CBD for Separation Anxiety in Dogs: What You Need to Know

Is your dog misbehaving when left alone? They may be suffering from separation anxiety. It’s a common problem that can be difficult to fix, but many dog owners are finding relief from a surprising supplement: cannabidiol, or CBD.

The hemp extract has been praised for its anti-anxiety benefits for humans, but it can also help your four-legged friend. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about using CBD oil for separation anxiety in dogs.

Identifying Separation Anxiety in Dogs

If your dog is well-behaved most of the time, yet turns into a destructive menace while you’re at work, it’s likely that the issue is separation anxiety.

This problem can manifest in various ways, including accidents, digging, howling, whining, and even self-injury. Separation anxiety can be the result of major changes (in routine, owners, or homes) or a traumatic past (such as being abandoned).

So what can you do about it?

First, be sure to rule out medical causes by taking your dog to the vet, and make sure your pet is getting plenty of exercise and stimulation.

There are many ways you can try to soothe your dog’s anxiety with behavioral methods or even hiring a certified behaviorist. Alternately, or alongside these options, you may want to consider giving your dog CBD.

How Does CBD Help Anxious Dogs?

CBD is taking the world by storm and making its way into all sorts of products, ranging from candy to skincare. If you aren’t already familiar with the hemp-derived substance, it’s a cannabinoid – that is, a compound which mimics neurotransmitters in the body to produce a variety of effects.

The health benefits of CBD are the result of its interaction with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which is a network of receptors that regulate processes like sleep, digestion, and mood.

This process is not unique to humans; in fact, all mammals have an endocannabinoid system, and that includes dogs. That’s why CBD offers many of the same benefits for dogs as it does for humans, including pain relief and lower anxiety levels.

Types of CBD Products for Dogs

CBD for pets is a relatively new market, so the variety of products available isn’t quite as diverse as those for humans. Luckily, dogs aren’t as picky!

Most CBD for dogs comes in two forms: either CBD oil tinctures, or CBD dog treats.

How to Use CBD for Dogs

Since CBD is non-psychoactive, its effects can be pretty subtle. In other words, giving CBD to your dog won’t get him high, or cause an immediate and drastic change in behavior – but it will calm him down.

When it comes to separation anxiety, CBD can help your dog feel more comfortable in your absence, while discouraging problem behaviors and soothing his fears.

Like with humans, you’ll want to start your dog with a low dose of CBD, such as 0.2mg/kg administered twice daily.

You can gradually increase the dose if necessary. If the anxiety is severe, or your dog is on the larger size, he may need as much as 3mg/kg twice daily. It can take as little as 5 minutes to start working, or up to an hour. But don’t expect results right away – you may need to experiment to find an effective dose, and CBD will need time to build up in your dog’s system.

There is limited research on the effects and risks of CBD for dogs, and it’s currently unknown whether or not a toxic dose of CBD exists. But since it mimics naturally-produced neurotransmitters, it’s widely considered to be safe. Side effects are minimal, and may include dry mouth, drowsiness, and a temporary drop in blood pressure.

Buying High-Quality CBD to Calm Anxious Dogs

As CBD’s popularity grows, it’s getting easier every day to find a variety of products for pets as well as their owners. But don’t be fooled by the selection; not all CBD products are created equal.

When shopping for CBD for your pet, you’ll want to make sure to only buy from trusted retailers who source their CBD from high-quality hemp.

This is because hemp naturally cleans the soil it’s grown in, so it can absorb all sorts of pesticides, heavy metals, and other toxins if it’s not grown organically – and these toxins will end up in the final CBD product.

It’s also important to know exactly what’s in the CBD you’re buying. CBD products can be a blend of carrier oils, flavorings, and other substances, and many CBD products made for humans contain ingredients that are toxic to pets, like the sweetener xylitol.

CBD products made for humans can also contain THC, which can be harmful to pets as well. These are just a few good reasons why a clear, accurate label stating all ingredients is essential.

Only buying CBD products made specifically for pets also ensures you’ll be providing an appropriate dosage, since animals tend to need much lower doses of CBD than humans.

Try Every Day Optimal’s CBD for Dogs Today

Ready to try CBD for your dog’s separation anxiety? Every Day Optimal’s CBD for pets line now includes CBD Dog Biscuits, containing 10mg of CBD each, as well as CBD Oil for Cats and Dogs in delicious beef flavor. Our CBD is sourced only from organically-grown industrial hemp, and all our products are tested for purity and quality by independent labs.

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