CBD products – top quality, rigorously tested – are my first, and usually last, recommendation for anxiety relief for pets. 
When pets are anxious, they are suffering. Think of a time when you were really anxious. It might have felt manageable – but then imagine that whatever was causing your anxiety made you intensely afraid….you didn’t understand what was happening, and you couldn’t do anything to stop it. Without some kind of relief, anxiety and the suffering that goes with it escalates. A friend’s Aussie, Roo, would become so terrified when left alone, she would gnaw and paw at the door. One day, when left alone for a short time, she destroyed a window to get outside. Thankfully, she didn’t seriously cut herself, and she was found safe. It was nightmare for her and for her mom. We all know lots of stories like this. Now with advances in research and testing, we have effective and safe remedies – we can manage anxiety before it gets to a harmful place.
What is CBD? CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is non-psychoactive cannabinoid found particularly in hemp plants. Humans as well as dogs and cats have receptors in our nervous system that bond with compounds in the CBD. These compounds have the impact of regulating functions like mood, energy, pain, appetite and sleep.
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.
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 medication 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.
Which brands do we trust? 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 you used CBD/CBDA personally? Yes. I currently use 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. For thunderstorms or fireworks, I give her a full dropper or 20mg. I also use CBD for myself all the time, and 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.