What Can I Give My Dog for Fireworks Anxiety?
New Year’s Eve is a time for
friends and family to come together and celebrate the dawning of a new era.
Many people around the world get excited about the fantastic fireworks displays
that can be seen lighting up the night’s sky with fancy colors, accompanied by
the explosive bangs and loud noises that only add to the excitement of the
event itself. For the majority of dog owners, however, fireworks and the
incredible noise they make is the enemy as they can provoke extreme anxiety
and fear in our most precious family members: our dogs!
Because our dogs rely on us for
just about everything—from opening the door to go potty to comforting them when
they are feeling anxious or insecure—we tend to see them as vulnerable beings
who we need to keep safe and happy no matter what. So, when it comes to
witnessing them trembling in fear and panting desperately during events where
fireworks are being set off, most of us don’t want to pump them full of anti-anxiety
pharmaceuticals. So, we turn to natural remedies—often unsuccessfully. It seems
that no matter what we try, their distress seems to last an eternity.
The good news is, over the past
couple of years, a new, all-natural and highly effective remedy has emerged
into the mainstream market in the form of cannabis-based therapeutic remedies,
namely CBD oil and CBD-infused dog treats for your pet. Many people swear by
CBD oil to heal a wide range of ailments—most notably, fear and anxiety
including fireworks anxiety in dogs.
Why Are Dogs So Afraid of Fireworks?
Because our beloved pets seem
like humans in so many ways, we often forget that they do not have the same
ability to rationalize events like we do. They do not understand what fireworks
are or why they are appealing. All they hear are loud, unexplainable noises
that seem to go on forever! Also, don’t forget that a dog’s hearing is much
more sensitive than ours. While a thundering bang of a firework can startle us,
imagine what the noise must be like for anxious dogs.
The following symptoms are often
a clear indication that your pet is suffering from firework-related anxiety:
- Shaking
- Pacing
- Excessive panting or drooling
- Hiding
- Whining
- Desperately seeking comfort
If you have noticed that your dog
is exhibiting any of these behaviors, be it related to fireworks or not, then
it’s time to take action.
CBD for Treating Anxiety in Dogs
CBD oil has been all over the
news lately with testimonials from people all around the world who have
successfully overcome serious illnesses like cancer and epilepsy via its use.
There is already substantial research that indicates and even proves its
efficacy with regards to managing all kinds of negative symptoms that we
experience such as insomnia and anxiety. And because it has no psychoactive
effects, it is perfectly safe to use to treat ailments in pets. In fact,
hundreds of thousands of people now swear by CBD-based products when it comes
to treating hyperactive behaviors or anxiety in their dogs.
How to Effectively Use CBD Oil to Calm Your Dog
I´ve always said that dogs seem
to have a sixth sense about things. For example, when you are packing to go
away on a trip, they just seem to know that you are leaving them and they will
often try and stop you by jumping into your case, or sometimes even peeing on
your freshly folded and packed clothes. There are also those moments when you
catch your dog staring at something where there is nothing there; many people
attest that animals have a degree of supernatural powers and that they can see
things that we can’t. Whether or not you share this belief, it is definitely
true that, when it comes to fireworks, they will often start demonstrating
nervous behavior a couple of hours before the event actually takes place.
The best thing you can do to
minimize your pooch’s stress is to administer a few drops of high-quality CBD
oil a couple of hours before a firework-related event starts. So, if you know
that fireworks will be going off on the evening of a 4th of July celebration,
then give him some CBD oil in the late afternoon. This will allow enough time
for the oil to be processed by the digestive system and take effect in time.
One of the only negatives that
exists with regards to CBD oil is that it tastes vile. And if your dog is
suspicious of medicine or a fussy eater, then you might find that CBD dog
treats are a better option. They are equally as effective as the oil and your
pup will have no problem wolfing them down!
CBD Dosage for Dogs
When it comes to any
medicine—natural or manufactured—one size does not fit all. The same is
absolutely true with cannabis oil or cannabis-infused treats; you need to make
sure that you purchase the correct dosage in order for it to be effective. Here
are a couple of factors to take into account when you purchase CBD-basedproducts for your dog:
- The size of your dog
- How much he weighs
- The percentage of CBD that the oil contains
- The severity of your dog’s anxiety with the sounds (this may be seen in the dog’s behavior)
Fortunately, CBD is one of the
few medicines that you cannot overdose on. So, while your vet or a reputable
supplier should be able to advise you on the dosage you need to administer, in
extreme cases of anxiety, more is better than less!
Are There any Harmful Side Effects of CBD Oil?
There are currently no known
adverse side effects that accompany CBD products. This is excellent news for
those who are concerned about using traditional pharmaceuticals—be if for
themselves or their pets. In rare cases, your dog could experience an upset
tummy, but this is true even when you alter their diets. It’s simply a result
of your dog’s digestive system getting used to something that it has never
processed before. Again, the vast majority of pet owners report having no
problems whatsoever just a calming of their pups when giving them CBD.
Final Thoughts
Our dogs are part of the family
and we often see them as our children. And as a responsible dog parent, it is
your duty to ensure that each and every furry friend does not suffer
unnecessarily. So, the next time there is an event in your area that involves
fireworks, be sure to plan ahead and stock up on some good quality CBD oil so
that you can all enjoy the experience in a positive way. With CBD oil to hand,
dogs and fireworks may go together after all.
This article by Jennifer is
originally published at FOMO Bones.
Author bio: Jennifer is the voice
behind the FOMO Bones blog. She's pretty sure in her past life, she was a Great
Dane. However, we peg her as more of a labrador. Regardless of her breed, she's
a dog enthusiast who has 15 years experience training dogs and owners.