Your pets are a part of your family. They offer warmth, care, and support and provide companionship through physical and emotional support. They are great stress-relievers too. In turn, you need to provide them with good nutritious food, love, and affection for their physical and mental development.
But, your furry babies can suffer from illness or diseases, making them irritable and in pain. A link exists between pain and anxiety. A dog suffering from anxiety or depression can also suffer from chronic pain and vice-versa. It is a vicious cycle with no apparent reason. You need to take action immediately when you see the symptoms of anxiety or pain in your dogs to avoid complications. Making them comfortable by providing the best treatment improves their quality of life. Not only in pets, CBD can be used for human beings too. The use of CBD Vape pens for calmness are often used to treat Anxiety issues in human beings.
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The Underlying Reasons Triggering Pain And Anxiety In Dogs
Some dogs are more vulnerable to the issues compared to others. Some of the common types and the reasons for developing stress and pain are:
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Situational/Fear-Related Anxiety
Loud noises, new places, or strangers can make your pet suffer from fear-related anxiety. The common problems or conditions causing the problems are-
- Thunderstorms
- Strangers
- Fireworks
- Getting introduced to a new/strange environment
- Car rides or travel
- Certain surfaces like wood floors or grass
Your dog may have brief reactions to the specified stimuli. But, anxiety-prone dogs can react to such stimuli frequently.
CBD For Situation/Fear-Related Anxiety
CBD can reduce situation-related anxiety. It interacts with the receptors in the brain regulating such reactions.
Separation Anxiety
It is the type of anxiety affecting 14% of the dogs. Dogs suffering from the issue can never find comfort when you leave them alone or they stay away from family members. Due to the anxiousness, your dogs can exhibit undesirable behaviors like-
- Urinating inside the house
- Defecating on floors
- Destroying furnishings/furniture
- Non-stop barking
CBD For Separation Anxiety
CBD products interact with the endocannabinoid system and boost the serotonin levels in the brain. So, it calms your dog and helps them cope with separation.
Age-Related Anxiety
As the name suggests, it affects older dogs. The condition is linked to CDS (Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome). Due to CDS, your pet has trouble with memory, perception, learning, and awareness. The functions start to decline. So, the affected dog shows symptoms similar to the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease affecting humans. CDS can trigger confusion and anxiety.
CBD To Manage Age-Related Anxiety
The cannabinoids present in CBD attach with ECS receptors. It aids in soothing the mind and making your dog feel restful even in intense situations.
Symptoms Indicating Anxiety In Dogs
When you see the following symptoms in your dog, you can detect your pet has anxiety-related issues and needs intervention-
- Panting
- Pacing
- Whimpering
- Aggression
- Trembling
- Loss of appetite
- Nervous licking of the lips
- Urinating/defecating inside the house despite undergoing house training
To ease such symptoms and offer comfort, you can provide CBD. It works effectively on your pets to provide them the much-needed relief.
How CBD Works To Offer Relief For Your Pets
CBD or cannabidiol is the natural compound you can find in cannabis. The hemp-derived CBD oil does not have THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), which refers to the compound giving marijuana psychoactive properties. Unlike popular belief, CBD products are derived from hemp and not from marijuana. It does not contain psychoactive THC, which makes a person or animal high. When you provide CBD to your pets, it interacts with the endocannabinoid receptors located in their central and peripheral nervous system. So, it eases pain, anxiety, and offers them comfort.
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Dosage To Provide To Ease Pain And Anxiety In Dogs
According to a 2018 study on dogs suffering from osteoarthritis, 2mg/kg is the most effective dose to ease pain and anxiety. It offers comfort levels for the dogs. However, the study does not offer conclusive evidence. Therefore sticking religiously to the dose may not offer effective results. The dosage depends on the following:
- The weight of your pet
- Age
- The condition requiring treatment
Choosing The Right CBD Product
The FDA does not regulate CBD products. So, you can find various products on the market. Choosing a high-quality product explicitly designed to meet the needs of your dog offers effective results. So, you need to select with caution. Here are some essential points to keep in mind.
Tested Product
Check the product website for certificates of analysis while selecting the CBD product for your pets. It is a crucial rule of thumb to follow, ensuring you are accessing high-quality products with no presence of pesticide or heavy metal. A third-party is ideal for verifying the quality of the products.
THC-Free Products
Research is only available to prove the effectiveness of CBD in dogs. THC is psychoactive and hence can be detrimental to your pet’s health. Discuss with your vet to choose a suitable product to treat your pet’s specific condition.
Conclusion
You can never predict the reason or situation, making your dog anxious. But, timely intervention is necessary to manage the anxiety to prevent it from escalating to a severe disorder. After consulting the vet, you can deal with the issue at home using CBD. It is essential to take the vet’s advice beforehand to rule out any underlying health condition triggering the symptoms. Giving CBD is not a conventional plan of action, but it can offer excellent results. Easing the suffering of your beloved pet will provide you with great relief and peace of mind.
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