Finding the correct CBD dosage for pets can be tricky at first, but through trial and error and the start low and go slow approach, you will quickly find that sweet spot where your dog or cat receives the proper benefits of CBD oil and can live life more comfortable with little to no side effects.
Our pets are significant parts of our lives. They greet us when we return home with excitement and energy and comfort us when we are going through hard times. They don’t judge us and quickly give us their affection even after scolding them for chewing our favourite slippers. They don’t hold grudges and want to be loved and cared for and appreciate everything you do for them.
A pet’s health is essential because they are not around for very long, so we must care for them as best we can to make their lives as long and as comfortable as possible.
CBD Oil has become a game-changer, although research is still ongoing to discover its true capabilities. We now have another option when treating our pet’s symptoms compared to prescription pharmaceutical drugs, which often have a long list of side effects.
What is the Correct CBD Dosage for Pets?
Just like humans, every pet is unique. A CBD oil dosage that works for one pet may not be enough or may be too little for another pet. Many factors play a role in determining the correct daily CBD oil dosage for your pet and include the following:
- Symptoms to be Treated
- The severity of those Symptoms
- Strength of the CBD Product
- Size of the CBD Bottle (ml)
- Weight of your Pet
Symptoms to be Treated
Knowing the symptoms to be treated will help you to start finding the correct daily dosage of CBD oil for your pet. Using a CBD Dosage Calculator, you can enter the symptoms and other vital information and be on your way.
The Severity of Symptoms to be Treated
Now that we have provided the symptom(s), we can provide the severity of those symptoms. A pet with mild symptoms would require less CBD oil, and a pet with moderate to severe symptoms would require more.
Strength of the CBD Oil Product
Knowing the strength of the CBD oil product will also help determine the proper daily dosage of CBD oil for your pet. A higher strength CBD oil will require less of a dose for your pet and allow for less oil to be administered at one time. Some people will go for higher strength oil but lower the dosage, so their pet doesn’t have to consume as much oil, making administration more manageable.
Size of the CBD Bottle (ml)
The CBD oil bottle’s capacity plays a vital role in determining your pet’s starting daily dosage of CBD oil. If we divide the strength of the bottle by the size in millilitres, we will get the amount of CBD in milligrams per 1ml. If you have two bottles, both have a strength of 1000mg, but one bottle is 30ml, and the other is 50ml. The 50ml bottle will have less CBD in milligrams per 1ml, so it will not be as concentrated.
Weight of your Pet
Your pet’s weight is another critical factor when determining the correct daily CBD oil dosage for your pet. Heavier pets will require more CBD oil to treat their symptoms, while a smaller, less heavy pet will, of course, require less.
Once we have this information, we can use a CBD Dosage Calculator to input all the above information and receive a recommended daily dosage of CBD Oil for your pet. The calculator compiles data from real-life CBD users and displays recommendations that have worked for a large percentage of users based on this valuable data.
Possible Drug Interactions with CBD and your pet
It is important to know of possible drug interactions that may occur when administering CBD to your pet. CBD may interfere with certain medications which may lead to increased or decreased effectiveness of these medications. Also combining CBD with certain medications may harm the liver as CBD and these medications both are metabolized by the same enzyme in the liver. If your pet has liver problems and is taking the following medications, you will need to speak to your vet.
Antibiotics
CBD has been shown to decrease the effectiveness of antibiotics so if you plan on supplementing your pet with CBD, it would be best to wait until the regimen of antibiotics is finished before starting CBD.
Steroid Medications
Steroids and CBD are both metabolized by the same CYP3A enzyme in the liver, therefore it is not advised to have your pet taking Steroids along with CBD unless they are at very low doses. Some people who have their pet on a steroid will gradually wean their pet off the steroid while introducing CBD.
Combining a high-dose steroid with CBD may not only affect the liver in a negative way, but the 2 combined may increase or decrease the effectiveness of the steroid.
Examples of steroids for pets include: prednisone, prednisolone, dexamethasone, triamcinolone, and methylprednisolone
It’s important to note the short term and long-term negative effects of steroids on your pet. CBD on its own has very minimal side effects compared to steroids and may simply include nausea and sleepiness.
Short-term effects of Steroids on your pet include:
- increased thirst and urination
- increased hunger
- panting
- general loss of energy
- development or worsening of infections (especially bacterial skin infections)
- vomiting or nausea (less common)
Long-term effects of Steroids on your pet include:
- urinary tract infections (UTIs), which occur in up to 30% of patients. Monitoring for the development of UTI is achieved by performing periodic urine cultures. A patient receiving steroids may not experience the usual symptoms of urinary tract infection, because the steroid will suppress the inflammation and discomfort commonly associated with a UTI. In many cases, a urine culture may be the only way to detect the infection.
- development of thin skin, blackheads, and a poor or thin hair coat
- poor wound healing ability
- development of obesity due to increased hunger
- muscle weakness secondary to protein catabolism (breakdown)
- development of hard plaques or spots on the skin called calcinosis cutis. These plaques are the result of calcium deposition in the skin.
- increased susceptibility to opportunistic or secondary bacterial infections
- increased susceptibility to fungal infections (especially of the nasal cavity)
- development of adult-onset demodectic mange (skin mites)
- predisposition to diabetes mellitus
General Guidelines for CBD Oil Dosage for Pets
Cannaffex recommends using the following general guidelines for CBD dosing for pets. You can use the dosage calculator or follow this table if you prefer
| Cannaffex Full Spectrum CBD Oil for Dogs & Cats 250mg |
| Small Feline or Canine (0-10lbs) | Small Feline or Canine (10-20lbs) |
| Standard Dose – 0.25ml twice daily | Standard Dose – 0.5ml twice daily |
| Treatment Dose – 0.5ml twice daily | Treatment Dose – 1ml twice daily |
| Cannaffex Full Spectrum CBD Oil for Medium Sized Dogs 500mg |
| Medium Breed Canine (20-40lbs) | Medium Breed Canine (40-60lbs) |
| Standard Dose – 0.5ml twice daily | Standard Dose – 1ml twice daily |
| Treatment Dose – 1ml twice daily | Treatment Dose – 2ml twice daily |
| Cannaffex Full Spectrum CBD Oil for Large Sized Dogs 750mg |
| Large Breed Canine (60-80lbs) | Large Breed Canine (80-100lbs) |
| Standard Dose – 0.5ml twice daily | Standard Dose – 1ml twice daily |
| Treatment Dose – 1ml twice daily | Treatment Dose – 2ml twice daily |
| Cannaffex Full Spectrum CBD Oil for Extra Large Sized Dogs 1000mg |
| Extra Large Breed Canine (100-120lbs) | Extra Large Breed Canine (120+lbs) |
| Standard Dose – 0.75ml twice daily | Standard Dose – 1ml twice daily |
| Treatment Dose – 1.5ml twice daily | Treatment Dose – 2ml twice daily |
In Conclusion
There are no standard dosing rules for CBD oil for pets. You have to start low, go slow, monitor your pet for a few days, and see if the current dosage is working. If it isn’t, simply increase the dosage for the next few days and continue monitoring. Don’t give up or get frustrated, as administering CBD Oil and finding your correct daily dosage requires patience. Once you find that sweet spot, you are good to go!
