CBD for dogs anxiety

CBD Oil for Dogs with Anxiety

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Dogs become anxious for many reasons. They may not be getting enough exercise, stimulation, or interaction, so they become bored and potentially destructive. They may be rescued and are having a difficult time adjusting to their new environment. Or they may feel anxious due to weather changes (such as heavy rains, strong winds, or booming thunder) or when left alone. One thing more and more pet people are reaching for is CBD for dogs’ anxiety. It may not be a miracle, but it can often help—sometimes by a lot. 

How to Tell If Your Dog Is Anxious

Your dog may not be able to tell you with words that they’re feeling anxious, stressed, or fearful, but they’re likely providing a lot of signs. Some common symptoms include:

  • Pacing
  • Trembling or shaking
  • Whimpering
  • Hypervigilance (ears up, eyes scanning and dilated)
  • Licking lips
  • Yawning frequently
  • Decreased appetite (even avoiding the distraction of treats)
  • Drooling
  • Panting and increased heart rate
  • Overgrooming (sometimes even inflicting injury)
  • Aggression
Photo by Christoph Schmid on Unsplash

How to Treat Dog Anxiety

While it’s easy to get frustrated with an anxious dog, it’s important to stay calm, supportive, and patient. After all, isn’t that what helps most of us when we’re feeling unsettled? 

Take a look around the environment. Is there anything you can do to remove the triggers that lead to anxiety? Of course, some triggers can’t be removed. No one can stop thunderstorms or prevent people from celebrating with fireworks. And most of us can’t move to get away from a busy street or noisy neighbor.

Animal behaviorists can also help, especially if the problems become more concerning. They may help you better determine why your dog is getting stressed and work with you to remove triggers. For example, a behaviorist may be able to:

  • Help you determine triggers like other dogs, people, or overstimulation, and provide calming solutions.
  • Provide ideas for quiet places to walk and games you can play at home instead of heading to a stressful dog park.
  • Help you create a calming sanctuary room or space for your dog where they can relax and unwind when it’s loud (e.g., fireworks and thunderstorms) or you have visitors. 
  • Provide training or games to help you modify behavior.

Working with your vet, you may be able to help get to the bottom of any medical issues that could be leading to increased anxiety levels. Some vets even prescribe anti-anxiety medications like Prozac. However, as with humans, these types of medications don’t work for all dogs and can cause distressing side effects.  

That’s where CBD for dogs’ anxiety may help. 

Photo by Justin Veenema on Unsplash

Can CBD Help Dog Anxiety?

CBD is a compound found in oils extracted from the hemp plant, specifically the leaves, stems, and flower (bud).

One concern with CBD for dogs’ anxiety many people have is that it can “get the dog high.” Fortunately, CBD products for dogs come from the hemp plant, which contains negligible levels of THC (0.3% or less). Because it lacks the psychoactive component, it will not make your dog feel high, stoned, or to act “funny.”

Instead, CBD oils interact with the body’s natural cannabinoid system in a way that helps relax, soothe, and calm an anxious, nervous, or stressed dog. Cannabinoid receptors are found throughout the body as part of the central nervous system, organs, and brain and are referred to as the “endocannabinoid system.” When CBD chemicals connect with these receptors, the body creates serotonin, which is our body’s natural mood stabilizer and “feel-good” hormone. 

How Much CBD Oil for Dogs with Anxiety? 

How much CBD oil dogs with anxiety needs depends on the size of the dog as well as the concentration of CBD within the product. For ABSC Organics, you can find the dosage guidelines here. 

When given the correct amount of CBD for their size and metabolism, dogs often experience near-immediate relief. Others may take a few days. Watch your dog closely after providing them with CBD oil and even take some notes on small or subtle improvements as well as bigger breakthroughs. You may want to increase or decrease the amount depending on how your dog reacts when in stressful situations.

While there’s still a lot to learn about the positive effects of CBD oil when it comes to dogs with anxiety, CBD offers promising potential, and many pet parents have found profound relief. 

Best CBD for Dog Anxiety

There are a lot of CBD products available for pets. Unfortunately, not all of them are created equal. For example, some research has found large discrepancies between what’s on the label and what’s actually in the product. 

The best CBD for dog anxiety is high quality, transparent as far as the ingredients, organic, free from GMOs, pesticides, and herbicides, and provides information on how much CBD is in the product as well as third-party testing to show the information is accurate.

Ready to see how the best CBD for pets—ABSC Organics—can help your pet live a more vibrant, healthy life? Get started here. 

Related Information: 

References: 

Lofgren SE, Wiener P, Blott SC, Sanchez-Molano E, Woolliams JA, Clements DN, Haskell MJ. Management and personality in Labrador Retriever dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 2014 Jul 1;156:44-53. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168159114001099

Dreschel NA. The effects of fear and anxiety on health and lifespan in pet dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 2010 Jul 1;125(3-4):157-62. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168159110001243 

Bonn-Miller MO, Loflin MJ, Thomas BF, Marcu JP, Hyke T, Vandrey R. Labeling accuracy of cannabidiol extracts sold online. JAMA. 2017 Nov 7;318(17):1708-9.  https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2661569

how long does CBD last in dogs' system

How Long Does CBD Last in Dogs’ Systems?

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As a pet parent, wouldn’t you do everything in your power to help your dog live a happier, healthier, longer life? After all, for many of us, our fur kids are some of our favorite companions, and we want to keep them around, active, and feeling great. 

Just as with humans, diet and exercise are important aspects of a dog’s health. And many people are looking at supplements and wellness products that may help optimize their pet’s overall health. That’s why CBD oils are growing in popularity. Dosage and frequency are important considerations. With that come two very common questions: how long does CBD last in dogs’ systems and how fast does CBD work in dogs?

how long does CBD last in dogs' system
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The first consideration is how much CBD oil does your dog need, which we discussed in a previous blog post. Next up is how long does CBD last in a dog’s system. 

Dogs, humans, and other mammals all have cannabinoid receptors throughout their bodies as part of the endocannabinoid system. This system is important as it helps regulate sleep, pain, immunity, and mood. It’s a vital system for maintaining balance in the body. In fact, it’s been shown to help reduce pain, decrease anxiety, reduce seizures, decrease digestive upset, help the body fight infections, and more.

The body produces its own endocannabinoids but cannabinoids are also found in various foods, including some herbs, black pepper, hops, and flaxseeds. The highest concentration, however, is found in the leaves, stems, and buds of the hemp plant. Most commonly, CBD is found in CBD oil extracted from the hemp plant. 

While the research on how long does CBD last in dogs’ systems is limited, we can look toward human studies for the answer. 

 

 

The Half-Life of CBD

Researchers consider the half-life (or how long it takes for the concentration of the compound to be reduced to half the original dose) to help them determine the optimal dosage of a drug or supplement. 

For example, if a compound is expected to provide benefits for 24 hours, the estimated half-life would be 12 hours or more. Products with a shorter half-life may require more frequent dosing. On the flip side, compounds with a longer half-life can build up in the body, providing a longer effect, even at the same dosing.

According to human research, when taken by mouth, CBD half-life lasts around 18 to 32 hours. In general, it appears that CBD takes around a week before it leaves the body. This, however, can also depend on weight, age, diet, activity level, severity of symptoms, and biochemical makeup. It can also depend on how long CBD has been taken. 

For example, after a single use, a quality CBD product tends to stay in the system for up to three days. With moderate use, it can last in the system for three to five days. And with regular use, the CBD may stay in the system for up to 10 days or even more. 

How Long Do CBD Effects Last in Dogs?

More important than how long CBD from hemp stays in the system is how long the effects last. In general, it can take up to 30 to 45 minutes before the CBD reaches the bloodstream and the effects become noticeable. If, for example, you’re giving your dog a quality hemp CBD oil to help them better manage anxiety-provoking situations (e.g., car rides, thunderstorms, or separation), CBD should be given at least 30 minutes prior if possible. Most pet parents report their dogs begin to calm down within 30 to 60 minutes. 

The CBD effects can then last up to 12 hours, indicating that one to two doses of CBD given per day, depending on the reason and the dog’s metabolism, will suffice. If the CBD oil effects are falling off sooner, you may need to adjust the dosage. Just make sure you do so slowly to ensure the dosage doesn’t become too much for your pet. 

For seizures, many pet owners find episodes are reduced or eliminated almost immediately; others find it takes more time. Finally, for pets suffering from pain or inflammation, results may not be readily apparent for up to two to four weeks as the dog’s body gets back into balance. 

Again, how often hemp CBD is given to the dog may depend on the dog’s system and the specific reason you’re giving it to the dog. For more chronic conditions, smaller doses twice per day may be most effective. For more acute or short-lived issues, a single but stronger dose may be most effective.

how long does CBD last in dogs system
Photo by Joe Caione on Unsplash

How Long Does CBD Last in Dogs’ Systems: Other Considerations

A great deal of the information above has related to CBD oils or tinctures, which have the fastest rate of absorption and also have a higher potency. Other types of CBD products available for dogs include treats and topicals. 

Oils are typically absorbed sublingually in the mouth to some degree as well as through the rest of the digestive system. Treats that contain CBD oils are often the easiest to give to your dog (they may even do a trick for you). It’s worth noting that time to absorption with this method, however, is much longer. It can take between 45 and 90 minutes for the full effects. 

Finally, CBD topicals, such as shampoos, creams, lotions, sprays, and balms are absorbed through the skin and can be especially helpful with helping deal with skin and coat issues. These products, however, are not absorbed at all. That is, they don’t reach the bloodstream. Rather, they only affect the area on which they’re applied.  

How Long Does CBD Last in Dogs’ Systems: Bottom Line

There are many reasons pet parents provide their dogs with CBD, and knowing how much and how often to supplement your pet’s diet with CBD tinctures can provide more optimal results. In other words, knowing how long CBD lasts in a dog’s system is vital.

Ready to see how the best CBD for pets—ABSC Organics—can help your pet live a more vibrant, healthy life? Get started here. 

Related Information: 

References: 

Taylor L, Gidal B, Blakey G, Tayo B, Morrison G. A phase I, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single ascending dose, multiple dose, and food effect trial of the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of highly purified cannabidiol in healthy subjects. CNS Drugs. 2018 Nov;32(11):1053-67. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40263-018-0578-5

Lucas CJ, Galettis P, Schneider J. The pharmacokinetics and the pharmacodynamics of cannabinoids. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 2018 Nov;84(11):2477-82. https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bcp.13710

Millar SA, Stone NL, Yates AS, O’Sullivan SE. A systematic review on the pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol in humans. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2018 Nov 26;9:1365. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2018.01365/full

Is CBD Oil Different for Dogs and Humans?

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If you’re like a lot of Americans, you’re already using CBD oil to help reduce pain, ease anxiety, get a better night’s sleep, support general health, etc. And because of the relief you’ve enjoyed, you may be tempted to give your dog a few drops of your CBD to help ease joint pain, stress, anxiety, nausea, or other health issues. But wait, is CBD oil different for dogs and humans? Is your CBD safe for your dog and vice versa: is dog CBD oil safe for humans? 

Before making any assumptions and considering CBD for humans and animals interchangeable, it’s important to be aware of the differences in CBD for dogs and humans. 

Is CBD Oil Different for Dogs and Humans?
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CBD for Dogs and Humans: The Differences

Whether for humans or animals, CBD products are readily available from numerous brands. And if you have a brand you already trust for yourself or your dog, it may seem logical to share. As long as you’re using a quality hemp CBD oil, the difference in quality shouldn’t exist. There are, however, differences in CBD products made for dogs and humans. For example…

Flavors: Perhaps the most obvious difference between CBD oil for dogs vs. humans is the taste. Human CBD oils tend to have flavors like mint, orange, chocolate, and other candy-like flavors. Dog flavors run more toward meaty treats like chicken, salmon, and bacon. And you can find unflavored options for CBD for dogs and humans.

It’s not just a matter of taste, though. Those flavor differences can be a big deal. Humans, for instance, may find meaty treat flavors distasteful. Worse, the sweeter candy-like flavors may be dangerous—even deadly—for dogs.

Even if the hemp CBD oil is exactly the same—and thus, safe for humans and dogs—if a CBD oil has added essential oils and sweeteners, the product should be kept away from pets to avoid even accidental exposure.

Xylitol (aka birch sugar), for instance, is a common sweetener used in CBD products. And while this sweetener is healthy and beneficial for humans, it can create a rapid release of insulin leading to a dangerous and potentially deadly drop in blood sugar for dogs. If your dog does get ahold of products that contain this ingredient, symptoms include vomiting, weakness, staggering, collapse, and seizures and require immediate medical care.

Some of the most popular essential oils used for flavorings, such as citrus, peppermint, wintergreen, and cinnamon, can also lead to adverse effects for dogs both when used topically and ingested. Remember, there are many foods that are safe and nutritious for humans that are toxic for dogs, such as garlic, chocolate, and raisins. So, foods, supplements, and ingredients that are good for you may not be good for your pets.

Dosage: The next big difference of CBD for dogs and humans is the dosage. Your body size and weight make a big difference when it comes to how much CBD from hemp plants to use. And you may need different amounts depending on what you’re using CBD oils for. For example, if using hemp CBD oil to calm an anxious dog, if you use too much, you can make the dog even more anxious. Chronic problems may require less CBD (on a regular basis) than acute issues (for a few days). So, it’s important to follow usage instructions for the size of your animal as well as the condition you’re addressing.

In addition, many CBD products for humans are more concentrated, which could lead to too high of a dose, especially for smaller dogs.

Contaminants: In a perfect world, neither humans nor dogs would be exposed to pesticides, herbicides, solvents, or other potentially damaging chemicals. This is even more important for dogs who may have more sensitive systems and be more susceptible to side effects from unneeded additives or fillers.

Whether you are purchasing a CBD product for you or your dog, look for a certificate of analysis from a third-party testing lab, so you know exactly what is in the product, including the amount of active CBD per serving, ingredients, manufacturer, and the batch or lot number. 

Ingredients in the finished product should include only the CBD oil from hemp, a carrier oil like hemp oil (if needed), and specific flavorings.

THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol): CBD oil can be extracted from both industrial hemp (which contains less than 0.3% TCH) and marijuana plants, which have varying levels of THC. In states where marijuana is legal, some brands create CBD products as well as products that contain THC. So, there are CBD products made for humans that also contain THC.

While CBD has been found to be safe, effective, and non-toxic for dogs, the same cannot be said of THC from marijuana. Dogs have been found to be more sensitive to THC, and it takes longer to get out of their systems. Some of the side effects caused by THC in dogs include:

  • Walking difficulties
  • Drooling
  • Dilated, glazed eyes
  • Tense or twitching muscles
  • Increased hunger
  • Loss of bladder control
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Whimpering
  • Sensitivity to touch
  • Slowed or more rapid heart rate
  • Decreased body temperature
  • Agitation

While some dogs can “sleep it off,” others need medical support from a vet. So, always ensure your pet-products are made from industrial hemp and are thus THC-free.

Is CBD Oil Different for Dogs and Humans?
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Is Dog CBD Oil Safe for Humans?

As long as you’re purchasing a high-quality dog CBD oil from hemp plants, it should be made with food-grade oils, which are then safe for humans. The differences, again, are flavoring and dosage. So, it’s likely easier to purchase just one product for your dog(s) and one product for you.  

In other words, the instructions for human CBD products and dog CBD products may differ greatly. It’s important to ensure your pet is given the right dosage and strength to optimize results and decrease the risk of side effects, such as lethargy and tummy issues.

Is CBD Oil Different for Dogs and Humans: Takeaway

Yes, both dogs and humans may benefit from using CBD products. However, the products can differ greatly in terms of dose and strength, flavors, additives, and more. So even if the CBD itself is both dog and human-safe, the products aren’t necessarily interchangeable. 

Because of the increased risk for dogs, avoid treating your pets with a product designed for humans, and instead choose a pet-safe CBD product. 

Related Information: 

References: 

McGrath S, Bartner LR, Rao S, Kogan LR, Hellyer PW. A report of adverse effects associated with the administration of cannabidiol in healthy dogs. Vet Med. 2018;1:6-8. https://www.ahvma.org/wp-content/uploads/AHVMA-2018-V52-CannabisAdverseEffects.pdf