CBD has been steadily gaining a reputation among people interested in improving their health and wellness because of its reported effectiveness in the treatment of a wide variety of medical conditions, from pain and inflammation to seizures, anxiety and sleep challenges. If these medical conditions in humans can be effectively treated with CBD, could they also be treated in dogs?
The short answer is yes, with many studies backing this up (more on those below the dosage chart). While CBD oil for dogs is not down to a science, we’ve provided a general consensus in the chart below. We recommend starting on the lower to mid dosage (twice per day) and increasing the dosage to the “High” level after 2-4 weeks if your dog is still showing symptoms.
Over the last year or so, many pet owners who are interested in their dogs’ quality of life have begun to consider CBD as an option. In fact, these pet owners have been the driving force behind the creation of an entirely new segment of the CBD market. Dog-specific CBD products are widely available and include CBD-infused chewable treats and oils. Given the newness of CBD products for pets, it is understandable that pet owners might have questions about the most appropriate or effective CBD dosage.
Research into the most effective pet-specific CBD dosage is becoming more common in the scientific community, with universities and the American Kennel Association working hard to obtain more information. At this time, though, no generally agreed upon standards have been developed. However, a 2018 clinical study from Cornell University used the CBD oil dosages of 2mg/ kilogram and 8mg / kilogram, twice per day for four weeks, for each dog during its research into the treatment of osteo-arthritis pain. They found that the lower dose was effective to increase the comfort and activity of the dogs, with no reported adverse side effects.
Given the newness of CBD products for pets, it is understandable that pet owners might have questions about the most appropriate or effective CBD dosage.
The Cornell study based its CBD dose on how much each of the dogs weighed. This makes sense; humans are often prescribed medications in doses that will be most effective based on their weight, too. Whether a dog owner should exceed the twice daily 2mg/ kilogram CBD dose should be considered in consultation with their veterinarian. He or she might have relevant information about the individual dog’s overall health and the condition for which the treatment is sought.
Can Dogs Overdose on CBD?
When considering the most beneficial CBD dosing, a dog owner may wonder whether it is possible for their dog to overdose on CBD. Fortunately, one of the most attractive features of CBD – for both humans and their animal companions – is that “CBD” and “overdose” are two words rarely used together. It is a generally recognized fact that CBD taken in large quantities will not cause an “overdose” in dogs because any excess CBD in the system is simply excreted. However, pet owners must take into consideration the fact that it is possible for CBD to contain THC. Of course, any amount of THC is not recommended for dogs, given its intoxicating and psychoactive effects. So, the question of overdosing – on THC – becomes one of product choice.
Fortunately, one of the most attractive features of CBD – for both humans and their animal companions – is that “CBD” and “overdose” are two words rarely used together.
CBD may be sourced from THC-predominant cannabis or from CBD-predominant hemp plants, which contain less than 0.03% THC. THC may be extracted and processed out of THC-predominant cannabis, but depending on the effectiveness of the extraction and processing methods, it is possible that some THC may continue to be present in the CBD. Hemp-sourced CBD is far less likely to contain any THC. Products made with CBD isolate are the purest form of CBD, most of which are 99% pure – a preferable option for dog owners who want to be extra cautious in ensuring that their beloved pets are not ingesting any THC.
Will your dog get high from CBD oil?
While it’s tough to know exactly how a dog experiences a THC high, they definitely get some negative effects from consuming too much THC, generally consisting of nausea and dizziness. It is important for dog lovers to make inquiries into any CBD product they are considering and understand exactly what it is they are giving their dogs. Any doubts about the CBD or THC content can be resolved by obtaining the product’s testing results, which, ideally, should be prominently displayed on the label or the company’s website or other marketing material.
Once a dog owner has determined the appropriate dose for their pet, based on how much the dog weighs, the next step would be to understand the amount of CBD that is contained in each serving size of the product. For example, CBD oil may come in a 30ml bottle, with 250mg of CBD. A simple calculation reveals that each milliliter of the CBD oil contains 8.3 mg of CBD. The same calculation can be applied to chewable CBD dog treats.
With advice from a veterinarian and a reliable and trustworthy pet-specific CBD product manufacturer, adding CBD to a pet’s health and wellness programme can be a wise choice. The right information will ensure that placing the CBD products into your shopping cart may lead to an improved quality of life for the furry companions that make life so worthwhile!