CBD has accrued a loyal fanbase in recent years thanks to its various potential therapeutic benefits. One of the most popular benefits is the cannabinoid’s potential to ease mental discomfort with its relaxing effects. But this effect isn’t just something that can benefit humans. After all, dogs experience anxiety, too.
Dog owners looking to help their pup feel more relaxed when they’re doing potentially stressful things — like riding in the car, staying home alone, or spending time with you during a thunderstorm — may want to consider some high-quality CBD oil. There are many CBD products for dogs, and they may be the solution you are looking for.
But which is the best CBD for dog anxiety? Just take a look at this guide to learn all you need to know about the calming effects of this cannabinoid.
What Is CBD?
Pet owners seeking the best CBD to calm dogs should first ensure they understand exactly what they are looking to give their pets.
CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the over 100 chemical compounds, known as cannabinoids, present in the cannabis and hemp plants. Along with THC, CBD is the most abundant cannabinoid, and it is believed to be responsible for the wide variety of potential therapeutic benefits hemp and cannabis have to offer.
This guide is focused on the calming effects CBD products offer anxious dogs, but there are many other benefits they can potentially offer, including discomfort relief, nausea relief, help with sleep issues, anti-inflammatory properties, and more.
Is CBD Safe for Dogs With Anxiety?
It can always be nerve-racking to give our pets something new to treat their anxiety, but when it comes to pet CBD oils, there is nothing to worry about. This natural alternative medicine is considered to be safe for both humans and their canine counterparts.
However, you should still keep in mind that, much like with any sort of medicine, you don’t want to overdo it.
Giving your pup too many CBD dog treats can result in a few unpleasant side effects. Those side effects include diarrhea, drowsiness, and dehydration. Fortunately, all you need to do to avoid these issues is ensure you give them an appropriate amount of CBD.
How Can Dog CBD Treats for Anxiety Help?
Some dogs are in a constant state of total relaxation, and almost nothing in the world can put them on edge. Other dogs are naturally a little more skittish and uneasy, and they need some special attention to help them feel more comfortable.
These kinds of pups can suffer from separation anxiety, get nervous during car rides, panic during thunderstorms or fireworks shows, or just have a naturally anxious disposition.
So how can finding the best CBD oil for dogs potentially help your pup through one or more of these issues?
A study published in February 2023 found that single doses of CBD helped positively influence multiple measures of stress in dogs while they were separated from their owners and during car travel. This is because CBD is believed to interact with the endocannabinoid system to provide a relaxing effect.
While the study looked at stress measures during separation and car rides, there’s no reason to doubt that it may be helpful in other anxiety-inducing scenarios, as the calming effects of CBD are not dependent on the situation in which they are used.
What Is the Best CBD for Dog Anxiety?
Now that you know how hemp oil might be able to help your pet feel more comfortable, you’re probably wondering where you can find the best CBD for dogs with high anxiety. You have plenty of options at your disposal, and many of them should be perfect for your pup. Take a look at the following tips to help you find the best option.
Go for Full Spectrum
There are three kinds of CBD oil for dogs — isolate, broad spectrum, and full spectrum. Isolate contains strictly CBD, broad-spectrum CBD oil contains all hemp cannabinoids except for THC, and full-spectrum CBD oil contains all hemp cannabinoids, including THC.
Now, you’re probably thinking you don’t want to give your pet THC, as that’s the cannabinoid that gets you high, but keep in mind that any product derived from the hemp plant does not have enough THC to provide psychoactive effects. However, they can still provide the potential therapeutic effects this cannabinoid is also known for.
Taking multiple cannabinoids together provides what’s known as the “entourage effect,” in which each compound amplifies the effect of the others, giving your pet the maximum therapeutic relief possible from their CBD oil treats.
Vet Your Brands
CBD itself is safe for your pet, but that doesn’t mean every company employs the safest possible practices when creating CBD calming treats for dogs. You need to make sure the company you choose does third-party lab testing on all of its products to ensure efficacy, potency, and, most importantly, safety.
You should also look into customer reviews and any other information you can find regarding the companies you’re interested in to get a better idea of the products they offer.
Choose the Right Type of CBD Product
Your dog will likely be fine with any CBD product that doesn’t contain other ingredients that are unsafe for them, but if you’re looking for the best CBD oil for dogs with anxiety, you will want to pick something specially designed for them.
It’s a lot easier to get your pet on board with their CBD regimen if you can offer it in the form of tasty treats or CBD oil that’s specially flavored for the canine palate.
Anxiety Relief for Dogs Can Be Easy and Delicious
Having a high-anxiety pup can be stressful and even heartbreaking at times, but with the help of CBD, it doesn’t necessarily have to be. Using this guide, you should be able to find some great CBD products to help both you and your pup feel more relaxed.
