If you already felt the beneficial effects of CBD on your own skin, you probably wondered if CBD oil could also be a viable option for your pet.
The effects of CBD on dogs mirror the effects that humans experience, which means that our four-legged friends can indeed reep the benefits of cannabidiol.
All mammalian species on Earth have a “built-in” endocannabinoid system, and the presence of this internal bodily system allows CBD to produce its effects.
You probably also wondered if it’s alright to give your dog the same CBD oil that you’re using, or if you need to acquire an oil that was designed specifically for dogs.
In a nutshell, it’s safe for dogs to consume high-quality human-grade CBD oil, but it also goes the other way around. Humans can safely ingest a well made CBD oil intended for dogs.
But things aren’t that simple of course, and in order to ensure that you’re giving your pupper the very best, there are a couple of important aspects to look out for.
First of all, avoid any type of CBD oil that contains a lot of THC. Dogs generally have a low tolerance to this cannabinoid, which means that full-spectrum CBD oils are out of the question.
Full-spectrum oils are made from cannabis (not hemp), and are available only in states with a recreational cannabis program.
Broad-spectrum oils are a better option for dogs (as they contain a maximum of 0.3% THC), but it’s possible that your dog will negatively react to some of the terpenes that are present in such formulations.
The best possible solution for your dog is CBD oil made with isolated CBD, as these oils don’t contain any THC, and they also don’t have any terpenes present.
Since all CBD oils are currently sold as dietary supplements in the US, they are not regulated by the FDA.
This lack of regulatory control has resulted in a lot of false labelling within the CBD industry, so to make sure that your product doesn’t contain any THC, it’s important to purchase the oil exclusively from high-quality brands.
Any reputable CBD company will have third-party lab tests available for inspection on their website, and by viewing these documents you can easily determine whether the product in question contains any THC or terpenes.
Another crucial aspect is the dosing. It’s usually advised to start with a daily dose of 0.25mg ~ 0.50mg of CBD per one pound of your dog’s weight.
For instance, if your dog weighs 20lb, you should administer a dose in the range of 5mg to 10mg of CBD.
In order to easily calculate the dosage, you need to figure out how much CBD is in one full dropper of CBD oil. For example, our regular CBD oil contains 20mg of CBD per one dropper, so if you want to give your dog a dose of 10mg of CBD, you’ll be needing half a dropper.
Once you determine how these low doses affect your dog, you can gradually increase the intake and work your way up.
Finally, if your dog is on any type of medication, it’s essential that you always consult with your vet to make sure that it’s safe to combine CBD oil with the existing therapy.
