Benefits of CBD for Hyper Dogs

Generally, dogs are energetic; they love running around, jumping over objects, playing with people, and having a good time. 

While an active dog is a good thing, an overactive canine is a different story altogether. It can be draining just trying to keep up with it. Luckily, dog owners have several options, from medical prescriptions and pheromones to behavior training and supplements, to help manage such dogs.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is quite a big name in the natural supplement space. This one-of-a-kind cannabis compound boasts numerous health benefits to manage pain and inflammation, stress, anxiety, sleep disorders, and neurological disorders. 

Although CBD research is young and researchers do not fully comprehend the full extent of CBD's qualities, early research findings are promising. Can it help calm a hyper dog? Read on to find out.

 

Why is my dog hyper?

Some dogs are pretty docile, while others are anything but. Hyperactivity in dogs can be caused by a myriad of factors. These include:

• Breed characteristics
• Diet
• Early life conditioning
• Lack of stimulation
• Lack of socialization
• Anxiety

Let's look at some of these factors in detail.

Breed

Certain dog breeds are more energetic than others, something that may have to do with their history. Historically, dogs were bred because of their energy and were used to track and hunt game.

As years went by, man discovered other ways to sustain himself, so there was no need to hunt. However, dogs retained their vitality, meaning we've had to find ways to reign in overly energetic canines. 

Lack of stimulation

Dogs are meant to be well-exercised and active both physically and mentally. If they lack exercise, they may suffer from hyperkinesis, an ADHD-like condition. Its symptoms include inattentiveness, disobedience, bouncing off the walls, and unnecessary barking. 

Lack of socialization

Some behavioral issues like hyperactivity, aggression and other destructive behaviors can be prevented by adequately socializing your puppy. 

Taking your dog for walks or playing catch will help it use its stored energy. The best socialization activities for your dog include positively introducing it to other pets, people, and situations. This should be a slow and gradual process.

Anxiety

Another cause of hyperactivity in dogs is anxiety. The major causes of stress in canines are separation and loud noises. Dogs get anxious when separated from their mom or left alone for long periods of time.

Dogs tend to associate good things like food, company, walks, etc., with people. Therefore, if the dog is left alone for too long, it is likely to get anxious.

Dogs don't like loud noises like fireworks, thunderstorms, and gunshots. This may be due to their super-sensitive hearing ability, believed to be four times better than ours. So, any loud sound by human standards is probably deafening to these furry creatures!

Another cause of anxiety in dogs is a change in their environment, like moving to a new house, being in a moving car, or being in a new environment like at the veterinarian's office. A favorite or valued item being taken away can also stress dogs.

 

Will CBD calm my hyper dog?

Some dogs may be exercised to exhaustion but still remain energetic. This can be really frustrating.

CBD may calm your hyper dog by helping reduce anxiety. Cannabinoids extracted from the cannabis plant are similar to the biological endocannabinoids produced by the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in humans.

The ECS's primary function is to stimulate responses to distress and inflammation, thus maintaining homeostasis as the body reacts to the outside environment. 

According to studies, CBD may stimulate the endocannabinoid system by increasing the concentration of endogenous elements like anandamide (an endocannabinoid that helps to regulate inflammation).

Giving your dog CBD boosts its endocannabinoid levels and supercharges its ECS (yes, dogs have it too!). This kicks off a series of physiological processes (e.g., mood regulation, sleep) that eventually dissipate excess energy, thus contributing to more relaxed and stable well-being.

CBD for dogs' hyperactivity

In a recent survey, 50% of dog owners stated that they used CBD to improve various aspects of their dogs' health and overall well-being. The most common conditions for which they used CBD were pain, inflammation, anxiety, and insomnia. Incidentally, anxiety in dogs is closely linked to hyperactivity.

CBD has anxiety and stress-relieving properties that calm the central nervous system and the brain. Researchers do not yet know the exact science behind CBD's effects on people (and animals), but they suppose it may offer the same level of efficacy as conventional medications.

However, CBD's calming effects are attributed to its interaction with the ECS. This brings about wide-ranging beneficial reactions, including reducing anxiety.

 

Potential benefits of CBD pet products

CBD products may benefit your pets, especially dogs, in various ways. Mammals have an endocannabinoid system that helps them benefit from CBD products. CBD products specifically designed for pets like our Premium CBD Pet Drops are an amazing way to help your dog live its best life.

The active ingredients in the CBD products:

May help with depression or anxiety resulting from pain or stress

Using high-quality CBD pet products may help your pet with health issues like depression and anxiety resulting from pain. Studies show that CBD has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may come in handy in reducing inflammation due to pain-intensive conditions like osteoarthritis. 

It is also believed that CBD activates the same brain areas where serotonin—a "feel happy" hormone—is produced. This may reduce the effects of stressors and give your dog a sense of calm.

Promotes healthy skin and coat by preventing too much sebum from sebaceous gland cells

The issue of coat shedding appears to be linked to the dog breed. Dogs like Newfoundlands, Pekingese, and Labrador retrievers tend to shed their coats more than border terriers, dachshunds, and poodles. Sometimes, however, shedding can be caused by infections and allergies. 

Overall, the condition of your dog's coat is a good indicator of health. A healthy dog's coat should be smooth and shiny, and the skin clear and supple.

Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities, CBD may help dogs' skin and coats, especially those with skin allergies.

For example, CBD creams for pets may prevent dryness, inflammation, and free radical damage. These products can also help minimize the production of sebum that causes itching and rash on a dog's coat.

May be beneficial for cardiac health

Remember how dogs and humans have similar health problems? Well, it turns out dogs can also develop heart problems such as arrhythmia, heart valve degeneration, and heart muscle disease.

Research shows that CBD's antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties may minimize risk factors associated with heart diseases. With inflammation being a major cause of many heart diseases, there is evidence that CBD may protect the heart, as studies on mice with heart attack and insulin producing health conditions demonstrate.

CBD may be beneficial in preventing tumor growth

We know that tumor growth can affect most dogs, especially in old age. The good news is that CBD may help your dog if it develops growths. Research shows that this cannabinoid has anti-tumor properties and may help reduce the size of tumors.

Preclinical studies further show that CBD may mediate some pathways in growth development. Moreover, CBD can be used together with radiation to speed up recovery.

CBD helps with prevention of insulin health conditions

Dogs can develop insulin issues when their pancreas stops producing enough insulin or their bodies stop responding to the hormone. Insulin helps dogs and people manage their blood sugar levels by distributing it to cells all over the body. 

In extreme circumstances, this may develop into a condition known as hyperglycemia. For the most part, dogs can handle insulin producing issues surprisingly well until another health condition appears.

Since chronic inflammation is usually associated with many factors and  complications (e.g., kidney and cardiovascular problems), harnessing CBD's anti-inflammatory properties makes sense to help our canine friends.

According to the American Alliance for Medical Cannabis, cannabis may help:

• Stabilize blood sugar (in combination with THCV)
• Suppress arterial inflammation
• Lower insulin resistance
• Reduce nerve inflammation

Be that as it may, clinical research is ongoing to determine the best cannabinoid ratios for maximum efficacy. Therefore, it is crucial to consult a veterinarian before giving your dog CBD.

Digestive issues

According to dog experts, there are several reasons why dogs experience digestive distress. These include pollutants, parasites, allergies, and swallowing foreign items.

However, the most common cause of gastrointestinal issues in canines is dietary indiscretion, i.e., consuming anything that does not agree with their stomach.

CBD may help because it has a positive effect on maintaining the correct bacterial flora in the intestines. Numerous studies indicate that CBD may help dogs with gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohn's disease, inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS), and ulcerative colitis, thanks to its powerful anti-inflammatory properties.

This compound can also prevent the release of cytokines, thus conferring therapeutic benefits for people with GI problems like IBS, gas bloating, colitis, etcetera. It also helps lower cortisol levels, thereby preventing intestinal permeability.

Although these findings are based on human studies, the uncanny similarity between people and their four-legged friends offers hope that CBD may benefit dogs in this regard.

Fights off free radicals

Free radicals are a significant cause of oxidative stress, which causes aging. Oxidative stress is also a major cause of several diseases. CBD oil may help reduce free radical damage by altering the activity and levels of antioxidants and oxidants.

This can help old dogs because they are susceptible to oxidative damage due to free radicals. Oxidative damage mainly affects dogs' brains leading to neuronal cell dysfunction. This leads to cognitive decline and overall poor health.

Reduces inflammation in joints

Joint pain is quite common in dogs, especially as they age. Left unchecked, it may lead to more severe health conditions and affect their quality of life. 

CBD's anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties are definitely beneficial in this situation. Research shows that CBD may improve inflammatory conditions such as arthritis by, among other things, reducing cell viability and the production of interleukins and synovial fibroblasts.

May help with insomnia and post-op discomfort

CBD may help your dog have a good night's sleep, especially after an operation. CBD oil has anti-inflammatory, pain-reducing, and calm-inducing abilities that can help your dog feel much better post-operation.  

 

Holistic ways to calm your hyper dog

While medications can help soothe hyper dogs, they should not be the only option. Before going the medical way, you can try some natural methods to calm overactive canines, such as:

Run and play

Running and playing are some of the best ways to wear out an overactive canine. Experts recommend giving your dog 30-45 minutes of exercise every day. Healthy dogs can get 60 minutes of daily activity, while 20 minutes two times a day is enough for puppies and younger dogs.

The click and treat method

The "click and treat" is an excellent dog training method. You start by rewarding your puppy for excellent or calm behavior with clicks and treats. The only problem with this method is that the dog may get over-excited once rewarded.

When you introduce the clicker, there's a sense of calm as the dog anticipates the clicker going off. When the dog gets the treat, it makes a connection between the clicker and rewards.

The advantage of this method is that the dog will always pause in anticipation of the treat.

Get social

Socializing your dog helps it learn tolerance. Exposing it to different experiences and environments that make it anxious, albeit at low levels, can gradually increase tolerance. Keep training your dog until it is no longer seriously affected by new settings. 

Improve your dog's diet

Improving your dog's diet can have a significant effect on its hyperactivity. Some foods may worsen hyperactivity, while others may make it better. Vitamin deficiency in dogs is one of the major causes of various health problems.

Vitamin-rich foods may have a positive effect on a dog's mood. For example, vitamin E keeps your dog's cognitive functioning in good condition, while vitamin B helps to keep the dog's mental balance in check. 

Keep them engaged

Keep your dog engaged mentally and physically to keep its energy levels in check. They say a worn-out dog is a happy dog. Ensure your dog is exercised according to age to avoid over-exertion and injuries, especially for pups.

 

Calming treats for hyper dogs

Being unable to calm your dog is said to be similar to not being able to quiet your baby. Luckily, calming treats can help regulate a dog's natural response to fear and other stressors.

If your dog is about to experience an anxious moment, giving it a calming treat may reduce the freeze, flight, or fight response.

Best calming treats for hyper dogs

Calming treats for dogs can be in the form of hard biscuits, bones, soft chews, and powders put in the dog's food or water. The best treats for older dogs are soft chews, while younger dogs may prefer biscuits or bones.

Nutrient-rich treats are the best calming treats for hyper dogs. So here are some nutrients you could ensure are in your dog's treats: 

• Melatonin
• L-Theanine 
• Passionflower
• Valerian root 
• Lemon balm 
• Chamomile 
• Tryptophan
• Cannabidiol
  

Before giving treats to your dog, ensure it is not allergic to any ingredients. Be particularly careful with CBD products as some may contain THC, which can be toxic to pets.

Be sure to always give your dog CBD products specifically designed for pets, like our Premium CBD Pet Drops. 

For more information on the benefits of CBD for pets, watch the following video: