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There’s no denying that CBD is growing in popularity for consumers and pet owners. But a common question people have when it comes to giving their pet CBD oil is how much of the remedy is required. Too little can be ineffective, while too much is unnecessary. If you want to preserve your pet’s CBD product but ensure they receive the correct dose, it’s imperative to know how much CBD oil to give your dog.
What is CBD oil for dogs?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of many cannabinoids that you find in the hemp plant. It is the subject of various studies, and one of the best ways to enjoy the compound is through CBD oil, a liquid-based remedy.
Unsurprisingly, CBD oil for dogs is similar to CBD oil for humans. This type of remedy will, of course, contain CBD. But sometimes, it will feature other therapeutic cannabinoids to maximize the possible benefits.
If you want to give your dog CBD oil, you can easily administer it topically or sublingually, depending on the product. Both methods are effective and will provide the relief that your pet needs.
Will CBD oil get your dog high?
Because CBD is non-psychoactive, it will not cause your dog to get high. CBD pet products come from hemp plants, which have high levels of CBD and trace amounts of THC. Conversely, marijuana plants have large amounts of THC and almost no CBD. Therefore, products from marijuana strains have intoxicating effects.
CBD remedies, on the other hand, can only have up to 0.3% of THC to be federally legal, so you don’t need to worry about your pet getting high. This amount of THC is too small to be intoxicating. But since THC is toxic to dogs, it’s best to find products that contain no THC at all to ensure the safety of your pet.
Is CBD oil safe for dogs to use?
According to a 2017 World Health Organization report, pure CBD is generally safe for animals. However, some canine studies have noted an increase in the liver enzyme alkaline phosphatase (ALP) when dogs are given CBD.
It is not yet clear whether the increase in ALP is a mild side effect or can cause long-term problems. Thus, if your dog has liver issues, you should proceed with caution before introducing CBD. Additionally, CBD seems to be metabolized by the liver, so if your dog is on medication that’s also metabolized by the liver, it might be safest to steer clear of CBD products.
For dogs who do not have liver problems, the main issue surrounding CBD is quality control. Unfortunately, the CBD market is not well-regulated, and products can contain ingredients that aren’t listed on the labels and are toxic to your dog.
One way around this is to thoroughly vet brands before purchasing their products and always asking for a Certificate of Analysis (COA). COAs are proof that a company has its products tested by an independent lab to confirm both the ingredients and potency. The batch number on the COA should be the same as the batch number on the product. If it isn’t, you should not trust nor buy the remedy.
What are the benefits of CBD for dogs?
Humans, dogs, and cats all have an endocannabinoid system (ECS) that CBD interacts with. By communicating with the ECS through cannabinoid receptors, CBD may help relieve several issues that humans and pets face.
Some conditions that CBD can be great for include:
- Pain (for example, joint pain)
- Anxiety
- Chronic inflammation
- Digestive upset
- Nausea
- Arthritis
If your dog has one of these conditions and you are interested in giving CBD oil to help them, it’s important to get a high-quality product with organic ingredients. That way, you know your pet is consuming remedies that are safe for their health.
How much CBD oil should you give your dog?
Each dog is different, so the best way to find a safe dosage is to start with the lowest dose on the bottle and increase it by a few drops every day until you see an improvement or a reduction in symptoms. This process can take some time, so don’t rush it.
But if you are looking for a quicker way to figure out the best CBD dose for your dog, there is a formula you can use. First, calculate approximately how many milligrams (mg) of CBD your dog should have based on their weight. Typically, this is 0.2mg of CBD per pound. So if your dog weighs 60 pounds, it would need about 12mg of CBD.
Once you figure out how much CBD your dog needs, you have to determine how much oil your dog should take based on how many milligrams of CBD is in each milliliter (ml) of oil. This calculation depends on the strength of the CBD formula you have. Assuming that your bottle of CBD is for 30 days or 30 doses, a 75mg formula would have 2.5mg of CBD per milliliter of oil, and a 150mg formula would have 5mg of CBD per milliliter.
So if your dog is 60lbs and needs 12mg of CBD, you could give them a little less than 5ml of a 75mg formula and about 2.5ml of a 150mg formula. To work this out, divide the amount of CBD your pet needs (in this example, 12mg) by the number of milligrams of CBD in each milliliter of CBD oil (2.5mg and 5mg).
Once you figure out the best dosage for your dog, the next piece of the puzzle is working out the best way to actually give your pet CBD.
What are the best ways to give your dog CBD oil?
Getting your dog to take CBD oil can be a problem, especially for picky or wiggly dogs. But luckily, there are four simple ways to get CBD oil into your dog’s system.
The best way to deliver CBD is through the mucous membrane. In dogs, a good place is behind their lip, so just pull down your dog’s bottom lip and squirt some CBD there. Then, rub the sides of their face to help the CBD absorb.
If your dog is too squirmy and you’re worried about hurting them if you pull their lip, try mixing the CBD oil with some peanut butter or something else that would last a bit longer in their mouth. Then, let your dog lick the treat so they can absorb the CBD through the mucous membranes in their cheek.
If the mouth is not an option, ears are another excellent spot for CBD absorption because there are many venous areas around the ear. Simply massage the CBD oil into your dog’s ear and wait for the remedy to take effect.
Lastly, if your CBD product has a subdermal carrier agent, you can apply it to the back of your dog’s neck. Just keep in mind that this strategy only works if a subdermal carrier agent is present.
Find the right dose of high-quality CBD for your dog
If your dog is struggling with anxiety or pain, you may want to check out CBD as an alternative or complementary treatment. However, while CBD is beneficial for dogs, it’s crucial to figure out the proper dosage for your pet so that they reap the benefits. It’s also equally vital to find a reputable CBD oil product with no hidden ingredients that could possibly harm your dog.
Check out Kat’s Naturals’ CBD pet products here to start giving your furry friend relief!