Dogs suffering from sleep issues may be uncommon, but it does exist. And, there are multiple reasons why your dog might be suffering to sleep peacefully at night. Dogs need ample sleep to remain healthy and fit for the longest possible time. Based on their underlying issues and sleep, some dogs tend to become restless and suffer from sleep insomnia. As a dog owner, it certainly becomes painful to watch your dog suffer and not be able to do anything about it. But, there is a solution. CBD for dogs sleep is one of the best things you can get your hands on.
CBD can effectively help your dog peacefully through the night and make them less restless. However, if things go on for a long time, there may be an underlying issue that only the vet can solve. But till then, CBD will be the best solution for you.
But how can CBD help dogs sleep better? And why do dogs suffer from sleep issues in the first place? There are many questions, but the answers are here. In this article, we shall discuss the intricacies related to insomnia in dogs and why CBD for dogs sleep is one of the best solutions to this problem.
What Is CBD?
Before we get to the part where we explain to you why CBD for dogs sleep is one the best existing options, let us first give you an idea of what CBD exactly is. A lot of people tend to believe that CBD is just the same as weed or marijuana. But that is far from the case.
CBD is one of the naturally occurring components in the cannabis plant, which possesses both therapeutic and medicinal benefits. It is very effective in treating a number of health conditions like joint pain, arthritis, anxiety, and so on in dogs.
To make things even clearer, CBD and THC are not the same things. THC is a psychoactive component that is highly toxic for pet consumption. It is the THC that makes you high after you take in weed. CBD, on the other hand, only has medicinal properties and shall not get you or your dog nigh under any circumstances.
What Are The Most Common Reasons Behind Sleep Disorders In Dogs?
Sleep disorders are not so common in dogs in general. Such disorders that are more common to cause sleep disruption in dogs are sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy, and REM sleep behavior disorder.
So, if you indeed notice any such signs of a sleep disorder in your dog, you need to reach out to the vet as soon as possible. In some cases, things might be pretty mild, where CBD will work just fine. If things go beyond that, you might have to take them to the vet without any delay.
Some of the most common reasons why your dog might be suffering from sleep issues are:
Discomfort Or Pain
Pain or discomfort is one of the most common reasons your dog might be having issues sleeping at night. Dogs may suffer from a number of medical conditions that result in discomfort or pain, like dental issues, arthritis, or gastrointestinal issues. If your dog suddenly becomes restless, or if you see them crying or whining through the night, it might be a sign of discomfort or pain.
Anxiety
Dogs suffer from anxiety more than you can imagine. And, it is yet again one of the possible reasons why your dog is not sleeping at night. Dogs can possibly suffer from social anxiety, separation anxiety, or noise anxiety that makes it tough for them to sleep soundly at night. Some of the most evident signs of anxiety include panting, pacing, whining, and trembling.
Bad Sleeping Environment
Just as it is in babies, dogs need a very peaceful environment, too, to sleep peacefully. A bright, noisy, or uncomfortable sleeping space can make it pretty difficult for your dog to fall asleep. Your dog needs to be relaxed enough to fall asleep. So, you need to make sure that they get an environment where they can relax well and fall back to sleep. It would be better if you could possibly make their sleeping space quiet, comfortable, and dark. You may also invest in a comfy dog bed or a blanket to make sure that the dog feels utmost comfortable while sleeping.
Lack Of Exercise
Exercise is important for dogs to maintain good health. Lack of exercise may also contribute to sleeping and relaxation issues. Older dogs may also find it difficult to fall asleep or to sleep for longer periods, which results in sleepiness during the day or other health issues. Exercise tires the dog out both mentally and physically, making them fall asleep the moment they get in bed. So, make sure that your dog has a daily dose of exercise from playing, walking, or running in the park or anywhere else.
Aging
As dogs start to age, they may also start to experience certain changes in their sleep pattern. More aged dogs may find it difficult to fall or stay asleep for long hours. This makes them more tired and sleepy during the day. It is necessary that you take your dog for regular check-ups to make sure that there are no underlying problems contributing to their lack of sleep.
CBD For Dogs Sleep: How Can It Help?
There is enough research that shows how CBD can improve the overall well-being of dogs; this includes sleep, too.
Sleep issues in dogs happen due to certain underlying issues that we do not understand initially. CBD is popular for curing all such issues, thus helping dogs sleep better at night.
Here are some of the most effective benefits that CBD can bring to dogs.
Reduce Joint Pain
As we mentioned before, dogs cannot sleep due to increasing joint pain at times.
CBD oil contains anti-inflammatory and anti-pain properties in it.
Initially, it was thought that CBD, just like THC, binds itself to the CB1 receptors present in the brain. This would stimulate the immune system and reduce inflammation. It was also thought that CBD binds itself to the CB2 receptors in the nervous and immune systems to promote the production of more cannabinoids in the body.
However, later on, it was proven that CBD has a very low affinity for CB1 or CB2 receptors. This means it certainly cannot bind itself with the receptors. Hence, scientists came up with two possible action pathways in which CBD works in a dog’s body to reduce inflammation:
- CBD influences how these receptors activate. Thus, it is antagonistic.
- CBD binds itself to the less popular receptors like CPR55 or TRPV1, thus modulating a number of physiological activities in the body.
The final effect of all such mechanisms that go on in the body leads to altered pain perception. When this happens, every pain sensation in the body gets numbed, and inflammation is significantly reduced.
Reduce Anxiety
Dogs suffer from stress and anxiety, too. There are a number of reasons as to why dogs may be suffering from anxiety. Some of these reasons may include aggression, fear, separation, loud noise, etc.
If you notice your dog getting too agitated or stressed, you may start giving them CBD oil by mouth. It will take around five to twenty minutes for it to work effectively. If your dog has been consistently stressed or anxious, make sure to start a daily routine where your dog consumes a prescribed dose of CBD every day.
Other than relieving stress in dogs, CBD oil is also beneficial in the promotion of serotonin production – a hormone that regulates their mood and social behavior and improves appetite, sleep, and digestion.
Helps With Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Most pets, particularly dogs, suffer from stomach issues just like humans. This might be due to certain allergic reactions to food, parasites, food poisoning, or low immunity. Sometimes, IBD may show up due to genetic reasons. This means it will occur regardless of the dog’s good health.
Some of the very common signs to look out for that’ll make sure that your dog has IBD are:
- stomach pain
- fatigue
- Blood in dog’s poop
- Unexplained weight loss
- Throwing up
CBD can reduce inflammation in the dog’s body, thus helping to restore homeostasis.
Other than curing tummy inflammation, it might also help your dog put on weight because of their increased appetite. This is a more possible scenario when it comes to broad spectrum CBD oils.
Helps Manage Seizures
Around 5 percent of dogs experience seizures – a very legitimate concern for every dog owner out there. Unfortunately, the medicines used to treat seizures in dogs turn out to be more harmful than helpful.
Fortunately, CBD oil does not have any side effects for the dogs. It will not cause any dependency either.
Apart from its frequency, CBD oil is also known to reduce the severity of seizures. This possibly happens due to its interaction with the endocannabinoid system. Seizures happen due to certain abnormal electric charges in the neurons of the nervous system.
The CBD binds with the cannabinoid receptors in the dog’s brain, thus impending electric charges and reducing the seizures.
Reducing Allergies
Allergies in dogs may cause a certain degree of discomfort. This makes it difficult for dogs to sleep for a long time due to the swelling and itching.
Allergic reactions in dogs may either happen due to food or their environment. Therefore, you should be well aware of all the things that might give your dog severe allergies or are triggers of it.
As we discussed before, CBD is rich in anti-inflammatory properties. It offers tremendous relief to asthma, as well as skin issues that are caused by certain allergens. Once the wheezing or itching gets dealt with, your dog can easily sleep for longer periods at night.
How To Purchase CBD Products For Dogs
Now that you know CBD is not just beneficial for making your dog sleep but also for other reasons, we think it’s time that you finally buy the first bottle of CBD oil.
But, before you go to the store, make sure that you know how to pick the right product for your dog. Even the slightest mistake could cost you the health and safety of your dog. So, be as careful as you can.
For beginners, make sure you get the best quality CBD oil or other CBD products from the market. These must be made from the full spectrum CBD. Also, make sure that the CBD oil is made from Hemp extracts. Hemp contains a considerably lower THC content than marijuana.
Pets, regardless of their types, SHOULD NOT CONSUME THC. THC gets processed in their blood way differently than humans. So, even the smallest amount of TCH that may not affect humans can raise a life-or-death situation for your dog.
High quality CBD products would not contain any added fillers or artificial ingredients in them either. So, it would be best if you just go through the label and the brand certifications once to make sure that you only get the best ones for your dog.
Once you know the right type of CBD product to buy for your dog, it is necessary to know where to find them. You can buy CBD products from CBD and hemp stores, online stores, or stores that sell pet products. However, always be sure to check the reputation of the store or the vendor to make sure you get only the best quality product.
The Bottom Line
CBD has a number of benefits for dogs. From their stomach health, bone health, immunity, and overall well-being, CBD makes sure that your dog lives the best life possible.
Amongst all the benefits, CBD for dogs sleep is the one thing that most dog owners find particularly helpful. Dogs suffer from sleep issues for a number of reasons. From joint pain to digestive issues to seizures – these issues can keep your dog up through the whole night.
CBD interacts with their endocannabinoid system and works effectively to reduce all these issues to make sure that your dog gets all the sleep they need.
However, always be sure to pick the best quality product for your dog from the best possible place. Always check for the THC content as that might cause toxicity in dogs, giving rise to a life-death situation.
Additional Reading:
