Seeing your dogs wallowing in depression is something nobody wants to experience. Unfortunately, depression is a condition that affects most dogs. A 2013 study revealed that one in four dogs have depression. And when it affects your dog, it will become inactive and stop participating in things it once enjoyed.

However, there are several ways you can help your depressed dog. And getting good CBD is an excellent way to make a depressed canine friend happy again, here you may refer to some CBD reviewed by Kimberly Langdon, MD.

It's easy to know if your dog is depressed. For instance, if your canine friend that always enjoys going on a long hike, beaches, and dog parks suddenly lacks enthusiasm in these activities, it's a sign that your dog is wallowing in depression. And you should take a proactive step to help your dog; otherwise, the situation could degenerate.

Other Signs of Depression in Dogs are

Sleeping More Often than Usual

When your dog sleeps more often than usual, you should take it to the veterinarian. It may be battling depression. Depression always affects your dog's sleeping habits and activity levels.

A happy dog is always very active, spends less time sleeping and more time awake. But if the reverse is the case of your canine friend, you don't need a soothsayer to know that your dog is going through depression.

They Eat More or Eat Less

Depression can either make your dogs eat less or eat more. And whichever be the case, it's not healthy for your canine friend. If your dog eats less, it will result in massive weight loss. Similarly, if it eats more, it will result in severe weight gain.

Once you see severe weight loss or weight gain in your dog, you should immediately consult a veterinarian. Your lovely dog may be battling severe depression.

Let me remind you that untreated depression can affect your dog's physical and mental wellbeing.

Causes of Depression in Dogs

Several factors may trigger depression in your dog, but here are the common causes;

  • Phobia-oriented fears
  • Changes in your living arrange
  • Heartbreak and Loss
  • Side effects of other physical ailments
  • Bringing another pet into the family
  • Boredom due to lack of exercises or activities
Surprisingly, dogs are unique and are the only creatures that love their owners more than themselves. So, your dog tends to pick up your emotions.

How Does CBD Oil Help With Dogs’ Depression

According to Healthcanal, CBD oil helps to treat depression in dogs by stimulating certain serotonin receptors in their brains. It works just like Prozac and Paxil.

It prevents the absorption of serotonin and increases its production. And this makes serotonin flood your dog's brain. And when this happens, it improves your dog's mood and makes it happier.

Interestingly, CBD oil also stimulates the growth of your dog's grey cells by increasing the hippocampus's size. Hippocampus is an essential part of mammals' brain that plays a vital role in cognition and memory.

How Much CBD Oil Should I Give to My Depressed Dog?

This is the first question most dog owners ask before administering CBD oil to their depressed pet. Well, the dosage of cannabidiol oil a depressed dog takes depends on the dog's size, weight, and potency of the CBD oil.

Like I mentioned earlier, once your dog starts taking CBD oil, the compound will regulate your pet's serotonin level. It will also stimulate your dog's appetite, improve sleep, and, more importantly, provide a calming effect. This will naturally make your dog lively and happy again.

Ideally, you should start with administering CBD infused dog treats to your canine friend. And the recommended feeding for CBD dog treats is; 1pc for dogs of 10lbs or less, 2pcs for dogs of 10 - 25 lbs, 3pcs for 26-50lbs, and 4pcs of treats for dogs of 50 lbs and more.

However, if you decide to administer CBD oil for your dog, here's the recommended dosage according to your dog's weight;

If your dog weighs between 5pounds and 10pounds, administer about 0.25mg to 1mg CBD oil per day.

Again, if your dog weighs between 11 and 20 pounds, give about 0.5mg to 2mg of CBD oil per day.

For dogs that weigh between 21 and 40 pounds, you should administer 1mg to 4mg of cannabidiol oil per day. If your dogs weigh about 61 to 80 pounds, you should administer 2mg to 6mg of CBD oil per day.

However, it's advisable to discuss with your veterinarian to advise you on the dosage that's perfect for your dog's condition.