How much CBD should I give my dog?? This is a great question and hand downs the most frequently asked question. If you have spent five minutes researching this question; you have more than likely seen SEVERAL different answers to this simple question. Some companies instruct you to administer a full dropper once a day without explaining what a full dropper means; while others suggest dosing your pet twice a day but without explaining how much to give. To say this is frustrating is an UNDERSTATEMENT.
The simple truth is that there is currently no FDA approved standard. The Farm Bill passed in Dececember 2018 legalized hemp-derived CBD; however, prior to this hemp products were widely demonized and research on full-spectrum hemp was frowned upon; even discouraged in certain regions.
Naturally, since the FDA has yet to set dosing guidelines one would assume the second-best option would be to double check with their veterinarian. After all, they went to school for this sort of thing, right? Unfortunately, the answer to this question is not straight forward.
CONSULTING YOUR VETERINARIAN
One would think that our veterinarians would be able to help us navigate through the loads of conflicting information and point us in the right direction. Not necessarily. Even though the 2018 Farm Bill loosened the restrictions on hemp-derived CBD. It did not remove the restrictions on veterinarians to discuss, recommend, and prescribe CBD for pets. The laws and regulations, both state-by-state and federally aren’t exactly clear cut. Due to this level of uncertainty, it poses many liabilities for veterinarians with regards to disciplinary action or even legal issues for recommending or prescribing CBD products to pet parents.
For example, in many states like Massachusetts, where marijuana (for people) is legal medicinally and recreationally, the practice of veterinarians discussing, recommending and/or prescribing CBD is still technically not legal – or at least it’s a gray area. Veterinarians run the risk of board discipline or even license revocation or suspension.
However, in 2018, California passed legislature called the Assembly Bill # 2215, making it legal for licensed veterinarians within the state to discuss cannabis for medicinal use in pets. Although, they are still not allowed to recommend or prescribe CBD. At least the medical community seems to be taking steps slowly in the right direction.
DISCUSS WITH YOUR VETERINARIAN
As a responsible pet parent, you should always tell your veterinarian about all medications and supplements you give to your pets. There are no laws barring you from discussing CBD with your pet's medical professional; and you should feel comfortable discussing the health and safety of your pets with your veterinarian. We personally talk about it with our veterinarian to avoid the potential of negative drug interactions. Pet owners should know that CBD can interact with other medications or supplements; and your veterinarian can advise you on whether CBD can negatively interact with your pet’s current or future prescriptions.
SIDE EFFECTS OF CBD
When administering CBD, be aware of potential side effects. Even though they are not wide spread; there's a chance for the following:
increased fatigue (generally at high levels of CBD)
minor decrease in blood pressure
decreased saliva production
decrease in liver enzyme production
minor diarrhea or vomiting
WILD WEST OF THE PET INDUSTRY
Yes! The current state of the hemp industry is the Wild Wild West. Due to the tremendous amount of unregulated growth; anyone with an internet connection can sell CBD online in the USA. While this is an excellent way to keep prices competitive; it poses significant liability for medical professionals and high risks for pet parents (who assume products are safe for their furbabies).
Today, CBD is sold at gas stations, specialty stores, pharmacies, farmers markets and everywhere in-between; it's easy to assume these products are safe. Unfortantely, that's a harmful assumption. Hemp plants are used for Phytoremediation; which means that it can be intentionally planted to remove toxins from the soil. Phytoremediation is nature’s way of absorbing toxins, like chemicals and heavy metals out of the soil. Then, companies use these plants to make inexpensive/unregulated products.
For this very reason, it is absolutely critical that your CBD products are sourced from the USA and third party lab tested for potency, solvents, heavy metals and harmful microbials. Third party testing is necessary when it comes to ensuring safe and quality CBD.
BUY CBD... NOT HEMP
Many companies (not all) are only selling hemp seed oil, which is vastly different from real CBD hemp oil. While hemp seed oil has notable nutritional benefits, it DOES NOT carry the therapeutic benefits of CBD hemp oil. It would be one thing for these companies to sell the hemp seed oil at face value, but we have found MANY companies that will label their hemp seed oil deceptively in an attempt to deceive consumers.
Believe it or not, Amazon (and Etsy) is one of the biggest offenders of this. Although, real CBD hemp oil is strictly PROHIBITED to be sold on both platform, when you search "CBD Oil for Pets" on Amazon you'll receive results like this:
Don’t let labels and creative marketing techniques lead you astray – this is not real CBD. What’s worse, is many consumers trust these companies (understandably so) and quickly discover that the “cbd oil” did't help their furry friend. Not only do these deceptive marketing tactics lack integrity, the pets are deprived of the much-needed relief that real CBD may provide. Furthermore, many consumers will just assume that CBD doesn’t help their pet and move on to expensive pharmaceuticals with potentially dangerous long-term side effects.
Now that you know what to look for when purchasing CBD... let's get into how much CBD to give your furkids.
CBD DOSING FOR YOUR PETS
There are two variables to consider when selecting a starting dose for your pets; weight and severity of condition. We separate our furiends into three categories:
LOW DOSE: 0.05 MG OF CBD PER EVERY POUND OF BODY WEIGHT (1-2 TIMES DAILY)
holistic health
minor aches and pains
seasonal allergies
minor skin conditions
minor arthritis or inflammation
old age issues
digestive issues
MID DOSE: 0.125 MG OF CBD PER EVERY POUND OF BODY WEIGHT (1-2 TIMES DAILY)
stress and anxiety
arthritis and joint inflammation
post surgery recovery
sever seasonal allergies
mobility issues
HIGH DOSE: 0.25 MG OF CBD PER EVERY POUND OF BODY WEIGHT (1-2 TIMES DAILY)
sever arthritis and inflammationhttps://www.labarkeria.dog/cbd-treats
chronic pain
extreme nausea
cancer related symptoms
sever anxiety
epileptic seizures
FACTORS IN DETERMINING CBD
As you can see, there is no simple answer to the question; how much CBD do I give my pet? That said, there are two main factors to consider when determining the optimal dose for your furkids.
WEIGHT: There's a direct correlation between size and dose in most dietary supplements. Simply put, the bigger the dog the larger the dose. However, as you'll see below; there is another factor to consider. In most cases, it is best to start your dog at a low dose and gradually work them up to their ideal range. It is a little more work, but it is the most effective way to get your pet into the sweet spot for their size and issues; and it helps yo avoid some of the side effects listed above.
SEVERITY OF AILMENT: If you are giving CBD to a healthy pooch for health and wellness or as a preventive; then you are going to start your canine in the low range. However, if your pet suffers from hip dysplasia or severe arthritis; then you are going to start your pet in the mid to upper range.
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Generally speaking, full-spectrum CBD stays in your pets system for 6-8 hours; broad spectrum last 4-6 hours and isolate will last for approximately 4 hours. More active dogs tend to have higher metabolism; and therefore, process CBD and other supplements faster than less active pets. You may only have to give your senior dog CBD once a day; but your four year old Anxious Aussie may require it twice a day.
CONDITIONS: If your dog has any underlying health issues, speak to your veterinarian before starting any new dietary or medical supplements. For instance, CBD may not be ideal for dogs with kidney or liver issues. CBD hemp products may interfere with medications with Grapefruit ⚠️ warnings.
HOW MUCH CBD DO I GIVE TO DOGS WITH HEALTH CONDITIONS?
DOGS WITH SKIN CONDITIONS: CBD will not cure most skin conditions, but it will help with the itchiness and inflammation. It's best to start in the holistic range and increase as needed. We give our dog with seasonal allergies our Allergy Supplement; which includes CBD Isolate + Quercetin (nature’s benadryl). Quercetin relieves the allergy symptoms without the negative side effects of OTC benadryl.
DIABETIC DOGS: In 2006, scientists from the Hadassah University Hospital treated diabetic mice with 2.2 mg of CBD per pound of weight per day. The study showed the potential for CBD to reduce the production of pro-inflammation molecules associated with diabetes. Obviously, the study was with mice, not dogs. Before starting your dog on a high dose of CBD, consult your animal doctor.
SEIZURE DISORDERS: A recent study on the CBD effects on epileptic seizures in dogs found that 1.1 mg of CBD per pound significantly reduced the seizures. For our dog, 0.3-0.5mg of CBD per pound once a day has worked.
SITUATIONAL ANXIETY: Going to the vet, car rides, grooming appointments, traveling and moving can be unpleasant for you and your dog. Administering 0.2mg of CBD per pound 30 minutes prior to a stressful event can significantly decrease the stress. Giving your dog 0.5mg of CBD per pound one hour before a thunderstorm, fireworks, gatherings in the home or separation anxiety can help back off the intensity of the event.
ARTHRITIS: Dogs with osteoarthritis have been effectively treated with 1mg per pound. Canines with joint pain can be treated with 0.2-0.5mg per pound (depending on the severity of their pain and their activity level).
SIDE EFFECTS OF CBD
CBD is relatively safe for canine consumption; however, as responsible pet parents, we should be aware of the potential for minor side effects.
DROWSINESS: Due to its calming effects, higher dosage and concentrations may lead to a drowsy dog. If this is happening to your pooch, back off the dosage to minimize the effects.
LOWERED BLOOD PRESSURE: Higher CBD dosages can lead to temporarily lower blood pressure.
VOMITING: It’s mostly due to the bitter oil taste. On the bright side, you can switch to a dog treat or a capsule.
DIARRHEA: In this case, you should decrease the dosage and observe whether it improves. If it doesn’t, give your pet a break from CBD or try another delivery method.
CONCLUSION:
CBD can be an excellent holistic supplement for your dog's ailments. Many pet parents have seen notable improvements, even at lower dosages.
Hemp derived CBD can help pets with anxiety, stress, pain, Inflammation, seizure disorders, glaucoma and GI issues. There is still not a standard dosage guide; but we suggest starting your pet at 0.1mg per pound. Experts recommend much higher doses of 0.2-0.5mg - but we believe it is smarter to start low and work up to the optimal dose for your pooch. The optimal dose will be marked by a happy more playful dog; or a gentle more peaceful dog.
Keep in mind, that this dose may change over time, especially when treating pain. Monitor your dog after treatment for the first couple of weeks and you will see an improvement in their quality of life.
work hard to stay up-to-date on current research, if you have questions or concerns, please contact us at 📲(609) 271-0829 or email 📧 info@labarkeria.dog.