CBD Dosage for Dogs, Cats and Horses

CBD is widely and safely used by countless pet parents to support wellness in dogs and cats.

Based on available research and clinical observation, CBD is generally well-tolerated by most pets, even when given in larger amounts than needed.

The most commonly reported responses are mild and temporary, such as:

• Drowsiness or sleepiness
• Loose stool or temporary digestive upset

These effects are uncommon and usually only occur if a pet receives more CBD than it can process.

Each animal is different, so your pet’s response may depend on its age, health, sensitivity, and the way you give the CBD.

Our CBD for pets is tested by independent labs to make sure it is safe, high-quality, and consistent.

If you are introducing CBD to your pet for the first time, begin with a small amount and slowly increase it as needed, depending on how your pet reacts. This gentle approach helps avoid any stomach upset.

If you have questions or concerns, reach out to our amazing customer service team, we have experienced and knowledgeable vet techs on our team, ready to help you with all of your CBD dosing questions.

Yes, of course if your pet needs more longterm support, CBD can be a helpful part of a daily wellness routine.

Sticking to a consistent, regular routine with FSHE CBD for pets may be especially useful for:

• Mobility and joint comfort
• Nervous system health
• Immune and inflammatory balance
• Calm & Emotional balance
• Seasonal support
• Overall wellness

We recommend splitting daily doses of CBD for pets into 2-3 doses per day, rather than just one larger dose daily.

Giving your pet smaller amounts of CBD oil several times a day, rather than one larger dose daily, can help keep hemp extract levels steadier in their system.

Dosing this way can help support your pet’s immune balance and overall wellness for a longer period.

Applying CBD oil directly to your pet’s gums helps it absorb better through the mouth. Research shows that CBD stays active in the bloodstream for about 6 to 8 hours, reaching its highest level around 2 hours after dosing.

Knowing this can be helpful when planning your pet’s routine, like how far in advance to give your pet CBD oil situationally.

Some pets might benefit from more situational support instead of daily use.

Some pets might only need extra support when they're stressed in certain situations, like thunderstorms, fireworks, car rides, time apart or trips to the vet or groomer.

Some pets need situational immune and inflammatory support, like during seasonal or environmental triggers.

Many pet owners use CBD oil for pets in these situations.

CBD for pets can be especially helpful for:

• Noise sensitivity during storms or fireworks
• Separation-related unease when left alone
• Travel stress from car rides or new environments
• Grooming or veterinary appointments
• Excitability during changes in routine or crowded spaces

Some pets do best with both daily CBD for overall wellness and a little extra support situationally, during stressful moments.

If your pet already takes CBD regularly, you can give a bit more when needed to help keep them calm, or comfortable, without changing their daily routine.

If your pet only needs the extra support during these moments, you can absolutely just use CBD on those days, though it's best to give ahead of time, at least 15-20 minutes ahead, or up to an hour ahead of time, if you anticipate a situational trigger.

No matter if you use CBD every day or just for certain situations, it’s important to be consistent and pay attention to what your pet needs. Begin with a small amount, watch how your pet responds, and adjust as needed to help them feel their best.

How You Give Your Pet CBD Matters!

Studies show that the way you give your pet CBD, like putting it directly on their gums or mixing it with food or just rubbing into their ears or paw pads, that all affects how well their body absorbs and uses it.

For best absorption, the best way to give your pet CBD is to put it right on their gums. Just lift the lip and using the dropper, drop the CBD oil directly to their gum line. This helps it absorb quicker, going through their mucous membranes, and skipping the digestive system. It’s our preferred way to support daily wellness with the highest CBD bioavailability.

You can also give your pet CBD oil with their food or treats. This works well for pets who may not like having their mouth handled or who just don’t like the oral administration. It may take longer to work (as it makes its way through the digestive system), but many pet parents have shared they find it easier to keep up a daily CBD routine.

If you can’t give your pet CBD oil orally at all, you can gently rub it on the inside of their ear flap, massage into the soft, hairless area of the pinna. Although this method may not be as effective, it can be helpful if your pet is sensitive to the other options.

While every pet is different, understanding how CBD typically behaves in the body can help you find the best approach for your dog or cat.

Is your pet ok with dosing directly to the gums or will they need it given with food, what times will they need the most support, these are all questions to consider.

We know dosing CBD for dogs and cats can sometimes be tricky for countless reasons, and particularly difficult if your dog or cat isn’t a fan of the dropper itself!

Here are some tips to hopefully make dosing CBD oil for dogs and cats an easier, stress-free part of your pet’s daily wellness routine:

1. Try a Spoon or Your Finger

If the dropper is spooking your pet, try a spoon or your finger instead! Dab a little CBD on a clean finger or spoon, and gently touch it to your pet’s gums or inner cheek. Some pet parents also try dipping their spoon or finger in something their pet already enjoys first, like bone broth, before giving the CBD.

2. Make the Dropper More Appealing

If they’re not scared of the dropper, but not particularly interested either, try adding a drop of something yummy, like pumpkin or broth, to the outside of the dropper. Let your dog or cat sniff or lick it to help them associate the dropper with positive experiences. Just be sure to always clean your dropper thoroughly before putting it back in the bottle!

3. Calm and Routine

Choose a calm, consistent time to give your pet their CBD, maybe after a walk, after meals, or before bed. Including it in a grooming or brushing routine can help it become a regular part of their day. A positive routine helps them be more comfortable and also helps you keep up a consistent daily CBD routine.

4. Apply to Cheeks or Lips

If dosing CBD directly on the gums is difficult, try applying it to the inside of your pet’s cheeks or lips instead. These areas also contain mucous membranes that can help absorb the hemp quickly.

5. Use a Syringe for Better Control

You can also use a small oral syringe (no needle of course!) to help apply your pets CBD gently along the gums. Check out our Bottle Dosing Adapter Kit if you’d like to try dosing CBD with an oral syringe, the kit works for both 1 oz and 2 oz bottles, and includes a 1mL oral syringe and a self sealing dosing adaptor.

6. Positive Reinforcement

Remember to keep your pet’s CBD routine positive! Reward your pet with praise, affection, or a favorite treat after each successful dosage to reinforce that positive experience. If your pet is new to droppers, you can even let them get used to seeing the dropper or syringe before you try using it, helping them build up their comfort and confidence.

7. Wrap for Security

If your pet is squirmy, and you’re finding it hard to get them to stay still long enough to dose them, you can try gently wrapping them in a towel or blanket to help them feel more secure. Remember to stay calm and to keep the environment and experience relaxed so they’ll remember it as a positive experience!

💡 Pro Tip: If despite the tips, applying CBD oil directly to your pet’s gums just isn’t working, it’s ok to dose differently! You can always try giving your pet CBD with food or treats. Just know it may take a little longer to absorb, as it goes through your pets digestive system. But many pet parents find it helps them keep up a more consistent CBD routine, which is the most important thing!

The first step when you’re introducing CBD for pets is finding your pet’s optimal dose.

Many people think size or weight is the only factor, but that isn’t always true.

The best CBD routine for your dog or cat depends on their unique biology and health needs.

Several things can affect how your pet responds to CBD besides their size and weight, such as:

• Their endocannabinoid system
• Age and metabolism
• Current state of health or wellness
• Individual sensitivities and response patterns

Because every pet is different, and it’s not just about their weight, there is no universal “CBD calculator for dogs” despite what you might find on other sites.

That’s why we recommend starting with a small amount of CBD and adjusting gradually from there, based on your pet’s response.

Best Practice: Track Your Pet’s Progress with CBD

When you start giving CBD to your pet, try keeping a daily journal:

• How much did you give per dose, per day, and how often?
• Make note of any changes you might see, such as energy levels, sleep patterns, comfort levels, mood, or behavior.
• Adjust as needed to find the most consistent and effective CBD dosage for your pet.

Some pets take longer to show results, while others respond quickly. If your pet seems extra sleepy at first, that’s normal as they adjust.

Remember you can always adjust how much CBD you’re giving, try a little more or a little less, until you find what works best.

🐾 Remember: “Start low and go slow” is the best approach when adding pet CBD oil into your daily routine.

🐾 Remember: Our amazing customer service team is always here to help! Give us a call, email, or jump on our live chat if you have any questions about CBD dosage for dogs, cats, or horses!

Clean the affected area, and apply a thin layer of the CBD salve to the intended area 2–3 times daily.

For best results, gently massage into the skin to support comfort and hydration.

While our salves are all lick-safe, to ensure best absorption, distract your pet from licking the area for 5-10 minutes.

For more support, pair a topical salve with a CBD tincture like EASE or HEAL.

Each dog is different, so the right amount of CBD treats for dogs depends on your pet’s needs.

• Blanche’s Edibles: Each treat contains approximately 3 mg of CBD

CBD Dog Treats Suggested Use:

• Start with 1-3 treats daily, depending on your dog’s size and sensitivity
• Administer treats consistently at the same time each day for best results
• Adjust the number of treats gradually based on your pet’s response
• If your dog needs extra support during events like car rides, fireworks, or vet visits, give them 2-4 treats at least 30-45 minutes before.

Since CBD treats are digested, they can take longer to work than tinctures. If your dog needs several treats each day, you might want to use treats along with a more potent CBD oil for better results.

CBD OIL BEST PRACTICE – How to care for your CBD oil!

1. Shake the bottle before each use.
2. Wipe the dropper clean after use to prevent contamination. 
3. Store in a cool, dark place.

Let us know if you have any questions or need additional help.