Dog next to woman holding CBD for pets tincture

Jan 23, 2019

CBD Oil for Dogs – How Much CBD Oil Should I Give My Dog?

CBD treats and bottles of CBD oil for dogs may be popping up at your local pet store. But how does it work and how much CBD oil should I be giving my dog?

If you're a dog owner, you've probably seen CBD treats and bottles of CBD oil for dogs popping up at your local pet store. If you've been curious as to whether or not pet CBD oil is all it's cracked up to be, you've come to the right place.

At HempLucid, we're passionate about giving our four-legged friends the same plant-based support we treat ourselves with, and our CBD for dogs was developed in memory of Roxy, HempLucid co-founder Chase Hudson's best friend and loyal companion.

In today's post, we'll share everything we know about pet CBD oil, including the potential benefits of CBD oil for dogs, how CBD works, and how much CBD oil to give your dog.

CBD Oil: Dogs and the Endocannabinoid System

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid, a natural compound found in cannabis and hemp plants. And unlike THC—the cannabinoid most responsible for the cannabis plant's intoxicating “high”—CBD imparts at most a gentle, energizing “buzz,” which means that dogs won't be disoriented by it as they would by THC.

CBD interfaces with our bodies through a regulatory network called the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which helps control such functions as sleep, memory, immune health, and more. You can learn more about how it works here.

How does CBD work in a dog's body? It turns out that every animal has an endocannabinoid system. This means that dogs, cats, rabbits, and other pets can all reap the potential benefits of CBD.

What Are the Benefits of CBD Oil For Dogs?

While the science around cannabis medicine for our pets is still evolving, a large and growing number of clinical studies support the efficacy of CBD. From managing stress to reducing discomfort from minor aches and strains and even reducing the severity of seizures, CBD is already helping countless pet owners live happier, healthier lives.

A pet owner's successful experiences with CBD is what often drives their desire to share these benefits with their dogs and other furry companions. Animal research on CBD for pets is a newer field of exploration, however there is growing evidence that CBD may offer pain relief, an option for managing seizure-related disorders and anxiety relief in cats and dogs.

With that said, while these clinical studies have demonstrated the potential benefits of CBD for pets, that doesn't mean that all CBD is the same. Pet CBD oils and other CBD-infused products for pets vary widely in quality and safety.

At HempLucid, we're committed to creating the purest, highest quality CBD products on the market. We openly share the lab test results for our pet products—and all our products—so you know exactly what you're getting (and not getting).  Our medicinal hemp strain is grown to organic standards from clones cultivated and proven over the past decade, and we're incredibly proud to have maintained USDA Organic Handler's certification since 2020.

The result? Impeccably pure, potent, and effective supplements that support our pets the all-natural way. We humbly believe our full-spectrum calming drops for dogs (available in organic chicken and fish flavors) are the best CBD pet oil products available anywhere.

CBD Oil: Dogs and the Safety of CBD Oil

Here's a top-level question about CBD oil for dogs: Is it safe? Absolutely. CBD has a robust safety profile, and most animals only need small amounts to see positive results (we'll share a dosage chart in just a moment). But don't grab just any CBD oil for your dogs.

A surge of hemp-derived products made for pets are entering the market, and the fact is that not all manufacturers understand (or respect) the concept of “full-spectrum.” At HempLucid, it means that we take special care not only to cultivate the purest and safest medicinal hemp plants, but that we process them to extract the fullest possible range of beneficial compounds. The best pet CBD oil products stay true to the natural composition of the plant, offering a full range of therapeutic cannabinoids and rich terpenes. 

This also means you'll find trace levels of THC, up to the .3% that occurs naturally (and is legally allowed) in hemp. And while high levels of THC can be toxic to dogs, the trace amounts found in high-quality, hemp-derived CBD oil won't harm your dog. In fact, when cannabinoids such as THC combine with CBD, they can create a synergy known as the “entourage effect.” This phenomenon increases overall therapeutic effects by working in partnership with the endocannabinoid system, the crucial regulatory network we discussed a moment ago.

To sum up, in the small amounts present in CBD oil, THC isn't a threat to your dog's health. Just be sure to keep your pup away from any cannabis edibles or other products with a high THC content.

Pet CBD Oil: Choosing the Best CBD Products

We believe pets are a part of our families, and they deserve the best health and wellness we can give them. When you're considering a product such as calming drops for dogs, check the supplement's fact sheet first. There's no reason you (or your dog) should settle for a product with artificial flavorings or ingredients.

At HempLucid, we go the extra mile by having third-party testing done on all our CBD products. You'll find medicine made from pure 100% US-grown hemp; what you won't find are any adulterants or other products you wouldn't want your pet to ingest. We lab-test each and every batch of full-spectrum CBD we produce, and we encourage you to look up the test results yourself by entering the lot code / SKU / product name here

How Much CBD Oil Should I Give My Dog?

If you're interested in giving your dog CBD as a supplement, be sure to check in with your vet to discuss how CBD might impact your pet's current treatment regimens or prescriptions—since there is a possibility for medications to interact with CBD. 

Another common question we hear from pet owners is: how do you calculate the right dosage? While CBD is well-tolerated by the vast majority of users, side effects such as diarrhea, reduced appetite, drowsiness, and fatigue are possible. Especially when first using CBD pet products, keep a close eye on your pet to stay on top of any potential adverse reactions.

While every dog is different, we can offer you some rough guidelines. If you sense your pet isn't getting enough support, you can gradually up the dosage. Conversely if the initial amount seems to be working, you can try lowering the dosage bit by bit until you've determined the minimum effective dose. Pur pet recommended dose is 0.5 - 1 mg for every 1 lb of weight, which equates to:

  • For small pets 5 - 15 lb: 2.5 - 15 mg CBD, or .5 - 1 dropper
  • For medium pets 15 - 75 lb: 7.5 - 75 mg CBD, or 1 - 2 droppers
  • For pets 75 lb and above: 75 mg+ CBD, or 2 - 3 droppers

Try adding the CBD oil to your pet's food, or dispense it directly into their mouths—if they're amenable! 

CBD for Pets: Where to Buy

We're so proud to offer our exceptional CBD oil for dogs. These pet-focused formulations are made with Hemplucid's whole-plant, full-spectrum CBD bonded to a cold pressed hemp seed oil. 

Our naturally-flavored chicken formula is a CBD oil dogs love, with even the pickiest pups sitting, shaking, and rolling over for their next HempLucid Pets treat. We also offer a naturally-flavored fish formula, and both flavors can be given to dogs or cats depending on their preference. Give your pets the gift of balance, relaxation, and an increased sense of well-being.

These CBD pet products can be shipped anywhere in the United States; check our Shipping Policy page for more information. If you have any questions about how to purchase or use our pet CBD oil products, don't hesitate to reach out. We'd love to hear from you!

CBD for Pets: FAQs

Q: How does CBD work in a dog's system?

A: Just as it does for us humans, CBD for pets interfaces with their bodies through a complex regulatory network called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). As a crucial bodily system, the ECS helps control such functions as sleep, memory, immune health, and more.

Q: What are the benefits of CBD for dogs?

A: CBD has been shown to potentially help dogs manage stress and anxiety, as well as addressing routine aches and strains. Many pet owners use CBD to help their pets cope with aging joints and stressful stimuli such as Fourth of July fireworks.

Q: Are there any side effects of CBD for my pets?

A: While CBD is generally very well tolerated, there is the potential for side effects including diarrhea, reduced appetite, drowsiness, and fatigue. When first beginning treatment with CBD oil for pets, keep a close eye on them for at least 30 minutes in case any of these side effects develop. CBD may also interact with your pet's medications, so be sure to consult a vet if you're thinking of adding CBD to their regimen.