Holidays that include fireworks lighting up the sky can be stressful for dogs. All the loud noise and chaos often leaves most furry friends hiding, panicking, urinating everywhere, and even running away from home. In fact, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty in Animals (ASPCA) warns that many dogs go missing during the holidays like the Fourth of July after being startled by the festivities. These are all signs of fireworks-induced anxiety in animals, particularly dogs.
Lately, many dog owners are looking to CBD as a way to help manage their pets' anxiety. Is using CBD for anxious dogs a good idea? What other benefits can CBD provide beyond that? Keep reading for answer to these questions and more.
HOW CBD MAY HELP DOGS MANAGE NERVOUSNESS
First of all, what is CBD? And why should you consider it to manage your dog's nervousness as it pertains to anxiety?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is an active, non-intoxicating cannabinoid found in both hemp and cannabis plants. At this point, CBD is well-known in the holistic health and wellness world for its many therapeutic effects. It can achieve these effects by interacting with the body's endocannabinoid system. Studies have found that all mammals, including both humans and dogs, have an endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS helps maintain homeostasis in the body by regulating a series of functions including by not limited to:
- Sleep;
- Mood;
- Motor control; and
- Stress
When interacting with the ECS, CBD has the potential to encourage a sense of calm and control away from anxiety-inducing symptoms. In this way, CBD may potentially help your four-pawed family members more comfortable in situations where fireworks could be going off.
HOW TO LEVERAGE CBD FOR DOGS AGAINST FIREWORKS
There are a few factors to consider when using CBD for your dog. One important factor is the type of CBD product you use. There are a variety of CBD products made specifically for dogs on the market. You will find everything from dogs treats to CBD oil. You can test a few and see which product your pet prefers. It is worth noting, however, that there are also a few other things to take into consideration.
Selecting the right CBD product is intrinsically tied to product quality. It's important to only purchase CBD products from reputable brands that go above and beyond in ensuring they are only using the highest quality ingredients. Plus, the product should be accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis that details everything that should be in the finished product, and nothing that shouldn't.
If you want tips on how to read a CBD lab report, head here. Plus, you can view all of our Envy CBD product lab reports on that same page.
Some companies are dishonest with their labeling and may include harmful ingredients, especially if they figure pet owners wouldn't notice. Be diligent!
WHEN TO GIVE CBD TO DOGS
It's currently recommended to administer CBD approximately one to four hours prior to any anxiety-inducing event. Recent research on oral CBD products for dogs has found that maximum CBD concentration in the body occurs around 1.5 hours after administration, and it tends to be the most effective during that timeframe.
The type of product your dog ends up taking may also affect the onset and strength of the CBD. This relates to the concept of bioavailability. For instance, administering CBD oil drops directly into your dog's mouth will likely cause them to feel its effects faster. On the other hand, if you give them a few CBD Dog Treats or add the CBD Pet Tincture to food, it may take a little longer for them to feel the calming effects. This is because the active CBD will first pass through the stomach as the food is digested. They may, however, experience the effects for a longer period of time if the CBD is ingested.
Also, note that sometimes it can take a few days of consistent CBD dosing to experience the best results. If you dog is regularly freaking out from sudden noises, talk to their vet about incorporating a more regular wellness routine for your pup.
THE IDEAL DOSAGE FOR NERVOUS DOGS
It's currently recommended to administer CBD approximately one to four hours prior to any anxiety-inducing event. Recent research on oral CBD products for dogs has found that maximum CBD concentration in the body occurs around 1.5 hours after administration, and it tends to be the most effective during that timeframe.
When it comes to administering an ideal dosage for your dog, it's typically recommended to start with the smallest dose and gradually increase it until you reach the desired effects. Similar to dosing for humans, CBD dosing for pets vary depending on a number of different factors, including weight and activity level of your dog. Heavier dogs and more active ones may require more CBD than smaller or less active dogs.
Also, because the CBD concentration may vary depending on the type of product being used, be sure to follow the directions on the product packaging. For example, we recommend starting with 0.5ml of CBD oil per 10 pounds of body weight.
Also CBD is considered very safe, we recommend speaking with your pet's vet before considering to add CBD into their diet. This is especially necessary if your dog has any medical conditions to takes prescription medication. In some situations, CBD may interfere with the effectiveness of those certain medications, so clear it with their vet ahead of time.
THE RESEARCH BEHIND USING CBD ON DOGS
In 2018, the Agriculture Improvement Act was passed. This bill, often referred to as the "Farm Bill," was instrumental in changing the laws around CBD. It removed industrial hemp from the Controlled Substances Act by removing hemp-derived CBD with a Delta-9 THC concentration of less than 0.3% on a dry weight basis as a Schedule 1 drug. This allowed the market for CBD to grow considerably. It also allowed for an increase in research on both CBD for both humans and companion animals.
Although there have been several new studies on CBD in recent years, there is still a lot that we don't know. Although most of these studies have shown promising results, until the FDA can authorize more applications, one cannot say for certain the CBD can truly help as well as a pharmaceutical can. Based on what is currently being studied, CBD given to dogs may help with:
- Reducing inflammation associated with osteoarthritis
- Decreasing the frequency and intensity of seizures as it pertains to epilepsy
- Promoting better immune function
There has been a lot more research on CBD for humans than on CBD for dogs. We need more comprehensive studies before we have a better idea of just how effective CBD can be for various issues.
THE BEST CBD CALMING SUPPLEMENTS FOR DOGS
If you're looking for CBD to help curb feelings of nervousness, anxiety, and acting out due to fireworks or other loud and sudden noises, we have you covered! We offer two different CBD supplements for dogs that are sure to help your pup feel their best.
CBD PET SERIES
The CBD Pet Tincture is a bacon-flavored CBD oil tincture that serves as a great option for all pet owners, dogs and cats included. The easy-to-use tincture allows you to measure exactly how much CBD you want. Then, you can either give the CBD to your pup directly into their mouth or it can be added to their food.
Although most dogs will love the bacon-flavored oil by itself, you can always add it to their food or favorite treat. If you have a picky dog, this tincture is a great choice because it gives you the freedom to administer the oil however you wish! As one example, simply mix their dose into some peanut butter and they're sure to love this special treat!
Our Pet CBD oil is an all-natural tincture derived from hemp-derived broad spectrum CBD. Consistent, daily dosing of this tincture may potentially help to reduce a myriad of psychological and physical discomforts that would otherwise bother your pet.
The CBD Dog Treats, also being bacon-flavored, are the best treats for your pup! Not only are they delicious, but they are also formulated with the highest quality broad spectrum CBD for the best results. Each treat contains 5MG of CBD, allowing you to ease your pet into a dose that works for them!
These treats are convenient because you don't need to do any measuring. Just give your pup a treat or two (depending on their size) before any festivities begin!
OTHER TIPS FOR HELPING YOUR PUP CALM THEIR NERVES
Let's be real: dogs and fireworks are not a match made in heaven. Sure, there are a few that don't mind the loud boom, but overall, it's usually a bad experience for everyone involved. And if you think about it, if you unexpectedly heard and saw explosions in the sky, you'd probably be startled and concerned as well! After all, dogs don't think, "oh yeah, it's the 4th of July today so these explosions are totally normal."
If you want to help your pup feel a little more calm should fireworks be going off, here are a few tips:
- Calming supplements for dogs - we already discussed this above so we'll keep this short and sweet. CBD oil or CBD Dog Treats are both great options for helping your pup feel more relaxed.
- Keep them home - if your dog is easily frightened by fireworks or other sudden and loud noises, don't take them to a fireworks show with you. Being in an unfamiliar area during the show can be scary, and they may try to run away. Keep them inside the house where they feel safe.
- Leave the TV or music on - if your dog is staying at home and you expect fireworks to be lit in your area, consider leaving the TV on at a normal volume. This familiar background noise may dull out the sound of fireworks and help them to feel more comfortable.
- Close the windows and curtains - muffle the sound by keeping windows closed and curtains drawn. This can also cut back on flashes of lights that can be startling.
- Distract them - if you're spending the holidays at home, stay calm and comfort them. Start playing with one of their toys to see if they'd like to join in. If they're not interested in playing, pet them and talk to them - reassure them that they are safe.
- Take care of walks and potty breaks earlier - if you usually go for an evening walk, move it up to the afternoon to ensure you can be at home safe before the fireworks begin. Also, make sure you let your pup go to the bathroom before the fireworks start.
If your dog has fireworks anxiety, there are plenty of things you can do to help them manage the symptoms. Try out CBD and these tips, and in no time your dog should have a better experience come July 4th. You may also want to talk to your pet's vet for any other recommendations.
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