So you’ve done your research and found the best CBD oil for your dog. Now what? You’re probably asking yourself, “How much CBD oil should I give my dog?”
CBD oil for dogs is a great way to help promote your pet’s holistic wellness, but figuring out the right CBD dosage to give your pet can be a challenge.
We created a guide that will help you determine the right CBD dosage for your pet. Factors to consider include your dog’s weight, the severity of their ailment or condition, and type of CBD product you are giving them. We also answer the common question of whether or not your pet can experience a CBD overdose.
Read our review on the best CBD oils for dogs.
As a leading holistic veterinarian and pioneer in cannabis for pets, we followed Dr. Robert J. Silver’s CBD dosage recommendations and created a handy CBD dosage chart. This printable guide shows precalculated dosage amounts according to your pet’s weight.
Click below to jump ahead to the chart, or read on to learn more about CBD dosage for dogs.
CBD Dosage for Dogs
As a general rule of thumb, Dr. Robert J. Silver recommends a tiered dosage structure when it comes to determining the right CBD dosage for dogs.
What is a tiered dosage structure?
A tiered dosage structure simply involves starting with a very low dosage amount, and gradually working your way up to a stronger dosage over an extended period of time. This dosage method will help you ensure that you are not giving your pet too much CBD at any given time, and will allow them to acclimate to each dose as needed.
CBD Dosage for Pets: Tiered Structure
- Low end: 0.05 mg/lb x twice daily
- Middle: 0.125 mg/lb x twice daily
- High end: 0.25 mg/lb x twice daily
For example, let’s say your dog is 25 lbs. Here’s what the dosage tiers would look like:
- Low end: 25 lb x 0.05 mg= 0.125 mg per day x 2 times/day= 0.25 mg per day total
- Middle: 25 lb x 0.125 mg= 3.125 mg per day x 2 times/day= 6.25 mg per day total
- High end: 25 lb x 0.25 mg = 6.25 mg per day x 2 times/day= 12.50 mg per day total
Of course, this is only a guideline and you should adjust the dosage amount according to your pet’s specific needs. The tiers should not serve as goals to reach, but should be a general guideline to help you adjust your pet’s next dosage as their CBD oil use progresses.
Before increasing the dosage, it’s important to carefully gauge your pet’s reaction and to note any adverse changes in behavior or symptoms. Dosage amounts should be increased only as needed, and if the effects from the current dosage amount start to wear off.
CBD Dosage Formula for Dogs
To help you determine how much cbd oil you should give your pet, here’s a handy formula based on Dr. Silver’s recommendations for a starting dose.
We also created a printable CBD dosage chart for dogs that indicates low, middle, and high end dosage tiers for dogs ranging from 2 lbs to 175 lbs. It’s great for quick reference either when you are changing your pet’s dosage amount, or if you have multiple dogs who require different doses.
CBD Oil Dosage for Dogs: 3 Factors to Consider
Although we’ve provided a general guideline for CBD dosage for dogs, there are a few factors pet owners should take into consideration in order to come up with a dosage amount that is adjusted specifically for their pets.
These three factors will help you determine the right CBD dosage for your dog:
- Weight
- Ailment or condition
- Type of CBD product
Let’s go over each factor one by one.
- Weight
- Ailment or condition
- Seizures
- Arthritis
- Anxiety
- Pain
- Cancer
- Glaucoma
- Skin allergies
- Type of CBD product
Knowing the right CBD oil dosage for dogs largely depends on your pet’s weight. Some manufacturers offer products with varying CBD concentrations for different weight ranges to help you better control the amount of CBD you give to your dog.
If you’re using a CBD hemp oil for dogs that comes in only one concentration, it’s best to start with the lowest dosage amount as recommended by the manufacturer or use our CBD dosage calculator as a guideline.
If your dog is suffering from a serious ailment or condition you may want to consider giving your pet a higher dose of CBD.
Here are the most common ailments and conditions for CBD oil uses in dogs:
If your pet is trying CBD for the first time for either therapeutic or medicinal purposes, we recommend starting with the lowest dosage first to gauge how they react. Depending on the severity of the ailment and how your pet reacts, you may consider increasing the dosage more quickly.
For easy reference, our printable CBD dosage chart shows pre-calculated low, middle, and high dosage amounts for dogs weighing 2 to 150 lbs.
If you have any concern about the amount of CBD you should be giving your dog for a specific type of ailment or condition, we recommend contacting your veterinarian.
In regards to CBD for dogs, there are a variety of different types of products available including:
Each type of product will have varying degrees of CBD concentration, with oils and tinctures containing the highest amount of CBD. Capsules, treats and topical balms will usually contain less active CBD per serving.
Choosing the right CBD product will depend on a variety of factors including your dog’s own dietary preferences. Some CBD oils and tinctures can have a bitter taste that dogs dislike, so either a capsule or dog treat will be much easier for them to willingly ingest. If your pet is suffering from a skin condition, a topical balm may be easier to apply onto the affected area.
The type of CBD product you choose will also depend on your schedule. This is because some products are made to be given multiple times a day such as treats, and some might be more concentrated and contain multiple dosage amounts in one serving, such as oils or capsules. Therefore, choosing a CBD product for your dog will mainly depend on their weight and the amount of active CBD the specific product contains.
To learn more about different types of CBD for dogs, read our reviews on the best CBD oils for dogs and best CBD dog treats.
Can My Dog Experience A CBD Overdose?
CBD overdose is typically not a cause for alarm, since side effects like fatigue and drooling are usually mild. In fact, the World Health Organization has announced that CBD is non-addictive and non-toxic. Therefore, the chances of an overdose from something that is non-toxic is unlikely.
According to PetMD, what pet owners should really be concerned about when it comes to cannabis for dogs, is THC toxicity. It’s very possible for dogs to overdose from THC, since even small amounts can be harmful for pets. Since overdose from THC exposure can cause serious side effects, it’s important to only purchase quality CBD oils for dogs that are made from hemp, which contains very little to no THC, as opposed to CBD oil made from marijuana.
If you believe that you may have been using cannabis oil for dogs that might contain unsafe levels of THC, contact your vet. Although CBD is non-toxic, it can affect pets differently so it’s best to consult your vet if you have any questions or concerns regarding the use of cannabis for dogs.
CBD Dosage Chart for Dogs
To help you easily determine the right CBD dosage for dogs, we created a printable CBD dosage chart below. The chart shows a weight range for dogs starting at 2 lbs to 150 lbs, along with low, middle, and high dosage recommendations.
The next time you’re wondering, “How much CBD oil should I give my dog?” remember to always start with the lowest dosage first and to slowly increase the dosage as needed. Remember, different CBD products have varying concentrations and potencies including oils and dog treats, so it’s important to read the product label closely to see how much CBD is in each serving. As with any supplement, if you have any questions or concerns about CBD dosage, consult with your veterinarian.
To learn more about how to use CBD oil for dogs, check out our in-depth guide that covers the many benefits of CBD for dogs.
Food and Drug Administration Disclosure
These statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Information contained or made available through Natural Pet Living is not intended to constitute or substitute for legal advice or veterinary advice.