Winter is supposed to be a jolly season, but not everyone feels this way. Many people view it as the perfect time to cozy up with their favorite blankets and a mug full of hot chocolate. However, dogs may not share the same enthusiasm, as for many of them, winter equals limited opportunities to spend time outside. Their daily walks are likely to get shorted and, when heavy snowfall comes, can even get reduced to the bare minimum necessary to take care of their needs.
The winter is coming, and if you’ve noticed that the changes in temperature have already started to affect your pup, you don’t have to sit around and watch its sad face. Instead, you can try to make this cold and dreary time a bit easier for them with the help of various natural solutions, including CBD. There are plenty of CBD products dedicated to pets, ranging from treats to topicals and oils.
Here’s what you should know about them.
CBD Treats
Administering CBD can be challenging even for people, so if you want a worry-free way to give your dog some CBD, treats infused with this substance will be an excellent choice. There are many different types of such treats available on the market. All you need to do is google phrases like “dogs CBD chews” and find something that fits your pup’s preferences.
To make sure your dog wants the treats, look for those with quality meat, fruit, and vegetables, depending on what it likes most. You can also try treats made with just CBD extract, but bear in mind that not every dog will enjoy the distinct, slightly bitter taste of CBD. Still, if you add it to their regular bowl of food, they may not even notice it yet still get their daily dose of CBD.
However, you need to be careful when giving your dog CBD treats. If they get excited and start begging for more, it’s essential you don’t exceed the recommended amount of treats.
CBD Oil
CBD oil can also work brilliantly in times when your pet is not as joyful as it would normally be if the weather outside weren’t cold and damp. It’s a convenient and fast-acting product that’s easy to dose since it usually comes in a bottle with a handy dropper applicator. Still, this doesn’t change the fact that you may need to get a bit creative when trying to give your dog CBD oil.
It’s essential that you first determine the right dosage. Read the instructions provided by the manufacturer and consult with the vet to ensure you won’t go overboard by accident.
When it comes to administering CBD to your dog, you can either try to apply a few drops of the oil under its tongue, but this may not work if your pet is particularly energetic or doesn’t like when someone touches its mouth. In such a case, you can try adding CBD to their food or water bowl. This way, the dog won’t even know about CBD and will unknowingly devour the CBD-infused food or water.
CBD Topicals
Another way to allow your dog to experience the benefits of CBD is to apply topical products to their skin or fur. You can find salves, creams, lotions, or sprays which were developed with pets and their needs in mind.
Most topicals come in bottles that make it easy to squeeze the product out of the package. This will help make the process of applying the CBD topical easier and much less stressful for both you and your pup. Most of them work in a similar way, so you don’t have to search far and wide for the right one.
Some dogs may feel irritated by strong scents, so your best bet is to get an unscented product or opt for one that dogs tend to enjoy. For instance, studies found that dogs prefer scents of blueberry, blackberry, mint, rose, and lavender.
CBD Capsules
Last but not least, you can also try giving your dog CBD capsules. This can be a great way to avoid the bitter taste of CBD while ensuring that you give your dog a highly precise dose of CBD. All your pup needs to do is swallow the capsule just like any other pill. If they have trouble swallowing, you can also squeeze the extract out of the capsule into their food.
Still, it may be a good idea to talk with your vet before giving your pet any pills. They will help you determine whether your pup should take capsules and advise you on how many pills the dog should take.
Bear in mind that capsules may not work well for every dog. If yours doesn’t want to take them, don’t force it to do so. With so many different methods of administration, you can simply settle on another one.
In Conclusion
As you can see, CBD can work as a great addition to your dog’s routine, especially during the winter, when they may not get as much physical activity as they’re used to and simply feel down due to cold weather and short days.
If your pet doesn’t mind the taste of CBD, you can give them CBD oil. Offering them CBD capsules can also be a great solution, provided your pup can deal with a pill that may be quite big. CBD topicals can be a great solution and, as an added bonus, keep your dog’s skin and fur looking pristine. Dog treats infused with CBD can be a delicious way to enrich your dog’s diet and give them something delicious to look forward to each day.
