CBD Dosage for Dogs

Contrary to popular belief, the proper CBD dosage for dogs has little to do with the size and weight of your dog. Let’s talk about why we recommend a different approach.

Tips about CBD Oil for Dogs

Full spectrum hemp extract (CBD) has the potential to make a huge difference in your pet’s quality of life – that much is clear. When it comes to determining the right CBD Dosage for dogs however, you may be a little less certain. 

That’s because cannabis-based therapies are different from the western pharmaceutical medicines we have become accustomed to. All western medicines are isolated molecules with a single target. Cannabis-based therapies contain a broad range of biologically active compounds, all working in synergy with one another.

To determine the correct CBD dosage for dogs, first ensure that the product you’re using is a full-spectrum hemp extract. The term “full spectrum” refers to a product that contains the entire range of biologically active compounds which naturally occur in the plant. You’re ready to find the proper CBD dosage for dogs once you’ve got your full spectrum hemp product.

Basics of CBD Dosage for Dogs

Contrary to popular belief, the size and weight of your dog have very little bearing on CBD dosage for dogs. The most effective way to establish dosage is to take into account each animal’s individual physiological condition.

This includes factors such as:

• Their Endocannabinoid System
• Age
• Metabolism
• Disease
• Current Health and Wellness Status
• Other individual health factors

What exactly does that necessarily mean? It means that CBD dosage for dogs isn’t as simple as it appears. As we mentioned, a variety of factors can influence your pet’s sensitivity to CBD. So there’s no way to tell for sure how your pet will react until you put them on a CBD regimen. Sensitivity can vary significantly amongst dogs, and it might even change over time as a result of age or chronic illness.

CBD Dog Health tinctures for dogs, cats, and horses are designed to contain the average effective daily dose for multiple illnesses that each tincture is formulated to target in a single 1mL dose. This is a general guideline that works for most animals; but, based on the circumstances stated above, your pet may require more or less.

As a result, we recommend using a trial-and-error method to figure out the best dose for your pet. Begin with a low dose and gradually raise it as you discover a consistent regimen.

Related: How to Determine Optimal CBD Dosage

Is CBD Oil for Dogs Safe?

Pet parents are sometimes concerned that giving their pets too much CBD could harm them. However, when a pet isn’t displaying the intended reaction, it’s generally because they aren’t receiving the correct CBD dosage for their condition.

If you are concerned about experimenting to determine their optimal CBD dosage for dogs, rest assured that it is completely safe. Several research studies have shown that cannabis-based medication is safe at even extremely high doses. In a safety study, dogs tolerated doses of up to 640.5 mg of CBD-rich extract well, with just minor side effects, such as diarrhea and lethargy.

CBD Dosage For Dogs: Chronic vs. Situational Use

Consistent use is usually your best option for a successful outcome when using a full-spectrum hemp extract. This is especially true for pets with chronic illnesses. Many of CBD’s effects take place below the surface and may not be immediately apparent. While you may see instant advantages from starting a CBD regimen, the long-term benefits come with continued use.

Some conditions where consistent use is best:

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

There are instances however, where your pet may benefit from an extra dose outside their consistent CBD regimen. Additionally, for some pets, a situational approach is more suitable than constant use. Some pets only ever need to use CBD for a particular event, rather than everyday.

Situations where an extra dose, or simply situational use may be suitable include:

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

Administering CBD Dosage For Dogs

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. 

Sublingual administration resulted in the fastest and most comprehensive absorption, according to a recent study. Simply lift the lip and apply the dose straight to the gums, which is the most direct route to the bloodstream. The medicine may not be as effective if added to food, and it may take much longer (30-45 minutes) to enter the bloodstream as it passes through the gastrointestinal tract.

CBD remains in our pets’ bloodstream for 6-8 hours after being administered to the gums, according to a recent study. Peak concentration occurs roughly 2 hours after administration, according to the study.

Split your pet’s daily CBD dosage for dogs into smaller doses throughout the day to ensure blood concentration levels stay consistent. This ensures that the therapeutic advantages continue to work throughout the day. This is especially beneficial when coping with long-term concerns like anxiety, pain, or seizures.

Case Studies – Why We Don’t Dose By Weight

Consider Nina and Odie’s stories to better understand why weight isn’t our primary consideration in determining CBD dosage for dogs.

Nina is my 50-pound Doberman, who suffered from extreme thunderstorm anxiety. Odie, my 8-pound miniature schnauzer, was also afflicted with severe thunderstorm anxiety. Both of them use CBD Dog Health’s CALM: CBD Oil for Dogs, our 550 mg Full Spectrum Hemp Extract CBD with Lavender, for dogs with anxiety. A standard dose of our Calm: CBD oil for dogs is 1mL of tincture, which contains 9mg of CBD. This is our standard CBD dosage for dogs with anxiety, based on research and experience, and yet Nina and Odie require vastly different dosages.

Despite the fact that Nina is four times the size of Odie, she only needs our standard 9mg CBD dosage for dogs, to feel better. Odie, on the other hand, requires 20mg, or more, to calm down during a storm. Because their endocannabinoid systems are not identically sensitive, two dogs with the same condition require a drastically different CBD dosage for dogs. If we had attempted to dose by weight, Odie would not be receiving the optimal dosage he needs, and Nina would be receiving much more than she needs, because of their individual health factors and sensitivity to CBD.

In Conclusion

In the end, you are the one who knows your pet best. You should feel confident when determining your pet’s CBD dosage for dogs if you have a high-quality full-spectrum product, from a reliable source. It’s vital to remember that being flexible with dosing is an important part of being your pet’s best advocate.

To recap, here are some final tips on how to get the best results using CBD for your pets needs.

1. For best absorption and quickest onset, apply CBD oil directly to your pets gums. 
2. CBD can be used consistently or situationally, as needed.
3. For consistent use, split the full daily dose into 2-3 doses throughout the day for consistent blood concentration levels.
4. Give CBD along with fatty foods for better absorption.
5. Be consistent.