CBD Series Part 3 | Your Dog Can Benefit From CBD Oil Too? CBD for pets: How To Naturally Treat Separation Anxiety In Dogs
When I found out that pets can also benefit from CBD oil, I was shook. I mean, learning about CBD oil to begin with has been an eye-opener. It’s been a while since I had a pet, but I’ve always loved animals and had a special love for dogs and birds. I have so many great memories growing up with a Boston Bull Terrier as our family dog. To this day, they are my breed of choice simply because they remind me of my childhood and are just the most amazing dogs I know. In Part 3 of this series, I will be focusing on our furry friends and how CBD oil can benefit them.
separation anxiety in dogs
is it that serious?
If you are a dog owner, you know that the separation anxiety in dogs is real. I remember coming home to my dog, Ginny, and she would always welcome us with a catastrophic scene to enjoy. She would tear up the bathroom and leave it covered with slobber and drool. I’m not sure how such a tiny dog could do that, but she did, haha! Each time we were away from her, I’m sure she was a huge ball of stress. I would always feel so bad when we would come home to her seeing that she was stressed, yet excited at the same time. She would do this classic ballerina twirl that I will never forget, which showed how excited and anxious she was for us to be home. She did not like to be alone at all.
The severity of separation anxiety in dogs will vary with each pet, and the symptoms of that anxiety will also vary. Some dogs are extremely attached to their owners, so being away from them causes certain destructive and unhealthy behaviors that I will discuss next. It can become a serious issue if the pet is in constant distress each time they are separated from their owner. If the underlying cause of the symptoms can be treated and would promote a healthier environment for both the owner and dog, then that will improve the quality of life for both. Not only is stress not good for pets and humans, but it can affect that special bond as well.
Symptoms caused by separation anxiety in dogs
How can I tell if my dog suffers from separation anxiety?
Knowing the signs and symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs is important in deciding if your dog needs treatment. If there is a way that we can help our furry pals and in a natural way, why not, right? There are a few things to look out for when identifying if your dog is behaving in a way that is not normal and apart from them just knowing what the rules are or being a normal fun-loving dog.
Instinctively, you will know if your dog’s behavior is in response to the distress of being apart from you or if he or she is just acting out normal pup behavior. The difference will be if you notice things in excess such as barking and howling that shows aggression or irritation in response to different stimuli. Hyperactivity may be a cause for concern too, especially if it results in aggressive behaviors. Here is a quick list of symptoms that can be used to identify separation anxiety in dogs:
Excessive soiling, salivation, drooling, or panting
Restlessness and intense pacing back and forth
Excessively scratching themselves or walls and doors
Digging behavior or attempting escape from room or crate
Vomiting
Hyperactivity or panicked behaviors
Aggression toward animals or people
Whining, crying, shaking, tail tucked, or trembling
Following you around the house and not wanting to leave your side
general symptoms of anxiety in dogs
what are other behaviors that i should look out for?
There are other forms of anxiety that dogs may display and affect their ability to respond to their environment in a healthy way. Did you know that dogs can also suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? Rescue dogs can exhibit symptoms of separation anxiety due to their previous negative experiences, which can impact them severely. Dogs can also develop obsessive traits that cause them to fixate on a particular stimulus making them exhibit hyperactive behaviors every time they are exposed to it. Here is another list of common symptoms of anxiety in dogs:
Barking at cars, people, or other animals
Anxiousness when riding in cars or during travel
Anxiousness when being exposed to new people or places
Fearfulness caused by PTSD
Anxiousness in response to fireworks or storms
Sensitivity to common noises
cbd oil treatment for anxiety in dogs
how can i treat my dog that suffers from anxiety?
Dogs have similar natural cannabinoid receptors in the endocannabinoid system as humans, which is involves the physiological processes such as appetite, pain sensation, mood, and memory. This means that they have a similar response to such products as CBD oil, which is an effective treatment for anxiety in humans. What is CBD oil? If you have not read Part 1 of this series yet, I highly encourage you to read that first as it will explain what CBD oil is, it’s benefits, and other common questions in greater detail.
To sum it up, CBD oil is made from the hemp plant and contains high levels of CBD, a cannabinoid that essentially works with the body’s natural endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for various chemical processes within the body. CBD oil is an effective treatment for dogs that suffer from separation anxiety and other forms of anxiety due to it's calming and anti-anxiety effects. CBD oil works by enhancing the body’s natural ability to stabilize mood by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system to calm and soothe anxiety. CBD oil can correct many of the behaviors that dogs exhibit in response to stress or anxiety.
CBD for dogs is available in drop form and can be added to their food, treats, or water 1-2 times a day depending on their condition. I know I only covered dogs in this article, but CBD for pets is also available, which means your cats can enjoy the benefits of CBD oil too. Just make sure that you check the label to ensure that it is specific to the animal that you are purchasing it for since they may be made for either dogs or cats and not both. You can also buy CBD oil for pets in the form of treats, and they come in various flavors that they will love.
thoughts
does cbd oil for dogs work and is it effective?
If you do an online search for testimonials of CBD oil being used for dogs exhibiting anxiety, there are a lot of positive responses out there. It was interesting reading some of the testimonials and how people have had much success with treating their dogs with CBD oil. I really did not know how popular it was until now, but from what I can tell you, it is a very effective treatment that dog owners are currently raving about. So, would I use CBD oil if I had a dog that suffered from anxiety? In Part 4 of this series, I am spilling all of my final thoughts and many takeaways. I will also be answering the question of whether or not I will be trying out CBD oil products for myself. Stay tuned for Part 4, which is the last in this series.
does your dog suffer from anxiety and what are his/her symptoms?
Disclosure: This post is purely from my personal findings and for informational purposes only, not to be construed as medical advice. Please seek medical advice from a licensed health practitioner. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Please see my privacy policy for a complete disclosure.