CBD and Melatonin for Dogs: Safety, Dosage & Side Effects

Bailey's CBD: Natural Support for Your Pet's Wellness

Veterinarian-Formulated | USDA Organic Hemp | Lab-Tested

 

Tailored Wellness Options:

• Calming Support Chews & Oil: Peanut butter-flavored soft chews that promote calmness during thunderstorms, travel, or separation – without causing drowsiness.
• Hip & Joint Formula: Support your aging or active pet's mobility with our grain-free formula combining full-spectrum hemp extract with joint-supporting ingredients.
• "No More Itchies" Probiotic Chews: Bacon-flavored soft chews that help maintain healthy skin and digestive balance for pets with seasonal sensitivities.

Why Pet Parents Choose Bailey's:

✓ Single-source USDA organic hemp from Boulder, CO
✓ Subcritical CO₂ extraction for cleaner, high-quality CBD
✓ Full-spectrum formula (not isolate) for enhanced effectiveness
✓ Non-psychoactive (<0.3% THC)
✓ Backed by Dr. Robert J. Silver, DVM
✓ Third-party lab tested for heavy metals and pesticides (QR code on each package)
✓ Free from fillers, chemicals, and harmful additives
✓ Licensed by the Department of Health for added oversight
✓ 4.5 TrustScore from 1,533+ verified reviews on Trustpilot

Find Your Pet's Perfect Formula:

We offer multiple potencies for different sizes and needs – from tiny companions to gentle giants – ensuring the right support for every furry family member. Your satisfaction and your pet's wellness are our priority.

SHOP BAILEY'S CBD COLLECTION →

How CBD Works in Your Dog's Body

CBD's interaction with the endocannabinoid system allows it to support multiple aspects of your dog's health simultaneously without causing intoxication.

CBD (cannabidiol) is a non-psychoactive compound derived from hemp plants that works with your dog's endocannabinoid system (ECS) to help maintain balance throughout the body. 

Unlike THC, CBD won't make your dog "high" or intoxicated. Instead, it interacts with receptors throughout the body to help regulate important functions like mood, sleep, appetite, and immune response.

The remarkable aspect of CBD is its ability to work where needed most in your dog's body. This targeted action explains why CBD can address such a wide range of conditions without causing significant side effects when properly dosed. 

For dogs needing support in terms of mobility, immune, and general wellness, CBD offers a multi-faceted approach to wellness that conventional single-target medications often can't match.

The Endocannabinoid System in Dogs

All mammals, including dogs, possess an endocannabinoid system (ECS) that plays a crucial role in maintaining bodily homeostasis. This complex network of receptors spans throughout the body, including the brain, nervous system, and immune tissues. 

The ECS regulates everything from mood and pain perception to sleep cycles and inflammatory responses. When this system becomes unbalanced due to stress, illness, or aging, CBD can help support normal function by interacting with these receptors and helping to restore equilibrium.

Benefits of CBD for Canine Health

For dogs suffering from joint issues, CBD's potential anti-inflammatory properties may reduce discomfort and improve mobility. 

Dogs experiencing anxiety, whether from separation, noise phobias, or travel, often show improvement with CBD supplementation, displaying calmer behavior and reduced stress responses.

Beyond these common applications, CBD has shown promise for supporting dogs with various health concerns. Some pet owners report improvements in appetite, energy levels, and overall vitality when using CBD as part of a comprehensive wellness approach. 

Melatonin's Role in Your Dog's Wellbeing

Melatonin supplements work with your dog's natural biology to restore healthy sleep patterns without the risks associated with prescription sleep aids.

Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles in both humans and dogs. 

When darkness falls, the pineal gland in your dog's brain naturally produces melatonin, signaling that it's time to rest. This hormone helps establish healthy sleep patterns and can have calming effects beyond just promoting sleep.

As dogs age or experience certain health conditions, their natural melatonin production may decrease or become disrupted. Environmental factors like artificial lighting, travel, or schedule changes can also interfere with normal melatonin cycles.

Supplementing with melatonin can help restore balance and support your dog's natural rhythms when they've been thrown off course.

Natural Sleep Regulation in Dogs

Dogs sleep 12–14 hours per day, though this varies widely based on age, breed, and activity level. Proper sleep is essential for your dog's immune function, cognitive health, and emotional wellbeing. 

When sleep patterns become disrupted due to anxiety, aging, or environmental changes, the effects can manifest as behavioral issues, decreased immune function, and diminished quality of life.

Melatonin supplements work by mimicking the dog's natural hormone production, helping to restore normal sleep-wake patterns. 

Unlike prescription sleep medications that may cause dependency or significant side effects, melatonin offers a gentler approach to sleep regulation that works with your dog's natural biological processes rather than overriding them.

Beyond Sleep: Other Benefits of Melatonin

While primarily known for its sleep-regulating properties, melatonin offers additional benefits that can improve your dog's overall health. 

For dogs with anxiety issues, melatonin's calming effects can help reduce stress responses during thunderstorms, fireworks, or separation from owners. This makes it particularly valuable when supporting dogs with anxiety-related conditions.

Melatonin also shows promise for dogs with certain endocrine disorders and cognitive dysfunction syndrome in senior dogs. Its antioxidant properties may help protect brain cells from age-related damage, potentially supporting cognitive function. 

Some veterinarians recommend melatonin for seasonal alopecia (hair loss), as it can help regulate the hormones involved in hair growth cycles. 

Finding the Right CBD Dosage for Your Dog

Unlike prescription medications, CBD dosing isn't one-size-fits-all, and finding the perfect amount often involves some careful observation and adjustment under veterinary guidance.

Weight-Based Dosing Guidelines

Our progressive dosing chart provides clear guidance from maintenance support to maximum therapeutic relief, allowing pet parents to find the optimal CBD level for their dog's specific needs.

The most reliable starting point for CBD dosing is based on your dog's weight and your dog's specific needs. Our progressive dosing approach recognizes that different situations require different levels of support, from daily maintenance to maximum therapeutic relief during challenging periods.

Our dosing chart provides three distinct levels to match your dog's needs (administer twice daily). For example, if your dog weighs 35lbs and needs maintenance dosing, give it 1/2ml dropper twice daily, which provides a total of 10mg CBD per day.

Starting Low & Going Slow

The approach "start low and go slow" is essential when introducing CBD to your dog's wellness routine. 

Begin with the lower end of the recommended dosage range, then gradually increase every few days until you observe the desired effects. This cautious approach allows you to find the minimum effective dose for your dog's specific needs while minimizing the risk of side effects.

It also gives you time to observe how your individual dog responds to CBD, as sensitivity can vary significantly between animals. Most dogs need 3–5 days of consistent use to see effects, with the best results coming after 2 weeks of regular administration.

Safe Melatonin Dosing for Dogs

Recommended Dosages by Weight

Melatonin dosages for dogs range from 1mg for small dogs to 6mg for large breeds. Following weight-based guidelines helps provide an appropriate amount for your dog's size. Always check the specific product's recommendations, as formulations can vary in concentration and additional ingredients.

Melatonin Dosing Guidelines:

• Small dogs (under 10 lbs): 1mg per dose
• Medium dogs (10–25 lbs): 1.5–3mg per dose
• Large dogs (26–100 lbs): 3–6mg per dose
• Giant breeds (over 100 lbs): 3–9mg per dose, as directed by veterinarian

Products that combine CBD and melatonin take the guesswork out of dosing by providing balanced amounts of both supplements in a single product. 

These combination products can be particularly beneficial for dogs with anxiety-related sleep disturbances, offering support for both the immediate anxiety and the resulting sleep issues.

Potential Side Effects to Watch For

While both CBD and melatonin are generally well-tolerated by most dogs, being aware of potential side effects helps you monitor your pet's response and make necessary adjustments. 

Common CBD Side Effects in Dogs

CBD has a favorable safety profile for dogs, but some may experience mild side effects, especially when first starting supplementation or at higher doses. 

The most common side effects include temporary drowsiness, dry mouth (indicated by increased thirst), slight drops in blood pressure that might cause brief lightheadedness, and occasional digestive upset like diarrhea.

Most of these effects are transient and resolve as your dog's body adjusts to the CBD or when doses are reduced. If you notice any of these symptoms, reducing the dosage often resolves these issues while still providing therapeutic benefits. 

Melatonin Side Effects to Monitor

Melatonin is generally safe for dogs when used appropriately, but some pets may experience side effects that warrant attention. 

The most common side effects include excessive drowsiness extending into the next day, digestive changes such as stomach upset or altered bowel movements, and changes in heart rate. Some dogs may experience confusion, increased itchiness, or fertility changes if used long-term.

In rare cases, melatonin might affect insulin levels in diabetic dogs, making blood sugar monitoring important for these pets. Most side effects are mild and resolve with dosage adjustment or discontinuation.

Support Your Dog's Natural Balance with Bailey's CBD

Dogs experiencing occasional restlessness deserve gentle wellness support that honors their natural rhythms. At Bailey's CBD, our wellness philosophy recognizes that quality rest contributes to overall canine well-being and daily comfort.

Our exclusive single-source USDA organic hemp cultivation from our dedicated Boulder, Colorado farm ensures the batch-to-batch consistency essential for reliable wellness support. 

The proprietary subcritical CO₂ extraction process we use preserves delicate terpenes and cannabinoids that contribute to overall comfort, while our comprehensive third-party testing with QR code transparency provides the safety assurance that pet parents require when choosing wellness products for their dogs' daily comfort needs. We are also licensed by the Department of Health.

All Bailey's products use single-source USDA organic hemp with subcritical CO₂ extraction and comprehensive lab testing for purity and potency. 

Here are some CBD products from our collection that may provide wellness support for your dogs:

Precision Calm Support

• Calming CBD Oil For Dogs: This combines CBD, chamomile extract, and L-theanine in a targeted calming formula. The three compounds work together to promote relaxation, with chamomile providing natural calming properties and L-theanine supporting relaxation without causing drowsiness.
• Calming CBD Yummies: Our soft chews deliver the same tri-compound formula in peanut butter and banana flavors that dogs love. Each chew contains precise, pre-measured amounts that eliminate dosing guesswork and provide convenient wellness support for busy schedules or travel.

Foundation Wellness for Better Sleep

• The Original CBD Oil For Dogs: The complete cannabinoid profile works with your dog's endocannabinoid system to support overall balance and daily comfort.
• Extra Strength 2:1 CBD & CBG Oil: The advanced CBD-to-CBG ratio combines both cannabinoids' properties for enhanced wellness support, particularly beneficial for senior dogs or those with complex comfort needs.
• Omega Hemp CBD Soft Chews: These bacon-flavored daily chews provide essential omega fatty acids that support overall wellness while delivering consistent CBD in a convenient format that fits easily into daily feeding routines.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I give my dog human melatonin supplements?

Human melatonin supplements aren't recommended for dogs because they may contain additional ingredients that are harmful to canines. Xylitol, a common sweetener in human supplements, is highly toxic to dogs and can cause life-threatening low blood sugar and liver damage. Also, the dosage in human products is often too high for dogs, especially smaller breeds.

How long does it take for CBD to work in dogs?

The onset time for CBD in dogs varies depending on the administration method and your dog's individual metabolism. For CBD oil administered under the tongue, effects typically begin within 30–60 minutes. 

CBD treats or capsules that must pass through the digestive system usually take longer to show effects. For chronic conditions like arthritis or ongoing anxiety, you may notice gradual improvement over days or weeks as the effects accumulate with regular dosing.

Will CBD make my dog high or drowsy?

Quality CBD products derived from hemp contain negligible amounts of THC (less than 0.3%), the psychoactive compound in cannabis that causes intoxication. This means properly manufactured CBD supplements will not make your dog "high" or cause impairment. 

Some dogs may experience mild relaxation or sleepiness, particularly at higher doses, but this is a calming effect rather than sedation or intoxication. The calming effects of CBD shouldn't be confused with impairment, and many dogs remain active and engaged while experiencing relief from restlessness or discomfort.

Can CBD or melatonin interact with my dog's medications?

Both CBD and melatonin have the potential to interact with certain medications, which is why veterinary consultation is essential before starting these supplements. CBD may affect how the liver metabolizes some drugs, potentially increasing or decreasing their effectiveness. 

Medications that commonly interact with CBD include certain anti-seizure drugs, heart medications, antibiotics, and some pain relievers. Melatonin may interact with sedatives, diabetes medications, blood pressure drugs, and immunosuppressants. 

Your veterinarian can review your dog's current medications and health history to identify any potential concerns.

How can Bailey's CBD products support my dog's wellness needs?

Bailey's complete wellness collection offers veterinarian-formulated CBD products designed specifically for canine health needs. 

Our Calming CBD Oil for Dogs is enhanced with chamomile and L-theanine for comprehensive relaxation support, while our Calming CBD Yummies provide convenient, tasty stress relief. For daily wellness, our Original CBD Oil offers balanced support, and our Extra Strength 2:1 CBD & CBG Oil provides enhanced support for dogs with greater needs. 

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.