CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the active ingredients in cannabis and is derived directly from the hemp plant. It has been covered extensively in the media in recent years, and you may see it touted as a healthy supplement for your coffee or post-workout smoothie.
It can help with a wide range of health conditions such as chronic pain and epilepsy in humans, but likewise, animal studies have shown that CBD may also help with conditions such as anxiety and chronic pain linked to inflammation.
Your furry friend can also benefit from this miracle chemical, but getting the correct dose for your dog can be a confusing process.
Although there is a wide range of CBD products directed towards pets on the market, it’s important to note that The US Food and Drug Administration has not approved CBD for use in dogs and they have not issued a dosing chart.
Therefore, it is important to do your research before buying these products and you should always check with your veterinarian first before administering CBD to your four-legged friend.
Another important thing to remember, when buying CBD products such as CBD oils, they are available in different concentrations. Also, please note that the amount listed on the label is the total amount of CBD contained in the bottle and not the amount of CBD per dose.
For example, a 30ml bottle of 600mg CBD oil will contain 600 total milligrams of the active ingredient, so a 0.25ml dose will deliver 5mg of CBD.
Because of the fact that different CBD products have different concentrations of the active ingredient, the dosing guidelines can vary substantially from product to product.
It’s very important to look at the total amount of CBD in the product and work out from that how much would be in each dose, whether that be in the form of a chewable treat or a dripper of hemp oil.
CBD products aimed towards pets typically come in one of 3 forms:
- Oils
- Capsules
- Treats
CBD oils are typically administered in drops. The exact amount of drops needed for a dose is dependant on the strength of the product, so take a good look at the packaging and instructions.
These drops can be administered directly into your dog’s mouth or dropped into their food. Typically, the recommended dose for CBD oils is 2-4 drops taken 2-4 times a day. Again, you should tailor this dose depending on the size of your dog and the conditions they’re suffering from.
CBD capsules will typically contain between 5-20 mg of CBD each, and most brands recommend administering 1 capsule 1-2 times a day.
CBD treats, much like capsules and oils, will contain varying amounts of the active ingredient so take a good look at the packaging beforehand. These treats should be given as per the instructions on the packaging.
The dosage you use to get the desired effect will also depend on the severity of the condition you’re trying to treat. If you’re treating more serious health conditions it is recommended that you administer a higher dose, and if you’re treating occasionally for conditions such as anxiety or just for overall wellbeing, it is recommended that you keep the dosages on the lower side.
We also recommend that you research into the quality of each of the products you’re considering using, and don’t just base your choice on the price of the product. The CBD market is not yet regulated, so there are potentially some sketchy products on the market.
Try to look for organic products that are free of any kinds of toxins, such as organic CBD oil, which will only contain the necessary ingredients and nothing more.
Make sure to read the packaging carefully of the product you’re using, and take into consideration the size and weight of your dog. This may seem like a difficult and confusing process but don’t let that deter you from the great health benefits your dog can enjoy from this all-natural remedy. Your furry friend will thank you for it!
Here are some of the health conditions that CBD could treat in your dog:
- Stress and anxiety
- Nausea
- Arthritis and joint pain
- Moderate to severe pain
- Digestion problems
- Cancer symptoms
- Chronic inflammation
So, How Much CBD Should I Give to my Dog?
A good rule of thumb when it comes to giving your canine a dose of CBD is to start with 1-2mg for every 10 lbs of weight. It’s a good idea to start off with a smaller amount just to see how your pet reacts to it, and then you can later up the dosage as you see fit.
How Long Does CBD Take to Start Working?
The CBD will normally take between 30 and 45 minutes to take effect. CBD oils tend to kick in more quickly than CBD infused dog biscuits or treats because it is digested quicker, but both should have the same effect once working. That is, providing you’re using a quality product.
For How Long will the Dose Last?
Each dose tends to last between 4 and 8 hours, depending on the size of your furry friend as well as the breed, activity level, and the type of symptoms they have.
Another thing to consider is that older dogs tend to digest food at a slower rate than younger dogs.
In Conclusion…
We know that dogs come in all shapes and sizes, and they have levels of activity and depending on the breed, can have a wide range of health conditions and complications.
Because of these reasons, administering CBD to your dog isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. It might take a fair amount of trial and error on your part as a dog parent to get the desired results.
But because CBD is a safe and natural medicine, it’s a much better option than the harsher and more expensive veterinary drugs and allows you to experiment a little more without the worry of causing an overdose.
