CBD Dosage for Dogs: A Guide on How to Treat Your Pet Well

When trying to figure out the correct CBD dosage for dogs, the important thing to remember is that our four-legged friends aren’t all the same. That’s why a careful evaluation of the effects and not being afraid to experiment with both the amounts and products are critical in identifying the right solution.  

In the following article, we’ll walk you through the most important considerations and calculations on the use of hemp treats.

Factors to Consider Before Calculating CBD Dosage for Dogs

Determining the proper CBD oil dosage for a dog can be difficult, especially for pet owners who haven’t had any prior experience with CBD. Here are a few things to consider when purchasing CBD for your pet:

Consumption Method

The product and brand you choose are two factors that play an important role in determining the CBD dosage for dogs. CBD products for dogs are available in several different forms:

• capsules
• CBD and hemp oil
• treats (edibles)
• topicals

CBD and hemp oils are the best options for dogs because of their high bioavailability. This means that less CBD is required to achieve the desired effects.

However, some dogs may not appreciate the earthy flavours and the intensity of CBD oils. This is where CBD dog treats serve as a solid alternative.

These CBD-infused soft chews, biscuits, and even doggy ice cream are a treat for your pet’s taste buds and come with a pre-determined CBD dose. As such, consumers don’t have to worry about figuring out the CBD dosage for dogs themselves.

But there are a few notable disadvantages to using CBD dog treats. For starters, you don’t have the option to adjust the dose to your pet’s individual needs, and the dosage is often ineffective. Also, it takes longer for the CBD to enter your dog’s bloodstream, as the cannabinoids must first pass through his digestive tract. 

The same is true when it comes to CBD capsules for dogs, which aren’t nearly as appealing to dogs as treats.

On the other hand, capsules contain a larger dose and are more predictable in terms of the effects. 

One of the best brands is cbdMD, which has its own line of CBD products for dogs. Another is CBDfx, offering pet products that are designed to provide your dog with calming and wellness-boosting ingredients.

Your Dog’s Size

Unsurprisingly, the recommended dose of CBD for dogs varies depending on the size and weight of your dog. 

The general guidelines stipulate that larger/heavier dogs require more CBD than smaller puppies to feel the effects. Some companies offer their own dose guidelines and charts based on your dog’s weight. This helps pet owners determine the proper dosage.

Your Dog’s Condition 

CBD has a range of health benefits and can provide relief for a long list of disorders. The type of disorder and its severity must be taken into consideration when determining the amount of CBD to give your pet. The more severe the condition, the higher the dose.

A low CBD oil amount is usually sufficient for supplementing your dog, but for anxiety or joint discomfort, you’ll need to raise the CBD oil dosage for dogs and monitor the effects until you reach the desired outcome.

THC Toxicity

Giving your dog any THC-infused products can be very harmful. THC is a psychotropic chemical present in the cannabis plant, which can be highly toxic to dogs.

If you’re a recreational marijuana user, make sure your stash is out of your dog’s reach. The legal limit for THC in cannabidiol products is 0.3%. However, it’s better if the product doesn’t have any THC. 

Among the adverse effects of dogs consuming THC are diarrhea, vomiting, and anxiety.

That’s why manufacturers developed CBD oils specifically for dogs, with a CBD oil for dogs dosage chart. This enables your pet to safely digest the substance without any side effects.

Tips About CBD Oil Dosage for Dogs

• Before administering any treatments, speak with your veterinarian.
• Consider your dog’s health problems, like kidney or liver disease, which could influence his capacity to metabolize or react to CBD.
• Look for a CBD oil that is contaminant-free and of excellent quality. Due to the absence of market regulations, some potentially unsafe products are being sold.
• Consider your dog’s level of exercise when determining how CBD (and other medications) are administered.
• Get the appropriate potency for your dog’s size. Most CBD oils come in various CBD dosage levels, ranging from 75 mg for small dogs to over 300 mg for large dogs. Each brand offers different potency levels.

Calculating the Right CBD Dose for Dogs 

Start with low doses and gradually increase the amount in line with the manufacturer’s dosing guidelines. Companies making their own quality CBD products usually provide thorough instructions on how to administer the substance. 

Of course, some consumers prefer knowing how to calculate the CBD dosage on their own.

For dogs, the standard dose formula is 1-5 mg of CBD per 10 pounds of body weight. The CBD dose for pain relief for dogs should be given every 8 hours or as needed to relieve pain. To relieve milder forms of discomfort, the dose can be given once or twice a day.

Below is the vet CBD dosing chart:

Weight (in pounds)	Light Dose (1 mg per 10 lb)	Regular Dose (2 mg per 10 lb)	High Dose (3 mg per 10 lb)
10	1 mg	2 mg	3 mg
20	2 mg	4 mg	6 mg
30	3 mg	6 mg	9 mg
40	4 mg	8 mg	12 mg
50	5 mg	10 mg	15 mg
60	6 mg	12 mg	18 mg
70	7 mg	14 mg	21 mg
80	8 mg	16 mg	24 mg
90	9 mg	18 mg	27 mg
100	10 mg	20 mg	30 mg
110	11 mg	22 mg	33 mg
120	12 mg	24 mg	36 mg

Dose of CBD Oil for Very Small Dogs (2–15 lbs)

Tiny dogs typically require a small CBD dose. But bear in mind that they have an extremely fast metabolism, which quickly breaks down the CBD. As such, you’ll need to administer the CBD oil dosage for dogs 3-4 times per day.

If your dog is experiencing any discomfort, a CBD dose of 1 mg is a good start. If you don’t see any improvements after 3-5 days, we recommend increasing the dosage.

When it comes to establishing a regimen, the most common recommendation is to start by taking CBD twice daily. If you want to increase the dosage, do so in 2-milligram increments until your dog feels better.

The max CBD dose for tiny dogs should not exceed 15 milligrams of CBD per day. Keep in mind that these are all estimates and should not be construed as medical or veterinary advice.

CBD Oil Dose for Medium-Small Dogs (15–30 lbs)

After an extensive study on various CBD dosages for medium-small dogs, we’ve concluded that it’s best to start with 2 mg and gradually increase the dose by 3 mg until you see results.

This data refers to dogs suffering from pain and arthritis. On the other hand, if your dog has psychological issues or suffers from a poor appetite, you should administer only 1 mg of CBD.

Owners who want to help their dogs with anxiety should gradually increase their dose by no more than 2 mg per day, not exceeding two doses per day. A dog of this size should receive no more than 20 milligrams of CBD each day.

CBD Oil for Medium-Large Dogs Dosage Calculator (30–60 lbs)

We’ve already touched on the fact that larger dogs require more CBD to achieve the desired effects. Depending on the severity of the pain, a dose of 1-3 mg of CBD is a decent starting point.

If you do not see any improvements, try increasing the dose by 3 mg. The recommended first dose for behavioural issues (lack of focus), psychological disorders (panic, anxiety), and poor appetite is 1 mg twice per day.

Keep a close eye on your dog’s behaviour to see if the CBD is having the desired effect. If it doesn’t work, increase the dosage by no more than 2 mg. For a dog of this size, the maximum CBD dose is around 30 milligrams per day.

Best Dose of CBD for Large Dogs (60–150 lbs)

Owners of big dogs should follow the same general recommendations as owners of medium-sized ones. If you have a particularly large dog, though, you may need to administer significantly larger doses. 

The reaction to CBD by individual dogs isn’t always the same. That’s why we recommend starting with the lowest dose and gradually increasing by 3-5 mg per dose until your dog shows signs of improvement.

CBD Dosage for Dogs: Calculator for Medical Use

When administering CBD products for more serious health conditions, it’s crucial that the dosage be effective and safe. Many consumers are interested in determining the right CBD dosage for dogs with seizures or arthritis pain. 

For starters, determine how much CBD your dog needs based on your pet’s weight. 0.2 mg of CBD per pound is a good starting point. So, if your dog is 25 pounds, you’ll give him 5 milligrams of CBD. 

When determining how much oil to give your dog, it’s also useful to calculate how many milligrams of CBD are in each millilitre of oil. 

Here is the CBD dosage chart for dogs based on that formula:

• The 75 mg formula is 2.5 milligrams of CBD per ml of oil.
• The 150 mg formula is 5 milligrams of CBD per ml of oil.
• The 300 mg formula is 10 milligrams of CBD per ml of oil.
• The 600 mg formula is 20 milligrams of CBD per ml of oil.

Keep in mind that the oral syringe most manufacturers provide makes it difficult to administer 0.25ml, which is why we don’t recommend using the 600mg formula on small pets.

The CBD Oil for Dogs Dosage for General Well-Being

If you’re administering CBD oil for your dog’s general health, your pet may not require larger doses. Also, you can always reduce the dosage over time.

How Long Does It Take for the CBD Dose for Dogs to Start Working?

It takes from 30 to 45 minutes for CBD to take effect. Oils tend to kick in a little faster than treats because there are fewer ingredients to break down. Nevertheless, both products are effective.

How Long Do the Effects of CBD Dosing for Dogs Last?

Each dose lasts from four to eight hours, whether it’s administered through oil or biscuits. The exact duration of the effects depends on multiple factors, including your pet’s:

• size
• activity level
• breed
• the severity of their symptoms

However, as a general rule, older dogs take longer to digest food than younger ones.

What Are the Benefits of CBD Oil for Dogs?

There are numerous studies that underscore the health benefits of CBD use among people. CBD has the ability to:

• Offset anxiety and depression
• Treat certain epilepsy syndromes
• Relieve pain
• Reduce diabetic complications 

Several scientific studies are working to determine whether dogs can benefit from CBD in the same ways that people do. 

Although the exact benefits of CBD for dogs require further clinical trials, there are some areas where CBD is already showing promise. Below are a few health problems that CBD can help alleviate in your pets:  

• Nausea
• Cancer
• Some epilepsy syndromes
• Gastrointestinal issues (digestion problems)
• Anxiety
• Protects the nervous system
• Chronic inflammation
• Joint pain
• Arthritis
• Appetite loss

The Right Amount of CBD for Dogs: Risks and Considerations

We are still waiting for the release of definitive scientific data on how CBD affects dogs. However, some possible adverse effects and risks have been identified.

CBD’s Potential Adverse Effects on Dogs

The following side effects of CBD use are largely based on those identified in humans. Administering the proper CBD dosage for dogs can help you avoid any unfortunate side effects.

• Drowsiness: CBD is widely used to treat anxiety in dogs, and its relaxing effect may cause drowsiness, especially when consumed in large doses.
• High doses of CBD can temporarily reduce blood pressure. Even though the decrease is minor, it may cause dizziness for a short period of time.
• Dry mouth: CBD reduces saliva production, which may increase your dog’s thirst.

CBD for Dogs Dosage: What Are the Risks?

The US Food and Drug Administration has not approved CBD for any use in animals. In the absence of FDA regulation, there are no official dose guidelines either. 

Any drug or supplement can cause an adverse reaction. When feeding your dog something new, always start with small doses and thoroughly monitor the effects. Also, before deciding to try any product, consult your veterinarian.

Conclusion

Many pet lovers in Canada spare no expense when it comes to accommodating their furry friends. In fact, dog owners in Canada spend an average of $1,083 per year on dog food. 

CBD products for dogs have recently been added to many of those shopping lists. For most, the cost is not an issue. But many are still grappling with the dosage. Whether we are talking about CBD dosage for puppies or older dogs, there is no perfect amount. The CBD dosage you give your pets depends on multiple factors, including their weight, health condition and the product you’re using. Whichever product you choose, always consult a professional and follow the recommendations when administering CBD to your pet.

FAQs

How much CBD oil should I give my dog?

Start with 1-2 milligrams per 10 pounds of body weight. Remember that the CBD oils come in various concentrations, and the figures on the label stand for the total amount of CBD in the bottle, not for each individual dose.

What is CBD oil for dogs?

CBD oil is becoming an increasingly popular remedy for both humans and their pets. It offers a long list of health benefits, has anti-inflammatory properties, and relieves pain and anxiety. It also has skin-nurturing properties and can help improve bone and joint health.

What is the dosage for CBD oil for dogs?

The majority of CBD manufacturers recommend a starting dose of 0. 2 mg per pound of body weight. Meanwhile, the CBD dosage for dogs who suffer from conditions like osteoarthritis should be increased by 1 mg per pound and administered twice daily. This amounts to 2mg of CBD per pound each day, which is ten times more than the recommended dose for beginners. Ultimately, the exact dose should be determined by the condition you’re attempting to treat.