Humans and animals are different in many ways. We, humans, are capable of rational thinking while animals mostly act based on their instincts. However, one thing in common between the two beings is experiencing anxiety. Yes, anxiety inflicts animals too. Dogs, in particular, can have this condition, and you can see it in the way they behave.
Have you ever observed your dog when your folks celebrated New Year or Independence day with fireworks? Most dogs typically run and hide or bark loudly upon hearing loud, booming sounds. These are typical signs of firework anxiety for dogs, and they are pretty common.
No dog owner would like to see their poor furry friends terrified by those pyrotechnics. So what can you do to help? There are many ways to help your dog, and one of them is a supplement that could relieve their anxiety. You guessed it! The supplement is CBD, and we have them to be quite effective.
In this article, we will talk about CBD and its relation to firework anxiety in dogs. A quick reminder before we start, this article is for educational purposes only. Please visit a vet first if you are planning to give your dog CBD supplements.
Dog Anxiety
Anxieties are not necessarily a mental disorder on the get-go. Mild anxieties are typical (read more) as we experience them almost every day of our lives. That is the same for dogs because they can get anxious when you leave your home for work or groceries and other daily activities.
Dog anxieties are their feeling of unease about something. For example, when meeting a stranger or hearing loud sounds. Even if it is mild at first, it can scale up to a more severe form, and dogs could become more hostile or defensive. So how can you differentiate their mild and severe anxieties? Below is the list of signs of the severe form.
- Licks any of their body part endlessly
- Dilated pupils
- Non-stop pacing
- Isolation or hiding
- Trembling
- Excessive panting; and
- Uncontrolled bowel or urination
Fireworks Anxiety
Fireworks are loud, flashy, and most of all, unknown from a dog’s perspective. Many dogs develop fireworks anxiety because of their sudden exposure to pyrotechnics. These are traumatizing for them and can be harmful to their health. But besides those loud noises, there are other reasons why our furry friends are afraid of these pyrotechnics.
Other Reasons Why Dogs Are So Afraid Of Fireworks
1. Unidentifiable Threat
Loud banging sounds coming out of nowhere can get your dog confused. The poor animal would try to identify where the sounds are coming from. As a result, they would feel like they are in danger and would attempt to run or hide.
2. Unpredictable Sounds
Booming sounds coming from fireworks are not predictable, especially when you can not see the rocket. Dogs are easily startled by sudden loud noises because of their sensitive ears. The loud sound that is unpredictable and inconsistent, the experience would be simply terrifying.
3. Genetics
There is evidence that some dog breeds are more susceptible to developing fireworks anxiety. Breeds like golden retrievers and labrador retrievers are hunter buddies. During hunting, these dog breeds hear loud sounds like gun firing and people yelling. As a result, they develop resistance to it and then pass it down to another generation. However, they can still have fireworks anxiety.
CBD For Dogs
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of 113 cannabinoids discovered in 1940. It is a predominant compound found in Hemp, a plant belonging to the cannabis family. The critically-acclaimed substance is said to work wonders in the body and generally has lesser drawbacks than tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THCs are the ones responsible for making a person high when inhaling smoke from marijuana.
How Does CBD Work For Dogs?
Humans have an endocannabinoid system in the body that helps in maintaining homeostasis or balance. This controversial system is also present in the dog’s body (link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6770351/), and most receptors are in their brain. Once the cannabinoid entered the system, it would quickly look for receptors in the brain. These receptors bind with the compound and deliver a message to the brain.
As a result, several benefits occur, and these are the following:
- Relieves inflammations
- Painkilling effects
- Improved appetite
- Enhances mood
- Improves sleep
- Reduces stress; and
- Relieves anxiety
Are They Safe For My Pet?
A short answer for that is yes. The effects of CBD depend on the dose, so that means the more you give, the more problems would arise. Besides that, there are only a handful of side effects.
These side effects include:
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth; and
- Low blood pressure
What Are My Options?
CBD products for your dogs are available in oils and treats. Oils are versatile, and you can mix them with dog food or drinks. You can also directly drop them a dose in their mouth only if they can tolerate the taste. CBD dog treats have different flavors available. The dog treats also have a pre-measured dosage per piece so you can accurately give proper amounts for your furry friends.
How Would I Know If They Are Effective Or Not?
Results vary for each dog because of their body. For example, if your dog is a chihuahua, they would likely require less to experience the benefits. As for larger dogs, they might need more doses than average. Visiting your vet first is essential, so I recommend it as vets can help you calculate the proper amount. You can also ask them if you can increase the dosage if you find it ineffective during the initial dose.
