The ultimate guide to CBD dosing for pets
Full spectrum hemp extract (CBD) can be life-changing for your pet. If you are wondering about dosing information, chances are you have already made the decision to try it – all of the high fives to you!
You might have heard different things from different companies about the right dosage. Some recommend dosing by weight, while some recommend dosing by ailment. Others recommend the same amount for people and pets, and even further on the spectrum some companies encourage you to dose by weight and ailment. It is no wonder that the dosage amount is such a hot topic and huge question.
Before you can start understanding the right dose, it is important to make sure you have a full spectrum hemp extract (CBD) product rather than a broad spectrum or CBD isolate. Full spectrum means that the product has the most cannabinoids and terpenes possible to produce the maximum benefits. Once you have your full spectrum product, you are ready to find the right dose for your pet.
Don’t be a weight watcher — why you should not dose based on weight
One of the most common ways to dose that companies recommend is to dose by weight. But that is not always best or the most accurate way to use full spectrum hemp extract (CBD).
Despite common misconceptions, dosing has very little to do with your dog’s size or weight. Finding the right dosage depends on your specific dog, their specific ailment, and how sensitive their endocannabinoid system is.
What does that mean for you? Dosing is not as cut and dry as it seems on the surface.
To find the right dose for your pet, start with the recommended number of mg for your pet’s specific ailment. Depending on how sensitive your pet’s endocannabinoid system is, you may need to adjust the dose to be higher or lower depending on your pet’s reaction.
To understand why weight is not the determining factor in dosing, consider the story of Nina and Odie. Nina, a 40-pound Doberman, roughly the size of a miniature pony, suffered from severe thunderstorm anxiety. Odie, a 10-pound miniature schnauzer who fits in a paper grocery bag with ease, he also suffered from thunderstorm anxiety. Both took the same concentration of oil, but they both need dramatically different amounts. Even though Nina was four times the size of Odie, she only needed half a dropper (around 0.5 mL or 4.5 mg CBD) to calm down, whereas Odie needed a full dropper (sometimes more) to calm down before a storm. Two dramatically differently sized dogs who require dramatically different doses because their endocannabinoid systems were not identically sensitive.
The most important thing to remember is that your pet cannot overdose on CBD. If you give your pet too much, the most that will happen is that they may become sleepy or have diarrhea.
Dosing by ailment
The best way to determine the right dose is to go by their ailment and adjust from there. Based on research and from my experience, I recommend the following servings for dogs and cats:
Noise, travel, or situational anxiety – Start with 9 mg before the triggering event. Wait 15-20 minutes and if your pet is still anxious, administer another 9 mg until you see results.
General anxiety – Start with a daily dose of at least 9 mg. If you don’t notice a difference within one to two weeks, increase the dosage to 15 – 25 mg daily.
Arthritis – Start with 9 – 12 mg daily. If you don’t notice a difference in one to two weeks, increase by another 9 – 12 mg daily until you see results. You’ll know you found the correct dose when you see your dog run faster, jump higher, and become puppy-like again.
Allergies – Start with 9 – 12 mg daily. If you don’t notice a difference within one to two weeks, increase by another 9 – 12 mg daily. Note: most often, allergies are caused by diet, and the diet should be altered to fully resolve the issue.
Aches and Pains – Start with 9 – 18 mg situationally or daily. If your dog is still in pain after 10 – 15 minutes, administer another 9 – 18 mg.
Cancer – For best results, administer 50 – 100 mg daily. However, to get started we suggest starting with 35 – 50 mg daily and increase if needed.
Seizures – Start with 35 – 50 mg daily and/or during seizure activity to stop seizures from occurring. Please consult your veterinarian if your pet is on phenobarbital before weaning.
Autoimmune Diseases – Start with 35 – 50 mg daily and increase if needed.
How do I give it to my pet?
For the fastest and most thorough absorption, lift the lip and apply dose directly onto the gums, as the most direct way into the bloodstream. If added to food, the medicine may not be as effective and can take significantly longer (30-45 min.) to reach the bloodstream as it works its way through the gastrointestinal system.
Unlike many traditional oral medications, research has proven that CBD is effectively and quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. A study conducted by the Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel concluded that: “CBD was observed to have a large volume of distribution [in dogs studied].” In a study conducted by the Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy, dogs were found to have a substantial amount of receptors in their endocannabinoid system, specifically in the spine, which allows dogs to more effectively use CBD.
In other words, when administered correctly, full spectrum hemp extract (CBD) is extremely effective.
Let’s Talk Micro Dosing (No, it’s not just for psychedelics)
When you say micro dosing, people might look at you sideways. Traditionally, micro dosing refers to taking small doses of LSD, which was introduced in the mid-1900’s by Dr. Albert Hofmann, a Swiss scientist. The idea of Hofmann’s study was that by taking small doses throughout the day, you can maintain the benefits all day long and it will not wear off because it won’t fully leave the system.
As you may have guessed, CBD and LSD are two totally different things, but they do have one thing in common: the effects can wear off relatively quickly.
In fact, the half-life of CBD taken orally by a dog is about 4-6 hours, according to a recent study. Taking it way back to high school science class, that means that the medicine peaks around 2 hours and is gone from the system totally by 4-6 hours.
Enter: Micro dosing! When you split your dog’s (or even your own) dose of full spectrum hemp extract (CBD) up into smaller doses throughout the day, the medicine stays in the body longer and doesn’t wear off like it would with one daily dose. This is especially helpful for dealing with anxiety, aches and pains, and seizures.
Remember: whether you dose once a day or multiple times, make sure to fully wipe off your dropper before putting it back into the bottle. While we love puppy kisses, doggy drool can actually cause a full spectrum hemp extract (CBD) tincture to become less effective as the bacteria in the saliva can break down the formula.
*ALL RECOMMENDATIONS ARE BASED ON A NANO-EMULSIFIED, FULL SPECTRUM EXTRACT MADE WITH CO2 EXTRACTION FROM THE FLOWER.
About Angela Ardolino
Angela Ardolino, a certified cannabis and fungi clinician, brings over 20 years of expertise to the field of holistic pet wellness. As a graduate of the inaugural Medical Cannabis for Therapeutic Use program at the University of Vermont School of Medicine, she is a passionate advocate for safe, natural, and ethically-grown whole plant and fungi medicine tailored for pets.
Committed to the highest standards, Angela continues to educate and inspire pet parents through her popular podcast, Your Natural Dog, where she hosts experts to discuss holistic pet care, natural remedies, nutrition, and training. Follow Angela Ardolino on her website, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to stay updated on her mission to educate and empower pet parents everywhere.