Dog in The City • A Blog for Indoor Dog Owners

CBD for Pets: A Complete Guide for Beginners

August 5, 2020
by Matthew Cook

Just like any health trend, in regards to CBD for pets, there is a whole lot of advice floating around online. Obviously, you wish to do what is ideal for your puppy, which contributes to this question: How much do you really understand about CBD?

In this guide, we will go over what CBD is, how it functions, and also the potential advantages it may provide our dogs.

What’s Cannabidiol (CBD)?

Cannabidiol, better called CBD, is the next most common of those active components of cannabis (marijuana). While CBD is a vital element of marijuana, it’s derived from the hemp plant, and it can be a cousin of the marijuana plant. Even though CBD is a part of cannabis, it is non-psychotropic, which means it will not induce any mind-altering or euphoric effects.

In addition, the World Health Organization confirmed that “CBD is generally well tolerated with a good safety profile.”

How Does CBD Work for Dogs?

There has been no research on how canines are affected by CBD. What scientists do know is that cannabinoids interact with all the receptors which help keep it at a healthier state and keep balance.

Ways to Give a Dog CBD

Like CBD products designed for human use, there are a wide variety of CBD products for dogs including:

CBD Treats and CBD Softchews
CBD Capsules
CBD oil tinctures
CBD topical products

Each offers unique advantages specifically for dogs.

Potential Benefits of CBD for Dogs

There is currently much more research that needs to be done in order to determine the actual benefits of CBD for dogs. However, based on existing research, CBD may offer a range of potential benefits for our furry friends.

CBD May Help Manage Stress and Anxiety

If your dog barks excessively, exhibits destructive behavior or sounds too restless whenever you leave the house, there’s a high chance they are experiencing separation anxiety.

CBD can help alleviate anxiety when you are not so that your dog can be calmer, Exactly like in people. It may also help reduce stress-related to sound phobias so that your dog won’t cower every time there is a thunderstorm or fireworks nearby.

CBD Has Shown to Help with Epilepsy

This is a frequent use for CBD in people, but pets may suffer from seizures, and CBD can help. These may be bad for their liver and may not work, although there are prescribed to assist animals with seizure activity.

CBD May Help Alleviate and Manage Pain

It’s well-reported that CBD has been effective against various kinds of pain, including pain and inflammation. In addition, it can help alleviate the effects of arthritis, helping with pain.

CBD May Assist with Appetite and Nausea

Although humans often report obtaining the”munchies” during or after consuming marijuana, your pet does not have to get high to feel that effect. CBD can help make them eat if your friend is not showing desire. It’s also been proven to assist with nausea and nausea if drugs or toxins cause these symptoms.

In addition, it is important to understand that there is still much more research that needs to be done in order to evaluate the benefits and safety of CBD for dogs.

While many eager pet owners wonder a common question–Is CBD safe for pets–the answer is currently not set in stone. When it comes to your pet’s health, it’s important to always take the highest level of safety precautions.

If you would like to learn more about the potential uses of CBD for your dog, you are strongly advised to consult your veterinarian.

A Beginner’s Guide to Walking Your Dog

Everybody knows that regularly walking your dog plays an integral role in your dog’s health. However, many don’t fully understand why and, as a result, don’t take full advantage of its potential. By doing a little research with this guide to walking your dog you can change up your routine. This makes it so your pet gets the most out of their daily walk.

Before domestication dogs were semi-nomadic carnivores who diligently maintained their territory and used scent markers to communicate with others animals of the same species. Modern dogs are different from their ancestors in a myriad of ways but still retain many of their base instincts and perceptions.

The Importance of Regularly Walking Your Dog

Regular dog walking is about more than just bathroom breaks. They are a vital source of both physical exercise and mental stimulation without which a pet can become stressed or unhealthy. More than that, regular walks give dogs a stronger sense of their environment, allowing them to become familiar with the physical layout and inhabitants. It is also a social ritual, allowing the dog to locate and identify other dogs in the surrounding area and communicate with them.

A dog’s sense of smell is almost incomprehensibly advanced compared to a human’s and acts as their primary method of understanding and interacting with the world. As such, smell also plays a distinct role in communication with other dogs. Dogs can identify another dog, including its age, gender, and health, by sniffing its waste. This is partly why a dog’s walk and its bathroom habits are so closely related. It’s also why they can be so particular about where they use the bathroom and why they are such avid sniffers. Additionally, have a specific scent gland located on their front paws which is why they may dig into the ground after defecating to further mark the spot.

Dog Walking Tips for Beginners

If you want your pet to enjoy your daily strolls to the fullest, don’t cut it short or hold the leash too tight. Let the dog indulge it’s curiosity and sniff to it’s heart’s content. This not only allows for maximum mental stimulation but also helps in socializing and adapting to the environment. This boosts confidence and reduces stress, which can make your pet happier and more manageable at home. Barking is often about establishing territory and warding off potential threats and familiar scents are less likely to trip this specific alarm trigger.

Try to keep the leash fairly loose and let the dog determine the direction. If you do need to exert some control for the animal’s own safety, try not to pull on the leash. Dogs have an instinctive reflex to push back against pressure from behind and the resulting tug-of-war can end up doing damage to their necks. It can also be stressful, psychologically, as the dog knows it’s being punished but is not sure why or what it should do differently. Using a gentle tug and then rewarding with a looser leash hold can be extremely effective in reinforcing positive behavior while on walks.

Keep Your Dog Hydrated During Walks

Always bring extra water, especially on hot days. While some breeds can go for longer periods of time without water, some dog breeds, especially small dog breeds, can dehydrate very quickly, which can lead to heatstroke and even death. That said, it’s important to keep your dog hydrated.

Dogs have a harder time controlling their body temperature than humans do because of their fur coats. Their primary method for cooling down is panting which is less effective. If you see your dog panting excessively then offer a drink to help it cool down. A water bottle is relatively easy for a dog to drink out of, as long as you hold it, and can be capped and carried without much trouble. It’s also a good idea to check the pavement temperature on hot days to prevent damage to the dog’s feet.

Another great way to keep your dog hydrated on those hot summer days is to feed your dog watermelon. With over 92% of the fruit being composed of water, watermelon is the perfect summer treat for dogs. While watermelon is safe for dogs, you should make sure to not allow your dog to eat the seeds or rind of the watermelon, as they may be difficult for your dog to digest.

5 Ways to Naturally Calm Your Dog

Having a naturally calm pet is not always as easy as it sounds. Many of us find that our furry companions sometimes go through various forms of anxiety related to separation from us, or even lack of mental stimulation. Often times, our pets can go through some pretty serious anxiety issues that require our care and attention!

Helping your pets feel relieved throughout the day can actually be done through the use of a few natural remedies. Some you might have heard of, and others might be new to you, but all in all the goal is to help our furry friends feel more at ease. Our pets deserve to live a happy and healthy life, and just like we experience bouts of anxiety and stress, so do our pets. Sometimes, our pets even feed off of our stress and anxiety! So some of these tips might even be helpful to you as well.

If you’re looking to help maintain your dog’s health by preventing and alleviating stress or anxiety, here’s 5 natural ways to calm your dog.

1. Play Soothing Music

Taking note of the body language your dog gives off when trying to figure out what kind of music he or she likes best is key to this tip being effective. Music is known to help in reducing stress and anxiety, in fact the Scottish SPCA as well as the University of Glasgow did a study a few years back in 2017 that concluded music helps decrease anxiety in dogs.

The key factor in this study is that each dog is different, so what one dog finds soothing might not be the same for another. However, researches concluded that the majority of dogs tested more positively and less anxious when listening to soft rock and reggae music. The idea is that you play this music at a low level, don’t blast it, and your dog will actually begin to take note of the sound. Hopefully this natural remedy helps your furry companion in feeling a little more relaxed throughout the day!

2. Use Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy doesn’t only work for humans – it helps dogs calm down too!

Try placing a few drops of lavender essential oil on your pets bed, or their favorite area to rest in the house. Aromatherapy is helpful to humans in reducing stress and anxiety, but this is also another way to help your pet find a calm space as well. However, keep in mind that you should never place essential oils on your pets, and they should never ingest them. This is only for aroma-therapeutic purposes only, additionally, not every essential oil is safe for dogs. Some oils are toxic to your pets, so do your research before going all out. Lavender is a tried and true method, so if anything just stick to this one!

3. Try Calming Dog Treats

If your pet regularly becomes stressed or anxious, try calming dog treats like Zesty Paws Calming Bites.

While calming dog treats don’t work for all dogs, many owners have reported positive experiences from giving them to their pet.

Calming dog treats contain natural ingredients and supplements that have shown to help reduce stress and alleviate anxiety. Plus, they make great treats.

4. Massage Your Dog

Dogs, like humans, also have pressure points. To train your pet to be a more naturally calm pet try giving them a little massage. You can lightly massage their feet, ears, and top of their heads where their pressure points are located.

Just like when we get massages, this method will naturally alleviate your dog’s anxiety.

5. Groom Your Pets Regularly

Keeping your pets clean and tidy also help them feel cared for and loved. Additionally you can brush your pets each night to help naturally alleviate pet anxiety. This process gives them the satisfaction of being near your and feeling your love while also lowering their stress levels.

How to Transition Your Dog to a New Food

If you’ve ever tried to change from one dog food brand or type to another, you probably ran into a few problems. When you’ve been feeding your dog a certain type of food for a certain amount of time, their body and preferences adapt to that food. Because of this, you should refrain from changing the type of food you feed your dog too often; however, under certain circumstances, it is necessary (eg, the dog food lacks proper nutrients and is making your dog overweight). When you’re in this situation, there is a right way to do it and a wrong way. While the right way is rather straightforward, the wrong way can lead to problems such as diarrhea, vomiting, digestion problems, and your dog refusing to eat his food. None of which is very enjoyable for you or your dog.

To help you avoid those difficulties, we’ve written a simple guide on how to transition your dog to a new food.

When You Should Consider Changing Dog Food Brands

There are a lot of different brands of dog food available in the world, it can be hard to decide which is best for your dog. If you have a certain brand of dog food that you use, but you have noticed that your dog is starting to fall ill, transition your dog to new food.

I know it might seem a bit weird, switching dog food just because your dog is sick. But there is more to it than you think. When a dog gets sick, it is often his nutrition that is making him sick. Either he isn’t getting the vitamins and minerals that he needs, or the amount he was getting is no longer needed and he is getting too much.

Dogs age and change, just like we do. Similarly to how we change our diets periodically, we need to change our dogs diet.

How to Transition Your Dog to a New Food

Like us, dogs can be very picky when changing things, especially when it involves their diet. So, to make the switch seamlessly, make the change in small increments over a period of time. Think about how you would introduce a new food to a baby, you don’t give them a lot of different things at once, you give them a little amount of one food.

This is so you can watch their reaction. If it makes them sick, if they don’t eat all of it, if they start acting weird after eating it, you can catch these signs before they become a problem and you will know that this food is not the food that you should be switching to.

Once you have found a food that works for your , you should still have the old food available for your pup, this way he still has something he can go to if he doesn’t like the new food. And slowly over time, start filling the bowl with the old food less and less and put more in the new food bowl. This will help introduce your dog to the new food. Eventually, he won’t even need the old food anymore.

You should never immediately stop using the food that you usually do, unless there is a recall or the vet specifically tells you that you should no longer be using that brand of food. If you stop using it immediately, it might make your dog react badly to the idea of new food. You should always have something familiar for him to go back to until he is completely comfortable with the new food option that you have picked out for him.

Top 5 Most Popular Small Dog Breeds

Without a doubt, small dog breeds are some of the most popular dogs.

There are many reasons this may be the case. For starters, smaller dogs are more portable, being able to accompany pet owners wherever they may go. These small dog breeds also do well living in limited space. They also have lower food and medication costs as a pet owner does not have to buy as much or get as high of a dose of medication for a smaller dog. There are many wonderful dogs within the small dog breed category, but here are the five most popular.

1. Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkshire Terrier is the classic small dog that is represented in the media by being carried around in the pet owner’s purse or bag. For being so small, Yorkshire Terriers have massive personalities. They are very vocal and will loudly announce any visitor or sudden noise in their home or territory. They love their owners dearly and are very affectionate and loyal companions. They are sure to love adventure, affection, and excitement.

Yorkshire terriers were first introduced in England in the nineteenth century. They are known for their unique, silky, floor length coats. This breed has a long life of fourteen to sixteen years on average.

2. Chihuahua

The chihuahua is a well-known, worldwide dog. Despite their tiny frames, they have larger than life personalities. Chihuahuas are sassy and know it with their tough personalities. They are extremely affectionate and loving towards their owners, and develop a special bond. This does allow for the chihuahua to be anxious about other people, however.

The chihuahua was introduced in Mexico with its ancestors originating to the ninth century. It is known for having short or long coats with many color combinations. The chihuahua can live twelve to twenty years on average.

3. Boston Terrier

The Boston Terrier is one of the most well mannered small dog breeds. It contains an even temper and is loyal and affectionate to its owners. The Boston Terrier is a very cuddling oriented dog and loves to be within the arms of its owner. They also love to play and have energy to go around.

The Boston Terrier was brought into existence in the 1860s and was brought into the United States from the United Kingdom. The dog is known for its short coat and classic black and white look. Boston Terriers live twelve to fourteen years on average.

4. Miniature Schnauzer

The Miniature Schnauzer inhabits the idea of having a tough guy personality. It is overall a friendly dog with loads of energy, but likes people and other dogs to know who is boss. This breed is very protective and loyal to its family. It is very active and shows its personality through its bark.

This breed of dog goes back to fifteenth century Germany. It is known for its classic bearded and gray or black look. Miniature Schnauzers have a life expectancy on average of twelve to fifteen years.

5. Dachshund

The dachshund is one of the most easily recognizable breeds of small dogs. It has many nicknames including wiener dog, hotdog and sausage dog for its long body. Dachshunds are very sweet and loving towards their families but easily become anxious of strangers and other dogs. They are very energetic and protective as well.

This breed of dog originated in Germany in the fifteenth century to be a hunting dog.

They are known for having various sizes and for their long or short coats. Dachshunds live, on average, twelve to sixteen years.

Exclusive Dog Food Review 2020

Exclusive dry dog food is well-known for being a low-price brand of dog food while also offering high quality ingredients that are important to your dog’s health and well-being. The Exclusive brand of dog food has authentic real meat as the number 1 ingredient in each and every one of their dog food formulas. If you are feeling the budget on your purse or wallet like many of us dog owners, then the following dog food formulas should be great for a person on a budget.

Exclusive Dog Food Review

Exclusive currently offers customers 7 various different kinds of dry dog food in the current market today, and 4 of these special kinds meet the AAFCO nutrient requirements. The seven different types of Exclusive dry dog food are:

Exclusive All Life Stages Lamb and Brown Rice
Exclusive Senior Chicken and Brown Rice
Exclusive Healthy Weight Adult
Exclusive Large Breed Puppy
Exclusive Adult Chicken and Brown Rice
Exclusive Puppy Chicken and Brown Rice
Exclusive Large Breed Adult

When looking at the quality of any type of dog food it is vital to take a look at the ingredients on the dog food bag and also on the order in which they seem to appear. Ingredients in general dog food are usually listed by weight most of the time, beginning with the heaviest ones. This simply means that the initial ingredients that are shown should be very high quality since they are considered the most abundant by weight.

Even though some dog food may have some ingredients that are considered somewhat controversial, this does not mean that you should stay away from them, but rather be mindful that if your pet dog has certain issues relevant to their food the cause may be because by some of the ingredients. Do not hesitate to ask your vet if you ever have any questions. Exclusive dog food usually includes barley, brown rice, rice flour, and even corn gluten meal. Also sometimes included in Exclusive dog formulas are Fish meal, some salt, brewers rice, and natural chicken flavor.

So, would you consider Exclusive Dog Food a healthy and smart choice for your dog to eat? All in all, customers who have bought Exclusive dry dog food have had many positive things to mention about the different dog food formulas. One of the main things about this type of dog food formula is that the overall price looks great for this type and brand of dog food. The dog food ingredients are very high quality for the price they are at. If the Exclusive brand of dog food matches your weekly budget better than other dog food brands you have purchased, than it most likely is the best choice to choose from.

Some dogs get anxiety and this can be stressful and upsetting to your precious animal. Thankfully, there are many different and creative ways one can naturally alleviate dog anxiety. Below, you will find 5 helpful and unique ways you can naturally alleviate dog anxiety in your dog. Because belive it or not, dogs go through anxiety just like we humans do. However, the sad thing is unlike human beings, dogs cannot vocally express their times of anxiety like people can. Prescribing medication is a smart option for some, but for others who absolutely resist to force Xanax or other pills on our pet dogs, there are many natural remedies available.

1. Calming Dog Treats

Some chewable doggie snacks like some calming treats, many created by holistic veterinarians, are powerful when given to your dog before something stressful like thunderstorms or car rides. If you’re looking for a great option to try, Zesty Paws Calming Bites come highly recommended and have hundreds of outstanding reviews!

2. CBD Oil For Dogs

CBD oil is also very helpful in many ways too. Only several drops of CBD oil into your dog’s food may help out joint pain, relax tense nerves and even may improve your dog’s heart health. CBD oil can be worth a try if your dog has bad anxiety and it is impacting it’s quality of life.

3. Lavender Oil

Lavender Oil is an easy and natural way to help calm an anxious dog. In fact, lavender is not only a natural de-stressor for dogs but humans as well!

Lavender contains linalool, a fragrant compound that studies have shown can help stimulate calming signals to the brain that can help alleviate stress and anxiety for pets and people.

To help calm down your dog with lavender, drip two drops into the palm of your hands and massage the oil throughout your pet’s coat. The affection and contact will also help your pup feel less stressed.

4. Naturally Calm Dog Down With Music

A very amazing 2017 study showed that certain music actually helped many dogs who were kenneled up to chill out for a good while. Even though the music did not completely stop the dogs from barking, they did spend a great deal of time more lying down rather than running around and being anxious.

5. Doggie Anti-Anxiety Clothing

While many are initially skeptical about anti-anxiety dog clothing such as “thunder shirts,” many have found them to actually help quite significantly.

Did you know that the American Kennel Club’s official Calming Coat for Dogs gently puts careful force to a dog’s chest while the dog wears it? This amazing coat for dogs basically swaddles your pet dog and therefore fortifies a powerful sense of security. The Thundershirt brand produces similar products with various styles and sizing options available.

Why Do Dogs Bark? What to Know About Dog Barking

There are a few answers to the question “Why do dogs bark?” While there are a range of reasons why dogs bark, some with more complex answers, here are a few of the common reasons why dogs bark.

First of all, there are two types of barking: the type of barking when your dog is playing and having fun and the type of barking when your dog is misbehaving. When your dog is barking and having fun, some level of barking is okay and even healthy. When your dog is barking in an aggressive or improper manner, it needs to be addressed.

First off, when in this situation, you do not want to pet your dog and treat him lovingly to try and ease him to stop barking. When owners do this, it gives your dog the physical acknowledgement that barking is okay. Some dogs may even perceive that they are being rewarded for barking.

Some people say that if a dog is barking, it’s because the dog wants you to know that there are bad things going on in its life. This makes sense to me as well. But is that really the case? My experience has been that most dogs bark when they’re bored or annoyed, because it’s fun and they feel like being involved.

Let’s face it, when a dog barks, it’s more than likely to get attention from other people who may be walking by. A cute little doggie is just doing its job!

If you’re using a dog collar to train your dog, there’s a good chance that you’re sending the wrong message. I’ve had several dogs whose master’s leash was too short, so the dog would develop anxiety and start barking. This is a pet owner’s worst nightmare.

The best approach to training your dog is to have a strong leadership position with your dog. If you’re dominant and be the alpha dog in the household, then you should be the alpha dog over the dog. By being the alpha dog, you make the dog take orders from you. And you are the best decision maker.

Dogs also seem to like playing tug-of-war. It’s a good game, so there’s nothing wrong with it. I’ve had dogs that were the center of attention when I played tug-of-war.

Dogs bark when they’re bored or have something to do. And when they don’t have anything to do, they need someone to tell them to stop barking.

Coffee for Dogs: Is It Safe?

Due to the gravity of this question, it’s important to be very direct and to the point.

Coffee for dogs is a bad idea.

Some coffee drinkers, who can’t get through their day, without their morning coffee decide to share some with their dogs. Coffee contains caffeine, and in certain amounts, it can be fatal to dogs.

With that being said, coffee should be kept out of the reach of dogs. No dog athletic or otherwise should be given coffee to drink. No matter how much your dog begs for coffee, do not give in. A few accidental laps of a spilled drop of coffee should not present a problem as long as you wipe up the remainder of the spill.

According to many vets, just 14 mg of caffeine per pound of coffee can cause discomfort for your dog and may lead to health problems. Just one 8 ounce cup of coffee contains 100 mg of caffeine. This amount of caffeine can be very harmful to any dog, and for small dogs 10 pounds and under, it can be fatal.

On that note, to protect your dog’s health you should never allow your dog to consume any amount of coffee.

What To Do If Your Dog Drank Coffee

Now, accidents happen. If your dog drank coffee, you’ll want to act quick.

If you were present when it happened and witnessed your dog drink a large portion of coffee, call your vet immediately. If you were not present and not sure how much coffee your dog consumed, you will want to pay very close attention to your dog and be ready to head to the vet if need be.

In this situation, it is important to be aware of the symptoms that occur when a dog drinks coffee.

Caffeine takes a half an hour to enter the dog’s bloodstream. As soon as the symptoms start to show up, take your dog to the vet as soon as possible. Dogs that have coffee in the system experience diarrhea, tremors, seizures, vomiting, nausea, excessive salivation, restlessness, hyperactivity, elevated heart rate, hypertension, and loss of appetite. What can be done about these symptoms?

The best way to alleviate caffeine poisoning in dogs is to induce vomiting. Vomiting will remove most of the caffeine from his guts. Unless your vet has clearly instructed you on how to do so, do not induce your dog to vomit yourself. Take your dog to your vet. Depending on how much coffee your dog consumed ,your vet may need to administer medication to help slow their heart rate.

Products with Caffeine to Be Cautious With

Caffeine can be found in other products that include tea, tea bags, energy drinks, diet pills, soda, and other carbonated beverages. While soda does not have as much caffeine as coffee, diet pills have more caffeine than any product with caffeine on the market. Just one or two diet pills ingested by dogs can be fatal.

There are absolutely no benefits of caffeine for dogs and you should do everything you can to prevent your dog from consuming coffee.

Dog Obesity and How to Manage Your Dog’s Weight

Are you concerned that your dog is or may possibly be overweight? You’re not alone. Dog obesity is a huge problem in America. According to a 2015 report from the American Kennel Club (AKC), over 50% of the dog population in the United States is overweight. Dog obesity increases the chance of your dog experiencing a variety of health problems and naturally have a shorter lifespan than non-obese dogs.

If your dog is overweight, it is definitely something to be concerned about.

How to Manage Your Dog’s Weight

One of the biggest concerns is that dogs eat too much and when they do, they do not get the exercise or proper nutrients they need. To avoid this, you need to figure out how to manage the dog’s weight. In this article, we’ll discuss a few important things to know about how to manage your dog’s weight.

Pets have special diets designed just for them. There are specialized foods that are meant to help them burn fat. In addition, regularly walking your dog is essential to maintaining proper weight and overall health. Keep these tips in mind when looking for a good weight loss program for your dog.

Pets will have some special dietary needs based on their activity level and breed. One of the best ways to figure out how to manage the dog’s weight is to look into the specific types of foods that your pets need. Some of the important foods to have in your pet’s diet include high protein and fat foods. It is also important to be aware of what your pet may be allergic to. Many dog owners are unaware of this because of the general appearance of a dog’s mouth and teeth.

Dogs need foods with lots of lean protein sources. It is important to give your dog a well-balanced diet that includes protein. If you have a meat-based diet, try to switch to a vegetarian food or one that has no meat. If you are going to give your dog a bone, choose one that is lean and natural.

Prevention is Better than a Cure

The best way to keep your dog safe while it is growing is to make sure it gets plenty of exercise. This will help keep your dog trim. Before buying a treadmill, ask yourself how long you plan to exercise your dog. If you do not plan on exercising for very long, then a treadmill is not necessary.

Since so many people are concerned about their weight and trying to manage their own weight, it is important to know how to manage weight and maintain your dog’s health. You will want to stay aware of how much you are feeding your dog. Eating smaller meals is a great way to make sure your dog stays in shape. These meals should be small but still provide your dog with the nutrients it needs.

Hopefully, these tips on how to manage the dog’s weight will help you in your weight management. Being aware of how to manage the dog’s weight will help you stay away from problems in the future.