Dig this… a portion of this post is sponsored, but opinions are my own and 110% “pawthentic”!

Pet anxiety is an issue that’s near and dear to my heart. My experiences in learning how to help two dogs cope with various forms of anxiety have taught me first hand not only how fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) can have a negative impact on a dog’s quality of life, but also how much better things are when you finally find an effective treatment.

I want to help as many pet parents as possible to lower or eliminate their pets’ anxiety, which is why, for the last four years, I’ve worked with veterinarians, experts, and innovative companies to promote Pet Anxiety Awareness (PAAW) Month every June. As amazing as it is to have a whole month dedicated to raising awareness of this important issue, pets can experience FAS at any time of the year, and we want to be prepared to help them whenever anxiety raises its ugly head.

One of the tricky things about recognizing pet anxiety is that there are so many things that can trigger stress. Pets also show their anxiety in a variety of ways, and some of them may not be obvious to pet parents unless they know exactly what to look for.

Symptoms of Anxiety in Dogs

If you notice your dog doing any of these things, it could be a sign of anxiety:

• barking or whining
• becoming extra-aware of surroundings
• being clingy
• cowering
• destroying furniture, walls, toys, etc.
• lip licking
• trembling or shaking
• hiding under furniture or wherever possible
• pacing back and forth
• panting
• trying to run away
• yawning
• urinating/defecating unexpectedly
• drooling or vomiting
• compulsive behavior (sometimes to the point of self-harm)
• flattening ears and shrinking away
• being easily startled
• becoming aggressive

One treatment for pet anxiety that has been gaining popularity is CBD oil. Now it’s important to note that, while CBD is one of the components of medical marijuana, it does not cause dogs to get “high.” It does, however, offer some real potential for helping dogs with anxiety.

Can CBD and Hemp Help Anxious Dogs?

Stress due to separation, noise phobia, travel, or other specific phobias can have a real impact on a dog’s quality of life. CBD and Hemp show promise in lowering anxiety that dogs feel as a result of these fear triggers.

All animals have a network of chemicals, receptors, and enzymes called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). It is involved in regulating all of the other systems in the body, especially the nervous and immune systems. When CBD binds to receptors of the ECS it can help properly regulate multiple physiological processes such as mood, pain, appetite, sleep, and metabolism.

In plain English, this means that CBD and Hemp can have a calming effect on the nerves and reduce nervous behavior, especially when they are used in combination with other calming ingredients or therapies. Reducing feelings of stress is key to helping a dog with anxiety to live a more happy and peaceful life.

Interestingly, CBD and Hemp can have a few notable benefits in addition to direct stress relief for dogs. These include supporting the immune system, reducing pain from conditions like arthritis, and reducing inflammation and skin irritations.

Common Questions About CBD Products and Dogs

1. Can dogs overdose on CBD?

Pure CBD is not toxic to dogs. If your dog does consume more than the recommended amount of CBD oil, the most likely side effect is that he will become sleepy or sedated for a period of time. There is nothing life-threatening about a CBD overdose.

However, it’s important to note that CBD oil may interact with other medications, so you should check with your vet before beginning treatment with CBD.

2. Can dogs use human CBD oil?

Technically, human CBD oil is safe for dogs, but it’s much easier to use a product specially formulated for your canine friend. In addition, some human products may contain THC levels that are too high for dogs and some even contain toxins like Xylitol, chocolate, or raisins.

With a pet-specific CBD oil, you can get the dosage exactly right with much less trial and error. Because pet-specific products will instruct you on how much your dog needs for his weight, there’s less confusion, and you’ll be more confident that you’re not giving your pup more or less than he needs.

3. How much CBD does my dog need?

Your dog’s age, weight, and breed and the specific condition you are treating are all factors in how much CBD oil you should give him.

A quality product will provide dosing instructions. If you are giving him a product with a range of dosages, it’s a good idea to start at the lower end of the range. Even when giving the recommended dosage, you may have to make some minor adjustments. If your dog’s anxiety doesn’t seem to be improving, you can gradually increase the dosage. On the other hand, if you notice that your dog seems overly sleepy, you might want to try a lower dose.

4. When should I give my dog CBD oil or chews?

CBD is most effective when it’s taken with a meal. To start with, you can give it to your dog daily at breakfast time. After a few days, add another dose with his dinner.

If you are giving your dog CBD oil to help with anxiety associated with specific events, a daily dose may not be necessary. You can simply give him a dose before the event begins.

What is the Best CBD Oil for Dogs?

Like any product for pets, some are better than others. When I am looking for anything that I plan on using for my pets, it’s super important to me to find a company that I can trust.

I just love The Anxious Pet! Its creation was inspired by a golden retriever with a crippling fear of water. PAAW and The Anxious Pet have similar missions to help pets overcome fear, stress, and anxiety because it’s a quality of life issue for both the pet and the parent.

The Anxious Pet offers several high-quality choices for treating dogs with anxiety, including an organic Hemp Oil tincture and peanut butter or bacon flavored CBD chews. All of their products are all-natural, grain-free, and free from pesticides, heavy metals, or other toxic substances.

I know that calming products from The Anxious Pet are top quality because they are veterinarian formulated, and they are tested by a third-party laboratory to ensure their potency, purity, and consistency.

I recently tried the organic hemp oil with my new puppy, Tulip, before trimming her nails and they were amazing. She stayed very calm and relaxed through the nail trim process. I’ll be trying the chews next with my noise phobic dog, Chilly.

The whole mission of this paw-some company is to help pets and their people live happier, more peaceful lives. So in addition to their calming products, their website is full of great resources that offer education and support to pet parents with anxious animals. It’s definitely worth a visit!

During PAAW, The Anxious Pet is also offering pet parents a 20% discount off their first purchase. Just use the promo code PEACE20.

This is a sponsored post. However, all opinions and anecdotes are my own, and I never promote any products or brands I don’t believe in. ~Petfully yours, Kristen