Love it or hate it, barking is the form of communication that all dogs share. As dog owners, we may love hearing the sound of our furry companion’s voice, or we may get irritated because our dog tends to bark throughout the day when we’re trying to concentrate.
Regardless, in many cases, a dog barking is normal. But sometimes, a dog may bark excessively due to uneasiness, aggression, or plain old curiosity. If you have a dog who tends to bark more than your ears can handle, there may be hope thanks to CBD.
What it Means When a Dog Barks
A dog’s bark is their form of verbal communication. Dogs, like many mammals, rely more on physical communication than we do, and their body language can show a wide range of emotions, thoughts, and reactions. But dogs are fairly vocal compared to other mammals as well, and their barks are evidence of that.
Dogs may bark for various reasons:
- When they see another dog.
- When they have a need that isn’t being met.
- When they’re feeling anxious.
- When something just sparks their curiosity.
Some breeds are more prone to barking than others, and some breeds bark very rarely. Knowing your breed’s habits can help you determine what they’re trying to express when they’re barking, and whether or not their excessive barking is normal.
When Barking May Be an Issue
Dogs have unique personalities, just like us. Therefore, in the same way that some of us are just chattier than others, the same applies to dogs. If you have a dog who just likes to vocalize, then you’ve probably figured out that this is a personality quirk rather than a problem.
But, sometimes, excessive barking can indicate something deeper that’s going on. For example, dogs tend to bark when they’re stressed out. Therefore, a dog who is barking constantly may be trying to communicate to you that a situation in their environment is a constant source of stress. Similarly, relentless barking can indicate some form of physical pain that they want you to pay attention to.
One way to determine whether or not your pup’s barking is normal is to ask yourself when the barking became excessive. If your dog has always been very vocal, then you may have nothing to worry about. But, if your dog has only recently started barking a lot more than usual, then this may mean that there’s been a recent change in their life that requires your attention.
How Excessive Barking is Usually Treated and Managed
If you have a feeling that your dog’s barking is abnormal, then you should bring them to a veterinarian to see if there is anything going on with their health that could indicate some sort of issue. You should also be able to explain to them any other possible symptoms that may be occurring which may be related to the barking, to help narrow things down.
Barking in of itself isn’t a condition, and so the vet will not seek to make the barking stop. Rather, they will try to address the underlying cause of the barking, whether it’s related to a change in their routine such as a new dog who lives next door, or a condition like anxiety that causes your dog to be constantly hypervigilant, resulting in more barking than what’s considered normal.
Using CBD for Excessive Barking: Can it Help?
Cannabidiol is the leading compound in the hemp plant, which is the non-psychoactive member of the cannabis genus. CBD is also a cannabinoid, which means that it has the unique ability to provide a regulatory effect on every bodily system via cannabinoid receptors found in every organ and tissue. When cannabinoids bind to these receptors, bodily processes become regulated in a way that can promote equilibrium throughout the body. [Source]
What that means in terms of your dog’s barking is that CBD may be able to calm the part of the brain that is overactive, which is causing your canine to bark excessively. CBD has widely been studied for its calming effects on the brain which derive from its ability to control the amount of cortisol that is released. Cortisol is the hormone responsible for activating the stress response, and dogs may bark more when they are experiencing stress.
Giving Your Dog CBD to Reduce Barking
If you would like to give your dog CBD for their barking, it’s imperative that you first speak with your veterinarian. Your dog’s vet will consider their medical history, current symptoms, and possible medications that they are taking to determine whether or not CBD is right for them. From there, they can attempt to help you come up with a routine that’s the most likely to be effective.
It's important that you only purchase a CBD product made for dogs. Besides the fact that many CBD products that are safe for humans contain ingredients that can be toxic to dogs, our pets’ smaller bodies mean that lower milligram strengths are appropriate. Companies that make dog-friendly CBD products offer guides on how much CBD to give them based on their body weight.
We know that CBD is the most useful when it’s administered daily, so try to be consistent with their hemp routine. Also, make sure that you choose a product that appeals to them so that giving it to them is as easy as possible.
Final Dog Barking Thoughts
If your dog’s barking is becoming something of an issue, you might want to look into giving them CBD. Of course, before you do, make sure that you speak to your vet, and find a formula that’s suitable for them. At Chill Paws, we offer a wide array of dog-friendly hemp-based products.
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