Pet CBD products have grown in popularity for a number of reasons. Many pet owners have found that CBD supplements support their dogs’ overall well-being. A common question is how much CBD to give a dog. After all, you want to provide enough but don’t want to overdo it.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is the emotional reaction to a potential threat or perceived danger. It’s a normal and even healthy emotion that alerts us to issues we may need to resolve in our surroundings. In dogs, signs of anxiety can include:
- Panting
- Drooling
- Pacing
- Restlessness
- Growling
- Excessive barking
- Repetitive or compulsive behaviors
- Destructive behavior, including potentially harming themselves
- Urinating or defecating in the house
Anxiety and fear can also lead dogs to act aggressively toward other dogs or people, so it’s important to address anxiety early on and help prevent these issues.
What Causes a Dog to Be Anxious?
The three main causes of anxiety for a dog are fear, separation, and aging. Fear can be caused by loud noises, new people or animals, or unfamiliar objects like hats or umbrellas. Some dogs may be uncomfortable visiting new places like a vet’s office or even going on car rides.
Around 14% of dogs experience some degree of separation anxiety and are unable to comfort themselves when left alone or even when simply separated from their favorite family member.
Finally, as dogs get older, their ability to learn or remember, as well as their perception and awareness, may decline, especially for dogs with CDS (cognitive dysfunction syndrome). This can lead senior dogs to feel confused and anxious.
Treatment for Anxious Dogs
The first step may be to talk with a trusted veterinarian who can help you identify the causes or triggers as well as the type of anxiety the dog is experiencing. They can help rule out any medical conditions as well as help you determine a treatment plan.
Training and counterconditioning can also be effective ways to help adjust your dog’s response to stimuli that leads to anxiety. For example, you may be able to train your dog to focus on you, sit or lie down, or go to a safe place (such as their crate). You may also be able to use reward therapy to help reduce anxiety. A professional dog trainer can help you and your dog work together to combat anxiety.
Prevention can often be the best treatment. For example, knowing what leads your dog to feel anxious can help you better treat symptoms before they become more serious.
Learning to read your dog’s body language can help you better understand when they’re uncomfortable, scared, or anxious, so you can redirect to a more positive experience. Proper socialization—such as introducing your dog to new places, people, animals, and experiences—especially when your dog is young, can help prevent future anxiety issues.
Positive obedience training is a great way to learn how to communicate more effectively with your dog or puppy and build a trusting relationship. Plus, obedience classes are a fun place to introduce your dog to new people, places, and situations in a more controlled environment.
In addition, regular exercise, playtime, and stimulation can help your dog better adjust to changing conditions and improve your dog’s confidence and well-being. A well-adjusted dog is less likely to pick up destructive behaviors. Taking care of your dog’s physical and mental needs by exercising regularly and feeding a nutritious diet can help them better deal with tense situations.
Finally, do your best to avoid situations that cause your dog to feel anxious and afraid. If they feel overwhelmed by a large group of dogs at a dog park, avoid dog parks and instead go for walks, potentially with a friend who has a dog your pup enjoys spending time with.
You can also avoid uncomfortable situations by keeping your dog leashed with a secure harness, or, if your dog has already demonstrated aggression, choose a gentle basket muzzle before entering triggering or dangerous situations to help keep everyone safe.
CBD Supplements for Dogs
Because research on CBD was hindered for decades due to its pending legal status, research on CBD for dogs is still developing. Fortunately, interest in CBD supplements for humans and companion animals continues to grow, and more studies are underway.
If you are considering a CBD supplement for your dog, consult with a trusted veterinarian to discuss whether it may be appropriate for your pet’s individual situation.
How Much CBD for a Dog?
Providing an appropriate serving of a quality CBD supplement is important. Serving size generally depends on the dog’s size and may take a bit of experimentation to find the right routine for your dog. Here’s a general serving-size guide to start:
Observe your pet’s response to the CBD and adjust up or down slightly to see what works best for your dog. If you have any questions on serving size, feel free to contact us with questions. We’re here to help!
Ready to try the best CBD for pets—ABSC Organics? Get started here.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary medical advice. Always consult with a licensed veterinarian before starting any new supplement regimen for your pet. Individual results may vary. ABSC Organics CBD products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
