Dealing with aggressive dogs is not the simplest thing on the planet. Some dogs are more aggressive than others and for justified reasons. Whether it is uncontrollable barking, biting, or any other signs of aggression, it is certainly necessary for you to find a solution for the well-being of your dog and others around you. One of the most common concerns among dog owners is how effective CBD is for aggressive dogs.
With a substantial increase in the popularity of CBD products, dog owners are on the run to explore its multiple benefits in treating aggressive behavior in their pets in general.
If your dog is showing aggressive behavior and you are planning to shift to CBD to treat the aggression, you have landed on the right page. Here, we will discusses the core concepts behind the use of CBD for aggressive dogs and is it is at all feasible for your dog or not.
What Causes Aggression In Dogs?
Before you start including CBD in your dog’s everyday routine, it is important that you understand if your dog has aggressive behavior in the first place. Some dogs are highly energetic in nature. That does not imply that they are aggressive too.
Aggression in dogs is one among their many complex issues and might arise from multiple unknown causes. Having a core understanding of the roots of these problems is the solution towards an effective intervention and nurturing a safer environment for your dog and everyone around.
As a dog owner, you need to keep an eye for the below-mentioned symptoms to confirm that your dog indeed has an aggressive behavior.
Territorial Aggression
Just like most of their wild ancestors, most dogs tend to have an inborn territorial instinct. This means they have the tendency to become really aggressive when they come around an intruder or threat in their “domain,” which can be the yard, home, or even their favorite resting spot.
Fear, Aggression, And Anxiety
Aggression that comes from fear or anxiety is more like a defensive behavior. A dog might get more aggressive if it feels scared, threatened, or cornered. This might happen even when the concerned individual means no harm to the dog.
Past Trauma Or Abuse
Dogs that have been subject to trauma or abuse or have been neglected for the most part of their lives tend to show more aggressive behavior than others.
Medical Issues Or Pain
Just how it is in humans, the behavior in dogs tend to change when they are in a lot of pain.
Conditions like brain diseases, arthritis, thyroid disorders, tumors, or any injuries can result in abrupt, aggressive outbursts. In such cases, the aggression is not considered intentional but only a reflexive response to pain or discomfort.
Genetic Predisposition Or Breeding
Certain dog breeds have been particularly bred over their generations for special roles such as hunting, guarding, or herding.
Traits that are associated with these roles, like alertness or protective behavior, may sometimes result in aggressive behavior.
How Helpful Is CBD For Aggressive Dogs?
Now, coming to your concern – CBD for aggressive dogs. At the very core of CBD’s possible benefits is its contact with the endocannabinoid system. It is a complicated cell signaling system that is mostly found in mammals, even dogs.
This system helps regular multiple psychological processes like sleep, appetite, immune response, and most critically, mood and behavior.
The ECS contains endocannabinoids, enzymes, and receptors.
The two basic receptors are CB1, which is mainly available in the brain, and CB2, which is more available in the peripheral nervous system. It is believed that an imbalance in ECS might result in a number of health issues, like mood disturbances.
CBD certainly influences the ECS by preventing the entire breakdown of certain endocannabinoids. It makes sure that they all remain active in the system for as long as possible. This might enhance the overall function of the ECS and help restore balance in the body.
Here are some ways in which CBD for aggressive dogs can be helpful:
Mood Support
There is a theory that considers the role of ECS in regulating mood. If you positively influence this system, CBD can actually help manage mood issues in dogs like stress, anxiety, and, to some extent, aggressive behavior.
Pain And Discomfort
As we’ve mentioned before as well, medical issues are one of the major triggers of aggression in dogs. CBD is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and its power to manage pain. By relieving the pain, CBD can indirectly reduce aggression in dogs, which mainly happens because of pain or discomfort.
How Do You Give CBD To Aggressive Dogs?
Giving CBD to your aggressive dog is a simple process, particularly with the wide range of products that are available. However, just like you introduce any other medication or supplement to your pet’s diet, it is necessary to understand the most comfortable and effective ways to introduce CBD for aggressive dogs.
CBD Treats
When it comes to introducing CBD for aggressive dogs, CBD treats are some of the favorites among dog owners. Not only do they come in many flavors that dogs love, but they also have a very no-fussy approach. Each piece of the treat has a specific amount of CBD, so it wouldn’t be an issue to keep track of the quantity you are giving your dog. To add to this, the whole act of giving a treat is indeed a bonding experience. Hence, it turns the administration of CBD into a positive interaction.
CBD Oils
Pet CBD oils offer a very versatile way to give your dog a dose of cannabidiol. You can just add a few drops in their food, water, or just directly in their mouth for direct absorption. You can also keep a measure of the accurate doses of CBD oil drop by drop. However, the quantity would vary from one dog to another depending on their size and CBD requirements.
When you do select CBD oil for your dog, make sure that it is particularly made for pets. Only then will you get the accurate one that is the best for your pets? Giving too much CBD oil might have adverse effects on the health of your pets and make them feel even more discomfort.
CBD Capsules
CBD capsules are pretty similar to a regular pill based medication. They might be the best for dogs that are accustomed to taking medicines in pill form.
You can simply hide the capsule in their treats or just place it in the back of your dog’s throat along with a treat.
However, if you are just starting off with CBD, the best way is to go with CBD oil or CBD treats that your dog will very easily eat.
CBD Topicals
While topicals like balms or creams are mainly designed for external uses like joint discomfort or skin conditions, they are certainly not your go-to solutions when it comes to behavioral concerns.
As aggression is more like a behavioral issue, topical CBD application might not give you the results you are anticipating. While you can try out topicals for other concerns of your dog, it is better to stick to the ones that will actually sort their problems.
CBD For Other Aggressive Animals
When you consider the impact of CBD on aggressive dogs, it is not only dogs or humans that have been studied. There are a number of animals that were put to test to get a better understanding of CBD’s effect in treating aggression.
Studies as such usually offer a broader outline of the potential applications of CBD to manage aggressive behaviors in animals.
Mice living alone for a long time might become more aggressive with time. This made scientists curious to know if CBD can actually help resolve aggression among rats.
Researchers induced different quantities of CBD in these rats and introduced a new mouse to see how they reacted. Here’s what they found:
- Rats that were given CBD were unlikely to attack their new mate.
- Some rats took comparatively longer to project any aggressive behavior after having CBD.
- The whole time they spent being aggressive was pretty short with CBD.
Best CBD Oil For Dogs
Some CBD oils are better than others. However, you need to know the best ones available in the market to get the best possible results for your dog.
Here is a list of the most preferable CBD oils that you can easily use on your dog to treat their aggression:
Neurogan Bacon-Flavored CBD Oil
Neurogan promises not to limit their services to human customers only.
They hold their pet customers to the exact high standards. Their bacon-flavored 16,000 MG CBD oil for dogs is made from the same high-end CBD extracts that are used in their products for humans. And it is the strongest one available in the market at present.
They are also one of the most pocket friendly options available in the market in comparison to their competitors. You only have to pay $60 for a bottle that contains 660 MG of CBD.
And for a 1,000 MG bottle, the price is just $22. When you break it down, you just have to pay $0.02 for each mg of CBD, which is far less from what you have to pay for the competitor products.
Chill Paws Full Spectrum CBD Oil For Dogs
Many dog owners have appreciated how effective Chill Paws CBD oil helps in calming their dogs. Chill Paws aims to provide genuine care for animals with the help of their products and by actively supporting all the local animal rescue programs and shelter donations. Their philosophy concerns quality CBD products and a broader commitment to the entire pet community.
Penelope’s Bloom CBD For Dogs
Penelope’s Bloom centers itself on being a brand around CBD, particularly for pets. The brand is inspired by Penelope, a French Bulldog who came across multiple health issues. This caused its owner, Kerstin Minassian, to venture into CBD to give pets a budget-friendly and natural health boost.
Many customers confirm its effectiveness against temperament issues and arthritis. The oil has the unique qualities of chamomile extract, which further boosts the calming effects of CBD.
Penelope’s Bloom, in simple words, caters to the overall well-being of your dog.
Frequently Asked Questions
The ideal dosage of CBD preferable for your dog varies depending on their weight, how severe their symptoms are, and the potency of the product. It is however best to begin with a very low dosage and increase gradually till you witness the desired effects. It is best to consult with your vet for a more personalized experience.
If you are using CBD for aggressive dogs, the very first thing to notice is the reduced aggression in your pup. You can further look for symptoms like more relaxation, and an overall improved behavior in your dog.
There are multiple ways in which you can use CBD to treat aggression in dogs. From CBD treats to CB oil, the options are many. You just need to administer the method your dog responds best to.
If you are just starting off with CBD for aggressive dogs, the best way is to stick to the mentioned dose in the product label which depends on your dog’s weight. Start with a lower dose, and see how your dog reacts to it. Then you can go on to adjust the dose as per the needs of your dog. It is important to contact a vet to get proper guidance.
While CBD gummies are for human consumption, some pet owners use them for their own consumption. You need to make sure that the product does not contain any toxic product like THC, which is highly dangerous for your dog.
The Bottom Line
CBD for aggressive dogs is a common practice among dog owners to induce calming habits in their dogs.
But, it is most important to understand the root of their aggression. There are multiple reasons why dogs tend to get more aggressive than others.
CBD has a lot of potential to calm dogs and help them relax. However, CBD is just one tool among many others to ensure the well being of your dog. As a responsible pet owner, you must look for all the possible ways to cure aggression in your dog rather than just depending on CBD.
There are many brands that manufacture CBD treats and CBD oils that are not just safe for dogs but also comparatively cheaper. With both premium quality and affordability, you can ensure the possible care for your furry friend.
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