Should You Use CBD to Help Your Puppy Sleep?

Cannabidiol, better known as CBD, has become one of the world’s most popular health and wellness supplements for pets. According to Grand View Market Research, nearly a quarter of pet owners consume CBD-based products for themselves or their pets. And CBD could help treat medical conditions, including pain, anxiety, and sleep disorders.

Sleep is a common challenge for pet owners with new puppies. While puppies sleep longer during the day, they sleep far less at night, resulting in less sleep for pet owners. Fortunately, there are some strategies that you can use to help promote sleep (and get a good night’s rest yourself)—including the use of CBD supplements.

Is CBD Safe for Puppies?

CBD is a safe supplement that rarely produces adverse side effects in pets. In fact, the only rare side effects include drowsiness (a benefit for sleep) and slight diarrhea. That said, you should be careful to provide your pet with the correct dosage based on their weight and select products that are thoroughly screened for toxins.

While CBD is almost certainly safe for puppies, that doesn’t mean pet owners should immediately start dosing their puppy with the supplement. Many of the bad behaviors that puppies exhibit (such as biting, chewing, or not sleeping) are simply part of their youth. If they don’t grow out of these behaviors, consult your vet or consider training before dosing CBD.

Does CBD Help Puppies Sleep?

Researchers haven’t conducted controlled studies that specifically look at the effects of CBD on a puppy’s sleep. However, research does show that CBD helps reduce pain and anxiety, among a host of other benefits. These results mean that one can reasonably assume that CBD would help dogs fall asleep easier, particularly with drowsiness as a side effect.

For instance, a University of Western Australia study found that shelter dogs exhibited less aggression toward humans after a 15-day CBD treatment versus placebo. Meanwhile, a Cornell University study found that arthritic dogs receiving CBD showed significant improvement in pain relief and quality of life—even climbing stairs once again.

How to Buy & Administer CBD

There are hundreds of different CBD products on the market, making it hard for pet owners to determine what’s best for their pets. Broad-spectrum products are generally best because they involve cannabinoids and terpenes that interact in the so-called entourage effect. However, you should seek out pet-specific products with no THC.

Most veterinarians recommend about 0.1 to 0.2 milligrams per kilogram of your puppy’s weight, given twice daily by mouth, although it’s a good idea to consult with your veterinarian beforehand. While you may scale up the dosage if you don’t notice any effects, it’s critical to realize that higher dosages don’t necessarily translate to a greater effect.

The Bottom Line

Puppies are notorious for keeping their owners awake at night and CBD supplements can be helpful to improve sleep. That said, you should consult with your veterinarian to determine the best plan of action while keeping in mind that all puppies go through a stage of hyperactivity that they eventually grow out of over time.

This article was published by CFN Enterprises Inc. (OTCQB: CNFN), owner and operator of CFN Media, the industry’s leading agency and digital financial media network dedicated to the burgeoning CBD and legal cannabis industries. Call +1 (833) 420-CNFN for more information.

About Ryan Allway

Mr. Allway has over a decade of experience in the financial markets as both a private investor and financial journalist. He has been actively involved in the cannabis industry since its inception, covering public and private companies.