Humans frequently experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which presents several challenges. What about our dogs, though? Can they feel this? The answer is yes. Dogs experience stressful circumstances, which can result in PTSD. How can you then assist your dog? Continue reading to find out how CBD can assist with this issue.
What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?
People who have gone through or observed a terrible event can develop PTSD. It could be a war or battle, a terrible accident, a terrorist attack, or a natural disaster. Threats of sexual assault, murder, or other major injuries can be the causes.
Since there is frequently no physical harm, PTSD is a psychological disorder. It may include vivid flashbacks, extreme distress, and nightmares whenever the incident is brought up.
Dogs endure agonizing situations despite having a different recall mechanism than humans do. Additionally, they express it differently. But the anxiety and trauma are real.
Types
There are three major types of post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Acute PTSD.
- Chronic PTSD.
- Delayed onset PTSD.
The most prevalent type of PTSD in dogs is acute post-traumatic stress disorder. Acute reactions happen immediately after the traumatic event or events and usually stop after three months.
While chronic post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in dogs appear very soon after the event, they last longer than three months and can be easily provoked.
When PTSD develops more than six months after the triggering incident, it is called delayed onset post-traumatic stress disorder. This may relate to symptoms that develop after a protracted wait, or it might apply to symptoms that initially started very mildly.
Signs of PTSD in Dogs
Knowing the signs of PTSD in dogs ensures you can intervene early and help your dog. Here are the main symptoms to look out for:
- Hiding.
- Shying away from people.
- Hypervigilance.
- Poor sleep or restlessness.
- Anorexia.
- Aggression.
- Hesitation when visiting some places, including familiar ones.
- Frequent barking.
- Trembling or shaking.
Severe PTSD in dogs has additional symptoms:
- Dilated pupils.
- Fast breathing.
- Tail between the legs or down.
- Ears back.
Causes of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Dogs
Something must trigger a feeling of anxiety or stress in dogs. Such triggers include:
- Abuse: Cases of PTSD can result from severe or ongoing abuse.
- Accidents can also cause PTSD symptoms in dogs, such as hunting mishaps or car accidents.
- Attack: Attacks by pets or animals might cause PTSD to manifest.
- Natural catastrophes: Many dogs are frequently left isolated from their pet parents and family members during natural catastrophes.
- Careers in the military or police: Just as returning police officers who helped find explosives or apprehend criminals may experience PTSD, so too many dogs who work in similar sectors.
Diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Dogs
If your dog displays the symptoms listed above, the next step is to visit the vet for a proper diagnosis. The vet must rule out other physical causes.
Any places that appear unpleasant to touch or swollen will be identified during a comprehensive physical examination. Animals may get confused and stressed while suffering from undiagnosed or untreated chronic diseases. In these situations, as soon as the discomfort is reduced, the symptoms of canine PTSD should subside swiftly.
Blood tests will be performed for toxins, hormonal abnormalities, or viral or bacterial infections. While recent traumatic experiences may lead your dog’s vet to suspect PTSD, delayed PTSD symptoms or symptoms connected to a trauma you are unaware of may make the diagnosis more challenging.
PTSD Evident in Military Dogs
Like humans, military dogs can experience PTSD afterward. In 2012, it was discovered that military dogs have symptoms like irritation, depression, and aversion to people, locations, and particular objects.
Before deployment, none of the dogs exhibiting these symptoms had shown any PTSD-related symptoms. Due to their refusal to finish the task, dogs with PTSD symptoms are frequently returned home. Fortunately, research shows how the endocannabinoid system can benefit PTSD patients.
Can CBD treat PTSD?
Yes. The ability of cannabinoids to attach to endocannabinoid receptors in various body regions makes them useful for treating pain, tension, and anxiety. These are the major signs of PTSD in dogs, and controlling them reduces the severity of the condition.
What does research say about using CBD to treat PTSD?
CBD contains cannabinoids, which interact with your dog’s endocannabinoid receptors to regulate stress. So far, it has been discovered that CB11 receptors are more important in this circuit. The neurological system contains many CB1 receptors, many of which are located in the PTSD circuit. CB1 receptors eliminate fear-based emotions and negative memories, thus calming your dog.
Preclinical research indicated CBD decreases fear in rats by aiding the erasure of memories. The research revealed that CBD can interfere with unpleasant memories up to an hour after a fear trigger.
Although there is no specific research on PTSD and CBD, its effects on anxiety and stress prove it is effective against PTSD symptoms.
Benefits of using CBD for PTSD
CBD has varied benefits for dogs with PTSD. Here are the main ones:
- Reduced nightmares: Due to CBD’s “anxiolytic and sleep-inducing effects” acting on CB1 receptors, patients who used it reported having fewer nightmares. Consuming CBD induces a blissful impact that might be the primary factor in a restful night’s sleep.
- Lowers depression and anxiety symptoms: CBD lowers cortisol levels and regulates serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain. This boosts the brain’s activity and lowers the chances of anxiety.
- Reduced amygdala hyperactivity: cannabinoids affect the amygdala. Although the specific mechanism is unknown, CBD’s therapeutic benefits on the brain significantly impact the control of negative evasive responses.
- Deletes Negative Memories: The amygdala can be flooded with certain cannabinoids, which suppress particular nerve cells and prevent the memory of fear. CBD inhibits reconsolidating memory to control stress hormones.
CBD For Dog PTSD
From our discussion, CBD comes in handy for dogs with PTSD. It lowers the severity of PTSD symptoms. Here’s a product to start with.
Calm CBD Oil
This organic, full-spectrum CBD will manage your dog’s anxiety and situational fear. It reduces stress and anxiety during fireworks, vet visits, and thunderstorms. (Certificate of Analysis)
Feature
- It has a dropper for easy administration.
- It includes lavender to calm your anxious dog.
Pro
- It uses organic CBD.
- It is easy to administer.
- Has calming effects to reduce the symptoms of PTSD.
Cons
- It is a bit pricey.
Calming CBD for Dogs
CBD oil is great for dogs who struggle with emotions and behaviors based on fear. To keep your dog calm, the CALM CBD oil above lower anxiety, tension, and terror. It is crafted with full-spectrum hemp and lavender oil.
As was already said, the cannabinoids in the tincture attach to your dog’s CB1 receptor and imitate the effects of the “happy compound” serotonin by connecting to and activating serotonin receptors in the body.
CBD Dosage for PTSD
CBD oil dosage varies depending on several variables, including age, weight, and the severity of the problem.
Start with a small dose and gradually increase it until it suits your dog’s unique needs. The general guideline is administering 1-5 mg of CBD oil per 10 pounds.
Side effects of using CBD to treat PTSD
Although CBD is beneficial, it comes with a few side effects.
- Diarrhea.
- Dry mouth.
- Weight loss.
- Low blood pressure.
How to use CBD to treat PTSD
The best way to start is with a CBD isolate free of THC. You may then keep track of your dog’s symptoms and how they alter over time. If the symptoms become better, all you might need is pure CBD oil. You might also try a broad-spectrum CBD oil if they continue. Always begin with a modest dose and gradually increase it.
How to Help a Dog With PTSD
Here are some ways to help a dog with PTSD:
Create safe spaces
Ensure your dog has a safe space in your home dedicated to him. You can even create many safe zones in the house if that makes it more convenient.
Keep an eye on your dog while it is in these secure settings. The goal is to get your dog to learn to link these locations with safety and peace. It will stop being anxious and terrified all the time.
Select the right diet.
Diet plays a key role in calming your dog. Ingredients like almonds, fish, and seeds are good for your dog with PTSD. Include foods high in magnesium and potassium, such as broccoli, leafy greens, and green beans. Omega-3 fatty acids are also important for your dog’s heart, brain, and joints.
Go for natural remedies.
Safe and natural methods can help calm an anxious or tense dog. Among the choices are CBD oil, homeopathic medicines, and essential oils. Even body relaxing techniques like a weighted blanket or T-Touch wrap may be helpful.
These will relieve stress without the need to administer medicines to your dog. For some dogs, massaging can be calming.
Can dogs get PTSD from fireworks?
Yes. Some of the most frequent triggers for fear that result in anxiety, trauma, and PTSD include thunder and fireworks. Your dog may become anxious and fearful due to the suddenness and loud sound.
How do you rehabilitate a dog with PTSD?
Retraining is essential to rehabilitation. The main goal of retraining is to persuade your pooch that the world is a good place. Give the dog a secure space of its own.
Is CBD oil good for stressed dogs?
Yes. CBD oil is good for stressed dogs. CBD oil has cannabinoids that interact with your dog’s endocannabinoid system receptors to bring a calm feeling.
What medication is used for PTSD in dogs?
Most likely, a sedative drug will be prescribed. Sedatives like alprazolam, popularly referred to as Xanax, are frequently recommended. The sedative drugs Zoloft, Valium, and Prozac may also be administered.
Can you treat a dog with PTSD?
Yes. You can treat a dog with PTSD using medication and behavioral therapy. Desensitization therapy is a type of behavioral management that involves exposing a dog to low amounts of stress first, then gradually raising those levels to create tolerance.
What does PTSD look like in dogs?
Chronic anxiety, hypervigilance, avoidance of specific persons, places, or circumstances, sleep difficulties, a fear of being alone, and a decline in interest are all signs of PTSD in dogs.
Do dogs remember past trauma?
Yes. Although dogs might not completely understand their pain or what happened, their brains always recall how they felt.
How do I know if my dog has PTSD?
Common symptoms to watch out for include barking, hypervigilance, avoiding certain areas, hiding, shying away from people, aggression, trembling, and dilated pupils.
How do you tell if a dog is traumatized?
Panic, fear, timidity, aggression in dogs that had never been aggressive, despair, and hypervigilance are signs that tell you your dog is traumatized.
How traumatic is it for a dog to change owners?
Dogs who lose their owners may stop eating, gain weight, lack exercise interest, and display canine sadness. For this reason, you must be careful when deciding to rehome a dog.
Final Thoughts
There you have it. Canine PTSD should not give you sleepless nights. Although further studies are necessary to understand the relationship between PTSD and CBD oil, we can use what we already know as we wait for new research to catch up.
From our discussion, CBD aids in reducing bad memories, anxiety, and fear-based emotions, which may help dogs with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). You can reduce the severity of PTSD by using CBD oil. This ensures you have a happy and long life with your dog. Always consult an experienced vet before using CBD for canine PTSD.