3 Reasons to Use Cannabis for Pet Anxiety
Nothing worries pet owners like seeing your pet suffer from anxiety disorders. Although animals cannot express what they are going through, certain behavioral activities and changes explain the hard time they are going through.
For the sake of your pet’s wellbeing, finding the appropriate solution for anxiety is crucial. Although you can opt for medication from the vet store, they may not be that effective, plus most of them come with side effects.
Cannabis is among the best natural treatments and an alternative for veterinary pharmaceuticals that can help ease the condition. Most people think that cannabis is only useful on humans; however, it turns out that pets can benefit too
If you’re wondering how cannabis works to cure anxiety in pets, here’s everything you need to know.
How Cannabis Works To Help the Pet ?
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Let's dive deeper into what is cannabis ? Cannabis is a psychoactive substance derived from the cannabis plant. Primarily used for both medical and recreational purposes, cannabis contains a compound known as tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. This compound gives cannabis the psychoactive effect, making it suitable for treating disorders such as pet anxiety.
Like humans, pets have the endocannabinoid system or the ECS. This system is responsible for maintaining homeostasis in the body. Balancing all the activities influences proper body functioning.
Cannabis, on the other hand, contains cannabinoids that are similar to those produced by the ECS. When taken, the cannabinoids interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors, hence stimulating the body to produce serotonin. This hormone stabilizes mood and reduces the level of anxiety and stress.
Types and Causes of Anxiety
Anxiety is common among pets, and it affects them in various ways. Severe anxiety can lead to other conditions such as colitis, vomiting, diarrhea, and reduced appetite. Chronic anxiety can be caused by a change in ownership or environment, and can also be triggered by a loss of a human or fellow pet.
Generally, there are two main types of anxiety:
Situational anxiety- Can be caused by thunderstorms, traveling, fireworks, and strangers.
Behavioral anxiety- The main cause is separation.
Commons Symptoms of Pet Anxiety :
- Aggressiveness
- Continuous barking and howling
- Loss of appetite
- Pacing and panting
- Trembling
- Nervous and excessive licking
- Frequent urinating and defecating
Why You Should Use Cannabis for Pet Anxiety ?
Improves relaxation:
Relaxation is one of the solutions to reducing anxiety. Cannabis is an effective relaxant. The relaxation is not just good for the pet’s mental health; it elevates overall body functions by lowering heart rate and minimizing muscle tension.
In a recent study, researchers investigated the calming effects of cannabis. The subjects were divided into three groups, which involve a low dosage group, high dosage group, and the placebo group. The results showed that low doses of THC reduce stress, and high doses showed the opposite. It means that lower doses of cannabis help improve relaxation and even relieve anxiety.
Reduces Stress :
Too much stress can cause anxiety. It means that controlling stress can also alleviate anxiety. Cannabis can help since it's a great stress reliever; hence a suitable medical option to use.
On a study test where animal models were administered a low dose of cannabis, the results showed that cannabis has anxiolytic effects. It was observed to reduce stress making the subjects more relaxed. Because of this, cannabis may be a suitable solution for use with pets to relieve stress and anxiety.
Improves Sleep :
Anxiousness is connected with sleeping disorders. Therefore, finding ways of treating insomnia can as well help reduce anxiety. Cannabis can be helpful with this.
Research shows that consuming cannabis with high THC levels can lower the rapid eye movement (REM). It also helps with post-traumatic stress disorder (PSTD), hence reducing nightmares.
Cannabis for pets can help influence REM, making them sleep soundly. By eliminating sleep distractors, cannabis can help your pet improve sleep. It encourages a good sleep cycle that is good for healing and mental health.
Stress, anxiety, and depression have a complex relationship with sleep. Any of these conditions can cause sleep deprivation, and in turn, sleep deprivation can make these conditions worse. Since cannabis effectively treats these mental disorders, it may be the best medical remedy for such disorders in your pet.
Conclusion:
Cannabis plays a vital role in managing anxiety for both human beings and animals. So if you are a dog owner, resorting to this remedy may be beneficial to your pet as it comes with little to no side effects. These are the main reasons why you should use cannabis if your pet is showing signs of anxiety. However, it’s essential to use approved cannabis products to avoid harming your pet.You should always consult the vet on the directions of using cannabis and on the right dosage to give to the pet.