Anticipation is the greatest joy—especially when a vacation is just around the corner and we can hardly wait to finally unwind and take in new sights and experiences.
For many dogs, however, traveling is anything but fun. Our sensitive companions quickly sense that something is about to happen. They pick up on our excitement and anticipation, which can cause them stress and anxiety.
Does your dog suffer from travel anxiety? Find out here how you can help him with CBD!
What causes travel anxiety in dogs?
Some dogs develop travel anxiety due to a combination of physical, psychological, and social factors. The reasons for this vary; for example,
- Lack of socialization during puppyhood
- Bad experiences in the past
- Motion sickness
Travel Anxiety in Dogs – What Problems Arise?
For many dogs, long car rides are associated with nausea and claustrophobia. Once the ordeal of the trip is finally over, they must adjust to a completely new environment, which is also difficult for many dogs. The familiar surroundings where they feel safe, secure, and confident are suddenly gone. New people, new smells, and new sounds can overwhelm our pets’ sensitive senses and become a major source of stress that often persists for days after arrival—hardly ideal conditions for a relaxing vacation.
How can CBD help dogs with travel anxiety?
Anxiety and panic attacks are usually triggered or exacerbated by chemical processes in the body, such as the release of excessive amounts of adrenaline or cortisol. CBD can help regulate this overproduction, thereby helping dogs relax naturally.
Just like humans, dogs have an endogenous cannabinoid system. Cannabinoids are messenger substances that influence cellular metabolism and are capable of increasing or decreasing cellular activity. Acting like a kind of “body police,” they constantly monitor the balance of all bodily functions and, in the event of a disturbance—such as stress—work to restore that balance. CBD is a plant-based cannabinoid that acts on the same receptors as the body’s own cannabinoids. It can help the body regain its ability to self-regulate and restore balance. Many dog owners report that CBD has significantly reduced or even completely eliminated their dogs’ symptoms of travel anxiety.
For dogs that suffer from severe and deeply ingrained travel anxiety, the anxiety may not disappear entirely, but the emotional stress can be reduced. This can help prevent affected dogs from falling into a state of panic as deeply, or at least help them recover from it more quickly.
If your dog suffers from severe travel anxiety, you should also consider whether it might be better for him to stay home—with friends, family, or at a dog boarding facility—provided the trip is one he can avoid. As much as we love having our furry friends with us everywhere we go, their well-being should always come first!
How should CBD be administered to dogs to help with travel anxiety?
Is your dog anxious about traveling, and do you have a vacation coming up where your dog will be joining you? If so, you should start giving them CBD well in advance—we recommend starting about 4 weeks beforehand.
- Start by establishing a baseline CBD level of approximately 0.5 mg of CBD per kilogram of your dog’s body weight per day. The daily dose should ideally be spread out over the course of the day—for example, in the morning, at noon, and in the evening. You can use our CBD treats or CBD oil, or combine both products.
- After about 3 days, you can slowly increase the dose a little bit each day. You’ll have to figure out for yourself how much CBD your dog should get. Our dosage calculator is there to give you a rough guide. Most dogs do best with 0.5 to 1 mg of CBD per kilogram of body weight daily. But every dog is a little different—some need more, others less. Just try out what works best for your dog and don’t worry—you really can’t go wrong here! CBD has no serious side effects.
- On the day of travel, the dosage may be increased to three or four times the usual amount.
Enjoy a relaxing vacation with your dog, even if they’re afraid of traveling—thanks to CBD!
Thanks to CBD, many four-legged friends can join their owners on vacation without any stress. The natural active ingredients help reduce anxiety and promote a sense of calm, especially during long car rides or in new environments. Many pet owners report that CBD helps their dogs feel more relaxed and balanced, making the trip more enjoyable for everyone—for a harmonious and relaxing getaway together! We wish you a safe trip and a relaxing vacation!
Do something nice for your pet – with nacani!
Nacani was founded out of a dedication to the health and well-being of our pets. Our strong belief in the power of nature has led to the creation of truly special products that have been proven to have a positive effect on the physical and mental well-being of our four-legged friends. If you have any questions about our products or would like to discuss them, feel free to join our Nacani Facebook group and follow us on Instagram!
