CBD for Dog Anxiety: What You Need to Know

The pet CBD market is the next big craze in the cannabis and hemp world, thanks in large part to the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill. This legislation legalized hemp-derived CBD and opened up the floodgates for many pet owners interested in CBD’s potential therapeutic benefits for conditions like inflammation, pain, and anxiety in their furry friends. Growth in pet CBD sales is now at an all-time high, with analysts predicting the market will reach $1.1B by 2025. This makes it one of the fastest-growing segments in an already booming CBD market. 

While research is currently still underway, it seems as though CBD’s unique therapeutic promise may extend to dogs, cats, and other pets. Given the anxiety-reducing effects of CBD in humans, pet owners have become particularly curious about CBD’s ability to relieve anxiety in animals. 

Curious to know about CBD for dog anxiety and other pets? Keep reading to learn more about this increasingly popular cannabinoid and what it can do for your dogs and cats.

What Are Cannabinoids?

What exactly is CBD and how does it work? CBD is a type of cannabinoid — a fat-based compound found in cannabis plants. While THC and CBD are the most well-known cannabinoids, there are currently over 120 different kinds we know of — the bulk of which have yet to be researched!

Cannabinoids work by interacting with our Endocannabinoid Systems (ECS), which is responsible for maintaining homeostasis, or balance, in the body by regulating a number of cardiovascular, nervous, and immune system functions. When cannabinoids are administered they act on the receptors of the ECS and produce a number of therapeutic effects. As most pets have an ECS, they too can experience benefits when taking cannabinoids such as CBD.

Unlike CBD is non-intoxicating. In addition to anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) benefits, other therapeutic effects associated with CBD include anti-epileptic, pain-reducing, and anti-inflammatory properties.

CBD for Dog Anxiety

Symptoms of dog anxiety can manifest in a number of different ways. According to the American Kennel Society, veterinarians generally agree that indications of dog anxiety include the following symptoms:

• Aggression
• Urinating or defecating in the house
• Drooling
• Panting
• Destructive behavior
• Depression
• Excessive barking
• Pacing
• Restlessness
• Repetitive or compulsive behaviors

A 2021 study from the University of Western Australia published in Scientific Reports sought to determine if CBD affected stress-related behavior in shelter dogs. Researchers found dogs treated with CBD oil showed reduced aggressive behavior toward humans following treatment, which may be an indication of the compound’s potential for easing anxiety.

While more research on the impact of CBD on canine behavior is underway, many anecdotal reports indicate that CBD may help relieve anxiety in dogs. Consider the following stories for example.

CBD Dog Anxiety Testimonials

One of our customers, Tammi F., was looking for a way to help ease the anxiety of her anxious dog. “My pitbull developed severe separation anxiety after we moved,” Tammy explains. “He would bark the entire time I was gone.”

Thanks to a suggestion from her new neighbors, she began experimenting with our pet CBD oil to see if it could help. “I was incredibly skeptical, but nothing else worked so I took a chance,” she says. “I’m glad I did. A dose in the morning and another right before I leave and my nervous wreck becomes so calm and mellow it’s unbelievable.”

Another customer, Erin E., says implementing CBD for her dog was a “game changer.” Her pup once suffered from anxiety, but after administering our pet CBD oil, she found him to be “much more relaxed.” Says Erin, “Life for the entire family has changed for the better.”

These are just two testimonials from our many happy pet CBD oil customers — which number in the thousands.

What’s the Best Type of CBD for Dogs? 

Pet CBD can be sold in a number of different forms. These include CBD isolate, broad spectrum CBD oil, and full spectrum CBD oil:

• CBD isolate is CBD that has been modified into isolated CBD and contains no other cannabinoids.
• Broad spectrum CBD oil contains all the other compounds found in cannabis plants such as other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids — but without the THC.
• Full spectrum CBD oil contains all of the plant’s various cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, including trace amounts of THC. 

Clinical research shows us that CBD isolate — pure CBD — is only effective up until a certain dose. On the other hand, studies have confirmed that when a variety of cannabinoids are ingested together, the effect they produce is greater than when taken on their own — a phenomenon known as the entourage effect. 

For this reason, full spectrum CBD oil offers the greatest therapeutic benefit for pets and is an ideal choice for dog owners looking to maximize the anti-anxiety effects of CBD when administering it to their dogs. 

As the cannabinoid wellness industry is currently unregulated, dog owners will want to ensure they’re purchasing products that have been lab tested for purity and potency. The best way to do this is to examine the COA, or Certificate of Analysis, of the pet CBD oil you’re vetting. This document details all the ingredients present in the product and will help you ensure it’s free of harmful additives, toxins, and dangerous levels of THC.

How Much CBD Oil Should I Give My Dog for Anxiety?

Dosing CBD can be tricky since every dog’s needs are different. We generally recommend consumers start out with a dose of 6mg (2 drops) per 25 pounds per day of our full spectrum pet CBD oil and increase this slowly as necessary. Anecdotal reports suggest CBD oil takes 30 to 90 minutes to begin working on dogs.

CBD for Cat Anxiety

Dogs aren’t the only pets who suffer from anxiety — as any cat owner knows who’s ever had to coax their kitty out from under the bed. While it’s not unusual to note some skittish behavior every now and then in your cat, some cats can experience anxiety as a chronic condition.

According to Stephanie Austin, DVM and medical director and veterinarian of Bond Vet, an anxious cat typically exhibits one or more of the following behaviors:

• Hides often
• Is extra aggressive or verbal
• Can’t stop grooming itself (often to a point of hair loss)
• Won’t use the litter box 
• Trembles
• Follows you everywhere 
• Experiences eating habits shift 
• Paces or can’t sit still 
• Is lethargic 
• Gets sick (vomiting or loose stools)

Anecdotal reports suggest CBD oil can be useful in treating cat anxiety. 

NuLeaf customer Amanda S. was looking for a way to calm her adopted cat. “I took in a stray cat and she was initially extremely aggressive to my two other cats, to the point where one of them wouldn’t come downstairs anymore,” she says. A vet prescribed Prozac “but it also made her sleepy and just changed her demeanor a lot.” She finally decided to try CBD oil for her cat. 

The result? “It’s really doing wonders!” Amanda says. “My cat is going back to her old active self and thankfully no longer attacking my other cats.”

Faith H. also noticed a visible change in her cat’s anxious demeanor after using CBD. Her kitty usually hid when others were around, but since taking CBD oil, “she has been hanging around more, even when I have friends over,” says Faith.

Administering Pet CBD for Cat Anxiety

As is the case with dogs, full spectrum CBD oil products stand to offer the greatest benefit for ailing cats. Dosing guidelines remain the same, with a suggested starting dose of 3 mg (1 drop) per 12 1/2 pounds, increasing the dose slowly as necessary. And as always, be sure you’re only purchasing pet CBD oil products that have been lab tested and vetted for safety and purity with COAs.

The Highest-Quality Full Spectrum CBD for Pets

We believe both humans and their furry loved ones should have access to premium cannabinoid products.That’s why we’ve been creating the purest and most effective CBD on the market since day one — back in 2014. We only source cannabinoids extracted using safe and eco-friendly methods such as CO2 extraction to ensure the full range of cannabinoids and other beneficial phytonutrients remain, so the only ingredient in our full spectrum CBD oil is organic hemp — no additives are present.

Our full spectrum pet CBD oil is beloved by many pet owners. Common benefits reported in customer reviews include reduction in indications of anxiety as well as improved mobility and comfort. Take the first step in helping your pet overcome anxiety and shop our pet CBD oil today.

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