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anxious and calm dog

New Research Reveals: Anxious Dogs Have Different Brains

New Research Reveals: Anxious Dogs Have Different Brains

Neuroimaging Research On Canine Anxiety:

Researchers at Ghent University in Belgium used neuroimaging to study the brains of anxious and non-anxious dogs.

Their findings suggest that anxious dogs have measurable differences in their brains compared to non-anxious dogs.

The researchers used a technique called functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to scan the brains of 25 anxious dogs and 25 non-anxious dogs. fMRI allows researchers to see how different parts of the brain are activated when an animal is performing a task or experiencing an emotion.


Anxious Dogs Process Information Differently

  • The researchers found that anxious dogs had increased activity in the amygdala, a region of the brain that is involved in processing fear and anxiety.

  • They also found that anxious dogs had decreased activity in the hippocampus, a region of the brain that is involved in memory and learning.

  • According to the researchers, anxious dogs have a faster pathway to their brain's 'anxiety-circuit' as compared to normal dogs. 

These findings suggest that anxious dogs have a different way of processing fear and anxiety than non-anxious dogs.

Which also helps to explain why anxious dogs are more likely to exhibit behaviors such as excessive barking, whining, and pacing. And why they are so hard to train as compared to non-anxious dogs. 

Such differences in brain activity also explains why it's so hard to 'out-train' their anxiety and many dog owners have rely on harsh anxiety medication to get their dogs in a calm and 'trainable' state.

The brains of anxious dogs are literally self-sabotaging any progress, and they often struggle to overcome in-grained behaviours of anxiety. 

Anxious Dog Barking


Why This Is Important & Promising

This research is important because it provides new insights into the neurobiology of canine anxiety. It also suggests that there may be a biological basis for anxiety in dogs. 

Researchers likened the brains of anxious dogs to be similar to that of humans having anxiety disorder, and that's important - because it should really change the way we look at canine anxiety... 

So many dog parents may even blame themselves or dismiss their dog's anxiety as 'bad behaviour'...

Imaging telling a person suffering with anxiety disorder that he/she is misbehaving. How ludicrous is that? 

Likewise, as research dives deeper into the topic of canine anxiety, it's important that dog parents start to really relook at how we treat this problem. 


How To Help Your Dog's Anxiety Naturally

A study published in the journal "Frontiers in Veterinary Science" found that CBD oil was effective in reducing anxiety in dogs.

The study found that dogs who were given CBD oil showed a significant decrease in anxiety-related behaviors, such as pacing, whining, and destructiveness.

Another study, published in the journal "Veterinary Record", found that CBD oil was effective in reducing anxiety in dogs with noise phobia. The study found that dogs who were given CBD oil showed a significant decrease in anxiety-related behaviors, such as barking, trembling, and hiding, when exposed to loud noises.

These studies suggest that CBD oil may be a safe and effective natural remedy for anxiety in dogs. Here are some additional benefits of using CBD oil for dogs with anxiety:

  • CBD oil is non-toxic and has no known side effects.
  • CBD oil is a natural remedy that does not contain any harmful chemicals or additives.
  • CBD oil can be used in conjunction with other treatments for anxiety, such as behavior modification and medication.
  • CBD oil is a safe and effective way to help dogs with anxiety live a more comfortable and relaxed life.

This is why, increasingly, dog owners are turning to the natural solution of CBD Oil to help their dogs remain calm as they train them.

CBD Happy-Furever Oil™

Find out how this CBD Happy-Furever Oil™ is helping thousands of dogs overcome anxiety.

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