Does your dog whine and scratch at the door when you leave? Or do they begin to shake uncontrollably at the sound of fireworks? If so, your dog may have anxiety. Unfortunately, this is a common concern for many pet parents around Australia.
Studies have shown that almost 70% of dogs show frequent signs of anxiety, most commonly separation anxiety, travel anxiety and noise phobia.
High levels of acute stress or chronic anxiety can have long-term physical and emotional consequences for both you and your pet.
Anxiety in dogs is divided into two broad categories:
- situational anxiety
- generalised anxiety
Situational anxiety describes dogs that are generally relaxed and happy and only become anxious in certain situations, such as car travel or a vet visit.
Generalised anxiety refers to dogs that have a higher level of baseline anxiety and can be nervous or reactive even at home.
If you’re interested in further articles about CBD Oils and Pets, we have a series, and you might find the following helpful:
Medical Cannabis in Veterinary Treatments (link)
Explained: Everything to know about CBD Oils & Pets (link)
How is Anxiety Treated in Dogs?
It’s usually managed by a combination of:
- medication,
- supplements and
- behavioural modification or training.
However, a new and promising natural option for dogs with anxiety is increasing in popularity – Cannabidiol (CBD).
CBD has many positive effects and has been shown to help dogs with anxiety. Dogs that were given CBD before being left alone or travelling in the car were more relaxed, whined less and had lower cortisol levels, also known as the “stress hormone”. Source
How Does CBD Oil Work?
The two most common cannabinoids that are extracted from the cannabis plant are CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
THC is responsible for its psychoactive effects, whilst CBD is the non-psychoactive, non-addictive part of the cannabis plant and has a range of potential therapeutic effects.
It has been recently discovered that the body has its own natural receptors for CBD within a special system called the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
This system plays an important role in regulating the stress response.
The body produces natural CBD-like molecules that help with relaxation and mood enhancement. By supplementing dogs with CBD oil, we are helping to enhance the dog’s body’s natural ability to lessen anxiety.
Is CBD Oil Better For Treating Anxiety Than Other Medications?
Although medication is an important and useful tool for treating anxiety, it does have limitations. Some of these medications only last for a short time, might be ineffective in some dogs or may be unsuitable for patients with pre-existing disease.
CBD, on the other hand, can be used for young, old or sick dogs that are already on other medications. Additionally, CBD can come in many formulations, including oils, treats or chews. The oils come in a variety of flavours such as chicken, beef and tuna. There are also vegan options and formulations with no animal proteins for those dogs with food sensitivity.
Is CBD Safe For My Dog?
CBD oil is a very safe option for dogs of variable age, breed and health status. The risk of side effects is minimal, and it can be used short-term for situational anxiety or long-term for generalised anxiety, with around a 70% success rate.
In some cases, it may be possible for CBD to replace the use of medication entirely!
It is important not to use human-labelled products as these often contain harmful ingredients that can be toxic to your pet.
Also, CBD products found online or at a market are completely unregulated and may contain harmful contaminants. CBD for your pet must only be obtained from a veterinarian.
If you have any questions about CBD oils and your dog, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our kind and caring team. You can book an appointment here, or give us a call.
