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Now that CBD is taking the holistic world by awe, you’ve probably caught onto the CBD bug too. Whether you’re new to CBD oil or you know someone that has tried it or you’ve been recommended to read into it, you’ve got questions, a ton of questions.
So where do you start? Which CBD product is right for me? What dosage is right for me? As you’re wondering this, so is your veterinarian. Not only is CBD oil being continuously considered safe and non-toxic, veterinary medicine is quickly jumping onto the therapeutic benefits it may provide to your animals.
If your vet has recently suggested looking into CBD oil for your pet, how the heck do you decide which dosage to give fido? In today’s article, we’ll cover the basics of CBD oil for pets, the importance of consulting with your veterinarian, and how a CBD dosage calculator may be helpful for picking a dosage fit for your pet’s needs.
Let’s get into it!
Let’s discuss CBD first. CBD is the medical abbreviation for cannabidiol, a compound derived from the cannabis plant. Though the cannabis plant has been around for centuries, with claims of healing and medical benefits, CBD isn’t as ancient in its findings.
CBD is just one of 100+ phytocannabinoids that can be derived from the cannabis plant. The cannabis plant term can be heard interchangeably with hemp and marijuana plants. But, do note, there are distinct differences between the marijuana and hemp plants.
Marijuana-derived CBD is not legal in all states. However, hemp-derived CBD is legal in all 50 states. The big difference here: marijuana plants contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is well-known to produce mind-altering effects in users. Hemp plants contain little to no THC (0.0 - 0.3% THC).
Just like us humans, dogs have an endocannabinoid system, or for short, an ECS. Each and every one of us, including our pets, has an ECS. Our ECS works alongside other major organ systems to help keep our body in a homeostatic balance.
Within our endocannabinoid system, there are cannabinoid receptors that work to communicate with other body receptors traveling to and from the brain. There are two main receptors working within our ECS: cannabinoid-receptor 1 (CB1) and cannabinoid-receptor 2 (CB2). These receptors connect with different cannabinoids, well, differently. For instance, CBD binds indirectly with CB1 and CB2 and THC binds directly with CB1 and CB2. Thus, users may feel a “high” with THC due to the euphoric binds to cannabinoid receptors.
CBD is quickly becoming a magical herb to help with pets. Veterinarians are welcoming CBD oils and treats for animals. The research behind the ECS, CBD oil, and its effect on animals isn’t slowing down any time soon either.
Before we start discussing proper dosage for your pets, let’s talk about the different types of CBD available.
Again, hemp-derived CBD is the only CBD you should be giving your pet. Marijuana-derived CBD can be extremely dangerous and harmful to pets, potentially even toxic and life-threatening. Hemp-derived CBD contains little to no THC, meaning, your pu won’t get “high” or “stoned”.
There are various types of CBD available on the market today, for fido and us humans! Some of the most commonly seen CBD products for pets are:
If you’re unsure of which CBD type to start with, talk to your holistic veterinarian. They may be able to help guide you through which type might be best for your pet’s personalized health concerns.
Here’s where things get tricky. We understand that figuring out how much CBD oil to give your pup can be more than confusing.
First, we highly recommend talking with your veterinarian about CBD dosage, as they may be able to prescribe a dosage suitable for you pup. Secondly, if you want to head to the internet first, there are CBD dosage calculators for dogs available for you to browse through.
Do note, these calculators are for informational purposes only. There isn't an exact, for sure, or 100% correct recommendation for CBD dosage for your pet. However, this calculator tool is simply a tool you can refer to to help you estimate how many drops you could give your puppers.
In general, a CBD dosage calculator for your dog may ask for this information prior to generating a dosage amount:
So if your dog’s weight is 10lbs and you had a 200 mL bottle with 1000 mg of CBD in it, hypothetically, your pup’s recommended dosage would be anywhere from 1.0 - 2.0 mg of CBD per day (4 - 8 drops per day). Again, this calculator is for informational purposes only.
You can always start your pup on CBD oil slowly. There’s no rush to get fido benefitting from CBD. A low dose is always better safe than sorry, especially when first starting him or her out on a new supplement or holistic option.
Some pets may react really well to minor/low doses, whilst other doggos may need a heavier dose to feel its effects a bit more. Whenever starting or changing doses for your dog, keep a close eye on their behavior, keep note of any abnormalities. There’s nothing to be majorly concerned about with CBD, as there are little to no side effects of taking CBD.
There are very few to no side effects of taking CBD, for both you and your pup.
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), dogs may experience a few side effects. Though no research has been done specifically looking at adverse effects of CBD in dogs, the human side effects can be applied to dogs for now.
Dogs may experience side effects from CBD including:
Not only are these side effects extremely important to talk with your pup’s vet about, but also share your CBD dosage with your vet. This may better help them understand why your dog may be experiencing side effects.
Dosing with cannabidiol can be a therapeutic option for helping with several health concerns for your dog. CBD can provide a natural alternative compared to traditional pharmaceuticals and medications.
Studies have displayed that CBD has great anxiety-reducing effects as well as antioxidant properties in dogs. This may be beneficial in dogs with severe separation anxiety or hyperactivity behaviors.
CBD may also be a promising supplement for general health and well-being in dogs. It may provide positive results in alleviating health concerns with little to no side effects that are commonly seen in more traditional medicative approaches.
CBD also possesses anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties (for humans and pets). Thus, CBD doses may be helpful in reducing oxidative stress.
As CBD being a derivative of the cannabis plant, it is an all-natural, non-toxic, non-addictive, and generally safe compound.
When all is said and done at the end of the day, we know you only want what is best for your four-legged best friend. If you’re curious about implementing a CBD regime into your dog’s daily life, talk to your holistic veterinarian.
When it comes to an appropriate CBD dosage, take the guesswork out of the equation. Talk to your vet, bring in your CBD product you’re thinking about using, use a CBD dosage calculator/estimator, ask questions, do your homework.
Afterall, your pup’s overall health and well-being come first. It’s best to start with a low dosage and work your way up if need be. Fido can reap the benefits of CBD over time, no rush necessary.
As always, here at Petly CBD, we know how much you care for your furry friend. We are all dog and cat owners and genuinely enjoy our time with our furry friends.
Quality CBD products are tough to come by in an era of everything being readily available on the internet day. So know that our products are 100% THC free, organically farmed, hemp-derived, third-party lab tested, and given certificates of analysis. We’ve got you covered.
Again, CBD is making its name quite quickly in the world of veterinary medicine and holistic health realms. Its therapeutic potential is shocking researchers and doctors in all sectors, with beautiful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, aiding in yours and fido’s well-being.
