We are all aware of the benefits that CBD offers humans. It helps reduce symptoms of a variety of conditions, including anxiety, depression, heart disease, and acne.
But what about animals?
You may be especially interested in giving CBD to your new puppy, while puppies are incredibly cute and rewarding to raise.
However, they come with potential issues that you will not likely experience with older dogs.
For example, puppies have heightened energy levels and occasional feelings of anxiety with strangers.
Puppies also go through the painful process of teething.
CBD can potentially help control all of these issues due to its medicinal properties.
Perhaps you’ve noticed that your new pet is irritable, depressed, or anxious.
These symptoms are not uncommon in pups with new owners, who must deal with a new environment they are unfamiliar with.
If you don’t know much about puppy CBD, we are here to help.
It’s easy to find false or misleading information about CBD pet products online, so before you buy CBD dog treats, learn more about all of the benefits of CBD for young canine below.
Can A Puppy Have CBD?
The short answer is yes, a puppy can have CBD. Dogs of all ages, sizes, and breeds can benefit from this product.
Does CBD Get a Puppy High?
To understand why a puppy can safely have CBD in most cases, you should be familiar with what CBD is.
CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is a compound found in cannabis, which is the plant we most often associate with marijuana.
CBD is one of over 113 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant.
Contrary to popular belief, CBD will not get your pet “high.”
CBD is often confused with THC, which is the compound that produces the “high” effect that we most commonly associate with marijuana.
CBD is safe to use on pets, as it is non-psychoactive.
It’s even safe for lightweight puppies.
Your new pup will not experience an overdose from CBD, as it has no known toxicity level.
To further put any apprehensions you have to rest, the CBD used in the best pet products is usually sourced from hemp.
Naturally, hemp contains negligible amounts of THC, so your pet is not at risk of being exposed to this powerful compound.
What Effect Does CBD Have on a Puppy?
Now that you are familiar with what CBD is, you should know how it interacts with your puppy’s body.
CBD’s main function is to enhance the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The ECS naturally produces cannabinoids for all mammals’ bodies, including your dog’s. It also processes any extra cannabinoids that enter the body.
The ECS is responsible for controlling functions like pain, sensation, and mood. It works to maintain a sense of homeostasis in the body.
When CBD is introduced to a puppy’s system, it will increase the availability of serotonin.
Serotonin is the infamous “feel-good” chemical that regulates mood and social behavior.
It works very similarly to anti-anxiety drugs like Zoloft and Prozac.
However, CBD doesn’t produce the dangerous side effects that these drugs often can.
How CBD Helps a Puppy with Anxiety
Anxiety in puppies can take many forms depending on a variety of factors. Your puppy’s degree of anxiety may be affected by:
- Breed
- Age
- Current environment
- History before you became the owner
Symptoms of Anxiety in Puppies
Some symptoms of anxiety in young dogs include:
- Persistent barking and growling: As they grow up, puppies will want to find their voice. They may occasionally bark at other animals and human passersby. However, persistent barking and growling may be signs of growing aggression due to anxiety.
- Urinating or defecating in the house: All new puppies are bound to have accidents in the house. These are to be expected as part of their house training. However, if your puppy is experiencing setbacks in their potty training, they may be caused by feelings of anxiety.
- Repetitive behaviors: Repetitive behaviors like compulsory pacing may indicate that your dog has anxiety.
- Drooling and constant yawning: Drooling, constant yawning, and lip licking are known as “calming signals.” These are generally normal activities, but they can indicate a bigger issue when they happen out of context. For example, if your dog is constantly yawning when you are out in public, it may mean that your pet is uncomfortable and trying to calm down.
These symptoms may arise occasionally and might not be cause for concern.
However, if they persist over several weeks, your dog may have anxiety.
Causes of Severe Anxiety in Puppies
You may be wondering what causes your puppy to develop severe anxiety. Some common causes of anxiety in young dogs include:
Separation from you: Depending on how long you have had your pup, they may be unwilling to part with you or your family members. Separation from their owner can cause a puppy to experience feelings of anxiety.
Puppies that have been previously neglected or abused are much more likely to develop separation anxiety.
While you should certainly spend a lot of time with your new dog during the first couple of weeks, you will need him to get used to you not being present all of the time.
CBD can help a puppy during this transition.
Administer it when you are going away on a work trip.
Or, you can use it while you are trying to make your pet comfortable with being alone.
Veterinary visits: Trips to the vet are inevitable if you want your pup to experience lifelong health. However, the vet can invoke a lot of fear in young puppies.
They are often apprehensive about the body-handling aspect of veterinary visits. Puppies can also be incredibly sensitive to unfamiliar people, lights, and scents.
CBD can help put your pup’s nerves to rest so the vet can perform a proper evaluation.
Abrupt noises: Anything from thunderstorms to fireworks can send a jumpy puppy into a bout of anxiety.
Even routine noises from construction sites and busy roads can cause feelings of uneasiness.
If your puppy is going to be surrounded by these types of startling noises, consider giving him CBD a little before exposure to them.
This way, you can allow the CBD to take effect and learn what amount works best for him.
Social situations: Whether you expose your puppy to new people or animals, your puppy may feel overwhelmed.
Introduce your puppy to other animals and humans early on so they are more comfortable in the future.
If you fear how they will react in social situations, consider using Dutch Natural Healing CBD to make your pup calm and less anxious before meeting new faces.
Travel: Travel in a car or plane can be incredibly stressful for a puppy who has never experienced it before.
Many dogs are apprehensive about traveling because it invokes fear and causes nausea.
Not only can CBD quell feelings of anxiousness, but it can also regulate nausea and help your pup feel less ill riding in a vehicle.
Giving a Puppy CBD
While CBD is generally safe to give to a puppy, you should still go about it carefully.
Start with a low dosage and never exceed the recommended dosage. You may increase your initial low dosage if you don’t see results.
Unlike some pharmaceuticals, CBD oil takes effect quickly.
There is no need to build up your puppy’s immunity to it.
If you adhere to the recommended dosage, you should notice results the first time your puppy takes CBD.
Some owners may want to administer CBD to their dogs before a specific stressful event like a Fourth of July evening or a trip to the vet.
If you are in this situation, try giving your dog CBD a few days before the event begins.
This way, you can see how well CBD works for your pup. And, this period will give you extra time to identify the ideal dose.
Puppy CBD Treats
Humans can take CBD through a variety of mediums. Some of the most popular ways to consume CBD oil include:
- Swallowing a capsule
- Applying a topical cream
- Holding it under your tongue
- Vaping it
- Mixing it with your favorite drink or food
- Chewing and swallowing edibles
Even though humans have choices when it comes to how they want to consume their CBD oil, pets have limited options.
One of the most common ways to administer CBD to puppies is through dog treats.
They are soft and chewable, so they are easy for a puppy to swallow and digest.
As we discussed earlier, CBD is not toxic to pets. However, you should avoid giving them too many CBD treats, as they can cause side effects like blurred vision, drowsiness, and general lethargy.
While these symptoms are not harmful, they are unwanted. Follow these safety tips to avoid giving your puppy too many CBD treats:
Keep them locked away: An overactive puppy will try anything to access treats.
Keep them locked away so they can only eat treats under your watch. In addition, keep the treats in a sealed bag or Tupperware.
Place the container in a room where your pup isn’t allowed on their own.
While you can place the treats on a high shelf, be cautious of your puppy’s energy and athletic ability.
Will they be able to jump up, knock the treats down, and eat them all in one sitting?
If so, you should place the treats in a more secure hiding spot.
It’s best to keep them out of sight altogether, so your pup is never tempted.
Keep CBD treats separate from regular treats: The right CBD treats will taste delicious to any pup.
They’ll likely want to keep eating them if allowed.
Make sure you clearly distinguish your pup’s regular treats from CBD treats. ?
This way, a well-meaning child or visitor won’t carelessly feed him too many CBD treats.
If you believe that your pup has ingested too much CBD oil at any point, be on the lookout for negative changes in behavior or habits.
Be sure to inform your vet of everything you’re giving your dog so they can help manage symptoms.
How CBD Helps A Puppy through Teething
As your new puppy begins to explore the world around them, they will likely latch onto anything in their line of vision.
This is their way of keeping their teeth and jaw strong and warding off the pain that comes with the teething process.
While teething is uncomfortable and painful for your pup, it can also be an annoyance to you.
Your puppy will likely chew anything they can get their paws on if you don’t give them a way to ease pain.
CBD is great for reducing the gum inflammation that happens when new teeth protrude through.
While it won’t stop your puppy’s temptation to chew altogether, CBD will significantly lower the desire to chew everything in sight.
With this in mind, make sure not to deter chewing altogether.
Give your puppy plenty of appropriate toys to gnaw on. This way, they can strengthen their teeth and discover the environment healthily.
And, when you give your puppy CBD, they will experience reduced pain and be much less likely to destroy your carpet, furniture, and other valuable items.
Best Puppy CBD Oil
One of the best ways to give your puppy CBD oil is through special dog treats. If you choose to buy CBD dog treats, look for ones that:
- Are derived from hemp extract
- Contain around 5mg of CBD per treat
- Are produced by a reputable brand name
It will also be beneficial to find a brand that makes both human and pet products using the same quality of hemp oil.
This way, you can rest assured that the products are safe for consumption, even though you won’t be ingesting them yourself.
To treat your dog, try to find snacks that come in enticing flavors like turkey and peanut butter.
This way, your pup will be more likely to consume them as opposed to bland and unflavored snacks.
Your money won’t go to waste, and your dog will be able to reap the full benefits of CBD puppy treats!
Kaycee
Thursday 4th of March 2021
I feel like there needs to be more studies before I'm going to be willing to give my dogs CBD, I get how it would help but I'm concerned about the long term health interactions.
Debbie P
Wednesday 27th of May 2020
CBD offers benefits to all animals. Thanks for the article.
Katie Bellamy
Sunday 3rd of May 2020
Good to know!
Sara Tarver
Tuesday 28th of April 2020
I didn't know CBD oil has many benefits for pets too!