There are about 90 million dogs in the U.S. alone, and more than 70% display one anxiety-related type of behavior. That’s a lot of stressed-out dogs. People love their pooches, and nothing pains us more to see them fussing or whining, all worried about something that comes so naturally to us, like sitting in a car.
Good thing CBD, or cannabidiol, products are legal in the U.S. According to the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp products that contain less than 0.03% THC can be labeled and marketed as CBD products which are legal federally.
CBD has only recently come into the spotlight as a holistic treatment for various conditions such as stress, anxiety, inflammation, pain relief, heart health, and neurological disorders. However, do these wellness benefits apply to our beloved dogs as well?
Understanding the effects of CBD on anxiety
Like all cannabinoids, CBD affects the endocannabinoid system, or ECS, a complex network of chemicals and cell receptors naturally occurring throughout our bodies. In particular, the CB1 and CB2 receptors play a huge role in regulating mood, sleep, and stress response.
Although it doesn’t bind to them the way THC does, CBD interacts with the CB1 and CB2 receptors to influence our overall well-being. In addition, CBD also interacts with serotonin receptors like the 5-HT1A which is involved in anxiety regulation. This could enhance the effects of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that significantly influences our moods and happiness levels.
Read more: CBD injections help reduce osteoarthritis pain in dogs: Innocan Pharma
Read more: Single dose of CBD reduces stress and anxiety in dogs: study
Can CBD help anxious dogs?
All mammals have an endocannabinoid system, and dogs are no different. Although their ECS’ differ slightly from ours, the effects of cannabinoids on canines are fairly similar. Since CBD has shown to help with human anxiety, it can be assumed that it can help with dogs.
A study published by Frontiers in Veterinary Science found that dogs that received CBD had significantly lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, when confronted with situations such as their owner leaving or car travel. In addition, they exhibited less whining and were more relaxed compared to dogs that received a placebo.
Another study also found that CBD may help dogs with noise reactivity, a stress response to auditory stimuli. Dogs have acute hearing, about four times the sensitivity of us humans. While impressive, this also brings greater reactions to loud noises such as fireworks, gunshots, or thunder. Even simply a car backfiring can send a usually calm dog into a frenzy of panic.
CBD has shown great promise in treating such noise phobias and calming dogs before stressful times such as during thunderstorms, or the New Year’s Eve and the Fourth of July fireworks.
Read more: The importance of third-party lab testing for CBD products
Read more: CBD relieves anxiety better than THC without paranoia, study shows

Via Pixabay/Erin_Hinterland
Is CBD for dogs safe?
CBD is used by millions of dog owners worldwide and is generally considered safe. However, here are a few safety tips, and you’ll also have to monitor for mild side effects, if any.
Dosage
Always check with your veterinarian before starting your dog on CBD to determine the right dosage according to your dog’s age, weight, lifestyle, and general health. Start with small doses to see how your dog responds, then work your way up to the desired amount.
Quality
Make sure the CBD product comes from a reputable source and has been third-party lab tested. Recently, it was found that over 90% of smokable hemp products contain illegal amounts of THC. While this doesn’t necessarily apply to pet CBD products, the regulation around such products remains lacking.
Because of their different genetic makeup and metabolism, dogs are more sensitive to THC than humans. Be sure that the CBD product for your dog has been third-party lab tested to ensure purity, potency, and safety.
Side Effects
Some dogs that are particularly sensitive, especially with high doses, might become drowsy. Saliva production can be decreased, so be sure to hydrate your dog constantly. Additionally, high doses can cause a temporary drop in blood pressure.
If you notice any of these symptoms, you might want to cut back on the dosage.
Always check with your veterinarian before starting your dog on a CBD regimen, and never share your human-grade CBD products with your pets. They have different metabolisms and physiological processes, so stick to products strictly meant for pets.
