Canine Depression and CBD

While it might seem strange to imagine that your four-legged friend could be suffering from depression, there are plenty of dogs suffering from some form of depression. As with humans, this is often accelerated through change to include moving or through the loss of a companion.

Do dogs suffer from depression in the same way as humans?

This question is much harder to answer than you might think, largely due to the fact that Man’s best friend hasn’t quite mastered speaking human just yet. Bonnie Beaver, DVM, executive director of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists stated, “It’s hard to know because we can’t ask them.” Beaver, who is also  a veterinary specialist in animal behavior at the small animal clinic at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine explained, “But in clinical practice, there are a few situations where that is the only explanation.”

While it is common for pets to have a limited run with depression, long-term symptoms tend to be uncommon.

What are the symptoms of dog depression?

“Dogs will become withdrawn. They become inactive. Their eating and sleeping habits often change. They don’t participate in the things they once enjoyed,” said John Ciribassi, DVM, past president of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior.

It is important to keep in mind that the symptoms listed above may also indicate a medical condition. Pets that are in a severe amount of pain from arthritis will participate in behavior that is very similar to the symptoms of depression.

How can CBD help dogs that suffer from depression?

In recent years, CBD use for pets has gained plenty of momentum within the veterinarian community. Store shelves are beginning to fill with a wide variety of CBD products that are being manufactured and developed specifically for canine use. Dogs often suffer from the same types of conditions that are common in humans such as cancer.  CBD has shown to have anti-cancer tumor reducing effects that may help to improve the quality or duration of your dog’s life.

Just like their human counterparts, dogs tend to be very susceptible to anxiety. Separation anxiety is extremely common with all breeds of dogs. Anxiety in dogs can cause detrimental behavior and aggression or depression. CBD has been proven to relieve anxiety in dogs and may even help with depression.