How Much CBD for Dogs: A Comprehensive Guide to Dosage

How Much CBD For Dogs? A Guide Thumbnail

CBD has become a popular natural supplement for dogs, especially when managing your pup’s health conditions like seizures, arthritis, and anxiety. While the FDA has yet to determine whether CBD is safe as a food additive, many pup parents are giving it a shot with their dogs and hoping for the best.

The goal of this guide is to help dog owners determine how much CBD to give their dogs based on their size, condition, and individual needs.

Key Takeaways:

Your dog’s ideal CBD dosage will depend on their weight, age, and whether or not your dog has an illness.
Most dog owners administer CBD to their pups 1-2 times daily.
If your dog suffers from a diagnosable illness, their needs will be different, and you will want to get in touch with your veterinarian for a more personalized recommendation.

Understanding CBD Dosage for Dogs

CBD, short for cannabidiol, is an all-natural compound derived from hemp plants and is believed to help dogs manage pain, lessen anxiety, and help control seizures.

Importance of Proper Dosage

Giving your dog the correct dose of CBD is important for both of your experiences. Too little may not have any effect, and you may wonder why you spent the money. Too much CBD could turn your dog into a constant couch potato with gastrointestinal issues.

Several factors will influence the appropriate dosage for your dog, like:

Weight: We recommend starting your dog on 1-2mg for every 10 lbs they weigh. For example, you may want to start a 75 lb dog somewhere between 7.5 – 15 mg of CBD.

Age: Age will also affect your dog’s ideal dose. Younger dogs are more sensitive to CBD and may become more rambunctious after a dose. Older dogs seem to be able to “handle” their CBD a bit better.

Condition: Dogs suffering from more severe medical conditions like seizures, mobility restrictions, or chronic pain may need higher doses of CBD. Be sure to talk to your veterinarian about your dog’s specific needs.

How to Calculate CBD Dosage for Dogs

To make dosing easier, many pet owners will opt to use a dosage calculator. These calculators typically require you to put in your dog’s weight and the concentration (mg per unit or mg per mL) of your CBD product. Calculators are helpful but not necessary.

Our general rule of thumb for CBD dosages for dogs is to start with 1 – 2mg of CBD per 10 pounds of body weight. All you need to do is take your dog’s weight and move the decimal point one space to the left. This value is your lower range. Multiply that number by two for your upper range.

Using the example above, if your dog weighs 75 pounds, we move the decimal to the left for 7.5mg. We then double it to 15mg. A typical CBD dose for a 75-pound dog should be between 7.5 and 15mg.

If you’re dosing your dog with treats or chews, you want to adjust the number of treats you give them based on this guideline. However, if you’re using a pet-blend CBD oil, you can manually adjust the dosage using the graduated dropper that comes with your oil.

We made our 600mg Full Spectrum CBD Pet Oil to make dosing your dog easier. 1 mL of our oil contains 10mg of CBD so you don’t have to do any division whenever you want to help your pup.

CBD Dosage for Dogs Based on Specific Conditions

Aside from your dog’s weight and age, your dog’s condition will likely dictate their ideal dose.

CBD Dose for Dogs with Seizures

CBD seems to help reduce the frequency and severity of seizures in dogs suffering from epilepsy.

One study in Frontiers of Veterinary Science found that a 2mg/kg CBD dose administered every twelve hours for twelve weeks helped reduce seizure frequency by around 33%.¹ That dose translates to 9mg for every 10 lbs, so quite a bit higher than our recommendation. When determining the proper dosage for your epileptic dog, be sure to consult with your vet.

CBD Dose for Dogs with Arthritis

Another Frontiers of Veterinary Science study found that a CBD dose of 2mg/kg (9mg/10lbs) administered every twelve hours for four weeks showed a significant decrease in pain and improved physical mobility and activity in participating arthritic dogs.²

If your dog is arthritic and you want to start them on CBD, talk to your vet first. The dosage your vet recommends may be different based on your dog’s weight, age, and diet.

CBD Dose for Dogs with Chronic Pain

As mentioned in the arthritis section above, dogs with chronic pain may benefit from CBD. Typically, dogs with chronic pain will require more than 2mg/10lbs of CBD to feel comfortable. Consult your vet for a personalized recommendation.

How Often Can I Give My Dog CBD?

The frequency of dosing is just as important as the size of the dose itself. Especially when it comes to CBD, a natural substance that needs to build up in your dog’s system before it has noticeable effects.

Understanding CBD Frequency for Pets

Your dog’s dosing schedule can vary depending on the condition that you’re trying to treat. For most conditions, like hyperactivity or separation anxiety, you can administer CBD once or twice a day.

When you first start, it’s a good idea to administer CBD once daily to observe your dog’s response. It’s normal for your dog to have an upset stomach or be sleepier than normal for the first few days.

Guidelines for Administering CBD Oil Daily

Separation anxiety and stress: 1-2 times per day. You may want to time the doses to be 45 minutes before an anticipated stressful situation, like fireworks or leaving for work.
Pain: Based on what we’ve seen in studies, you can give your dog CBD 2-3 times per day consistently so that they can be comfortable and have better mobility.
Seizures or diagnosable conditions: Consult with your veterinarian for more frequent or higher dosing, which may be required for conditions like epilepsy and arthritis.

CBD vs Hemp Oil for Dogs: What’s the Difference?

Both CBD and hemp oil come from the hemp plant, but they are not the same. CBD oil contains cannabinoids, which can have therapeutic effects. Hemp oil comes from cold-pressed hemp seeds and is mainly used in cooking.

CBD Oil: Extracted from the flowers and biomass of the hemp plant, CBD oil contains active cannabinoids, particularly cannabidiol, which interacts with the endocannabinoid system to provide therapeutic effects.
Hemp Oil: Also known as hemp seed oil, this is extracted from the seeds of the hemp plant. It contains little to no CBD and is primarily used for its nutritional benefits, providing essential fatty acids like Omega-3 and Omega-6, which can improve coat quality and skin health.

Giving your dog hemp oil may help with coat health, but it won’t therapeutically benefit them the same way CBD will.

Safety Considerations When Giving CBD to Dogs

While CBD is generally considered safe for dogs, giving them too much can lead to side effects. Overdoses are rare, but they can happen (mainly due to the THC content); symptoms of a CBD product overdose can include vomiting, lethargy, and incoordination. We should note that a CBD overdose in dogs is not lethal.

Side Effects of CBD in Dogs

Most dogs tolerate CBD well, but some may experience minor side effects, especially if they are given too much. Potential side effects include:

Drowsiness or lethargy. Your pup may need to sleep more often.
Dry mouth, leading to increased thirst.
Lowered blood pressure, which may cause dizziness and incoordination.
Gastrointestinal upset (nausea or diarrhea.)

If these symptoms occur, reducing the dose is usually enough to alleviate them. Always start low and slow with CBD, and monitor your dog closely.

Frequently Asked Questions About CBD Dosage for Dogs

How much CBD oil should I give my dog?

We recommend your starting dose be between 1-2mg of CBD per 10 lbs of your dog’s body weight. Always start on the lower end and gradually increase the dose while monitoring your dog for any unwanted side effects.

How many mg of CBD can a dog have?

For most dogs, the safe daily CBD dose ranges between 5-10mg per 10 pounds of body weight. Larger dogs can tolerate higher doses, but it’s always best to increase their dose slowly to avoid side effects.

How often should I give my dog CBD oil?

Most pet owners administer CBD oil once or twice daily, depending on the dog’s condition. Conditions like chronic pain or anxiety may require more consistent dosing, while occasional use may be enough for situational anxiety.

Can CBD help with my dog’s anxiety?

Some dog owners have successfully used CBD to manage their pup’s anxiety. It can be especially useful in situational stress situations like thunderstorms, vet visits, and firework displays.

Sources:

Garcia, Gabriel A et al. “Safety and efficacy of cannabidiol-cannabidiolic acid rich hemp extract in the treatment of refractory epileptic seizures in dogs.” Frontiers in veterinary science vol. 9 939966. 29 Jul. 2022, doi:10.3389/fvets.2022.939966
Gamble, Lauri-Jo et al. “Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Clinical Efficacy of Cannabidiol Treatment in Osteoarthritic Dogs.” Frontiers in veterinary science vol. 5 165. 23 Jul. 2018, doi:10.3389/fvets.2018.00165