Dog CBD: How To Give Your Dog CBD Oil

It's hard to deny all the benefits CBD has. From anxiety to pain relief, CBD can help both humans and pets treat many different medical ailments. 

Not all CBD oils are created equal though. CBD comes in many different forms and can be administered in several different ways. If you want to learn more about giving your dog CBD oil, what it can be used for, and what's the best method of administering it, you're in the right place. 

Read on to learn more about CBD and your furry family member. 

What Is CBD? 

CBD is cannabidiol, which exists in the cannabis Sativa plant. It is not the same as THC, which can make you feel high. Rather, it doesn't have psychedelic properties, so it won't make you or your pet feel any mind-altering effects. 

It can be used for both humans and dogs because both have the same endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is a biological system that signals cells. Researchers only discovered the endocannabinoid system in the 1990s, so more research needs to be done. What we do know about it is that it impacts functions including: 

• Mood
• Sleep
• Memory
• Appetite
• Pain and inflammation 
• Wounds or hot spots on paws and noses

CBD interacts with your endocannabinoid system to improve your health.  

How Can CBD Help Your Dog? 

Much of the research on CBD use for dogs is in the early stages, so many of the recommendations are based on anecdotal evidence. However, there is some evidence to suggest that CBD can help treat pain in dogs. It can also help control seizures. 

CBD also has anti-inflammatory benefits, so if your dog has arthritis, CBD can help reduce the inflammation and pain that typically come with arthritis. Other uses include treating cardiac issues as well as anxiety. 

While there's no definitive evidence, it is believed that CBD has some anti-cancer properties. It can also be used to reduce nausea associated with chemotherapy drugs and stimulate the appetite in dogs who are undergoing chemo. 

How to Give Your Dog CBD Oil? 

If you decide that giving your dog CBD oil is something you want to try, it's smart to speak with your vet first. They can help you determine if your dog is a good candidate for CBD and educate you on any side effects. 

When it is extracted from the cannabis plant, CBD is in an oil form. This oil can then be made into different products, such as tinctures, gummy candies, lotions, ointments, or even baked into food. 

The most common form of CBD for dogs is a tincture. This liquid can be given to your dog in a number of different ways, depending on their tendencies. 

1. Directly Administer Into Their Mouth 

This is the most common method and will get CBD into their system the quickest. Use the dropper to draw up the appropriate dosage (we talk about dosing below) and then squirt it into their mouth.

Try to get the dropper as far back into their mouth as possible. Give them a treat afterward to make sure they swallow it all and also to train them to associate the bottle with a treat, not something they don't like.

2. Apply it Directly to Wounds or Hot Spots

If your dog has a wound or a hot spot on a paw, nose, or body, you can buy CBD balms to rub directly on the affected area. You can also use it as a protective balm for their paws during the winter months. 

3. Mix It With Their Food 

If you give your dog canned food, mix in the CBD tincture with their food, or squirt it onto their dry food. If you have multiple dogs, make sure to separate them or ensure that only one dog eats the food so you don't have one dog getting a higher dosage than the other. 

This method is better for dogs who eat all of their food at once. If your dog is a grazer and picks on their food throughout the day, this might not be the best option. 

4. CBD Treats

Whether you make your own dog treats at home or buy CBD soft chew treats, this is a great way to get your pet to take the CBD without knowing they're getting it. You don't have to fight them to squirr it in their mouth and you also don't have to worry about them hiding when they see the CBD bottle. 

CBD Dosing Guide 

The good news about CBD is that there is no risk of overdosing your pet. While you should follow the dosage guidelines, there are no ill effects of giving them too much. Rather, what is not absorbed into your dog's system will just be filtered out the normal digestion process and passed as waste. 

The best place to start is with 1mg of CBD per 10lbs of animal weight twice a day. If your pet is older, they may require a higher dose, but this is where to start. If it seems to be working, you don't need to adjust the dosage. If it doesn't seem to be working though, you can adjust upwards as needed. 

Is CBD Right for Your Dog? 

If your dog has issues with anxiety, is undergoing chemotherapy, or has superficial wounds like hotspots, giving your dog CBD oil may be very effective. While the research is still ongoing, there is substantial anecdotal evidence that it helps with all of these issues. 

If you're ready to try out CBD for your pet, check out our online store. We have a variety of different CBD products and you can even join our monthly membership program to save on your dog's CBD oil each month.