Does your dog hide under the bed every time there’s a thunderstorm? How about when you take him for a car ride or when he has to meet new people? Or what about when you leave him alone at home for a few hours?

If your dog gets nervous, anxious or stressed out, there are certain things you can do to calm him down …

… and one of the best is to use CBD oil for anxiety.

But what is it? Is it safe and and how do you find the highest quality?

And will it calm your anxious dog?

 

What’s Causing The Anxiety?

Anxiety affects dogs in many different ways and like people, some are more susceptible to it than others. Common reasons for anxiety usually fall into two main areas:

1. Situational – such as thunderstorms, fireworks, strangers and travel

2. Behavioral – like separation anxiety

Symptoms of dog anxiety include:

• Pacing
• Panting
• Whimpering
• Trembling
• Aggression
• Urinating or defecating on the floor despite being house trained
• Nervous licking of the lips
• Loss of appetite

Luckily, CBD oil can work on all of these symptoms and give your dog some much needed relief.

 

CBD Oil For Anxiety

What is CBD oil? CBD oil (Cannabidiol) is a natural substance found in the hemp plant. For 1000s of years, people have been using the hemp plant for everything from rope to medicinal purposes.

One of those medicinal purposes is anxiety relief in people and pets, but not for the reason you might expect.

There’s a lot of confusion between CBD and marijuana. This is because they both come from the same source, the hemp plant, but they’re not actually the same at all. While both are derived from the hemp plant, CBD doesn’t contain the levels of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) which is the ingredient that makes you “high.”

Instead, research shows CBD oil works by interacting with the body’s naturally occurring endocannabinoid system to soothe and calm anxiety naturally.

The endocannabinoid system is a newly discovered and complex biological system that’s not that well understood yet. What is understood is that the body has cannabinoid receptors throughout the central nervous system, the organs and the brain. These receptors are known as the endocannabinoid system. When the body naturally releases endocannabinoid chemicals (or you ingest them through a tincture) they connect with the receptors and that stimulates the body’s natural ability to create serotonin, a natural mood stabilizer.

CBD oil enhances this natural ability.

[RELATED: Nervous Dog? These 3 Remedies Can Help] 

 

CBD Oil Isn’t Just For Anxiety

Studies show that CBD oil is beneficial for both acute and chronic issues – not just anxiety.

Because CBD oil supports the immune system’s ability to modulate activity, it allows the body to better control cellular degeneration. This helps prevent:

• Arthritis
• Joint issues
• Neuropathic disorders
• Neurological disorders (such as seizures)
• Blood disorders
• Tumors and cancers

This support also helps the cells fight off free radicals, helping to prevent the development of cancerous cells.

Studies also show it helps with:

• Pain relief
• Regulating mood
• Seizures
• Diabetes

Using CBD oil for anxiety is just one of the ways to help heal your dog naturally.

[RELATED: 10 Reasons To Use Full Spectrum Hemp Oil For Dogs]

How To Find High-Quality CBD Oil

You can find CBD for dogs in the shape of tinctures, treats, extracts and topical creams and in a variety of potencies …

… But not all are created equal. So which is best for your dog?

You want to start with the source. Here are some questions to ask:

1. Is it organic? High quality CBD oils are made from organically-grown hemp using a pharmaceutical grade ethanol to process the plant. This grain alcohol removes toxins from the plant safely.
2. How is it processed? Currently, there are no regulations on the manufacturing of CBD oil which means that some companies selling it cheaply may use cheap methods when extracting it from the plant. Hexane and butane are two such solvents that are petroleum based products not fit for consumption and can be toxic.
3. Is it independently tested? Independent lab results and a certificate of analysis should be easy to access.
4. What’s the THC count? Some companies make CBD oils from a high THC plant which can also be toxic to animals. It should be less than .03% THC.

These are important questions to ask because low-quality CBD oil may not give the same benefits and some can even have toxic ingredients!

One critical factor you can use as a gauge to the quality is price. Expect to pay in the neighborhood of $50+ for a bottle of high quality CBD oil, though that’s not the only marker. It’s also important to investigate the company’s website and/or talk with a distributor because reputable dealers conduct independent lab tests and are committed to the quality of their product.

Besides quality, CBD oils vary in potency too, so it’s better to start out slow. If you buy a tincture, you can control the amount you’re giving your pet and see how he reacts.

What about the correct CBD oil dosage for anxiety?

The actual dosage amount will depend on the size of your dog and the product potency. Most manufacturers will give you guidelines of one or two tiny doses a day.

The recommended doses are small drops, as in .05 mg/pound. This means if you have a dog under 25 pounds, a 600 mg bottle can last you nearly two months because you’re only giving them little more than a mg a dose. The best way to determine the exact dosage is by following the manufacturer’s directions.

What can you expect after dosing your dog? Some dogs show immediate relief. Others may require a few days before they show the effects. It’s a good idea to make notes (or even take a video) after each dose to see if there are changes.

There’s ongoing research in the world of CBD and the endocannabinoid system, there is still a lot to learn and new discoveries will continue to be made. As for CBD oil for anxiety (and the many other benefits) we’re excited about the results so far and we think you’ll agree it’s good to have another tool for your toolkit.

 

Credit: https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/cbd-oil-for-anxiety-can-it-calm-your-anxious-dog/