Is CBD Safe for Dogs? How to Find the Right Dosage

Dogs are man's best friend. If you have a dog, have a friend who has one, or simply go to the park to watch the glorious creatures run around, you know this is true. 

You want your dog to live its best life. Just like your human best friends, you want to do anything you can to help when they aren't feeling their best. 

By now, most people have embraced the many health benefits of CBD for humans. So you're probably wondering if CBD can help your furry friends as well. 

So is CBD safe for dogs, cats, and other pets? Read on for our guide to CBD for dogs, from the benefits to the dosages. 

1. Is CBD Safe for Dogs?

We'll get the big question out of the way first. Generally speaking, yes, CBD is safe for dogs. In fact, it's more than just safe, it's great for them! We'll go over some of the many ways that CBD can help your dog thrive.

1.1 Reduced Anxiety and Stress

It's well known that CBD helps to reduce anxiety in humans. However, it can also do the same for your dog!

While not all dogs suffer from anxiety, the ones that do can provide a lot of challenges. Anxiety can present itself in ways like excessive barking or urinating indoors, none of which is fun to deal with.

CBD oil can help relax your dog by balancing the nervous system. This will help reduce anxiety on a daily basis, and during especially stressful times, such as vacations away from home or introducing new pets or humans into the family. 

1.2 Arthritis and Joint Issues

Arthritis is one of the most common orthopedic issues in dogs. It's caused by inflammation in the joints and can show itself in a variety of ways. 

Hip dysplasia is one of the most common arthritic issues that dogs face, which happens when cartilage can’t be regenerated as fast as it’s wearing off. It causes terrible mobility issues in dogs, making it painful for them to move around, even just around the house.

Because of CBD's anti-inflammatory properties, it can help dogs with orthopedic issues. CBD also helps with pain reduction in dogs with joint issues. Dogs grow old, but with CBD they can still run around like a young pup.

1.3 Skin Problems

Whenever we see our pets start scratching, our minds immediately go to fleas. However, there are a lot of things that can cause skin irritation in dogs, including pollen and food allergies. 

Whatever the reason for the scratching, skin irritation can last for a long time and create lasting health issues. Thankfully, CBD can help.

Itching is caused by inflammation, and as we already know, CBD is an anti-inflammatory. It can help relieve allergies in dogs and reduce their scratching, which will in turn reduce future skin issues caused by excessive scratching. 

1.4 Seizures and Epilepsy

CBD is well-known to help prevent seizures and epilepsy in humans, but you might not know that this is an issue dogs can have as well.

One minute your dog is just fine, the next it’s shaking, twitching, and drooling on the floor. It's a traumatic experience for both you and your dog.

While not extremely common, it still happens to many dogs, whether from eating something poisonous, or pre-existing conditions. Veterinarians have been prescribing phenobarbital for a long time to help with seizures, but the drug has a lot of negative side effects. Because of this, CBD has become a useful and safe alternative to treat epilepsy, seizures, and muscle spasms. 

2. How Much CBD is Right for my Dog?

It's pretty clear that CBD can have some amazing health benefits for your dog. However, if you haven't been treating you pet with CBD, just like any other medication, you probably have some questions on how to use it.

As with any new medication, it's best to start on the lower side. While pet CBD products are virtually THC free and you won't accidentally overdose your dog, it's still better to start small and see if it helps. 

We recommend one milligram of CBD for every 10 pounds of your animal's weight. For many pets with minor issues, this is the optimal dose and won't require more.

For some pets that are older or have more health issues, increasing the CBD will be necessary, but it's best to start at the one-milligram mark per 10 pounds and increase from there as needed. 

This dose of CBD should be applied twice daily to help your dog live a healthy and happy life. 

While CBD is most commonly applied using a hemp oil tincture, you can also give your dog CBD by using hemp soft chews. It's a delicious treat that will help them feel great. 

3. Getting Your Dog the Best CBD

So is CBD safe for dogs? Clearly it is. It's more than just safe, it's great for them! So now that you know about the health benefits, and how much to give them, the only question left is where to find it. 

Luckily, you're already in the right place.

Bailey's CBD For Pets is the highest quality product for your dog. It was developed alongside veterinarian Dr. Robert Silver and uses single-source organically grown hemp. The products are lab tested and virtually THC free, so you don't have to worry about accidentally getting your dog high. 

Bailey's has a variety of CBD pet oil tinctures, as well as hemp soft chews and topical balms. No matter how you decide to give your pet CBD, you can be assured that you're helping it live a happier and healthier life.