Did you know that there’s been a 66% increase in dogs with osteoarthritis over the last 10 years? Around 20% of dogs over 10 years old suffer from osteoarthritis.
Weight gain in dogs can reduce mobility thus progressing the osteoarthritis and discomfort further. This is why 52% of dogs with osteoarthritis are overweight. Overweight dogs are also 2.3 times more likely to receive an osteoarthritis diagnosis.
You don’t want your dog to feel pain and discomfort. This is why you’re probably curious about CBD.
All the different forms of CBD and dosages can get confusing. Keep reading to learn more about CBD oil dosage for dogs.
You Should Know What CBD Is First
CBD’s popularity has been growing over the last several years as many dog owners have claimed that it alleviates some of the symptoms their dogs deal with daily. What is CBD though?
CBD is the chemical compound derived from the hemp plant. CBD no matter the form it comes in does not contain enough THC, often less than 0.3%, to give people or pets a high feeling. It does, however, offer many other benefits.
CBD Offers a Lot of Benefits
CBD has become so popular in aiding dogs and other pets because of its potential to help alleviate symptoms from some of the most common conditions dogs suffer from.
Anxiety is quite common among many breeds of dogs. It’s characterized by trembling, scratching, and chewing. The phytocannabinoids in CBD help relieve stress and anxiety in certain situations.
Pain and inflammation of the joints are common symptoms in many dogs who suffer from arthritis. Anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed by vets can help alleviate the pain but come with some harsh side effects including diarrhea and vomiting.
CBD can help relieve some pain for dogs who suffer from these conditions without causing too many side effects. CBD offers these benefits and many more, that’s why so many pet parents are turning towards this holistic approach.
How Does It Actually Work for Dogs?
CBD for dogs is readily available these days but how does it actually work to help a dog with so many ailments? Similar to humans, dogs have an endocannabinoid system.
The endocannabinoid system is in charge of maintaining homeostasis in your dog’s body. When it fails to do so, they can develop a variety of illnesses.
Since the endocannabinoid system has its own cannabinoids, CBD can replenish the level of cannabinoids in your dog’s body and restore homeostasis.
Dosage Depends on a Variety of Factors
The amount of CBD oil you should give your dog depends on a variety of factors. Each brand differs in how much concentration their products contain, so it’s important to follow instructions on the packages to the letter.
Other things to consider are your dog’s weight and size. The bigger they are the more drops of CBD oil they’ll need.
If your dog is on an important drug regimen for a health issue, you should contact their vet before introducing any CBD products into their system.
Additional Tips to Consider
Other things you should consider before giving your dog any CBD products and deciding on the dosage is their level of activity. A more active dog will better metabolize the CBD. If your dog suffers from kidney or liver conditions, then their body could potentially have problems metabolizing the CBD oil you give them.
When buying CBD, make sure that you only purchase the highest quality products and the best CBD oil you can find. Different potency levels are sold based on your dog’s weight and size, so make sure you buy the correct one.
Administering Dosages
The same CBD dosage can affect two dogs differently. That’s why you should give your dog less than the suggested dosage and monitor how they react when starting. You can slowly increase the dosage if no negative reactions occur.
There are different levels of CBD oil dosages depending on what they’re being used for. A mild dosage is used for general wellness while a regular dose can help with mild anxiety and aches. A strong dosage can help with harsher issues like chronic pain and severe anxiety.
The basic rules state that about 1-3 mg of CBD should be given for every 10 pounds of a dog’s weight. This dose can be administered once a day.
CBD Comes in Many Forms
CBD oils are a common way for your dog to take CBD. Oils come with their own dropper so measuring out the right dose is simple. You can squirt the drops directly into their mouth or on one of their favorite treats.
CBD treats are another option for dogs. These treats come in many different flavors your dog will love, including bacon and peanut butter.
CBD oil has the highest potency because it has higher concentrations than treats that have been processed with other ingredients.
How Long Until It Takes Effect?
CBD oil is absorbed the quickest as it’s given orally and has the highest potency. Regular dosages given for mild anxiety should start working anywhere from five minutes after ingesting or up to 30 minutes after.
Although you might think that a higher dose will work quicker, if you’re using it to help your dog with some of their arthritis symptoms, you might not see the effects kick in for up to two weeks.
If you want to see a faster effect, you may want to consider oil since it goes into your dog’s bloodstream immediately versus a treat that needs to get digested before having any effect.
CBD Oil Dosage for Dogs Explained
A CBD oil dosage for dogs doesn’t have to be a complicated process if you follow the guide in this article. It’s important to take your dog’s weight, size, and health conditions into consideration before giving them any CBD.
Did you find this article useful? Make sure to check out some of the other pet-related blogs on our site to learn more.
