For pet owners, there are endless supplements out there for your pet, but one that’s been popular lately is hemp oil. You may have heard of it for human wellness and anxiety relief, but its organic ingredients can also be helpful for dogs. From its potential physical health benefits to dosage information, let’s go over what pet parents need to know about the best CBD dog treats in the cannabis market.

Why do some dogs have anxiety?

There are many reasons that your dog may be experiencing anxiety symptoms. From underlying health issues to situational and separation anxiety, triggers may include:

• Fear of abandonment
• Fear of being home alone
• Loud noises- cars, fireworks, storms
• Strangers; other children or pets
• Past abuse or neglect
• Vet visits
• Long rides; traveling
• Underlying injury or pain
• Loss of senses in senior dogs
• Thyroid condition

Types of Anxiety

Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is typically triggered when a dog is separated from its human. Symptoms of separation anxiety may vary from each dog but are easy to figure out and include:

• Continuously Barking
• Howling and Whining
• Digging or Chewing
• Pacing and hyper-alertness
• Escape attempts
• Using the bathroom

A pet suffering from separation anxiety may react like they have been alone forever, even if it’s realistically been minutes. 

It’s crucial to recognize that anxiety is not about a lack of training. Even the most perfectly house-trained dog can display destructive symptoms when facing separation anxiety. If you notice your puppy behaving anxiously when you’re ready to leave, it could be a warning sign that they feel incredibly anxious while you’re gone.

Lessening separation anxiety symptoms

When treating a puppy’s separation anxiety, it’s important to remember that treating the root cause is always the best approach. This means teaching your puppy to enjoy or tolerate being home alone.

Teach the puppy to associate being alone with an enjoyable experience. Giving your dog a fantastic treat or mental stimulation game when you leave can help. Doing so will message that they shouldn’t fear being alone and that dog owners will reward them for good, calm behavior. 

Severe cases of separation anxiety are complex and may require the help of a trainer or behavior specialist. It’s vital to handle a dog with stress as delicately and positively as possible. It’s essential to remain diligent and educated during sensitive cases, so consulting a trusted veterinarian is always recommended. 

Rescue or Shelter Anxiety

Rescuing an animal takes a lot of patience, trial-and-error, and commitment. Many shelter dogs have experienced abandonment and emotional trauma, translating to anxiety when they take to their forever homes.

These dogs are also more susceptible to separation anxiety–they may be afraid of being abandoned all over again. Therefore, treating fears in dogs who have been in shelters requires sensitivity and thoughtful care.

Relieving rescue/shelter anxiety

Make sure your dog is as comfortable and safe as possible. Dog toys and soft, heated, and warm beds will work wonders for an anxious pet.

If you notice any signs of discomfort or anxiety, like pacing, whimpering, or shaking, hug your puppy to let them know they’re safe. Pet owners can also try anxiety-reducing clothing for long-term comfort and you can try CBD treats for dogs. Speak with your veterinarian to determine if this is the right option for your family. 

Fear of Loud Noises

Many pet parents know their pup may experience anxiety when it storms or on holidays with fireworks. Although you may understand, they have no idea what the sound means, and thus they fear it. 

It’s straightforward to tell when your puppy feels anxious due to loud noises. Hiding under the bed or in corners, whining, whimpering, or shaking are common signs. Fortunately, with some empathy and patience, you can take several different approaches as a dog owner to relieve the dog’s anxiety.

Reducing Loud Noise Anxiety

Return home as soon as you can when you’re away. Unusual or new surroundings could also worsen the symptoms. Being comfortable at home can make a difference and help your pup feel at ease.

Avoid forcing the dog into their crate or a confined space. If your dog’s crate is their happy place, you can encourage them inside with a treat, but leave the door open. You should never punish your pup for having anxiety. Confining an anxious animal can significantly increase their stress and worsen things.

Playing calming music can help to distract your anxious pet. Filling your home with different, more soothing sounds can be what the pup needs to feel calmer, especially if he sees that you’re relaxed. According to research by Physiology & Behavior, soft rock and reggae are the most calming music for dogs.

Natural calming aids for dogs with anxiety

There are many natural options for pet parents when it comes to helping a senior dog or anxious pet when they are feeling less than relaxed.

Non-supplemental:

• exercise
• mental stimulation
• nightly brushing therapy
• music and pet-specific tv
• Massage
• Acupuncture
• Vet-approved essential oils
• Calming pheromones

Supplemental:

• melatonin
• L-theanine
• L-tryptophan
• Zylkene
• CBD oil or CBD dog treats
• Hemp Seed powder or oil

Hemp Oil vs. CBD oil

Cannabidiol CBD is one of the most common ingredients in the cannabis plant. While CBD is a chemical component of weed, it comes directly from the hemp plant and is entirely different from THC cannabinoids in a marijuana plant. In short, CBD from a hemp plant won’t make your pet high.

If you seek alternative medicines for your pet derived from the hemp plant, you can look at the ingredients to determine whether the product is a derivative of CBD or hemp seed. To know the difference, look for words in the ingredients list like hemp seed oil, hemp oil, or cannabis seed oil. Pure CBD products will include elements such as full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, isolate, cannabidiol, or CBD, which will indicate that the product is made with CBD and not just hemp seed oil.

Hemp-derived pet CBD oil

Hemp oil has a higher CBD content than marijuana, and many CBD products contain hemp-derived CBD. Hemp seed oil comes from the Cannabis Sativa family and has long been used to make clothing, paper, and cloth for medical purposes.

Cannabis-derived pet CBD oil

CBD is found in all strains of cannabis, both Indica, and Sativa. Marijuana contains a much higher THC content than hemp and contains other chemicals that can aid and bolster the effects of CBD. Cannabis plants also have higher levels than hemp plants.

The CBD molecule is the same regardless of where it is derived from; however, cannabis-based CBD products can contain higher levels of THC than the 0.3% hemp products have.

Types of Extracts

CBD products can be created using three different types of CBD. To be considered legal under the 2018 farm bill, they must come from industrial hemp plants that possess less than 0.3% THC. Here, we have outlined the characteristics for each:

Isolate

CBD isolate is a powder that contains isolated CBD and no other cannabinoids. It is highly processed, thus not a great option as a CBD regimen with dogs.

Broad Spectrum CBD oil

Broad-spectrum CBD oil seems like the best CBD pet product. It contains zero percent of psychoactive THC and a broad range of cannabinoids. It also produces very few flavors or aromas and is described as a natural flavor.

Full Spectrum CBD oil

Full-spectrum CBD oil is made from the hemp plant that contains less than 0.3 percent THC and a small number of terpenes. THC can be toxic to dogs, so this is not a great option in regards to CBD oils for dogs.

Dosage Information

How much CBD oil should I give my pet? The right dose of CBD oil for dogs depends on many factors. The product and level of CBD contained and the tolerance and experience of the individual are all critical. A dog’s weight and body chemistry also play a role in CBD oil dosage for anxiety relief.

How to Safely Administer Hemp and CBD

There are three main ways to include CBD oils into your dog’s diet. First, for a more controlled CBD dosage, you can give them CBD oil directly from the dropper. Next, you could mix in a broad spectrum of hemp oil with crunchy treats, calming soft chews, peanut butter, or gluten-free homemade treats.

Finally, you can use CBD extract topically for skin disorders. There are many CBD dog products such as shampoos, balms, moisturizers, and more that could benefit your dog’s health.

How long will it take to kick in?

CBD oil for dogs takes approximately 30 minutes to an hour to kick in fully. The rule of thumb is that oils tend to kick in quicker than treats because there are fewer ingredients for their digestive system to break down first. However, there’s no difference in ineffectiveness.

Health Benefits

From senior dogs to new pups, most dogs can benefit from using CBD or hemp oil. Here are a few of the top ways hemp and CBD pet treats can help:

• Inflammation
• Arthritis
• Joint Stiffness
• Separation anxiety
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Appetite
• Nausea

Physical effects you may notice

There are a few mild physical effects that dog owners should be aware of before administering the first dose. Usually, a larger dosage will render more side effects than a smaller CBD dosage.

Dry Mouth
Using CBD or Hemp oil can decrease saliva production. In dogs, this can present as increased thirst and drinking more water. It’s best to make sure they have a fresh, full bowl of water when administering to dogs.

Drowsy
The calming, relaxing effects of hemp and CBD can cause drowsiness. Pet parents may notice their dog taking more frequent or longer naps.

Lower Blood Pressure
Higher doses of CBD and hemp can cause a temporary, minuscule drop in blood pressure. This may show up as light-headedness and dizziness for your pet.

Calming Treat FAQs

Are hemp treats good for dogs?

Hemp oil is one of the best calming treats you can give your furry friend when they exhibit anxious behavior. Research indicates that CBD and hemp dog treats helped improve anxiety in seventy-five percent of cases, as observed by veterinarians.

Can I give my dog calming treats daily?

Dog owners can give some calming treats on an as-needed basis, such as before a car ride, celebrations with fireworks, or a loud thunderstorm. Other CBD pet treats need to be given daily over a more extended period because the active ingredients need to build up in your dog’s body to work effectively.

It’s essential for a pet parent to read CBD product labels and follow the instructions for dosage, just as you would for human medications. A dog’s digestive tract can be sensitive so treat it with care.

Can a dog overdose on CBD or Hempseed?

Is CBD oil safe? From a medical standpoint, pet owners need to know that dogs can not overdose on CBD oils. However, it’s important to remember that there are exceptions to every situation and adverse reactions can occur with any CBD treatment. Your pet should always be monitored when being given a substance.

While CBD does not interact with the brainstem or respiration systems, THC does and can be toxic so make sure to read the labels on CBD dog products.

Can I give my dog pure CBD oil?

Yes. However, at Leafy Mate, we recommend starting small with hemp seed oil to see how the body reacts to a quality dog CBD product and then increase to higher doses of CBD concentration. Once you’re comfortable with the results, you can see how many naturally-occurring CBD dog treats your pet can tolerate.

What strains are best for dog treats?

These strains will be high in CBD and low in THC. Canines are much more sensitive to the psychoactive effects of THC than humans so the best CBD dog treats will not contain the THC cannabinoid.

CBD-rich strains can help an anxious pet with stress, relieve nausea, promote joint health in senior dogs, inflammation, arthritis, anxiety, depression, moodiness, and general pain relief to improve your dog’s health.

• Cannatonic
• Harlequin
• ACDC
• Sour Tsunami
• Ringo’s Gift
• Charlotte’s Web

Can I put CBD oil in homemade edibles?

Yes. Here’s a recipe for making dog-friendly CBD oil that can be used in CBD treats for dogs. It’s important to note that CBD oil can easily be replaced with hemp oil in this recipe.

INGREDIENTS:

• A double boiler
• Airtight storage container
• five grams of beeswax
• twenty grams of coconut-derived MCT oil
• High-quality CBD oil
• Half a gram of carrier oil
• 1/3 cup finely shredded coconut

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Place five grams of beeswax in a double boiler and melt it over low heat, stirring constantly.
• Add twenty grams of fractionated coconut oil to the melted beeswax, continuing to stir.
• Add natural CBD oil to the coconut oil mixture and continue stirring over low heat until thoroughly blended.
• Remove from heat and cool.
• Once the mix cools into a semisolid state, add 0.5 grams of essential oil to the mix in the double boiler.
• Place the gluten-free liquid in a storage container while still pourable.
• The natural ingredients of CBD oil tincture will be good to use for wellness benefits for six months to a year.

How Can Hemp Dog Treats Benefit My Pet?

Hemp dog treats have surprising uses of hemp for your pet. These treats can provide relief for anxiety, joint pain, and skin issues. The natural anti-inflammatory properties of hemp can help improve overall health and well-being for your furry friend.

Top 6 Calming Dog Treat Brands

Here, we take a look at the best CBD dog treats and hemp oil brands on the market.

• Honest Paws
• Holistapet
• Royal CBD
• CBDistillery
• PetHonesty
• Zesty Paws

Flavor profiles include:

• peanut butter flavor
• natural beef flavor
• roast beef flavor
• sweet potato flavor

All of these brands produce top-quality CBD products that are specially formulated with natural ingredients for your dog, tested by a third-party lab, and many even provide a thirty-day money-back guarantee for potential unsatisfied customers. There are mobility soft chews, steak bites, oat flour dog biscuits, a CBD food topper and calming chews with a peanut butter flavor that can support your pet’s immune system, and many other types of CBD treats for dogs.

Summary

CBD and hemp oil can have a variety of health benefits for humans and pets. They can both be used in many different forms and settings; from pain management, joint health, inflammation, immune system support, and mental disorders to improving your dog’s brain function. Research on CBD and hemp and their range of uses for pets is ongoing.

Remember to know your state’s medical marijuana laws, always purchase products from reputable dispensaries and consult a healthcare professional if you have questions or concerns.

Leafy DOC can help you navigate getting a medical card, connect you with providers in your area and find deals on the best CBD dog treats and hemp products to effectively put your anxious pet in a calm and relaxed mood.