CBD For German Shepherds: How Much CBD Oil Should I Give My German Shepherd?

How CBD Oil May Help Your German Shepherd’s Anxiety

Does your german shepherd experience separation anxiety, travel anxiety, or fear of certain noises such as storms and fireworks? You’re not alone!

The life of a german shepherd isn’t always all belly rubs and nap times. Dogs experience many of the same emotions humans do, and unfortunately, anxiety is something we share. Anxious dogs are stressed, nervous, and sometimes afraid. They overreact to certain situations, and their apprehension interferes with quality of life. While counting to 10 and meditating helps some humans deal with moments of unease, dogs rely on their owners to help them manage their emotions in healthy ways.

There’s a long list of medications veterinarians often recommend for anxious dogs, but holistic vets are recognizing the physical and psychological benefits of a more natural substance. CBD from hemp oil is an all-natural compound used to treat a number of ailments in both humans and dogs. Studies show CBD oil helps people find relief from anxiety, and similarities between the human and canine endocannabinoid systems support the belief it’s also an effective treatment for dogs.

Signs of Anxiety in German Shepherds

Anxiety in german shepherds presents itself in many ways. For some pups, overwhelming emotions result in what behaviorists call displacement behaviors. This is when a dog exhibits a normal behavior outside of what would be normal context. Shaking their entire body as if wet when they’re perfectly dry and scratching when they’re not itchy are examples.² Anxious dogs may also yawn, lick their lips, and widen their eyes to look like little half moons.⁵

Some signs of anxiety in dogs are subtle hints of discomfort, while other dogs express their nerves with more prominent behaviors. These excessive stress behaviors could include incessant barking or whining.² A dog that is anxious when alone might also try and chew their way out of a door. A puppy that’s afraid of loud noises might try to jump through a window pane during a thunderstorm. These potentially dangerous behaviors are often triggered by something specific, while other dogs have more generalized anxiety that doesn’t have an obvious cause.

CBD Oil For German Shepherds: How It May Help Calm Your German Shepherd

CBD is a type of compound called a cannabinoid found in cannabis. Marijuana may be the first type of cannabis that comes to mind, but for treating dogs, experts turn toward marijuana’s relative—hemp. Both marijuana and hemp have CBD, but hemp is chosen as the safer treatment because of what it lacks. Along with CBD, marijuana also has a different type of cannabinoid called THC. THC is the compound responsible for making people high, and it’s also considered dangerous for dogs. Hemp, however, has all the CBD that marijuana does, but it only has negligible amounts of THC.³ With less than .3% THC (if not 0%, like our CBD oil), CBD oil from hemp is legal in all 50 states, and most veterinarians agree it’s safe for dogs.

The reason behind the many health benefits of CBD oil has to do with the body’s endocannabinoid system. All mammals have this network of cannabinoid receptors that serve as the body’s control center for health. The system’s job is to increase and decrease immune response based on what’s going on in the body to maintain overall health.¹

RELATED: 10 Myths Regarding CBD Oil and Dogs

When introduced to the body, CBD oil activates those cannabinoid receptors. It opens up two-way communication between receptors located everywhere including organ tissue, glands, the brain, and the nervous system. With that extra stimulation, the body can then move forward with the needed response to target a specific problem and bring the body back into homeostasis.

Using CBD Oil to Treat Your German Shepherd’s Anxiety

Activating the endocannabinoid system opens the door for the body to signal the brain about what’s going on. Chemicals are at the root of anxiety, and through chemical transmissions, the endocannabinoid system can tell the brain to release calming signals. The improved communication between cannabinoid receptors allows the body to release tension and calm down.

RELATED: How I Cured My Dog’s Separation Anxiety Using CBD & Really Odd Training Method

In a study exploring the effects of CBD oil on people with anxiety, it was found that by interacting with the endocannabinoid system, CBD oil decreases the levels of subjective anxiety in relation to cerebral blood flow. Because the human and canine endocannabinoid systems are alike, experts predict the results are the same with man’s best friend.⁴

When using CBD oil to treat a dog’s situational anxiety, it’s usually recommended to administer the treatment up to 30 minutes before the dog is expected to be overcome by emotion. If the dog is usually nervous at the vet, for example, their owner could administer CBD oil before they leave the house for the appointment. This will give the endocannabinoid system time to respond and help the dog stay calm. The newness of using CBD oil with dogs means dosing isn’t exact, but the most widely accepted suggestion is 1-5 mg per 10 pounds of the dog’s body weight.¹ A push for more studies is expected to soon result in a greater understanding in exactly how CBD oil can be used to treat canine anxiety.

What Brand of CBD Oil is Safe & Effective for My German Shepherd?

Cannanine is currently the only CBD oil endorsed by iHeartDogs.com. Every single batch is 3rd party tested for potency and impurities. The product is 100% THC free, which is absolutely critical if giving to dogs. Best yet, every single purchase provides 7 meals for shelter dogs through GreaterGood.org!

 

Managing Your German Shepherd’s Pain with CBD Oil: A Beginner’s Guide

Our canine companions are known for stoically hiding their pain, and it isn’t always obvious they’re suffering. But when a dog owner knows their pup is in pain, they look for ways to offer relief. It doesn’t matter whether the pain stems from an illness or injury, conventional ways to make them feel better usually involve synthetic medications.

Dog owners who are looking for an all-natural way of treating their pets’ pain without the risk of side effects, however, are turning toward CBD oil from hemp. Here’s what you need to know.

What is CBD Oil and How Can It Help My German Shepherd’s Pain?

CBD is a type of compound called a cannabinoid. It’s found in cannabis, and it’s one of the main reasons cannabis is often used for medicinal purposes. While marijuana might be the first form of cannabis that comes to mind, veterinary experts focus on marijuana’s safer relative, hemp. CBD made from hemp is legal in all 50 states. 

Both marijuana and hemp have CBD, but CBD oil from hemp is preferred for one main reason. It’s called THC, and it’s the cannabinoid found in marijuana that makes people high. THC is considered toxic to dogs, but with hemp, there’s no THC to worry about. CBD from hemp has less than .3% THC, which isn’t enough to have an intoxicating effect.¹ When isolated and extracted from the plant, it’s a compound that interacts with a body’s endocannabinoid system to bring about numerous health benefits.

How CBD Works In Your German Shepherd’s Body to Reduce Pain

Humans, dogs, and most other mammals all have something called an endocannabinoid system. This network of cannabinoid receptors is responsible for managing the body’s immune responses and keeping all systems in perfect balance. Receptors are located everywhere including the brain, nervous system, certain glands, and in organ tissue. When they’re activated, they open up a two-way communication that signals specific reactions that include anti-inflammatory and painkilling effects.³

As a cannabinoid, CBD targets those receptors to initiate transmissions. By stimulating the system, CBD works to bring about the proper immune response to treat a number of ailments. One of the main problems CBD can help address is chronic pain. Regardless of where the pain is focused, CBD prompts the endocannabinoid system to block pain signals from the brain. The underlying cause of the pain is usually still there, but thanks to CBD, the aching, irritation, inflammation, and soreness is treated.

What Kind of Pain Can CBD Oil Help My German Shepherd With?

There’s more than one type of pain, and determining the cause is the first step in helping a dog feel more like themselves. Thanks to the correspondence of the endocannabinoid system, CBD oil can be used to target several different areas and several different kinds of canine suffering.²

Joint Pain

Joint pain due to osteoarthritis is another type of painful inflammation. CBD can’t cure osteoarthritis, but studies suggest it can reduce painful symptoms and make it easier for aging dogs to keep moving.

Whether it’s tied to a recent injury, illness, or a symptom of a chronic condition, pain will always diminish a dog’s quality of life. When conventional medications don’t work or the risk of side effects is too great, CBD oil is a safe and effective alternative. Studies on using CBD oil to treat specific conditions in dogs are currently ongoing, and the future is expected to bring more guidance on how to best use it to benefit man’s best friend.

Recovering From Surgery

Dogs aren’t the best at staying bedridden, and they want to be up and moving as soon as possible. CBD oil from hemp is often recommended as an all-natural way to help dogs recover from surgery faster. Dog owners also like how there are no side effects like with typical pain medications.

After an Injury

The fastest way for a dog to recover from an injury like a broken leg or deep cut is usually rest. The same properties that help ease canine anxiety are used to keep dogs relaxed during the healing process. They’re less likely to want to get up and make things worse, and CBD oil triggers an immune response that hastens healing.

Intestinal Inflammation

Sometimes a dog’s diarrhea is due to diet, but other times, it’s caused by intestinal inflammation. Symptoms of intestinal inflammation include vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pains. The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD oil can calm the digestive system to restore normal gut function.

What Scientific Studies Have Been Done on CBD for Pain Management for Dogs?

Two clinical trials have recently concluded with promising results on using CBD for pain management in dogs. It’s important to note that the we’re still in the early stages of understanding how CBD interacts with the body, and much more research needs to be done.

1. Cornell University: Osteoarthritis Pain Reduction in Dogs: Cornell University researchers found CBD increased comfort and the activity of dogs suffering from arthritis, according to a study published in July of 2018. This clinical study suggests that 2 mg/kg of CBD given twice daily can help increase comfort and activity in dogs with osteoarthritis. ^Source

2. Liberty Leaf: CBD Research Study on Canine Pain Management: In August of 2018, results from a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial demonstrated that dogs with diagnosed osteoarthritis receiving a daily dose of only 0.3 mg per kg of a CBD-infused oil formulation for 4 weeks showed reduced pain and improved functional performance.

How to Choose a Quality CBD Product for Your German Shepherd

Choosing a high quality CBD product can be confusing since the market is currently exploding and your options appear endless. Unfortunately, many brands do not perform 3rd party batch testing on their products to ensure efficacy and purity.

Learn more about Cannanine, the only CBD oil endorsed by iHeartDogs.com

How Successful is CBD At Managing a German Shepherd’s Pain?

iHeartDogs commissioned a survey that was completed by 455 people who gave CBD to to their dogs. The following data represents the responses of dog owners who gave CBD for pain management:

Survey Question: How effective do you feel the product was for your dog’s condition?

 

You can view the full survey results here.

Next Step: Choosing a Safe & Effective CBD Oil for Your German Shepherd

Learn which CBD oil is right for your dog. Start here. 

 

CBD Oil for Older German Shepherds: Can It Help Chronic Pain & Anxiety?

If you’ve been considering CBD for your older german shepherd, you’re not alone. Pet parents are turning to CBD for their aging dogs for 4 major reasons:

1. CBD Offers Significant Brain Health Benefits and Boosts Cognition In Aging German Shepherds

Studies on CBD have shown the ability to support normal cellular function and promote healthy aging through mitochondrial support. In addition, CBD is currently being studied for its apparent antipsychotic, anti-nausea, and anticonvulsant, and anti-inflammatory benefits. The anti-inflammatory benefits, in particular, may offer the most benefit to the brain and aging. Many german shepherd owners notice an immediate boost in their dog’s alertness and cognitive abilities.

2. CBD Can Help Relieve Chronic Pain in German Shepherds, Especially Joint, Back, & Mobility Issues

CBD oil naturally helps reduce inflammation in all parts of the body. The same endocannabinoid receptors that work together to relieve anxiety also target areas in the body experiencing pain due to inflammation, damaged nerves, and injury.

RELATED: Which Brand Of CBD Oil Does iHeartDogs.com Recommend?

Many holistic veterinarians recommend CBD oil to senior dogs suffering from joint pain. While it isn’t a cure for all joint issues, it can ease the inflammation caused by worn down cartilage, and it helps dogs feel better and stay active. It’s also used to alleviate painful symptoms of intestinal inflammation, and it’s often administered after surgery and during injury recovery to invoke the immune system for faster healing.²

3. CBD Can Help Senior German Shepherds With Anxiety

The life of a senior german shepherd might not seem stressful, but many older dogs suffer from different kinds of situational and behavioral anxiety. CBD oil targets the endocannabinoid system to help the body balance emotions. The endocannabinoid system is the same in all mammals. It’s comprised of spaced-out receptors that communicate to keep the body balanced. CBD oil works to initiate chemical transmissions between receptors that help the dog feel calm in times of stress. Pet owners use it for dogs with separation anxiety, phobias, and general anxiety.

4. CBD May Increase Appetite And Reduces Nausea in Senior German Shepherds

Food and nutrients are essential for a healthy aging dog, and a good diet is especially important when that dog is battling a serious illness. They need food to give their body the strength to fight back, but many health conditions shut down appetite. When they can’t eat, they become weak and are even more vulnerable to whatever kind of damage their illness is causing.

CBD oil works to counter this effect by stimulating appetite.² Whether it’s nausea or a general weariness that’s keeping the dog from eating, CBD oil triggers the sensation of hunger. When the dog eats without feeling sick and vomiting the food back up, they absorb much-needed nutrients to help their body stay strong and healthy.

Which Brand Of CBD Oil Is Safe & Effective For Senior German Shepherds?

Our team was fortunate to be consulted on the creation of the Cannanine brand of CBD oil for dogs. Unlike most CBD oils, Cannanine is 100% THC free. And since all of our products help dogs in some way, every purchase of Cannanine provides healthy meals for shelter dogs.

 

Using CBD oil to alleviate pain and promote overall well-being for your dog is something more and more people are catching on to. There’s still a lot scientists don’t know, but initial studies on humans show promising potential. More studies focusing on CBD oil for dogs are currently in the works, and dog owners and holistic veterinarians await results to learn just how far CBD oil can take the future of veterinary medicine.

If you’d like to learn more about CBD hemp oil, we’d encourage you to view complete guide to CBD oil for dogs.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional.

 

Popular Articles On CBD For Dogs Anxiety