CBD products by Austin & Kat, ElleVet and Super Snouts Hemp Company are among my top recommendation for anxiety relief for pets. 
When pets are anxious, they are suffering. Think of a time when you were really anxious. You were probably able to manage it by taking deep breaths, talking to a friend, working out, or confronting the source of the problem. But what if you didn’t have a way to manage it?
Without relief of some kind, anxiety escalates, as does the suffering that goes with it. Years ago, friend’s Aussie with separation anxiety was left alone for just a short time. After less than 30 minutes, she became so anxious that she broke through a window to get outside. Thankfully, she wasn’t seriously hurt, and she was found safe. But it was nightmare for Roo and for her mom. I think we have all heard similar stories. The good news is that now we have effective CBD products we can trust, backed by scientific research.
Can CBD products ease my pet’s separation or travel anxiety?
According to a 2023 study available on PubMed entitled, yes. The study aimed to measure the impact of a single dose of CBD on a group of dogs who were either traveling in a car or experiencing separation. “Significant changes in several stress-related measures (serum cortisol, mean ear temperature, heart rate, heart rate variability, whining and a stressed/anxious behavioral factor) were observed”.
Can CBD products be given daily to reduce stress?
A 2023 study available on Journal of Animal Science evaluated the impact of daily dosing of CBD over a 6 month period on stress in dogs going on car rides . The study measured serum cortisol, heart rate, heart rate variability, whining, lip licking, yawning and found a significant reduction in stress. The study notes in addition that “CBD has been shown not to have an impact on the daily activity of healthy adult dogs when orally dosed up to 4.5 mg/kg body weight over a period of 21 d (Morris et al., 2021). Health benefits of CBD in dogs include reduced scratching behavior (Morris et al., 2021), seizure activity (McGrath et al., 2019), and pain associated with osteoarthritis (Gamble et al., 2018; Brioschi et al., 2020; Kogan et al., 2020; Verrico et al., 2020).”
Is CBD safe?
While THC is extremely toxic to pets, CBD products free of THC are safe. Check with your veterinarian if you have an immune-compromised or highly allergic pet, and always use thoroughly vetted brands like ElleVet, Austin & Kat or Super Snouts Hemp Company. According to the study from Journal of Animal Science, “CBD has been demonstrated to be safe for use in healthy dogs, with no adverse health effects observed following single oral doses of 20 to 64 mg/kg body weight (Bartner et al., 2018; Vaughn et al., 2020), or for long-term daily oral dosing of 4 mg/kg body weight for up to 6 mo (Bradley et al., 2022). Additionally, CBD has been shown not to have an impact on the daily activity of healthy adult dogs when orally dosed up to 4.5 mg/kg body weight over a period of 21 d (Morris et al., 2021). Health benefits of CBD in dogs include reduced scratching behavior (Morris et al., 2021), seizure activity (McGrath et al., 2019), and pain associated with osteoarthritis (Gamble et al., 2018; Brioschi et al., 2020; Kogan et al., 2020; Verrico et al., 2020)”
Are hemp and marijuana the same plant?
Hemp and marijuana are in fact the same species of cannabis. What differentiates them is how much THC is present in the plant. According to Healthline, “Legally, hemp is defined as a cannabis plant that contains 0.3 percent or less THC, while marijuana is a cannabis plant that contains more than 0.3 percent THC.
What are cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are chemical compounds found in cannabis (hemp or marijuana) that regulate how cells communicate: how they send, receive, or process messages.
What is CBD?
CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is non-psychoactive cannabinoid. Humans as well as dogs and cats have receptors in our nervous system that bond with compounds in the CBD. These compounds in CBD have the impact of regulating functions like mood, energy, pain, appetite and sleep.
Does CBD come from hemp, or marijuana?
CBD can be derived from either hemp or marijuana plants.
Which is used in making CBD, hemp or marijuana?
Only hemp-sourced CBD is legal. Federal law requires CBD to come only from plants containing less than 0.3% THC.
What is CBDA?
CBDA, cannabidiolic acid, is the acidic precursor to CBD. CBDA is converted to CBD when the cannabis plant is heated or exposed to UV light. CBDA stimulates seratonin release and is believed to have powerful effect on the nervous system, even powerful enough to minimize seizures – it’s said to be 19x more effective than CBD. It is claimed to have other potential benefits – not proven yet – in fighting inflammation, pain, and cancer. CBDA is more bioavailable than CBD, so it’s readily absorbed into the body’s receptors and is thought to be another option for pets who don’t get benefits from CBD. CBDA was overlooked initially – but you’ll see a lot more in the future about CBDA for natural anxiety relief for pets.
Can CBD or CBDA get my pet high?
No. Pet CBD products are made from hemp, not marijuana – and there is no intoxicating effect. THC, the compound in marijuana
that gets you high, is only present up to 0.3% in hemp plants, which is way too low a dose to intoxicate anyone.
Can I give my pet too much CBD?
Provided your pet doesn’t have any contraindications, like being on a medication (eg a blood thinner) that would be adversely affected (check with your vet if you are not sure), the only down side in giving too much is lethargy, diarrhea or nausea from too much of the oil that is used as the carrier. If you notice these symptoms, back off on the dosage and use less.
Can I give my pet CBD made for people?
NO! If you use a CBD/CBDA product do not share it with your pet. THC is highly toxic to pets and may be present at a high enough level to cause a severe reaction.
When and how should I give CBD/CBDA to my pet?
Only trust reputable companies with third party testing. If your pet is on m
edication of any kind, check with your vet before trying CBD or CBDA. Start with a low does of about 2mg of CBD for every 10lb of dog, or 3mg CBD for every 10 lbs of cat. Increase from there if your pet needs more for to reach the desired effect.
How long does it take to work?
- Oils: 15-30 min
- Treats: 30-60 min
It’s always best to provide CBD before a stressful event – it’s easier to prevent stress than to reduce it once it’s taken hold.
Which brands do I trust the most?
We are true believers in ElleVet, Austin & Kat and Super Snouts. They all work incredibly well, are rigorously tested, and have real people behind them who are committed to helping pets live healthier lives. ElleVet is made right in South Portland Maine – and Austin & Kat started here too (but eventually moved to the west coast).
Are any of these brands recommended by vets?
Yes. ElleVet in particular is popular among vets for their commitment to research and clinical trials. Holistic vets often recommend CBD/CBDA for natural anxiety relief for pets as well as for pain, trauma/healing, inflammation, seizures and appetite.
Have I ever used CBD/CBDA on my pets?
Yes. Our 5 year old boxer mix Mercy has mild anxiety in the car, and more heightened anxiety during storms. When we are prepping Mercy for travel we’ll give her CBD treats – ElleVet ElleCalm, Super Snouts Chill Out or Austin & Kat’s 10mg Soft Chew. CBD chews take a little longer than oils to have an effect, but for events like car trips, we can plan ahead, and she likes the treat format the best/
It’s always better to dose preventively, before the anxiety takes hold. But there are times when we don’t know a storm is coming for instance, and she’s already become anxious. That’s a good time to provide a CBD oil directly into her mouth, like Austin & Kat’s Extra Strength CBD Oil for Dogs & Cats 600mg. Mercy weighs 50lbs, and I give her about half a dropper, about 10mg, if she’s mildly anxious. If she’s more anxious, we’ll start with one full dropper or 20mg, and usually we’ll give her the same amount after about 30 minutes, and again an hour later if she’s still not relaxed.
I also use CBD for myself often for sleep, and to keep my own anxiety low. I have even taken some pet hemp by Super Snouts when out of my own oil.
Where can I get them? We have plenty of stock in our stores and online, for dogs and cats.