CBD for Dogs, Managing Health Conditions
CBD for Separation Anxiety in Dogs
Jan
When a pet is overly devoted to their companion, they experience separation anxiety and become unhappy when left alone. Unfortunately, this is the second most common reason for owners surrendering their pets to pounds or euthanasia.
This is a huge issue in the dog world. I know how dreadful it is to suffer moments of tremendous anxiety (yes, I use CBD for that as well! ), so leaving my dog alone to experience this isn’t the most comfortable feeling.
Causes and Symptoms of Separation Anxiety
Dogs are pack animals by nature. As a result, when you, their pack leader, leave them alone, they may experience severe anxiety. They genuinely adore you! There are a few other reasons why your dog may be experiencing separation anxiety including:
- PTSD
- Not enough social interaction
- If they were removed from their mother too young
- Insecurities
Symptoms of separation anxiety include:
- Dog barks and cries when left alone.
- Scratching and digging at doors
- Dog pooping in crate.
- Excessive licking and chewing of paws
- Peeing throughout the house
- Destroying anything they can get their paws on
How to Manage Separation Anxiety in Dogs
Unfortunately, many pet parents use medications like Trazodone to treat their dogs’ separation anxiety, despite the fact that it has a long list of unwanted side effects. Thankfully, there is a natural medication that has been shown to help dogs with anxiety: CBD.
CBD works by interacting with the body’s Endocannabinoid System, which is in charge of keeping the body in a state of homeostasis. CBD can imitate serotonin in the brain by attaching to and activating the 5-HT1A serotonin receptors. These serotonin receptors, also known as the “happy” hormone, are responsible for emotional equilibrium.
In addition to modulating basal anxiety states, recent studies suggest that the endocannabinoid (eCB) and glucocorticoid systems play an important role in the modulation of emotional states and the extinction of aversive memories in animals, according to a 2013 article published in Neuropharmacology. This suggests that CBD can aid in the extinction of negative emotions associated with triggers such as thunderstorms, as well as the management of PTSD, anxiety, and panic disorders in humans and animals.
Dosing CBD for Separation Anxiety in Dogs
It can be difficult to find the right dose for separation anxiety. When you’re not at home to watch their reaction, how do you know if it’s working? It took us a while to work this out, but here’s what we suggest.
Try a specified dose, then leave your house or apartment while remaining within hearing distance of the door. After about 20 minutes, if they are still barking or scratching, go in and give them more until you find what works. CBD has been shown to be safe at even extremely large dosages, so there’s no need to be concerned. You’re not going to overdose your dog.
Sources:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S002839081200247X?via%3Dihub