Is CBD Safe for Dogs?

Table of Contents

Is CBD for Dogs Different than CBD for Humans?

A dog’s health, hunger, comfort, and well-being typically take precedence over that of their human owners, so when it comes time to choose a CBD product for our furry four-legged friends, it is important to know what you are buying.

While there are different forms of CBD for dogs, like biscuits, tinctures, or CBD chews, the CBD that they are derived from should be identical to CBD that is ingested by their human counterparts. So, whether a CBD isolate, a broad-spectrum CBD, or a full spectrum CBD formula is used, the only things that may be different are flavoring, i.e., a human tincture has peppermint flavoring, and a dog tincture has food grade bacon flavoring. And if you are wondering what benefits CBD may have for dogs, the potential benefits are the same as they are for humans – it may provide a reduction of inflammation, possess anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) properties and help your dog sleep better.

Is CBD Safe for Dogs?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that CBD poses no great risk for side effects and is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) for humans and for dogs; however, it is important to know that our canine loved ones have approximately three times the amount of cannabinoid receptors compared to humans, so they are more sensitive to CBD and require a smaller dose compared to the average human.

You should consult with your veterinarian prior to starting your dog on a CBD regiment, but the truth is, a lot of veterinarians don’t know enough about CBD to provide you with guidance, so you may have to rely on other resources or anecdotal information in deciding whether to start your fur baby on a CBD regiment or not.

How Much CBD Should I Give My Dog?

While there is no benchmark or ruler on how much CBD to give your pet, the same suggestion we give to humans also carries over to dogs, and that is “start low and go slow.”

Depending on the form factor and concentration of the CBD product, smaller dogs may only require half a serving of a dog treat or ¼ dropper (.25mL) of a tincture, whereas larger dogs may require the whole dog treat or ½ – ¾ dropper of a tincture.

Again, start with small doses and observe your dog over several days before deciding whether to increase the dose or not. Below is a general guideline if you are giving your dog a CBD tincture.

Suggested Dosage 

You may use the following dosing chart as a general guide:

Less Than 25 lbs.
Start with 1/4 – 1/2 dropper of 300 mg pet tincture (2.5mg – 5mg per serving) and increase by 1/4 dropper (.25ml) based on results, until desired results are achieved.

25-49 lbs. 
Start with 1/4 – 1/2 full dropper of 500mg pet tincture (4mg – 8mg per serving) and increase by 1/4 dropper (.25ml) based on results, until desired results are achieved.

50-100 lbs. 
Start with 1/2 dropper of 600mg pet tincture (10mg per serving) and increase by 1/4 dropper (.25ml) based on results, until desired results are achieved.

Greater Than 100 lbs. 
Start with 3/4 – 1 full dropper of 600mg pet tincture (15mg – 20mg) and increase by 1/4 dropper (.25ml) based on results, until desired results are achieved.