Your dog is whimpering in the corner during a firework display. The cat hasn’t come out from behind the couch since you moved. And we stand by sadly, wishing we could scoop up our fur friends and tell them that the noises won’t hurt them and the new house is safe. Unfortunately, our pet’s knowledge of the English language is limited at best, so we have to get a little more inventive with our anxiety relief. CBD may help relieve anxiety in pets—and here’s how.
Pets Have an Endocannabinoid System, Too!
Remember way back when we told you that you have an endocannabinoid system in your body that helps to regulate things like mood, stress, and your cardiovascular system? Remember how the cannabinoids in CBD can potentially work with the endocannabinoid system in order to bring stress relief and mood improvement (If you don’t, read up on it here)? Well, guess what? Pets also have an endocannabinoid system. That means any anxiety relief we might have from CBD pets should feel, too.
Still, pets experience two different types of anxiety, and understanding how CBD may help relieve pet anxiety requires an understanding of them both.
Anxiety in Pets
Situational Anxiety
A person can be without chronic anxiety and still find themselves anxious when put into the right scenario, such as when getting on a roller coaster or asking out Jenn from accounting. Pets are the same way. Situational anxiety is when anxiety is triggered by an unusual or stressful situation, like travel, fireworks, festivals, strangers visiting the home, or a big move.
This is the type of anxiety that is most helped by a CBD pet tincture. CBD potentially offers quick relaxation and relief, which makes it perfect to calm your pet down, so they can get through the tough situation.
Behavioral Anxiety
Behavioral anxiety is more like chronic anxiety in humans. These are the dogs that panic whenever you’re out of sight or the cats that never come out of hiding. This type of anxiety often comes from underlying issues, such as past abuse. Although CBD can offer some relief, it can’t undo what experience has taught your pet. Using CBD in conjunction with veterinarian guidance and counter-training is the best way to go.
