Safe CBD Doses for Cats: What You Need to Know

If you’re using CBD to treat your cat, the right dose for your cat can deviate from the norm. This short post is intended to help you figure out how to find the right dose for your cat and how to adjust that dose safely. 

Determining the Right CBD Dose for Your Cat

Your cat’s first CBD dose should be based on its weight. We recommend starting your cat on 1mg of CBD for every 5 pounds your cat weighs. For example, if you’re cat weighs 15lbs, start your cat on 3mg of CBD. 

Make sure that your dosage schedule is consistent, too, meaning if you decide to give your cat their dose once a day with breakfast, try to stick to this schedule. With CBD, consistency is king. 

Stick with this initial dosage schedule for the first two weeks and monitor your cat for any unwanted side effects. 

Adjusting Your Cat’s Dose

If, after two weeks, your cat’s CBD is not providing the benefits you were hoping for, feel free to adjust the dosage. Please abide by the few rules of thumb below when adjusting your cat’s dose.

Identify your goal: What are you trying to address with CBD and your cat? Having a clear goal of what type of behavior or condition you are trying to address is helpful. 

Go slow: Increase (or decrease) the dose by small increments every few days until you achieve your desired effect. 

Observe and take notes: After giving your cat CBD, note their behavior and physical responses. If you don’t notice any adverse side effects, you can continue to adjust the dose. 

Consult your veterinarian: If you’re having some trouble finding the right dose for your cat, we recommend checking in with your vet. They’ll have more context about your situation and can help make recommendations about the strength of your cat’s dose and timing. 

Too Much CBD

It is possible to give your cat too much CBD. While in the observation stage of dosing your cat, you’ll want to watch for a few tell-tale signs of too much CBD. They include: 

• Lethargy
• Upset stomach 
• Changes in appetite 
• Lack of coordination 

If you notice your cat exhibiting these signs, stop giving them CBD and contact your vet for further instruction. In the meantime, let your cat rest and give them plenty of water— they’ll be back to their regular self in a day or so. 

Choosing the Right CBD for Your Cat

When looking for a CBD product for your cat, you’ll want to stick with products formulated specifically for pets. These formulations are less potent than human CBD products and easier to dose accurately. 

Once you’ve found a pet formulation that you want to try, make sure that you find products that are third-party tested and made with human-quality ingredients. 

Conclusion 

CBD can be a massively helpful supplement for helping manage your cat’s various conditions and behaviors, but the key will be appropriate, accurate, and consistent dosing. 

Be sure to consult your vet before starting your cat on CBD. They will always have the best recommendations for you and your cat.