How To Use CBD Oil for Dog Seizures

Key Takeaways

CBD oil has documented and studied anti-convulsant effects and may be able to help reduce the frequency and severity of your dog’s seizures.
Be sure to consult your veterinarian if you plan on starting your dog on CBD. They can tell you how much CBD to give your dog and whether it will interfere with your dog’s current medication.
CBD will not cure your dog’s epilepsy, but it may be a safe, natural, and long-term supplement you can use to help your dog manage their seizures.

Idiopathic epilepsy is one of the most common neurological canine diseases that affects almost 5% of dogs. It’s characterized by seizures with no apparent cause. If your dog experiences seizures, you know how distressing it can be and how hard it is to find a natural alternative to treat your dog’s epilepsy.

One of the most promising alternatives that has emerged in recent years is using CBD oil to help manage your dog’s seizures. In this post, we’ll discuss using CBD to manage your dog’s seizures, how to give your dog CBD oil, and how to find a reputable product for your epileptic pup.

What is CBD Oil?

CBD oil is an oil infused with cannabidiol, a naturally occurring compound in hemp plants. Unlike THC, CBD is non-psychoactive and is safer for your dog because it won’t make them intoxicated or cause THC toxicity.

Generally, CBD oil is a mix of concentrated hemp extract and a carrier oil. The most common carrier oils in the CBD industry are,

MCT oil – Short for medium-chain triglyceride oil, MCT is often derived from coconuts and is a flavorless liquid at room temperature. CBD companies often use MCT oil for its long shelf life and low price.
Hemp seed oil – Hemp seed oil is cooking oil made from the pressed seeds of hemp plants. Some companies like to use hemp seed oil because it’s a nice combination of hemp extract and hemp-derived oil. Hemp seed oil is also rich in omega fatty acids and antioxidants.
Olive oil – Olive oil is less common in the CBD industry, but some companies will still use it due to olive oil’s health benefits.

Can CBD Oil Help Dogs With Seizures?

Research into CBD oil for canine seizures is still ongoing, but there are a few studies that have suggested that CBD may be effective in reducing both the frequency and intensity of seizures. Here’s how we believe CBD may help manage seizures in dogs,

Prevent positive feedback loop – A study performed with mice found that CBD blocked signals carried by a molecule called lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI for short). LPI is thought to amplify nerve signals but can be hijacked by disease to promote seizures.¹ The authors of the study propose that CBD helps block the “positive feedback loop” in which seizures caused by LPI signaling increased levels of LPI, which in turn caused more seizures. More research is needed to test that hypothesis.
Decrease frequency – Another in vivo study using dogs found that CBD oil helped decrease the total number of seizures in dogs by about 25%.²
Regulate electrical signals – This review in Advances in Epilepsy and Antiepileptic Drugs 2.0 attributes CBD’s anti-epileptic properties to its ability to regulate neuronal activity.³ Essentially, seizures can occur due to electrical disruptions in the brain. CBD may be able to prevent these electrical imbalances.

How To Use CBD Oil To Manage Your Dog’s Seizures

If you’ve decided to use CBD oil to manage your dog’s seizures, you’ll want to be conscious about the dosing and how your dog responds to their dose.

We have a few recommendations for new CBD users:

Determine the dose – Start with 1-2mg of CBD per 10 lbs of body weight. For example, if you have a dog that weighs 100 pounds, you’ll want to start them on 10 to 20mg of CBD.
Make a schedule – Once you know what dose you’ll start your dog on, make a dosing schedule. Because you will want to keep your medicated more consistently to manage seizures, you might want to opt for two doses per day. Then, figure out what times of the day you want to stick with. Consistency is the name of the game when it comes to CBD.
Monitor and adjust – Stick with your dose and dosing schedule for two weeks. Monitor your dog for any changes in their behavior or appetite. CBD can cause an upset stomach in the first few days. Once the two weeks are up, review your notes.
1. Did your dog seem too lethargic or not like themselves? You may want to consider lowering the dose.
2. Did you notice any difference in the frequency of your dog’s seizures in the second week? If not, you may want to consider increasing their dose.

These are just guidelines, though. If you want personalized advice, you need to consult your veterinarian. Only they can tell you how much CBD is appropriate, when to dose your dog, and if CBD oil interacts with any other seizure medications your dog is on.

How Long Does CBD Take to Work in Dogs With Seizures?

The time it takes for CBD to “work” can vary depending on a few factors, including your dog’s weight, age, and the severity of their seizures. Some dogs will experience some benefits on their first day of CBD. For other dogs, results may not come until after a few days of continual consistent use.

How to Choose the Right CBD Oil for Your Dog

If you’re wondering how to find the best CBD oil for your dog’s seizures, we’ve got some tips for you. Here are some things you’ll want to look for,

Third-party testing – Always choose products that come with a certificate of analysis. This technical document should come from an accredited third-party lab that will tell you about any contaminants that may be present and the concentration of cannabinoids in your product.
Full-spectrum vs. isolate – Full-spectrum CBD oil will contain additional beneficial compounds and cannabinoids. Oil made with CBD isolate will only contain CBD. Full-spectrum CBD oil is generally thought to provide more relief, but if your dog has an adverse reaction to it, you may want to give CBD isolate oil a try instead.
Appropriate Dosage – Stick to products designed and formulated specifically for dogs and pets. Even though a human-oriented CBD product may give you more mg per dollar, dosing your dog may be trickier.

FAQs

Can CBD Oil Be Used With Other Medications?

While CBD for dogs is generally considered safe, it can interact with certain medications and alter their effectiveness. Your vet may help you incorporate CBD into your dog’s treatment plan.

Can CBD completely stop my dog’s seizures?

CBD will not cure your dog’s epilepsy, unfortunately. You may be able to use CBD to help your dog reduce the number and severity of their seizures, but it will not eliminate their seizures.

Is CBD safe for long-term use in dogs with seizures?

Yes, CBD is considered safe for long-term use. A study published in March 2024 found that over 13 years, CBD was tolerated well by 32 test dogs.⁴

Can I give my dog human CBD oil?

It’s best to stick with CBD products designed for pet use. Human CBD oils aren’t designed with pets in mind and can be more potent, contain flavorings, and have higher THC levels that aren’t safe for dogs.

That said, we recommend that if you have a large dog breed, check out our 750mg Full Spectrum CBD Oil Tincture rather than our 600mg Pet Oil. The step up in concentration is modest, and if you have a dog that weighs over 100 pounds, the 750mg tincture will be friendly to your budget.

Can puppies with epilepsy use CBD oil?

Puppies with epilepsy will tolerate CBD oil well, but to be safe, please consult your veterinarian first.

Does CBD oil need to be refrigerated?

Most CBD oils do not need to be refrigerated. You should store them in a cool, dark place to protect the carrier oil from spoiling and prevent any loss of cannabinoids to UV light.

Sources

Rosenberg, Evan C et al. “Cannabidiol modulates excitatory-inhibitory ratio to counter hippocampal hyperactivity.” Neuron vol. 111,8 (2023): 1282-1300.e8. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2023.01.018
Rozental, Aaron J et al. “The efficacy and safety of cannabidiol as adjunct treatment for drug-resistant idiopathic epilepsy in 51 dogs: A double-blinded crossover study.” Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine vol. 37,6 (2023): 2291-2300. doi:10.1111/jvim.16912
Zavala-Tecuapetla, Cecilia et al. “Advances and Challenges of Cannabidiol as an Anti-Seizure Strategy: Preclinical Evidence.” International journal of molecular sciences vol. 23,24 16181. 19 Dec. 2022, doi:10.3390/ijms232416181
Bookout, William et al. “Safety study of cannabidiol products in healthy dogs.” Frontiers in veterinary science vol. 11 1349590. 1 Mar. 2024, doi:10.3389/fvets.2024.1349590