How Much CBD Should I Give My Dog?

What is is the right CBD dosage for dogs? Just Remember "PAWS"

More and more pet owners are discovering the benefits of CBD in helping to alleviate pain and inflammation, address anxiety and separation concerns, assist in exercise/injury recovery, and promote general well being for their 4-legged family members. But choosing the right CBD product and appropriate dosage can be confusing. We're here to help ease your pain, too, with this simple mnemonic: PAWS.

P is for "Product". What product type or formulation are you considering for your pet? An ingestible oil or tincture? Capsules? Treats? Ease and accuracy of administration of correct CBD dosage for dogs starts with the type of product you choose. Many pet owners find that they see the best results and most precise delivery by using a CBD-infused oil with a taste and smell that their pets enjoy.

A is for "Ailment". What is the ailment, problem or condition that you are trying to address with CBD for your dog? Chronic pain and inflammation from advancing age or arthritis? An acute injury or surgical rehab? Noise or separation anxiety? Muscle soreness from exercise or one too many zoomies? Or perhaps just improved general health and wellness? The recommended amount, frequency, and duration of CBD administration for your dog will depend in part on the nature and severity of the issue you are seeking to address. For a more profound and immediate response, start with a dose at the higher recommended range. See the suggested charts below for more specific information.

W is for "Weight". What is the size or weight of your dog (in pounds or kilograms)? Like humans, all dogs will react differently to dosages of medications and supplements, so you will want to observe your pet's particular response to any recommended starting CBD dosage and be prepared to adjust up or down. However, a good rule of thumb is to start with an initial regimen that is based upon weight. Larger dogs will generally require a higher dose of CBD than small dogs, but this may vary depending upon individual response and severity of symptoms. Current studies and experiential reports indicate therapeutic effects of CBD between 0.25 - 0.5 mg CBD per kg (2.2 lbs) of body weight taken once or twice daily, or as advised by healthcare or veterinary professional. Based upon those guidelines, the recommended CBD dosage for a 45 lb dog would be approximately 5 - 10 mg once or twice daily.

S is for "Strength". But therein lies the rub. All CBD pet products are not created equal. Not only are there different product types and formulations, there are also different strengths, concentrations, and contents. And not all products are tested and verified. So, in order to be sure about the quality and strength of the CBD you choose for your pet, start with a product that is tested for purity and concentration and offers a laboratory Certificate of Analysis to back it up. Know the product's CBD concentration per mL, and verify that package labeling accurately represents actual CBD content, not just a host of other cannabinoids, hempseed extracts, or other botanicals. And as added safety for your pet, choose a product that is THC free. Trove Canine CBD Oil 750 contains 750 mg CBD per 30 mL bottle; each 1 mL dropper (20 drops) contains 25 mg CBD. Trove Canine CBD Oil 300 contains 300 mg CBD per 30 mL bottle; each 1 mL dropper (20 drops) contains 10 mg CBD.

CBD Dosage Charts for Dogs Make it Simple

High quality, tested products will most likely include suggested CBD dosage for dogs based on the weight of your pet. See the simple dosage charts below for Trove Canine CBD Oil 750 and Trove Canine CBD Oil 300.

To calculate an even more exact starting dosage for your specific pet, you can use the 0.25 - 0.5 mg/kg guidelines discussed above. For example, if you select a product such as Trove Canine CBD Oil 750 that is verified to contain 750 mg CBD per 30 mL bottle, each 1 mL dropper (20 drops) would contain 25 mg CBD. Therefore, that 45 lb dog of yours would potentially benefit from an initial daily dose of up to 20 mg (0.8 mL or 16 drops). If in doubt, contact the manufacturer for help or consult with your veterinary professional to determine the ideal CBD dosage for your dog.

How to Give Your Dog CBD Oil

Ideally, CBD oil should be administered directly into the mouth so it may be more readily absorbed via the oral mucous membranes, but it also may be added to your dog's food or favorite treat. Either way, a pure CBD extract combined with organic MCT coconut oil is a tasty combination that even the most finicky canines will quickly find appealing.

Is CBD Safe for My Dog?

While more research into safety and efficacy of CBD is necessary, ongoing and eagerly anticipated, current studies and experiential reports indicate that when high quality products are given at appropriate therapeutic dosages, CBD is generally well tolerated, with little or no adverse side effects noted. A Cornell University study on "Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Clinical Efficacy of Cannabidiol Treatment in Osteoarthritic Dogs" reported positive results with no noted adverse side effects at a significantly higher dosage range (2 mg/kg of body weight twice daily). "There appear to be no observed side effects of the treatment in either the dogs utilized in the PK study at 2 and 8 mg/kg, or dogs undergoing OA treatment for a month duration. . .Further long-term studies with larger populations are needed to identify long-term effects of CBD rich industrial hemp treatment, however short term effects appear to be positive." [1] Similarly, while acknowledging that additional research is needed, results reported from ongoing studies on CBD for epilepsy, osteoarthritis, and safety in dogs at other major research universities are also encouraging as to clinical efficacy, safety, and absence of significant adverse side effects. [2} [3] [4]

Still Confused? Call Us!

If you want to provide your dog with the highest quality, most accurate dosage, and most convenient and effective delivery of CBD for what ails him or her, remember PAWS, and SHOP NOW for Trove Canine CBD Oil. Visit www.trovecbd.com for more information, or call us at 1-833-GO-TROVE.

Sources:

[1] Gamble, L.J. et al "Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Clinical Efficacy of Cannabidiol Treatment in Osteoarthritic Dogs" Frontiers in Veterinary Science, July 2018 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2018.00165/full

[2] McGrath, S. et al "Randomized Blinded Controlled Clinical Trial to Assess the Effect of Oral Cannabidiol Administration in Addition to Conventional Antiepileptic Treatment on Seizure Frequency in Dogs with Intractable Idiopathic Epilepsy" Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, June 2019 https://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/10.2460/javma.254.11.1301

[3] McGrath, S. et al " A Report of Adverse Effects Associated With the Administration of Cannabidiol in Healthy Dogs" Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, Fall 2018 https://www.ahvma.org/wp-content/uploads/AHVMA-2018-V52-CannabisAdverseEffects.pdf

[4] https://cvmbs.source.colostate.edu/preliminary-data-from-cbd-clinical-trials-promising/