Anxiety problems in pets: People suffer from anxiety, so do pets! Anxiety affects a dog’s mental and physical health and wellbeing and can lead to serious lifestyle effects. Stress, anxiety, or trauma in pets are the possible culprits. Anxiety in pets can lead to a variety of reactions, including excessive barking, whining, restlessness, loss of appetite, and aggressive behavior in pets. Possible triggers can be a car trip, a new family member or a pet, a change of residence or environment, fear of separation of the pet owner, transition to a box, thunderstorm, fireworks, trip to the park, crowded places, loud noises, or in certain cases even a visit to the Veterinarian or dog groomer. If left untreated through socialization or medication, these triggers can lead to fear, anxiety, and possible aggression in pets. CBD oil is known as a natural relaxant in pets and helps them soothe all of these triggers.Also Read – Delhi AIIMS is developing 2 mobile apps for patients dealing with anxiety and depression
What is social anxiety like in pets?
- Getting aggressive and growling, barking, or jumping on a person or animal.
- Whining, howling or hiding under the bed / sofa or moving to the back corner of the box out of fear.
- Continuous urination and defecation, or wheezing, drooling, and nervousness.
- If there has been no previous human contact or if they have experienced extreme physical abuse from the owner.
- Verbal abuse by speaking loudly or in a violent environment can also trigger stress.
Socializing pets at an early stage can help manage most of these situations along with training sessions to help correct the behavior with positive reinforcement. This will help build trust between the owner and the pet and reassure the pets that they are in safe hands. Their mental wellbeing and anxiety can be treated with the help of CBD treats and nutritional supplements. Also Read – Regular Exercise Can Lower Your Risk Of Developing Anxiety By 60%, Study Says
What Is CBD Oil And How Is It Used In Pets?
CBD or cannabidiol is a natural and non-intoxicating compound found in cannabis or hemp. It’s made by extracting CBD from the cannabis plant and diluting it with a carrier oil such as hemp seed oil or coconut oil. CBD is one of the non-psychoactive compounds found in cannabis and there is clinical evidence that when used as a veterinary medicinal product according to veterinary prescribed dosages, it has sedative effects in pets suffering from anxiety, seizures, or chronic pain. Also Read – How Healing Gems Help Combat Anxiety And Depression In Millennials?
CBD oil-based products are used as “canine medicine” for skin infections in dogs and, when applied topically, are also used as pain relievers for dogs to relieve itching and rashes. It has anti-inflammatory properties, soothes rashes, reduces arthritic pain, lubricates the joints, and maintains healthy skin as a topical measure in dogs and cats.
How do CBD oil or supplements help pets stricken with anxiety issues?
CBD, or cannabidiol, interacts with the endocannabinoid receptors in the central and peripheral nervous systems of pets, which help maintain balance in the body and keep it in a normal and healthy state. In other words, CBD oil or supplements help manage anxiety in pets by altering the brain’s receptor response to serotonin – the key hormone that stabilizes mood and enables brain cells and other cells of the nervous system to respond to each other and Regulate behavior and awareness of pain, heart and lungs, mobility, appetite, body temperature, anxiety, etc.
It’s important to note that CBD oil does not contain THC, the compound that creates a high, as most products are made from hemp rather than marijuana.
How To Choose The Best CBD Oil For Pets With Anxiety?
Getting the right dose of CBD oil for treating anxiety is very important and it is always better to consult a veterinarian. Choose a broad spectrum CBD oil as it contains 100% natural botanicals. Oils can vary depending on their strength and effectiveness. Choose a spray product as it can be easily added to their feed, dipped into treats, or even applied or sprayed on the skin to counteract rashes or allergies that cause anxiety in pets. The dosage will depend on the condition, breed and size of the pet as recommended by the veterinarian, and the effects will mostly be visible within an hour. It is advisable to administer the dosage to your pet only after a qualified veterinarian has thoroughly evaluated the animal’s history and health.
Pets will appear calmer, more relaxed, and less anxious once their dosage is adjusted. A happy pet, in turn, will make their humans calmer and less stressful in order to lead a healthy and long life. Introduce the wonders of CBD oil to your pet and watch your pet thrive in their environment.
– Contributions by Dr. Dilip Sonune, Director of Veterinary Services at Wiggles
(Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the doctor and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or position of India.com. The doctor is solely responsible for all claims arising out of the contents of this article).