With more people staying at home, pet rescues across the country saw a monumental spike in pet adoption and foster applications.
While this surge in adoptions is exciting for furry friends, with many people becoming first time rescue pet owners, they’re likely to find out that rescue pets have distinct needs and personalities that aren’t always the easiest to manage.
Many rescue pets have lived confined in cages with nowhere to call home, and unfortunate conditions like these can lead to a whole host of undesirable behaviors. The adjustment period in a new home can be difficult, but thanks to CBD and consistent training your new family member can adjust with love, patience understanding and time.
FIVE MOST COMMON BEHAVIORAL ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH RESCUES
Separation Anxiety: Now that you have rescued your pet, they do not want you to leave them alone. It's understandable to want to put them in their crate before leaving the house. However, this confinement could trigger a greater anxiety response from your rescue.
Aggression: Many rescue pets had to grow up in conditions that taught them they needed to fend for themselves. They might be fiercely protective over their food, toy, property or family.
Fearfulness: Your rescue may have endured abuse or neglect. Some rescue pets can develop specific phobias surrounding people that may look like past abusers.
Potty Training: Many rescue pets have never stepped foot inside of a home, so naturally, there’ll be an adjustment period as they figure out the correct place to use the restroom. Additionally, a new environment is always stressful, and stress can trigger behaviors like going to the restroom inside.
Destructive Behavior: Destructive behavior is a symptom of anxiety. Your rescue cat may decide to tear up a certain spot of carpet to expel pent up anxiety or your dog may chew on the remote, but they’re telling you the same thing: I’M ANXIOUS and I don't know how to deal with it!
HOW DOES CBD HELP RESCUE DOGS?
Sadly, so many behaviors that rescue pets exhibit come from past events. There’s evidence to support that aggression, destructive behavior, and fearfulness all stem from a common source of anxiety. Perhaps your pet was abused or only slept outside, it makes sense that trusting their new environment is safe will naturally bring out a whole myriad of undesirable behaviors.
It’s incredibly important to be patient with your pet during this time, and to lean on tools like CBD with consistent training practices. CBD interacts with the Endocannabinoid System to help calm the intensity of stress and anxiety.
WHAT IS THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM?
The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) exists in all mammalian bodies as the system regulator. This system is designed to keep the body’s of humans, dogs, cats, horses, and more, within a range of healthy function. By helping to regulate the body, this system contributes to both physical and mental well-being. Simply put, when you or your pet take CBD, it signals the cannabinoid receptors to respond and bind to endocannabinoids (created by the body) and cannabinoids (from the hemp plant). When the receptors in the body bind with these cannabinoids, they help our bodies establish establish balance.
DOES CBD HELP RESCUE PETS?
If your rescue pet is excessively fearful, cautious, aggressive, or hyperactive, they are likely suffering from ongoing effects of their previous situation. When your rescue pet lived in an unsafe inconsistent environment, it caused exteme stress that likely changed their brain chemistry, similar to humans when we go through stressful periods. CBD may help calm overactivity (their fight or flight safety system developed) and help bring a greater sense of balance. Here are more of the reasons why CBD can be a helpful tool.
Environmentally Induced Stress: These stressors can come in a lot of different forms: fireworks, thunderstorms, car rides, vet visits, separation anxiety, etc. CBD can be a powerful mood balancing tool to help combat the stress induced in these situations. Coupled with behavioral training tactics, overtime pets can see improvements.
Mental Balance: If your rescue is prone to aggressive behaviors ot hyperactivity; both reactions result from a overactive amygdala, the center of the brain that produces the anxiety response. CBD partnered with destraction training techniques may help your pet experience a greater sense of calm, leading them towards a more relaxed and centered demeanor.
Health & Wellness: If you adopted a senior or a dog that has been heavily phyically abused, they might be experiencing aches and pains (which may be the genesis of the negative behaviors). CBD can help support a healthy inflammatory response; which provides holistic pain relief for your new furry family member.
HOW TO USE CBD FOR RESCUES
There are so many option; make sure you take your pets behaviors and needs in consideration when selecting the product that is right for your family. From treats to oil and everything in-between; make sure the product you purchase is 3rd party tested and produced organically within the 🇺🇸 USA.
CBD Pet Tinctures (oil) are good options for less fussy, easy going pets. They can be administer orally or added to your pet's favorite treat. When administer orally, aim towards the back of the mouth to aviod product loss, and ensure it is being ingested.
CBD Capsules are a ideal option for dogs with extreme anxiety or distrust; or for rescues with medical conditions like seizure disorders.
CBD Dog Treats are the ultimate option for food motivated pets. They can be purchased in crunchy or soft options; and are generally loved by dogs.
CBD Peanut Butter is a great option for dogs with situational anxiety like fireworks or thunderstorms; as it allows CBD to be given even when the pet is in the middle of aanxiety attack.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Adopting a new family member may come with some initial challenges; but patience, love and understanding will eventually be rewarded with unconditional love for years to come. CBD combined with behaviora training can help your new pet transition from a potentially negative situation to their new home with their new family! And if they are lucky, they will feel safe enough to be a dog again.