How Much CBD Should You Give Your Pet? CBD Dosage Best Practices

When it comes to CBD dosage for dogs, pet owners have two main questions: How much should I give my dog? and Is it safe to give CBD every day?

CBD works in dogs much like it works in humans because both species have an endocannabinoid system (ECS). This internal system helps regulate balance in areas like mood, inflammation response, appetite, and sleep. Understanding how CBD interacts with your dog’s body can help you choose the right dosage and use it safely and effectively.

Before we break down CBD dosing guidelines, let’s look at why so many pet owners are turning to CBD in the first place.

Why Do Pet Owners Use CBD for Dogs?

From painful inflammatory illnesses like arthritis to helping with seizure symptoms, all the way through digestive problems, dry skin, lack of appetite, separation anxiety, and neurodegenerative diseases, pet owners try CBD for a host of different conditions.

The potential benefits of CBD lie in its ability to restore balance to your pet’s body. It accomplishes this through CBD’s reported anti-inflammatory properties, neuroprotective properties, and interaction with the body’s—pet or human—nervous and immune systems. CBD works with your pet’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), a biochemical communication highway that transmits crucial information and signals throughout the body. It’s responsible for altering bodily functions to promote balance.

CBD operates by tapping into this communication highway.

Here are the top reasons that people use CBD for pets:

• Arthritis and inflammation
• Separation and general anxiety
• Digestive issues
• Lack of appetite
• Seizures
• Sleeping problems
• Dry skin

How Much CBD Should You Give Your Dog? 

Each animal is unique, and CBD will affect your different pets differently. Plus, different types of CBD products will have varying effects. The best way to begin giving CBD to your pet is to start with a low dosage and see how they react to it. We also recommend talking to your veterinarian first, so they understand all the substances your pet is consuming and whether or not they think it’s a good idea to try out CBD.

The important thing to remember is that CBD is completely non-toxic, so you can’t hurt your pet by giving it a try. With that said, there are some potential side effects that your pet may experience:

• Dry mouth: Research has shown that CBD can reduce the production of saliva.
• Lowered blood pressure: High doses of CBD may cause a small temporary drop in blood pressure in some animals.
• Drowsiness: Dog owners have used CBD to treat anxiety. The calming effect of CBD can also lead to some drowsiness, particularly when you use larger dosages.

Just because these effects have been reported by some pet owners does not mean that your dog will experience them. Also, these side effects can typically be lessened or eliminated by finding the right dosage.

Work Your Way Up Slowly

Like we mentioned, start with a low dose, see how your pet’s symptoms improve and how they tolerate it, and then increase slowly as necessary. Try out different doses for a few weeks at a time, so you can really understand how your animal responds. If they show improvement and don’t have any adverse effects, then you can try increasing the dosage to see if the symptoms keep getting better.

As a general rule of thumb, we recommend starting with .2mg of CBD per pound of body weight. If you have a 20 pound dog, for instance, you would give your dog 4mg of CBD daily. Don’t worry, regardless of if the CBD dosage is just right or not, you can’t cause your pet to “overdose” in a dangerous or life-threatening way.

How Long Does CBD Take to Work in Dogs? 

Generally speaking, when it comes to people, CBD is absorbed into the user’s bloodstream within about 20 minutes to 2 hours. It’s most likely similar with our felines, canines, and other furry friends. Variables that can affect how long it takes to reach the blood include the following:

• The type of product/delivery method
• CBD dosage
• Whether the CBD is isolate or full spectrum
• The quality of the CBD
• How consistent they consume CBD

The thing is though, just because the CBD enters your pet’s blood does not necessarily mean that they are going to start experiencing its positive effects right away. It takes time to build up in their system, by some estimates up to four to six weeks of consuming it consistently. That way, the number of cannabinoids will be sufficiently large enough to create a more effective endocannabinoid system and improved balance in the body.

Best Practices for CBD Dosage in Dogs

• Start with 0.2 mg per pound of body weight

• Maintain the same dose for at least 1–2 weeks

• Monitor behavior, appetite, mobility, and sleep

• Increase gradually if needed

• Keep your veterinarian informed

Carefully controlled dosing is easier with CBD tinctures or infused oils, where you can measure exact milligrams per serving.

What Our Customers Say about Our CBD Pet Products

Take a look at our CBD pet products, including CBD infused salmon oil and CBD pet tinctures that make controlling dosage easy! Here is what some of our customers said after using our CBD pet products:

“My 11 year old Pitbull is a completely new dog.  It’s like she turns into a puppy with CBD. If we run out or miss a couple days we can certainly tell the difference in her behavior and movability”

“We love both the salmon oil and the tinctures!  We do a lot of traveling so when we aren’t home we just take the tincture and we love how they both work”

“Our beagle didn’t seem to care for the salmon oil much, but out lab loves it.  Not sure why exactly, but she sure loves the peanut butter tincture. Both pups move around the house so much better with the CBD. Thank you!!”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About CBD for Dogs

How much CBD is too much for a dog?

CBD is considered non-lethal and non-toxic. However, giving significantly higher doses may increase side effects like drowsiness or digestive upset. Stick to gradual increases and monitor closely.

Can puppies take CBD?

Always consult your veterinarian before giving CBD to puppies. Their developing systems may require different considerations than adult dogs.

Should I choose full-spectrum or CBD isolate for my dog?

Full spectrum CBD contains additional cannabinoids and may provide an “entourage effect.” CBD isolate contains only CBD. Some owners prefer full spectrum products, but sensitivity varies by dog.

Can I give my dog human CBD oil?

It’s safest to use CBD products specifically formulated for pets. Human products may contain ingredients or flavorings that are not ideal for dogs.

Will CBD make my dog high?

No. CBD is non-psychoactive and does not cause a “high.” Products formulated for pets should contain little to no THC.