What Can I Give My Dog for Fireworks Anxiety: CBD?

Whether it’s the 4^th of July or New Year’s Eve, when humans light up the sky with fireworks, there are many dogs who will be trembling with fear. No caring dog owner likes to see their pet cowering in terror, but fireworks anxiety in dogs is very common. So, what can you do to help your dog when fireworks are being used? What can you give a dog for fireworks anxiety? 

If you search for what can I give my dog for fireworks anxiety, you will find that some people recommend anti-anxiety drugs. Many people, though, don’t like giving their pets drugs if there is a natural alternative. That’s why so many dog lovers have started to use CBD products to calm their dog’s distress. 

If you have a dog who is petrified of fireworks, here’s all the information you need on why your pet is frightened by fireworks and what you can do about it this 4th of July.

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What Is My Dog Scared of During Fireworks?

A dog’s fear of fireworks can sometimes be linked to a prior experience. If the dog has been maltreated, it may associate loud noises with the bad treatment. There is also evidence that some breeds of dogs are more susceptible to fireworks anxiety than others. So, there could be an element of genetics as well.

The main reason that dogs are afraid of fireworks, though, is that fireworks make a loud, unexplainable noise, that dogs cannot escape. The noise triggers that dog’s flight or fight response, but the dog can do nothing to make the noise stop.

An unexpected firework will startle a human being. When we are startled, adrenaline is released, our heartbeat and pulse rate increase, and we instinctively feel defensive. We can laugh that off because we know that fireworks won’t hurt us. A dog, though, doesn’t know what a firework is. So, as the noises continue, they become a more and more afraid.

The noise of a firework is very unnatural. It is very loud, and it comes without any warning. A dog’s hearing is much more sensitive than our own, so they are startled even more than we are. If your dog is nervous generally, fireworks could be terrifying for your pet.

What Are the Symptoms of Dog Firework Anxiety?

If your pet does have fireworks anxiety, the symptoms will be plain to see. They will vary in severity depending on how nervous your pet is, but it will be obvious if your pet is frightened by fireworks. Fireworks anxiety won’t cause any long-term issues for your dog, but it will be very distressing for your pet. This is the reason why so many people ask what I can give my dog for fireworks anxiety. The main symptoms of fireworks anxiety are:

• Seeking Comfort
• Shaking
• Trembling
• Hiding
• Salivation
• Urination

Most dogs that are experiencing fireworks anxiety will tremble and try to hide away behind furniture or under a table. If they are very frightened, they may urinate, or run away. In some cases, dogs become destructive when they are frightened. They may chew on furniture, or claw at carpets.

What Is CBD and How Does It Work?

Early research into the use of CBD to treat anxiety in dogs and in humans has been very promising. CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound that is extracted from the cannabis hemp plants. It is a type of cannabinoid that has many potential medical benefits. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is another cannabinoid found in cannabis plants, CBD does not cause a high. It is non-psychoactive, and it is non-toxic.

CBD is believed to work with a receptor in the brain called a CB1 receptor. This is one of two types of cannabinoid receptors currently known to exist in the body. There are cannabinoid receptors throughout the body in what is known as the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system regulates many of the body’s natural functions.

Research is still ongoing, but results to date have been very promising. This has led to suggestions that CBD could provide a new treatment for anxiety. A study was conducted on a young girl who had post-traumatic stress disorder. The girl’s symptoms were greatly reduced when she was given CBD oil for her anxiety. Animal studies have produced similar results.

It has long been known that CBD relaxes and calms people and animals. It is only recently, though, studies into the full effects of cannabinoids have been conducted. It has been discovered that CBD alters the levels of serotonin. Low levels of serotonin are linked to both anxiety and depression.

There are many pet owners who use CBD products to treat anxiety in their pets. There is also an increasing number of people who are using CBD to treat their own anxiety as well. CBD is fast-acting, natural treatment that might help your dog cope with its firework anxiety.

How to Calm My Dog with Cannabidiol?

The best way to treat a dog for fireworks anxiety is to administer CBD several hours before the fireworks begin. It will take some time for the CBD to pass through the digestive system and start to work.

There several different types of CBD products that you can use for fireworks anxiety. These include CBD oil drops and CBD pet treats. The choice between these two will depend on well your dog takes medicine. CBD oil drops are administered by placing a few drops in the dog’s mouth, or it could be added to your dog’s food. CBD dog treats look and taste like regular dog treats, so most dogs will happily eat them.

The amount of CDB oil that will be needed to calm a dog’s fireworks anxiety will depend on several factors. These include the size of your dog and the level of anxiety. It will also depend on how much CBD the products you purchase contain. Good quality CBD products will have dosage guidelines with them. Your vet will also be able to help you decide how much CBD to give your dog for fireworks anxiety.

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Other Remedies to Help Calm Your Dog During the 4th of July

CBD is only one of the things that you can give your dog for fireworks anxiety. There are other natural products that will calm your pet. There are also some practical steps that you can take as well. The first thing you should do on the 4th of July is making sure that your pet can’t escape. More dogs go missing on 4th of July than at any other time in the year. They run away to try to escape the noise of the fireworks. Here are some steps you can take to make your pet more comfortable:

Keep Your Dog Indoors

Keep your dog indoors and keep the drapes closed. This will quieten the sound of the fireworks and it will also stop your dog from running away. Keep close by your dog. Human companionship will reassure your pet.

Distract Your Dog

Switch on the TV or play some music and give your dog some toys to play with.  If your dog is distracted by something else, it will be less concerned about the noise outside.

Provide Your Dog with a Safe Place to Hide

When a dog gets scared by a sound that it can’t identify, it will want to hide. If your pet is comfortable being in a crate, they may feel better if they were in it. Or, put your dog’s bed in a corner or under a table.

Run Away to the Country

If your dog’s fireworks anxiety is very bad, you could go camping in the country on the 4^th of July. It may sound a bit extreme, but a lot of pet owners do find that getting away from the city for the night is the kindest thing they can do for their dog.

As well as CBD for dog anxiety, there are several other natural anxiety remedies that you could use. These include lavender, chamomile, and valerian.  Some herbal remedies for anxiety have been used for centuries, but you may find that they are not strong enough to calm a dog’s firework anxiety. 

Knowing what to give your dog for fireworks anxiety can be tricky. Especially if you don’t want to give your dog strong anti-anxiety medications. Fortunately, fireworks are only a problem once or twice a year. If your dog is very afraid of them though, that’s more than enough. Many pet owners who have asked this question of what can I give my dog for fireworks anxiety have found that the answer is CBD oil. It’s non-toxic, it’s safe for dogs, and it might help your dog get through the 4^th of July.

SOURCES:

https://www.thatmutt.com/2016/06/28/benadryl-for-dogs-during-fireworks-does-it-work/
https://iheartdogs.com/7-natural-ingredients-to-help-your-dogs-fireworks-anxiety/
https://positively.com/contributors/10-safety-and-calming-tips-for-dogs-during-fireworks/
https://www.rover.com/blog/why-are-dogs-afraid-of-fireworks-in/
https://www.purina.com/dogs/dog-articles/behavior-and-training/why-are-dogs-scared-of-fireworks
https://www.leafly.com/news/health/cbd-for-treating-anxiety
https://www.healthline.com/health/cbd-for-anxiety
https://petreleaf.com/cbd/pet-anxiety-prevention

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