Who doesn’t love their furry friends?
Cats and dogs are absolute joys to have around the house. Their hilarious antics–and warm snuggles–put a smile on any pet owner's face when they need it most.
That said, owning a pet isn’t a matter of buying, rescuing, or adopting a four-legged critter and simply letting the good times roll. Pets are a lot like humans–they’re complex. Sure, you might have owned a dog or cat–at some point–that didn’t fuss much. But not all pets are the same.
Some dogs and cats are more high-strung than others. They can be aggressive and not the always-cuddly creatures we want them to be. This behavior could stem from any number of root causes.
Rescues have often been subject to abuse or other harsh conditions that have yielded severe behavioral problems. However, it’s not only rescues that struggle with these issues. All animals are unique, and their brains are wired for certain things.
An aggressive cat or dog is no less deserving of our love. They require patience and sure-handed guidance to help them overcome those behaviors.
On that note, cannabidiol (CBD) oil, a non-psychoactive component of the cannabis plant, appears to have a calming effect on pets with aggressive tendencies.
Pakamana carries high-quality CBD products for pets, and we’re offering a deep dive into this topic:
Understanding Aggression In Animals
Dogs typically act aggressively due to fear. There are often socialization issues, and they might have had past negative experiences (e.g., an abusive former owner). They’ll react with fear-based aggression when they detect a threat and feel the need to defend themselves.
Reasons for aggression in cats are much the same. A feline’s genetic predisposition could also be a root cause of their aggressive behavior–although the same could be said for dogs. Underlying chronic pain is another reason for aggression in cats.
Finding the root cause of your pet’s aggression will be crucial to solving the problem. When you notice triggers (e.g., an unfamiliar person, petting them in a particular area, or the presence of other animals), you can begin to cultivate the appropriate solutions.
Conversely, failing to get to the root of the problem will make it challenging to be predictive (and effective) with your mitigative actions.
For instance, managing your dog Scruffle’s aggression is easier if you know he goes buck wild when you bring strangers into the home. This way, you can utilize mitigative measures to prevent any outbursts.
In some instances, mitigative efforts could be keeping Scruffles away from the front door when new people enter, then slowly introducing him so he doesn’t get overwhelmed.
We’ll further explore conventional approaches to offsetting these aggression issues below.
Conventional Approaches To Animal Aggression
Traditionally, aggressiveness problems in dogs are best treated by qualified professionals who can implement behavioral modification techniques. This often includes rewards for positive behaviors–which pays off if your dog reacts well to toys, treats, and praise.
With cats, you need to understand their triggers to avoid them or be prepared for the pending response. You can also increase how many quiet, trigger-free spots exist in your home. Remember that cats aren’t quite as trainable as dogs.
Medications (often anti-anxiety meds) are usually recommended for aggressive pets.
Here are some examples of prescriptions for aggressive dogs:
- Fluoxetine.
- Clomipramine.
- Sertraline.
- Buspirone.
Cats can also be prescribed fluoxetine for unpredictable and frequent aggression. Trazodone or gabapentin are often prescribed to offset infrequent, predictable aggression.
Like all medications, these prescriptions come with harmful side effects. These could range from a slowed heart rate and increased sleepiness to persistent nausea and a decreased appetite.
Another issue is the cost of these prescriptions. Pet medications are not cheap and can put a dent in your savings. You’d then have to continue paying for these meds because your cats and dogs might become dependent.
CBD As A Potential Remedy
Since CBD interacts with your pets’ endocannabinoid system, it can help regulate mood, behaviors, and other physiological processes, thus helping reduce aggressiveness.
Plenty of scientific evidence speaks to the value of CBD usage for aggression in dogs.
For instance, there was a related study in Italy:
One group of dogs with aggressive behaviors toward humans was dosed with CBD oil. In contrast, another group was given olive oil.
The dogs receiving CBD oil reduced their aggressive behavior significantly. Conversely, the dogs receiving olive oil did not decrease their aggressive behavior.
While studies for cats are hard to come by, studies with rats indicate positive outcomes for aggressive cats using CBD. More specifically, CBD seems to help offset inflammatory pain symptoms in rats that can cause their aggression, according to the European Journal of Pharmacology.
Reduced pain in these instances would mean decreased aggression since it’s the primary trigger.
Note that these are all anecdotal studies, and more work must be done to make any concrete proclamations. But the results of these studies are no less promising.
Dosing And Administering CBD For Animals With Aggression
The ideal guidelines for how much and often you should dose your pet with CBD can be found here.
Your best bet is to start with lower doses and incrementally increase as you continue.
Multiple administration methods exist. You can add CBD oil to wet food, which might be the easiest way to do it. Tinctures come with droppers that you can put into food, making this process easier.
You can also purchase CBD-infused treats, but the dosages are more rigid, whereas most tinctures offer optimal dosage control.
Choosing Quality CBD Products For Pets
Like most cannabis-based products, sourcing reliable, high-quality CBD can present challenges.
You’ll also want to consider whether a CBD product has broad or full-spectrum hemp. Broad spectrum in low amounts works for small pets and those sensitive to foods. Sturdier pets tend to benefit from full-spectrum tinctures because they contain the plant’s entire profile.
Be sure to purchase CBD products that are lab tested for purity. Such products will have a certificate of analysis displayed on the packaging to ensure safety and overall quality.
Pakamana is committed to quality, purity, and transparency when providing pet CBD products.
Consultation With A Veterinarian
We’ll point out that while Pakamana has helped many pet owners in our history, we aren’t licensed vets. Thus, we aren’t equipped to prescribe anything to your dogs or cats to quell their aggression.
Consulting with your pet’s vet before entering a CBD regime will be crucial. First and foremost, they’ll have a better idea if your furry friend is an ideal candidate for such products. Furthermore, they’ll make personal recommendations that will help guide the most successful treatment process based on your pet’s needs.
Encourage Peace And Calm With CBD For Your Cats And Dogs
The magic of CBD is that it goes beyond treating one specific symptom. We broached how CBD treats issues with pain earlier. A study from Cornell University also speaks to how effective CBD is in offsetting anxiety in pets.
In short, CBD has a crucial role in a holistic approach to medicine. It’s meant to improve overall wellness in pets and humans and have a well-rounded effect that impacts as many health-related facets as possible.
While CBD is a relatively new wave approach, the results it’s having on users (both animal and human) can’t be denied.
In conclusion, our pets suffering from aggressive tendencies deserve every possible avenue toward recovery. To that point, there are plenty of reasons to believe CBD-based products could offer the most seamless form of aggression reduction.
Learn more about CBD products by visiting Pakamana’s online store, and examine our high-quality products.
Also, consult a veterinarian to ensure your pet is on the best possible regimen combined with personalized care.
Have any questions about our CBD products for your pets? Contact Pakamana with your inquiries today!