All images courtesy of Happy Hounds CBD.
What if we could elevate our pet’s health with the power of nature? Enter Rianna Young, founder of Happy Hounds CBD. Her groundbreaking company is on a mission to transform pet care with premium CBD dog treats, tinctures, and balms.
Happy Hounds focuses on natural ingredients and empowers pet parents with the tools they need to enhance their furry companions’ lives. This includes lab-tested treats and tinctures designed to promote wellness, reduce anxiety, and enhance mobility.
In the following Q&A, we chatted with Happy Hounds CBD founder and CEO Rianna Young to delve deeper into her inspiring journey and the innovative products that are changing the lives of pets and their owners.
The Emerald Magazine: Your childhood dog, Angel, played a pivotal role in the creation of Happy Hounds. How has her experience inspired your journey into pet wellness and CBD products?
Rianna Young (RY): When my beloved Jack Russell, Angel, was struck by a car, it was one of the hardest moments of my life. Her hind legs were broken, even with the vets’ best efforts, the traditional medications didn’t give her the relief she deserved. Watching her become a shadow of her lively, spirited self—either groggy or completely knocked out—was heartbreaking. That’s when our veterinarian recommended trying CBD in small, controlled amounts.
While there was no CBD tailored to pets’ needs in the early 2000s—that moment sparked a deep desire in me to find natural, effective solutions for dogs like Angel. It was this experience that ultimately inspired me to found Happy Hounds. We are on a mission to help pets thrive and I am dedicated to creating wellness products without the side effects of harsh medications that dogs and cats will actually enjoy.
Emerald: Many pet owners are curious about CBD. What are the key benefits of using CBD for pets, and how can it help with issues like anxiety and joint pain?
RY: As more pet owners look for natural ways to care for their furry companions, CBD is quickly becoming a go-to solution. It’s not just a trend—current research and countless success stories show that CBD dog treats and other supplements for pets offer effective relief for common issues like anxiety, joint pain, seizures, and digestive health.
One of the most exciting things about our CBD pet products is how well they work with the natural biology of dogs and cats. CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which exists in all mammals, including dogs and cats. The ECS is a network of receptors in the brain, organs, and body that help to maintain balance (homeostasis) in things like mood, pain, and immune response.
When your pets take a CBD treat or tincture, it stimulates these receptors, which can quiet overactive signals in the brain and body. This makes Happy Hound Calm soft-chews very helpful for dogs experiencing anxiety, reactivity, or fear of fireworks or loud noises. CBD Dog Treats relax the stress signals that cause anxiety.
For joint pain, incorporating CBD in a daily regimen can help lower inflammation, which causes pain and stiffness, especially in senior pets or those with arthritic joint pain. It’s like giving their natural systems a little boost and their ECS is incredibly responsive, which means they can experience pain-relieving benefits.
CBD is also part of a growing movement towards holistic pet care, which is seeing huge demand as more people want to help their pets thrive naturally. At Happy Hounds, we’re proud to be at the forefront of this change, offering products that not only address your pet’s wellness but provide an opportunity for pet owners to improve their pets’ quality of life with safe, effective, and natural care.
Emerald: How do you ensure that your Calm + CBD Pet Care products are safe and effective for pets? Can you walk us through your formulation process?
RY: At Happy Hounds, the safety and well-being of your pets is our top priority. That’s why our Calm + CBD Pet Care products are manufactured in a certified Good Manufacturing Practices facility in New York, ensuring that every step of the production process meets the highest standards for quality and safety.
To further guarantee the effectiveness and consistency of our products, we undergo rigorous third-party laboratory testing. This means that an independent lab verifies the purity and potency of our ingredients, giving our pupstomers peace of mind.
In addition to third-party testing, we’re deeply involved in every stage of production. From spot-checking batches to maintain consistency, our commitment to transparency and hands-on oversight ensures that every product we offer is something we would confidently give to our own pets because I actually do.
By focusing on safety, efficacy, and integrity, we’re proud to deliver pet care products that help your furry friends thrive naturally.
Emerald: What kind of concerns do Happy Hounds products address?
RY: Our Calm line is formulated to address key wellness concerns that pets commonly face, such as anxiety, joint pain, inflammation, seizures, and skin + coat care.
For example, our Calm + Joint treats are formulated to support mobility issues, which are particularly common in older dogs. Recognizing that many rescue dogs struggle with chewing or have dental health concerns, we made sure our treats are softer and more flavorful to make them easier to enjoy and effective in delivering the relief pets deserve.
Emerald: What information do you provide to help pet owners make informed decisions about using CBD?
RY: At Happy Hounds, we believe that educating pet owners is key to making informed decisions about using CBD for their pets’ wellness. To support this, we provide a range of resources across different platforms. Through our email newsletter and social media channels, we regularly share tips, research insights, and real-life success stories. We also make it a priority to engage with our community—whether it’s speaking with pet parents at pop-up events, responding to direct messages, or gathering feedback on our products.
In addition, we’ve partnered with a no-force dog trainer to craft expert advice and articles, which we share on the Happy Pets Blog. This gives pet parents a reliable source of information on how CBD can benefit their pets for issues like anxiety, joint pain, and more.
Emerald: Your site mentions the negative side effects of long-term traditional medications for Angel. How do your products differ in terms of their impact on a pet’s personality and overall well-being?
RY: If you talk to enough dog trainers, walkers, and pet professionals, you’ll quickly realize that there’s a growing reliance on pharmaceutical sedatives for pets, much like the opioid crisis we’ve seen in humans. Medications like Trazodone are becoming alarmingly common for treating everything from anxiety to hyperactivity, often leaving pets in a state that’s more comatose than calm. At Happy Hounds, we’ve made it our mission to offer a natural, effective alternative.
Our CBD products are designed to support your pet’s well-being without stripping away their personality. We’re focused on helping pets feel more balanced and relaxed, not sedated. By using human-grade, vet-approved ingredients, to elevate your pet’s long-term health and wellness, naturally.
Emerald: How do different pet temperaments influence their response to CBD products?
RY: Just like people, every pet has its own unique personality and needs. At Happy Hounds, we know that no two pets are the same, which is why we take these differences into account when crafting our products.
Rescue dogs and cats often come with a history of trauma, neglect, or mistrust, which can show up in both physical and behavioral ways. They may struggle with anxiety or have trouble interacting with humans and other animals, but they still deserve all the love and support we can give.
That’s why we’re proud to partner with over 10 rescue organizations supporting their efforts through donations, events, raffles, and other collaborations. By working with animal rescue groups, we help raise awareness of their missions and provide direct support to pets in need. Our goal is to help rescues with difficult pasts feel safe, comfortable, and confident as they transition into their forever homes.
Emerald: What are your aspirations for Happy Hounds in the coming years? Are there any new products or initiatives on the horizon that you’re excited about?
RY: In the coming years, I want Happy Hounds on the shelves of pet stores, dispensaries, and even big box retailers across the country.
We’re also developing new products to meet the evolving needs of pets and their owners. Whether it’s expanding our line of specialized calming care for pets to launching new initiatives, we’re committed to staying at the forefront of pet wellness.
Looking ahead, we’re also excited about expanding into new areas. We’re developing products specifically for cats, as well as exploring formulations for digestion that combine probiotics and CBD. Additionally, we’re working on senior formulas that include joint-supporting ingredients like chondroitin. Our goal is to continually innovate and offer holistic solutions that cater to pets’ unique needs at every stage of life.
Emerald: For pet owners who are considering trying CBD for the first time, what advice would you offer them to ensure a positive experience for their furry friends?
RY: For pet owners considering CBD for the first time, my biggest piece of advice is: start low and go slow. When introducing CBD to your pet, begin with a small dose and give it time to build up in their system. It can take around two weeks to see the full benefits, so be patient and observe how your pet responds.
It’s also important to focus on consistency. While some pet parents try a variety of things all at once to relieve their pet’s stress or have no idea where to start, it’s better to take a simpler, natural approach. By sticking with a consistent CBD routine, you’ll be able to more clearly see how it helps with anxiety, pain, or other issues.
Lastly, choose high-quality CBD products from trusted sources. Look for those that undergo third-party testing to ensure safety, effectiveness, and customer reviews.
Emerald: If you could create a dream product for pets that doesn’t exist yet, what would it be and why?
RY: It would be a long-lasting, single-ingredient CBD chew that offers both enjoyment and calming effects in one. Imagine a chew that not only keeps your dog entertained for extended periods but is also perfectly dosed to reduce anxiety as needed. While this would be a game-changer for pet parents who want peace of mind while they’re away, the challenge lies in balancing a natural, long-lasting chew with consistent CBD delivery. It’s a big dream, but I believe it’s possible.
Emerald: Where can we keep up with Happy Hounds? Are there any special promotions or events now or in the near future?
RY: As the holiday season approaches, Happy Hounds has a lineup of exciting events and offerings that pet parents won’t want to miss.
We’re working with breed-specific dog meet-ups, where you can bring your furry friend to socialize with others of their kind. It’s a great way to share tips with other owners while letting your pets enjoy some much-needed playtime. And with Halloween and the holidays around the corner,it’s always a highlight to see dogs strutting their spooky stuff in cute costumes.
Be sure to keep up with us on social media: @happyhoundscbd and to check out what could be helpful for your pup, check out HappyHoundsCBD.com and subscribe and save to our weekly newsletter to get the latest tips and tools for happier, healthier pets.
Don’t miss our limited-edition holiday bundles, perfect for gifting, along with restocks of our most popular treats and extra-strength Calm Drops. Whether you’re treating your pet or spreading some holiday cheer, Happy Hounds has something special for every pet parent!
Leave a Reply