What to Give Dogs for Anxiety: Is CBD Oil a Safe Choice?

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what to give dogs for anxiety

Is your dog acting more aggressive or destructive than usual? Do they seem depressed or restless? If so, it’s possible they may be grappling with dog anxiety.

Not sure what dog anxiety is, or what to give dogs for anxiety? We’re here to help! In this article, we’re covering everything you should know about dog anxiety, and what you can do to help your dog feel their best!

Does My Dog Have Anxiety?

Did you know dogs experience anxiety just like people? It’s a problem that can affect all breeds of dogs on different levels. And when left untreated, it can turn into an anxiety disorder and result in a range of behavioral issues and problems.

So, what are the symptoms of dog anxiety? Here are the most common ones to look out for:

  • Panting
  • Aggression
  • Destructive behavior
  • Compulsive behavior
  • Depression
  • Excessive barking
  • Pacing

These issues are all pretty common in dogs, but if they’re frequent and recurrent they can signal a much bigger issue. The most significant one to look out for, however, is destructive and aggressive behavior. That’s because it can lead your dog to act out in ways that put both them and others in jeopardy.

What Causes Dog Anxiety?

Dog anxiety can have a variety of causes. But fear-related anxiety and separation anxiety tend to be the most common ones.

New or strange environments and specific and unusual situations like car rides can create anxiety in many dogs. Strangers and loud noises can also further exacerbate any existing anxiety.

Separation anxiety is an issue that impacts close to 14% of dogs. It occurs when dogs feel anxious being left alone or around strangers for an extended period of time. It usually causes dogs to engage in destructive behaviors and do things like destroy furniture or urinate and defecate around the house.

What to Give Dogs for Anxiety?

Before you begin any anxiety treatment, you should talk to your veterinarian about which option makes the most sense. This will help them determine if the anxiety is situational, or if there are other factors or medical conditions at play causing the problem.

One way to deal with dog anxiety is through counterconditioning, which helps change your dog’s response to its anxiety-based triggers. Additionally, there is desensitization, which introduces the dog to their source of anxiety in small doses to help decrease the level of intensity. You’ll want to connect with a professional dog trainer before pursuing this option as not all dogs are fit for it.

Is CBD Oil a Safe Choice?

CBD is known for being an effective way of treating problems like arthritis and joint pain, as well as allergies and even itchiness. But it may also be a solution for dog anxiety.

CBD can reportedly reduce the symptoms of anxiety in mammals. It allegedly does this by impacting the receptors in your brain that control fight or flight responses. And CBD for sleep may even improve their quality of sleep, which can help reduce anxiety-related issues.

Ready to Help Your Dog?

Seeing your dog struggle with anxiety can be hard. But there are effective ways to help them out. Now that you know what to give dogs for anxiety you can take steps toward making this issue more manageable for you and your furry friend.

Did you find this article useful? Need more information? Check out the rest of our website for additional tips and insights.

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