, which work together to promote calm. For individuals or pets with panic disorder or other anxiety disorders, look for high-quality, organic CBD oil that has been third-party tested for purity.
What strength of CBD oil is good for anxiety? The appropriate strength of CBD oil for anxiety depends on the individual’s weight and the severity of symptoms. For general anxiety relief, starting with a lower dose is often recommended, and adjusting the strength as needed based on the effects of CBD.
What is the downside of CBD oil? One potential downside of CBD oil is that it can cause mild side effects such as drowsiness or dry mouth in some users, though these are typically not severe.
Related Articles
