Most humans associate fireworks with celebrations and joy; many people look forward to the awe-inspiring fireworks on Independence Day and sometimes wish it was a moment they could share with their pet dogs. Unfortunately, fireworks often trigger anxiety and stress in dogs.
Fireworks alongside thunder, long road trips, and separation from caregivers easily top the list of things that can wreck dogs’ nerves.
That’s why dog owners are always on the lookout for ways to calm their dogs during fireworks, especially in July with all the Independence Day fireworks frenzy.
Today, we’ll look at the best dog CBD for fireworks: does it work? What is the best CBD oil for anxious dogs? Can you give your dog edibles to calm them down? How long before fireworks should I give my dog CBD?
But before we dive into all that, why are dogs scared of fireworks?
Why Are Dogs Scared of Fireworks?
Scientific research on canine anxieties and phobias shows that 40% of dogs have noise-related phobias.
In a 2021 research by the Kennel Club, 80% of dog owners reported changes in their dog’s behavior during firework displays, 31% of respondents said their dog trembles and shivers, 25% said their dogs hide and avoid contact and 26% report unusual excessive barking.
The report also noted that the anxiety that set in during the firework season accounts for why the number of missing dogs doubled during such periods.
So, why are dogs scared of fireworks?
Dogs are as good with their ears as they are with their nose.
They hear more frequencies and are able to hear sounds that are more than three times farther away than humans can hear.
For dogs, it is important they are able to filter these sounds, act on the important ones, and tune out the rest.
But what happens when the sound is too loud and seems to come from all directions? For some dogs, panic is the only response that makes sense, hence the resulting anxiety.
Naturally, many dogs are scared of loud noise. The fear factor is worsened when a dog is unable to predict or locate which direction the loud noise is emanating.
Unfortunately, fireworks check the boxes for the two instances.
This fear of loud, unpredictable sounds is known as canine noise aversion, dog noise aversion, noise anxiety, or noise phobia.
This phobia puts a lot of stress on dogs, and some dogs are unable to shake off the anxiety days after the fireworks.
Many dog owners across the U.S. find dog CBD for fireworks very effective for managing noise anxiety.
Are All Dogs Scared of Fireworks?
No, not all dogs are scared of fireworks.
Various factors determine a dog’s response to fireworks, including age, breed, early exposure to loud noises, how long they have been with their owner, and reproductive status.
As a YouTuber put it:
“Our heeler is terrified of fireworks and thunder. Our 4 lbs. yorkie on the other hand doesn’t give two tootsie rolls about either. At best the yorkie will open one eye and give the ceiling the stink eye for waking him up.”
How to Tell if Your Dog is Scared of Fireworks
With all that said, you must also learn how to tell if your dog is scared of fireworks before looking for the best CBD oil for anxious dogs.
Some symptoms of fireworks anxiety in dogs include:
- Avoiding physical contact or affection
- Frequent urination or drooling
- Hiding
- Lethargy
- Panting
- Prolonged whimpering
- Reluctance to be outdoors
- Reluctance to eat
- Restlessness: shivering, shaking, trembling.
- Skin chewing
Can I Use Dog CBD for Fireworks?
Yes, you can use any of the best CBD for dogs for fireworks to help your dog manage their fireworks anxiety.
But really, does CBD oil work for dogs scared of fireworks? Yes, they do work. CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a well-known stress reliever for humans and animals.
A study by Cornell University showed that 83% of dogs given CBD chews before a stressful event displayed less stress or anxiety-related behaviors.
So yes, you can use one of the best CBD for dogs for fireworks to manage your dog’s anxiety. Also, you shouldn’t fear that CBD will make your dog high.
Why? Although CBD products are from cannabis, they do not contain THC, the psychoactive substance that causes highness.
Can You Give Your Dog Edibles to Calm Them Down?
Absolutely not! Giving your dog edibles intended for human consumption, especially those containing THC (the psychoactive component found in marijuana), can be extremely dangerous for our furry friends.
While it might be tempting to share a bit of what you have to calm them down, dogs process THC differently than humans, leading to potential toxicity or even life-threatening situations. Symptoms of THC poisoning in dogs include lethargy, balance problems, low blood pressure, and, in severe cases, seizures. Instead of reaching for an edible, consider dog-friendly alternatives such as CBD oil or other products specifically formulated for pets to help ease anxiety or stress.
Simply put, you can’t safely give out edibles for dogs with anxiety.
How Quickly Does CBD Work For Dog Anxiety?
Typically, dogs begin to exhibit signs of responding to CBD within a timeframe of 30 to 45 minutes. This reaction time can vary based on several factors such as the dog’s metabolic rate, whether they’ve consumed the CBD on an empty or full stomach, and the specific form of CBD product being used. The effectiveness and speed at which CBD works can also be influenced by the dog’s size, age, and overall health condition.
Understanding How to Use Dog CBD for Fireworks
The Animal Medical Center, Streetsboro, recommends placing a few drops of CBD oil in your dog’s food or directly in their mouth.
However, there are a few things you must know before using CBD for dogs for fireworks.
Find Dog-Friendly CBD
Apply caution when looking for the best CBD oil for dogs. No central agency regulates the CBD market in the U.S., so the market is rife with fake products with bogus claims.
A veterinary medicine study analyzing 29 OTC CBD products for pets found no CBD in two products, and four had heavy metal contamination.
Of the 27 with CBD, 17 were not within 10% of the CBD concentration of their label claim.
It is best to ask your vet to recommend the best CBD oil for anxious dogs or use reputable websites such as Modern Dog Magazine and Veterinarians.org.
Some of the best CBD for dogs for fireworks use broad spectrum CBD oil and have a Certificate of Analysis (COA) that you can use to better understand the implications of using the CBD product.
Understand Proper Dosing
Tiny dogs may require low-potency dog CBD for fireworks, while bigger dogs may require high-potency products.
Other factors such as age, sex, and CBD tolerance determine the dose suitable for a given dog.
A 2022 publication on Frontiers veterinary research found that giving dogs a once-daily dose of 4 mg of CBD per kg of body weight for 6 months is safe and well tolerated in clinically healthy dogs.
Nevertheless, no standard therapeutic dose exists for managing fireworks anxiety.
Whether you are using CBD treats or any of the best CBD oil for dogs, always check with your vet to determine the most suitable dose for your pet.
Thankfully, some of the best CBD oil for anxious dogs come with a marked syringe or dropper for accurate dosing.
Consider the Timing
Generally, the relaxing effects of CBD products take a while to manifest.
Therefore, the best time to give your dog their CBD treat or CBD oil is from 15 minutes to about 1 hour before the fireworks start banging.
The Best Dog CBD for Fireworks
Charlotte’s Web CBD Oil
Charlotte’s Web CBD oil holds a great reputation as one of the best CBD for anxiety and stress relief.
Similarly, Charlotte’s Web pet line, which focuses on canine wellness, is gaining a reputation for helping dogs be at ease during stressful events.
Charlotte’s Web’s Calming Chews and Full-Spectrum Hemp Extract Drop is easily one of the Best CBD oil for dogs.
Why Charlotte’s Web?
- The products are tested numerously for quality assurance
- Charlotte’s Web is certified by National Animal Supplement Council (NASC)
- They make theCertificates of Analysis available on their website
Green Roads Pet CBD Oil
Green Roads Pet CBD Oil is one of the best CBD oil for dogs, with the most positive reviews from happy customers across the web showing that it helped their dog manage anxiety during fireworks displays.
Why Green Roads?
- They use their own unique, proprietary blend, which an independent laboratory tests
- A licensed compounding pharmacist creates the pet CBD products
- You can use the QR code on the product pack to see the results of its analysis
- They have low-potency CBD pet drops for smaller dogs
The Anxious Pet Relax & Roll Organic Hemp Oil
The Anxious Pet Relax & Roll Organic Hemp Oil is inarguably one of the best CBD for dogs for fireworks, and it is in high praise among customers who use it to calm their anxious dogs.
Why Anxious Pet CBD Oil?
- It is a full-spectrum CBD product
- They produce it in consultation with veterinarians across the U.S.
- Different formula for big and small dogs and comes with detailed dosing instructions
- They provide COA for their products
How Long Before Fireworks Should I Give My Dog CBD?
It’s a good idea to give your pup their dose about 15 to 30 minutes before the fireworks are expected to start. This timing ensures the CBD has enough time to work its way into their system and start calming those nerves. But remember, every dog is different, so you might want to do a trial run on a quieter night to see how quickly CBD takes effect for your furry friend. This way, you can nail down the perfect timing that keeps them relaxed, not just as the first fireworks light up the sky, but throughout the entire show. Plus, it helps them associate the loud noises with a more serene experience, making future celebrations a breeze.
Calm Your Anxious Pup This 4th of July With Dog CBD for Fireworks
We know you love your pets and count them as part of your family. We also know that you always want the best for them, just as we do for you.
As it is, a dose of CBD before the fireworks displays could be all you and your dog need to have a more fulfilling Independence Day and enjoy the fireworks.
With these in mind, we created this post to help you better understand your dogs’ anxious behaviors during and post-Independence Day and how you can help them with dog CBD for fireworks.
Additionally, experts at The Dog People by Rover.com suggest that you should “be the executive, but stay calm yourself” when your dog is anxious during fireworks.
Therefore, if you find yourself dealing with anxiety during this period or other stressful events, then now is a good time to get an MMJ card and access top-shelf CBD products at a lower price in your state.
The process is quick and easy, and depending on your state, your MMJ card could be ready right on time for you to get the MMJ you need to have a calm Independence Day celebration with your dog.
Click here or the button below to get started.
