CBD is an organic compound found naturally in the cannabis sativa plant. Its popularity has skyrocketed over the last decade. Most of us are aware of its value for humans; but are you aware that CBD can be helpful for your canine companion too? Dogs have an endocannabinoid system like humans. The endocannabinoid system maintains and regulates sleep, mood, pain, appetite, immune system, memory, pleasure sensation, motor control and body temperature. CBD acts on the endocannabinoid system to help with stress, anxiety, inflammation, pain, seizures and so much more.
If you want to give your pets CBD, read on for the best ways to administer. Before you start your furkids on CBD; speak with your veterinarian about your pets issues to get a true diagnosis and to see if CBD can help their situation safely.
This is considered the best way by many professionals; as you ensure that your dog is given the same amount every time. The amount of CBD that you give to your dog is based on the dog's condition, breed, weight and age. See chart below.
Draw the desired amount of CBD Oil into the dropper; then carefully position in the back of your pet's mouth. Slowly squeeze the oil into your dog's mouth - be careful not to gag your pup (this will cause product loss). Afterwards, give your dog a treat to ensure all oil was swallowed and to create a positive experience for your pooch.
This is my favorite way of administering CBD to my pack. Make sure to use foods that your dog enjoys; I recommend using a small quantity to ensure that your pup ingests it all at once. I prefer to use organic pumpkin; however, you can also use natural peanut butter or plain yogurt.
Ensure that you use high quality treats. Avoid peanut butter made with xylitol (or other sweeteners) and salt because these ingredients can have serious side effects for your pets.
Some people will suggest adding CBD Oil into your dog's food and/or water; however, this is not something that I recommend for a couple of reasons:
If your dog doesn't finish their food; then their daily dose will vary and you will see inconsistent results.
If the CBD is not water soluble, then it cannot be added to water. Most pet CBD Oil is not water soluble. This is a product made for humans to add to their water bottles.
If there are multiple pets in the home; they may get into each other's food. Then you may give CBD to a pet who doesn't need it (and not the one who does). This will not hurt the other pet (unless they are on medication for the heart or liver); however, it will lead to inconsistent results.
Finally, taking CBD with a full meal may delay the onset and you may not see the desired results.
Yes! You can easily add CBD Oil to your dog's favorite treat. Since treats are generally rewards for good behavior; this is the perfect opportunity to have your dog associate CBD with a positive event. Most dog treats are in the form of a cookies or biscuits; and their dry nature make them perfect for absorbing CBD Oil. Select your dog's favorite treat; and add the suggested amount of CBD to the biscuit. Allow the CBD to absorb into the biscuit for 30-60 seconds before administering to your pooch. If that is too much work, check out our line of CBD Treats and CBD Soft Chews.
Regardless of how you give CBD to your dog; it is important to consider how much to give your canine companion. The FDA does not regulate the selling or manufacturing of CBD; which means that there is no universal dose recommendations.
So, how do you determine how much CBD to give to your dog? The crucial factors that help determine the right dosage includes: Age, Sex, Weight and Severity of Medical Issues.
When figuring up the starting dose for your dog; most people start with their dog's weight. On average, the suggested starting dose for your average dog is 1mg/10lbs = 5mg of CBD for a 50 pound dog. Situational Anxiety on average takes twice this dosage; however, we always recommend starting low and slowly increasing to find the optimal amount for your dog. The chart suggests administering twice per day; however, I recommend starting at once per day and increasing to twice per day if necessary after 5 days of use. In the end, you know your dog best, and you will know if your dog needs more or less after the first couple of days.
CBD can be highly effective in treating different ailments in dogs without the negative side effects; and that is the reason many pet people are turning to it. Note the efficacy of CBD varies depending on the canine's medical condition, severity and mode of delivery. Although, the effects of oral administration may take a few hours, it's generally the best way to deliver it to your pet. With that in mind, the only way to see the results is to be consistent.
For more information, contact your medical professional or email us at info@labarkeria.dog.
Related: CBD Treats & Pet Tinctures