You’re on a beautiful walk with your dog when suddenly, your dog starts pulling on their leash and nearly dragging you down the street aggressively. This behavior is typically associated with training patterns, but as many dog owners know, some dogs have a lot of energy and may not understand how to deal with it.
Dogs' cheerful and energetic behavior is often one of the things we love most about them, but what if this cheeriness is too much?
Hyperactivity is common in dogs but can lead to unwanted behaviors. If you have a hyper dog, you may seek a way to help support your energetic pup without dimming their personality or daily routine.
Many consumers are turning to CBD for their hyperactive dogs, but does it work?
CBD for Hyper Dogs: Does It Work?
CBD cannot cure your dog’s hyperactivity, but it can provide general relief to your hyper dog. There are a few benefits CBD has for hyperactive dogs.
Benefits for Hyper Dogs:
Calming
CBD is best known for its calming effects, which may be a huge benefit for hyperactive dogs. When you anticipate certain activities that may trigger hyperactivity in your dog, you can provide them with CBD to help them feel calming effects during these activities.
One of the perks of CBD oil is that it can provide calming effects without interrupting your dog’s daily routine [1]. A lot of pharmaceutical options used to calm dogs down have lethargic side effects, which may affect a dog’s typical routine.
Relaxation
Similar to calming effects, CBD oil may support relaxation. This can be great for hyperactive dogs who have difficulty winding out after playing or near bedtime. Some CBD dog treats and oils are formulated to enhance feelings of relaxation.
Nervousness
Many dog owners use CBD for their anxious dogs. There’s even a connection between dogs’ anxiety and behavioral issues that may be mistaken for hyperactivity [2]. How dogs respond to mental and physical stimulation is important. Environmental triggers can worsen anxiety in dogs, so providing them with a calming support can help them with responding to certain triggers.
CBD’s impact on anxiety in dogs is still currently being studied. However, since most animals have an endocannabinoid system, research shows that the interaction CBD has with the C1 and C2 receptors in the ECS system has a positive influence on feelings of anxiety [3].
Best CBD Products for Hyper Dogs
- Best CBD Oil for Dogs: Neurogan CBD Oil Tincture for Dogs
- Best CBD Treats for Dogs: Bailey’s Calming CBD Yummies
- Best CBD Gummy for Dogs: Cannanine CBD Soft Chews for Dogs
- Best CBD Chews for Dogs: Paw CBD Calming Chews
Neurogan CBD Oil Tincture for Dogs
Our CBD Oil Tincture for Pets is a broad-spectrum (thc-free) formula with 1000 mg of CBD extract, which is 8.3 mg of CBD per serving.
A tincture can be great with a hyperactive dog because of the onset time. CBD oil for dogs can provide a much quicker onset time than treats and soft chews. Many CBD treats and soft chews take up to an hour to provide effects, but with a tincture, your furry friend may feel the CBD effects within 15 to 30 minutes.
Plus, it’s bacon-flavored, so you can easily mix the oil into your dog’s food during breakfast or dinner time, depending on when your dog needs the most support. A hyperactive dog may also have environmental triggers that pet owners can’t anticipate — that’s why a CBD tincture in an easy-to-carry tincture bottle can be great to have on you during walks or adventures.
Bailey’s Calming CBD Yummies
Bailey’s carries a line of dog CBD products with a great reputation. Its Calming CBD Yummies are vegan, organic, and veterinarian-formulated.
It comes in two different options based on the size of your dog: small/ medium and large. For the option for dogs on the smaller size, each chew contains 3 mg of CBD. For the option for dogs on the larger size, each chew contains 6 mg of CBD per chew.
Each chew also contains tryptophan, chamomile, valerian root, and passion flower, natural extracts known for their calming qualities. An excess of energy can be difficult to deal with, but the natural blend of calming ingredients found in these treats may make it a bit easier to manage.
We will mention that the extra strength option for large dogs offers a low dose of CBD compared to similar CBD products. This may fit the needs of some dogs but may not be a strong enough dose to provide robust enough effects that some pet owners are seeking for their highly energetic dogs.
Cannanine CBD Soft Chews for Dogs
These bacon-flavored CBD Soft Chews from Cannanine are great for a dog’s daily routine. These chews are also THC-free, making them a great option for pet owners who don’t feel comfortable giving their dogs even low doses of THC.
With 5 mg of CBD per soft chew, this moderate dose is great when considering CBD for hyperactive dogs. Since it is not too strong of a dose, this can be a good option for those who wish to use CBD during the training phase. That way, your dog can stay alert but a bit more calm than their hyperactivity will usually allow.
These soft chews are also made from human-grade ingredients, usually held to a higher standard than standard pet-grade ingredients. As we often want the best for our pups, this is the greenest of green flags when looking at CBD products for dogs.
Paw CBD Calming Chews
It’s always nice when dog CBD products are distinguished by the dog breeds they are intended for. While it’s not necessarily a pain to break a treat in half for your small breed dog, it is nice to grab a treat and give it to your pup without having to think too much.
These broad spectrum CBD chews come in two different strengths — one for small dogs and one for large dogs. Paw CBD CBD Calming Chews aim to calm hyper dogs with size-conscious dosing in mind.
The small dog breed option comprises 30 chews with 5 mg of CBD per chew. While the large dog breed option consists of 30 chews with 20 mg of CBD per chew. These are both moderate to strong doses for dogs, which may be the support needed to address your dog’s anxiety through other supportive measures as well.
How much CBD oil can I give my hyper dog?
For a hyper dog, start with a dose of 0.2 mg of CBD oil per pound of body weight. For example, a 10-pound dog can start with 2 mg. Smaller dogs should receive less, adjusting the dose based on their weight.
Always consult your vet before starting CBD to ensure it's safe for your pet, and to ensure they don't overdose on cbd.
What CBD Extract to Calm My Dog Down
There are three types of CBD oil: full spectrum CBD oil, broad spectrum CBD oil, and CBD-isolate oil. These types have different effects and benefits. So, which one is best for your hyper dog?
When thinking about implementing CBD to support your dog’s mental health, full spectrum or broad spectrum CBD dog treats or oils are the way to go. These both offer benefits from a blend of cannabinoids that work together to provide calming effects to hyper dogs. Most calming treats will be either full spectrum CBD or broad spectrum CBD.
CBD isolate products can also be a fine choice, but they don’t offer the same benefits as full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD.
The Takeaway: CBD for Hyper Dogs
CBD shows promise in managing hyperactivity in dogs, potentially offering a natural and gentle approach to calming their behavior. While anecdotal evidence and some preliminary studies suggest its efficacy, further research is necessary to know the exact effect CBD has on hyper pets.
Other potential health benefits can be reaped by introducing CBD into your dog’s life, especially if they deal with joint discomfort or high stress. CBD is not a cure or treatment plan for any medical condition, so consulting with a veterinarian is crucial to determine the appropriate dosage and to monitor your dog, considering your dog’s individual response to CBD and potential interactions with other medications or health conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What CBD option is best for my hyper dog?
CBD oil may be the best for your hyper dog as it has a quick onset time, which can be convenient when environmental triggers energize your dog and create unwanted behaviors.
Does CBD work for hyper puppies?
CBD can be a great tool for hyper puppies, especially during the training phase. It’s crucial to follow dosage guides based on your puppy’s weight.
Does CBD generally calm a dog down?
CBD provides calming effects, so generally, it has the potential to calm a dog down in conjunction with reducing environmental triggers.
Does CBD chill out dogs?
CBD does provide calming effects to dogs. The strength of the effects depends on various factors such as dosage, tolerance, and metabolism.
References:
- Morris, E. M., Kitts-Morgan, S. E., Spangler, D. M., Gebert, J., Vanzant, E. S., McLeod, K. R., & Harmon, D. L. (2021). Feeding cannabidiol (CBD)-containing treats did not affect canine daily voluntary activity. Frontiers in veterinary science, 8, 645667.
- Tiira, K., Sulkama, S., & Lohi, H. (2016). Prevalence, comorbidity, and behavioral variation in canine anxiety. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 16, 36-44.
- Corsato Alvarenga, I., Panickar, K. S., Hess, H., & McGrath, S. (2023). Scientific validation of cannabidiol for management of dog and cat diseases. Annual review of animal biosciences, 11, 227-246.
