CBD for Dogs with Storm Anxiety

As beautiful as thunderstorms can be to us, they can be quite frightening to our furry friends. As the storms roll and clash loudly, we might find some of our pooches cowering into corners or under the bed. Others may start whining and barking in fear. During such moments, the only thing you want as a dog owner is to help your pet feel calm and safe.

Your dog can express stress and anxiety during thunderstorms by pacing, panting, hiding, or, in extreme cases, destroying furniture in the house.

It may be beneficial to try CBD oil to keep your dog calm and relaxed when such storms occur. CBD oil is a natural remedy that contains calming properties that may be beneficial for a dog’s anxiety.

Let’s learn more about why your dog may be afraid of thunderstorms, the storm anxiety symptoms you must look out for, and what you can give your lovely companion to calm them down.

How to Use Full-Spectrum CBD for Dog Anxiety During Loud Noises

Many dog owners have reported that they witnessed positive results after giving CBD to dogs afraid of storms. It may not help all dogs, but CBD could support your dog as you find ways to relieve their distress during storms.

To see the best results, administer it with enough time before the occurrence of a storm. Typically, this period ranges from 30 to 45 minutes.

While it can be difficult to predict a storm, you can watch the behavior of your pet during stormy months. Anxious behaviors will give clues of a coming storm.

How You Can Administer CBD

There are two ways in which you can administer CBD: using CBD oil or using CBD-infused dog treats or chews. Let’s look at each method:

CBD Treats or Chews

CBD dog treats or chews are the easiest and most effective way to administer CBD.

Try using calming CBD soft chews about 30 minutes before a storm hits and see if it offers relief to your dog.

CBD Oil

You can administer CBD oil to dogs with noise anxiety in a few drops directly to the mouth based on the recommended dosage instructions. You can also mix it with your dog’s food.

Dog CBD Dosage for Dog Anxiety

It's important to note that CBD has not been approved by the FDA to treat any illness in dogs, so there aren't clear federal guidelines on the exact CBD dosage for dogs. It also means that the product may not help every dog, and it is not to be considered a given that it will work.

That says, there are some guidelines for the safe usage of CBD for pets.

The exact CBD dosage to give anxious dogs depends on the CBD product you purchase and the dog's size. Ensure that you stick with CBD products for pets since CBD intended for humans can be toxic. Also, read the instructions before administering CBD.

Typically, smaller dogs are recommended between 1 and 2 milligrams of CBD per 10 pounds or weight. However, not all dogs can react to a small CBD dosage. Larger dogs can consume more CBD. Ensure that you consult your vet before settling on a certain CBD regimen.

What to Give Your Dog to Calm Their Anxiety During Storms

If you discover that your dog is experiencing emotional distress during storms, there are various options you can use. These options include:

• CBD Oil

• L-Theanine

• L-Tryptophan

• Melatonin

• Prescription Treatment

Let’s dive deeper into each of these options:

CBD Oil

CBD oil is a safe, natural option you can use to calm and relax your dog during thunderstorms. Full-spectrum CBD oil is obtained from a full-spectrum hemp extract and contains. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is a component of the cannabis plant that contains psychoactive effects. THC can cause a "high" in dogs. The law requires that all CBD products should have less than 0.3% THC.

A full spectrum hemp extract is a “full plant” or “whole plant”, which means that you’re using a product from the leaf, flower, and stem of the hemp plant. Using a full-spectrum hemp extract enables users to capture all the beneficial components of the hemp. These components include cannabinoids (CBD), terpenes, essential oils, fatty acids, vitamins, flavonoids, and other nutrients.

Full-spectrum CBD extract can provide holistic support for dogs. CBD provides these health benefits by interacting with the endocannabinoid system, which is found in both humans and dogs.

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) maintains a balance (homeostasis) in the body by regulating and controlling critical bodily functions like emotions, sleep, pain, and memory. It does this by triggering happy chemicals known as serotonin and dopamine, which are responsible for emotional balance.

Studies show that CBD oil interacts with the endocannabinoid system and prevents it from being broken down. As a result, it allows the ECS to have a more balancing effect on the body. In turn, this effect balances your dog’s emotions, thereby promoting calm during events like thunderstorms.

You can use dog CBD as a tablet, capsule, oil, treat, or chew. Many dog owners use CBD for dogs in the form of treats, which are given as a reward for completing tasks or during exercises. You can also use CBD oil by administering a few drops directly into your dog’s mouth.

L-Theanine

L-theanine is also a key natural ingredient that you can use to calm your anxious pet. L-theanine is an amino acid component of Green Tea that promotes the function of dopamine. Studies show that L-theanine has calming properties that can help dogs.

Therefore, dog owners can promote calmness in their dogs using L-theanine. You can best administer L-Theanine by mixing it with your dog’s food. You can also combine L-theanine with other natural ingredients like passiflora incarnata (passionflower), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and L-Tryptophan to naturally calm your dog.

L-Tryptophan

Tryptophan is also a natural amino acid found in many proteins. It is also used by adding it to your dog’s diet. This amino acid is involved in the creation of the serotonin hormone, which helps balance emotions in the body. Tryptophan also produces niacin, which is important in the formulation of serotonin.

Tryptophan comes in two types: L-Tryptophan and D-Tryptophan. The main difference between these two is their molecular orientation. However, l-tryptophan is the one commonly used among pet owners. It is found in foods high in protein such as milk, eggs, cheese, chicken, and fish.

Melatonin

Melatonin is a naturally occurring neurohormone that can be useful for dogs with conditions like stress and anxiety. Melatonin has calming properties that can be useful for dogs with sleep issues, fear, stress, and emotional distress.

You can give your dog melatonin orally in the form of liquid, capsule, or tablet. You can also mix it in your dog’s diet. Do not give melatonin to a dog on an empty stomach as it can lead to stomach upsets or cause vomiting.

Too much melatonin may, also, have side effects on some dogs. Before using a melatonin regimen, be sure to consult your veterinarian who may prescribe a dosage based on your dog’s weight. A general dosage would be 0.1 milligrams for each kilogram of your dog’s weight.

Prescription Treatment

Your veterinarian may also prescribe prescription medication to calm storm anxiety. Some of the medications used include amitriptyline, alprazolam, and sertraline. Remember, these medications can only be given on a prescription basis. Let’s briefly look at each of these medications:

Amitriptyline

Amitriptyline may be prescribed to dogs with generalized, storm, or separation anxiety. This medication is considered, in veterinary medicine, as an antidepressant. It works by increasing the serotonin levels in the body, which helps improve your dog’s mood.

Alprazolam

On the other hand, alprazolam is prescribed to dogs with moderate to severe anxiety, especially during thunderstorms. It is administered in pills and is most effective before the anxiety occurs.

Sertraline

Finally, sertraline is prescribed for dogs scared of fireworks. It is also given to dogs with anxiety related to fear-based aggression and storm phobia. This medication also works by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain.

Why is Your Dog Afraid of Thunder?

Storm anxiety in dogs is a common reaction to environmental changes that make them feel uncomfortable or threatened. Dogs can experience different forms of anxiety, and storm anxiety is particularly triggered by:

• Sudden environmental changes

• Loud noises and bright flashes from thunder and lightning

• Pressure changes in the atmosphere

So, what’s happening when your dog senses a storm? Dogs have heightened senses of smell and hearing, which means they can detect changes in barometric pressure, electromagnetic fields, and static electricity. As a thunderstorm approaches, these changes trigger their stress response.

The stress response activates your dog’s sympathetic nervous system, leading to the release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. This prepares their body for a “fight or flight” response. During this reaction, your dog may display behaviors such as:

• Hiding or trying to escape

• Excessive vocalization (whining, barking)

• Trembling

• Pacing

• Panting

• Drooling

• Dilated pupils

• Rapid heartbeat

• Bathroom accidents

• Destructive behavior

• Ears pinned back

• Whining or barking

• When the body posture is low to the ground

• When the tail is down or placed between the legs

Other Tips You Can Use to Calm Your Dog During Thunderstorms

Aside from using natural remedies like CBD oil, here are some ways you can calm your dog when they experience storm anxiety:

• Providing a safe environment

• Role-play

• Comforting your dog

• Rewarding calm behavior

• Keeping guests away

Let’s look at each of these tips in more detail:

Providing a Safe Environment

Create a safe place within your home where your dog can retreat to when they experience fear or storm anxiety. Ensure that this spot is accessible, even when you’re not at home. A designated corner with a cushion or a fluffy blanket can help ease anxiety during the storm. Your dog will love the comfort this spot offers as the storm rages on.

Role-Play

You can also retrain your dog’s mind by role-playing about what happens during thunderstorms. You can do this by playing recordings of thunderstorms during non-stormy days. As the recording plays on, refocus the dog’s attention on something else.

You can rub their ears, turn on other music to drown the thunderous noise, or play fetch. Also, praise your pooch using treats for participating.

Role-playing can be an effective method if practiced regularly. Using role-playing tools during the actual storm will also progress your dog’s retraining on storm calmness.

Comforting Your Dog

Pets react to your agitation. Therefore, maintaining a calm demeanor during thunderstorms can help. You can try calming your dog using a gentle massage. You can also use snug garments designed to calm dogs.

Rewarding Calm Behavior

If you notice some level of calmness during a storm, you can easily distract them using rewards. These rewards can include treats, favorite toys, petting, or playing fetch. Do this only when your dog maintains calm to praise them for complying. This practice will enable your pooch to listen to you calmly when storms occur.

Keeping Guests Away

New people can increase your dog’s anxiety. If there are lots of people around, you can move your dog in their own calm space.

Keeping Their Environment Calm

You can also increase calmness by avoiding the view of the storm. Close blinds and curtains or play soft music to calm your dog.

Wrapping or Swaddling Your Dog

Finally, you can provide calmness by exerting slight pressure or putting something slightly heavy on your dog. Using a comfortably weighted shirt or swaddle works the same way as weighted blankets do in helping people with anxiety. Your dog feels a sense of being grounded and calm. Ensure, however, that your dog can move around freely.

Conclusion

CBD treats or oils may be effective option for your dog if they're anxious during thunderstorms. Cats may have the same calming experience with hemp oil and CBD oil made specifically for felines.

It's important to follow dosage guidelines closely and discuss this option with your veterinarian, especially if your pet is on other medications that could be affected by the use of CBD oil.