What dose of CBD oil do I use for my dog?
If you are wondering when and how to use CBD oil for your dog, you’re not alone! Luckily we have some controlled research to help guide us in our decision for dosing hemp and CBD products for dogs. (1, 2)
Based on the latest research about CBD use in dogs, we know that 1-2 milligrams per kilogram CBD is a good starting point for most dogs. Now, use the dog’s weight to determine how that might look:
Example: 45 pound border collie with joint pain. Divide 45lb by 2.2 and you get 20.45kg. 20-40milligrams of CBD would be appropriate.
To avoid conversion, you can use 0.45-0.9 milligrams per pound CBD. Multiply by the dogs weight (in this case, 45lb) and you will also get 20-40 milligrams of CBD per dose.
Importantly, you must know how many milligrams per milliliter (or bottle) is in your pet’s CBD product. Reputable companies should have mg/ml or total bottle mg count and volume right on the label. At VetCS, we make easy dosing instructions available on every bottle. Week 1 dose is 2mg/kg and Week 2+ dose is 1mg/kg.
Going back to the border collie, if you bought a 1200mg bottle of CBD oil and it’s total volume is 30ml, then that formula is 40mg/ml. We wanted 20-40mg CBD per dose, so you would give 0.5-1ml twice daily to help the joint pain. We often recommend the higher dosing amount (1ml in this case) for moderate to severe pain.
How often should you dose CBD? Research has shown that the half-life range in dogs given CBD oil is 3-4.2 hours. (3,4) That means dosing twice daily is best for your pup. However, when using CBD to relieve anxiety (car trips, thunderstorms, etc), simply dosing 30 minutes before an anticipated stressful event is all you need to give. For other conditions such as mobility issues, seizures, and decreased appetite, twice daily dosing is recommended to best help your dog.
Remember that dosing is dependent on condition as well. Dogs with anxiety typically respond to much lower doses of CBD (0.25-0.5mg/kg) than dogs continuing to have seizures despite numerous pharmaceuticals. In these instances, talking to your veterinarian is best with pets that are already on medications. Alternatively, our team at VetCS can help you determine dosing, just contact us by phone, email, or chat!
CBD Dosage Chart For Dogs
Below is a dosage chart, showing how much CBD to give your dog depending on their breed and condition. Please note that this is based on the average size of an adult dog of each breed. While puppies can certainly benefit from CBD, fewer studies have been done on puppies. In this case, it’s best to ask your vet for advice on what dosage of CBD to use.
Some veterinarians may advise you to use a small amount of CBD and gradually increase it. If you’re unsure about which dosage of CBD to use for your dog, call an animal healthcare professional.
| Breed | Seizures | Anxiety | Cancer | Pain | Nausea | Allergies | Inflammation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labrador retriever | 15mg – 40mg | 5mg – 30mg | 15mg – 40mg | 15mg – 40mg | 5mg – 30mg | 5mg – 30mg | 10mg – 35 mg |
| German shepherd | 10mg – 35 mg | 5mg – 30mg | 10mg – 35 mg | 5mg – 30mg | 5mg – 30mg | 5mg – 30mg | 7mg – 30 mg |
| Golden retriever | 15mg – 40mg | 5mg – 30mg | 15mg – 40mg | 15mg – 40mg | 5mg – 30mg | 5mg – 30mg | 10mg – 35 mg |
| French bulldog | 5mg – 15mg | 1mg – 10 mg | 5mg – 15mg | 5mg – 15mg | 1mg – 10 mg | 1mg – 10 mg | 2mg – 12 mg |
| Bulldog | 5mg – 25mh | 4mg – 20 mg | 5mg – 25mh | 5mg – 25mh | 4mg – 20 mg | 4mg – 20 mg | 5mg – 20mg |
| Beagle | 5mg – 15mg | 2mg – 10 mg | 5mg – 15mg | 5mg – 15mg | 2mg – 10 mg | 2mg – 10 mg | 2mg – 12 mg |
| Poodle (standard) | 5mg – 25mh | 4mg – 20 mg | 5mg – 25mh | 5mg – 25mh | 4mg – 20 mg | 4mg – 20 mg | 5mg – 20mg |
| Rottweiler | 20mg – 45mg | 10mg – 35mg | 20mg – 45mg | 20mg – 45mg | 10mg – 35mg | 10mg – 35mg | 25mg – 40mg |
| Yorkshire terrier | 1mg – 4 mg | 0.5mg – 2 mg | 1mg – 4 mg | 1mg – 4 mg | 0.5mg – 2 mg | 0.5mg – 2 mg | 0.5mg – 3 mg |
| German shorthaired pointer | 5mg – 25mh | 4mg – 20 mg | 5mg – 25mh | 5mg – 25mh | 4mg – 20 mg | 4mg – 20 mg | 5mg – 20mg |
Cannabidiol – or CBD – is a hugely beneficial cannabinoid that can safely be used on dogs. Whether your pup has pain, anxiety, or inflammation, they can benefit from CBD oil or treats – but what dosage of CBD should you use for your dog?
CBD can be extracted from hemp or cannabis, with hemp CBD products being legal pretty much everywhere. It can come in the form of dog treats, tinctures or oils, or capsules.
Just as it can benefit humans, CBD can benefit dogs in a number of different ways. Studies show that the supplement can reduce seizures in dogs with epilepsy and other neurological disorders. CBD also promotes a healthy skin and coat by regulating the sebum production and reducing inflammation in the skin. It also soothes anxiety and reduces pain in dogs with chronic conditions.
If you’re interested in trying this natural supplement but you’re not sure how much CBD to give your dog, read on!
How much CBD to give your dog
Always use a high-quality form of CBD to make sure that your pet is getting the very best supplement. The packaging should specify how many milligrams of CBD you get per drop. Use this as a guide and adjust the dosage accordingly. For example, if your dog needs 0,5mg and the packaging says that there are 0,25mg of CBD per drop, give your dog two drops.
CBD can also come in the form of CBD-enriched treats and dog biscuits. In this case, the packaging should state how many milligrams of CBD is in each dog biscuit.
The correct dosage of CBD for your dog depends on their weight and the condition you want to treat. Generally, you’d want to give your dog 1mg – 5mg for every ten pounds. Start on the low side of the chart initially, and gradually increase the CBD dosage you give them after each week. Here’s how much CBD you should generally give your dog based on their weight:
- 10 pounds: 1 mg – 5 mg
- 20 pounds: 2 mg – 10 mg
- 30 pounds: 3 mg – 15 mg
- 40 pounds: 4 mg – 20 mg
- 50 pounds: 5 mg – 25 mg
- 60 pounds: 6 mg – 30 mg
- 70 pounds: 7 mg – 35 mg
- 80 pounds: 8 mg – 40 mg
- 90 pounds: 9 mg – 45 mg
How to safely give your dog CBD
It often takes about 30 minutes for CBD to kick in. You might not notice a huge change in behavior from your dog immediately – in this case, don’t attempt to give them more CBD until the next day.
CBD might make your dog seem more relaxed, and it might even make them a little sleepy. However, you should monitor your dog carefully after they take the CBD – if they vomit, avoid eating, or seem too ‘out of it’, it’s best to contact an emergency vet immediately. While it’s very unlikely that your dog will experience side effects of CBD, it is a possibility.
Remember to err on the side of caution and consult your vet if you’re unsure of how much CBD to give your dog – after all, your furry family members always deserve the very best care!