1. Where To Begin
2. How To: Determining The Right Dose
3. How To: Administering
4. Chronic vs. Situational Use
5. What To Do If It Isn’t Working
6. Safety

So, you’ve received your bottle of CBD, now you’re probably wondering “Where do I even start?” Well, we are here to help guide you through this process! Let’s start with this introductory video from our Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Zac Pilossoph:

Thanks Dr. Zac! Now, let’s dive into the basics!

CBD Dog Health tinctures are designed to contain the average dose which will be effective for most pets. This is a benchmark dose that works for a majority of cases, however, you may need more or less CBD, depending on a number of factors (we’ll get to those shortly!)

CBD Dog Health tinctures are applied with a dropper that measures one millilitre of oil (ml). You will notice graduated markings on the side of the dropper that allow for accurate dosing below 1 ml. This allows you to be specific with your dosage.

Since we recommend dosage by mg – here is a guide to knowing how many milligrams (mg’s) of CBD are in one dropper of each tincture.

The first thing to do no matter what your pet is suffering from, is spend some time determining their optimal dosage.

Despite common misconceptions, dosing CBD has very little to do with your dog’s size and weight. Dosage is most effectively determined with consideration for each animal’s unique physiological condition and health status.

This includes factors such as:

• Their endocannabinoid system
• Age
• Metabolism
• Disease process
• Current health and wellness status
• Other individual health factors

Learn more about dosing per health condition >>

Unfortunately, there is no “CBD oil for pets dose calculator.”

Until you start your pet on a CBD regimen, there is no way to be sure exactly how they will react. Sensitivity ranges greatly between dogs and can even change over time based on age or chronic illness.

That’s why we recommend a trial and error method to determine the optimal dose for your pet. Start low and go slow as you increase dosage and find a stable regimen, monitoring your pet’s response each step of the way.

BEST PRACTICE – Track their response in a journal!

1. Keep a daily log of the current dose in milligrams(mg).
2. Record some information about how they respond. (Eg. energy levels, mobility, symptom relief, sleep patterns, etc.)
3. Adjust accordingly. We encourage you to be flexible with the dose until you find the right amount for your pet’s specific needs. If you don’t notice any difference, increase the dose until you see results. If your pet appears overly groggy, decrease slightly until you find the perfect balance. (Don’t worry! Some sleepiness id perfectly normal as their system gets used to it).

BEST PRACTICE – Administer tips to remember!

1. Shake the bottle before each use.
2. Apply the oil directly to the gums, or as close as possible. 
3. Wipe the dropper clean after use to prevent contamination. 
4. Store in a cool, dark place.

TIP: When you split your pet’s dose of full spectrum hemp extract (CBD) up into smaller doses throughout the day, you ensure the blood concentration levels stay at a consistent level, allowing for the therapeutic benefits to have an uninterrupted effect throughout the day. 

When administered to the gums, CBD stays in our pets bloodstream for between 6-8 hours, according to a recent study. The study shows that peak concentration occurs around 2 hours after dosing. This is especially helpful for dealing with anxiety, aches and pains, and seizures.

Research shows that the absorption rate and level of CBD available in the bloodstream depends on the mode of administration! Take a look at the chart below to understand how the body responds to different ways of administering CBD:

In most cases, your best bet for a successful outcome when using a full-spectrum hemp extract is with consistent application. For pets with chronic conditions, this is especially true. Much of the effect of CBD is happening below the surface and is not immediately recognizable. You may see immediate results after starting a CBD regimen, but there are long term benefits that only arise with consistent use. 

Conditions where this is the case include (but are not limited to):

• Arthritis
• Cancer and other neoplastic conditions 
• Seizures and Epilepsy
• Cushing’s Disease
• Behavioral Therapy 

There are instances however, where your pet may benefit from a stand alone dose to help with an acute issue. You may already be on a consistent CBD regiment, and just add a little extra for certain situations, or you may only ever need to use CBD for a particular event, rather than everyday. 

Situations where an extra dose, or a stand alone dose may be suitable include:

• Thunderstorm/Firework Anxiety
• Bouts of Increased Pain
• Separation Anxiety 
• Car Rides
• Grooming

Pet parents are often highly concerned that they will give too much CBD and cause harm to their pets. More often than not when a pet is not having the desired reaction, it is because the pet isn’t getting enough for what they need. 

We recommend starting with a relatively low dose, but increasing over time until you reach a stable dose. If you feel nervous about experimenting to find the upper limit of their sensitivity, rest assured, it is completely safe.

Important research shows that hemp extract (CBD) is extremely safe, even at high levels.

The most common (however unlikely) effects you may see are:

• Sleepiness
• Loose stool/diarrhea

Bodily injury as a results of CBD consumption is highly unlikely.