CBD for dogs
And what every dog owner needs to know before giving it to their dog.
Have you ever found yourself googling about different remedies, tips and tricks on how to calm an anxious or overly excited dog? Most likely you have come across CBD for dogs.
CBD for dogs is becoming more and more popular, but is it safe? How do you start using it? Which CBD product to choose? Let’s talk about it.
What is CBD?
So CBD (cannabidiol) is derived from the hemp plant. The CBD for dogs, won’t get your dog “high”, because it is non-pshycoactive. It interacts with your dog’s endocannabinoid system.
FYI, the body actually naturally produces endocannabinoid compounds that bind to cannabinoid receptors. And it simply means that it helps dogs’ body to produce serotonin, a natural body chemical that regulates mood.
Is CBD safe for dogs?
It seems that most veterinarians have agreed that CBD appears to be safe for dogs. BUT when used responsibly.
One thing to understand is that CBD for dogs is actually still quite new, so there are no long term results yet. So if you have a very anxious, overly hype dog and you have tried other methods first (lifestyle change, exercising, dog swimming, hiking etc), then why not give dog CBD oil a try.
But if your dog is on some kind of medication, has any health issues, then it is always safe to check in with a vet, just to be sure.
How CBD can help dogs?
Probably the most common one is for anxious dogs. But let’s have a closer look in which cases it could help your dog.
General hyperactivity - when your dog is overly hyper and just can’t seem to calm down, whatever you do, dog CBD oil could help to calm your dog.
Anxiety (sleep issues, separation etc) - in this case CBD oil can help your dog to relax more. Instead of staying on your side every second of the day, CBD makes your dog feel more peaceful and stay calmly on their place.
Agression - since CBD has calming properties, it can be one way to help calm an agressive dog for some time.
Heath issues - joint pain in older dogs, injury pain etc.
Stress related behaviours - if your dog keeps barking at home, pacing etc, then again, the dog CBD oil can help your dog just feel more calm, instead of feeling restless not really knowing what to do.
Reality check
Now, let’s be real here. CBD for dogs can help to reduce some of the symptoms for many of these problems, BUT most likely is is not a permanent solution here.
CBD can help dogs take the edge off enough to feel more comfortable, calm and relaxed, but it is not a magic fix.
If you have an anxious dog, solve the core problem - why is your dog actually anxious?
If your dog is hyperactive, then don’t just keep giving the CBD to keep your dog calm.
Figure out if your dog has a healthy lifestyle - do you take your dog running, swimming, on obstacle courses etc?
If the answer is no, then no matter the CBD or other medications will change your dog. You can reduce the signs for a bit, but the core problem stays.
How to choose dog CBD?
Even though dog CBD products are still quite new, you can find quite many different versions of it. Probably the most common ones are CBD oils for dogs.
But you can also find CBD peanut butter, chews, cookies, chewable tablets and even relief balm which you can rub onto your dog’s nose and toes.
Now which one to choose depends on you and your dog. If giving CBD oil drops is too difficult, then maybe dog CBD chews, cookies or peanut butter are a better choice.
CBD oils for dogs
Now, if you just want to go for the oil drops, then there are a few things to look for.
dog specific formula - since it is for your dog, it has to be made specifically for pet consumption.
organic or EU grown hemp - this ensures there aren’t any heavy metals or pesticides in the oil which could be harmful.
clear labeling - the concentration of CBD is loud and clear, not just the % but also in mg.
We have tried two different brand dog CBD oils and one of them hasn’t shown any results, but the other one has been working very well. But more on that in one of the next blog post, where we’ll give a better overview of our dog’s experience with CBD oil.
So just keep in mind that even if one brand’s CBD oil doesn’t work on your dog, doesn’t mean that it won’t work at all. Just try a different brand or go for a different CBD product (treats, peanut butter etc).
Final thoughts
CBD for dogs isn’t a cure to all of your dog’s long lasting behavioural problems. It can soothe the symptoms for a bit, but not solve them.
So if you are looking for a quick fix to a big problem (separation anxiety, walk reactivity), this is not going to be it.
However, if you use this mindfully with very specific situations (occasional fireworks, car rides, etc), this is a pretty good tool to add to your roster.
And for an older dog with bad joints (and your vet’s approval) why not trying it out to see if it helps your dog.
Haven’t heard about Pocket Puppy School before?
Pocket Puppy School is a completely free dog training app. Our mission is to make information about raising dogs accessible to everyone in the world.
But in addition to our app, we have a blog (that you are currently reading 🤓) where we talk all things about dogs.
We post some informational and fun content to our Instagram page and believe it or not, we even have a merch store. 🥹 In the store you can get a t-shirt or a hoodie with your own dogs’ picture that we will make into an awesome design.
Feel free to check out all of our channels, and if you have any questions, leave a comment down below.
Thank you!
