Searching for the right CBD dosage for dogs & cats?

“Life is short, spoil your pet.”  When your pet is not feeling right, you don’t feel right!  Trying CBD for the first time can be pretty scary.   Finding the right CBD oil for dogs & cat dosage chart is a question we all ask ourselves.  Since each pet and product is different, a pet owner needs to realize that there is quite a bit of “wiggle room” in administering a cbd dosage for dogs & cats. 

Basically, you need to start with a small dose and work up to levels that eventually help your pet.  Always talk with your local Vet before administering CBD pet products to your animal.

Here are some general CBD dosage recommendations that you can pursue.   This comprehensive vet-approved dosing guide &  cbd oil for dogs dosage chart will show you exactly how much CBD you can give to your dog or cat.

Basic Dosing Rules For All Pets:

CBD oil for dogs dosage chart – We recommend between 0.25 mg (Normal Dose) to 0.5 mg (Strong Dose) of CBD per every 1 lb of body weight.

CBD Dosing Chart For All Pets

Example 1: I want to give my 40 lb dog a Regular Dose, I would multiply his weight by 0.25 to get 10 mg of CBD (40 X 0.25 = 10).

Example 2: I want to give my 10 lb cat a Strong Dose, I would multiply his weight by 0.5 to get 5 mg of CBD (10 lbs X 0.5 = 5 mg).

Normal Dose: For everyday well-being and fitness, improving the immune system, old age, asthma, minor skin disorders, increasing appetite, minor depression & anxiety, stomach issues & nausea, mild arthritis & joint stiffness, slight aches, and pains.

Strong Dose: Constant discomfort, serious arthritis & swelling of the hip, coordination disorders, epileptic fits, cancer-related signs, cancers, intense fear, constant nausea, and vomiting.

Dosing Frequency: Offer every 8 hours or as required to manage pain and inflammation. Offer 30 minutes before the occurrence to manage fear, phobias, and anxiety (thunderstorms, fireworks, change of environment, separation anxiety, rides with your pet). Offer once or twice every day for all other needs.

General CBD Dosing Rules for All Pets

There isn’t a general CBD dosing rule for all pets. Smaller animals, like mice and reptiles, will require very small doses compared to larger animals like horses. However, for cats and dogs, some veterinarians suggest that you use a general dosage range.

This dosage range is between 0.25 to 0.5 mg per lb of body weight. This means that if your cat weighs 5 pounds, you’ll want to give them between 1.25 mg to 2.5 mg of CBD to start with. If this doesn’t produce any noticeable effects, then you can consider increasing the dosage to a somewhat higher level until they respond.

• With regular doses err on the lower side, which would be 0.25 mg per lb of body weight. These doses should be used for pets who are struggling with mild-to-moderate health issues, such as anxiety, insomnia, appetite problems, immune issues, skin problems, or anything else that isn’t a massive impairment to their overall quality of life. 

• Higher doses should be used for pets who are struggling with more serious problems, such as chronic pain, long-term illness, or other life-threatening problems. Inflammation, seizures, and tumors are serious problems as well. And as a reminder, always consult a Vet before administering CBD.

How Much CBD Oil Should I Give My Dog?

As we discussed at the beginning of the article, the Dosing Chart For Cats & Dogs recommends that you give them between 0.25 to 0.5 mg per lb of body weight.

However, this is a very general guideline and doesn’t necessarily always work out. Remember, you’re going to need to figure out your dosage based on the size of your dog and the condition that you’re trying to treat.

For example, larger dogs will need larger doses simply because their bodies have a stronger metabolism and will process the CBD easier. Smaller dogs will require less because they will be more sensitive. 

A small dog with joint problems may only require 1 mg of CBD whereas a massive German Shepherd with the same condition may need more than 10 mg.

How Much CBD Oil Should I Give My Cat?

The same rules apply to dose cats as they do to dogs. You need to evaluate your dosage based on the size of your cat and the condition that you treat.  Please review our cbd oil for dogs & cats dosage chart.

There isn’t as much variation in the size of cats as there is in dogs. That means that you can’t expect the dosage range of cats to fluctuate too much.  Most cats don’t need more than 1.5 to 3.5 mg of CBD.

cbd oil for dogs & cats dosage chart

• Please note: Drop count has been rounded up for your convenience.

CBD pet tinctures can be delivered in a couple of different ways. 

• If you’re already familiar with feeding your pet by hand, you can administer the pet tincture by hand. You’ll be able to drop their dose directly into their mouth. Just make sure that the tincture you’ve purchased is clear about the dosage in each drop! 
• If you’re not comfortable feeding your pet by hand, then you can simply drop the dose into their food or water dish. Make sure you do this when you’ve given them just a small amount of food or water. This will help to ensure that they’re going to eat the full dose.

CBD pet capsules are another way that you can provide your pets with CBD. Capsules come with a pre-set amount of CBD, often in powdered form but sometimes in oil form. 

These capsules either need to be hidden in pet treats or broken apart and mixed in with their food. In the case of the latter, it’s probably easier to just use a CBD pet tincture.

One of the easiest and most effective ways to get your animals to use CBD is to get them a CBD pet treat. Many companies are marketing CBD dog treats and CBD cat treats, each of which contains a set amount of CBD.

 These treats are designed to taste and smell appealing to your cats and dogs. This eliminates any need to break up capsules or dose their food with CBD pet tinctures.

How to Find the Optimal CBD Dosage for Your Pet

As we have mentioned, there isn’t one specific dosage that fits all animals. That means that you’re going to have to put in a bit of time and effort to figure out the optimal CBD dosage for your pet.

So, how exactly do you do that?

One of the best things that you can do is  Titrate your doses. This means that you start with a very small amount – usually an amount so small that it won’t lead to any effect. Then, gradually increase the dose by very small amounts.

Eventually, your pet will start to respond to the dosage. When you find a dosage that allows your pet to find relief, you stop increasing the dose. This allows your pet to get the maximum benefit without having to use more CBD than necessary.

How Much CBD Oil Should I Give My Dog or Cat for Certain Conditions?

Different conditions are going to need to be treated differently. As such, if you’re giving your dog or cat CBD for a certain condition, it may require more or less compared to other conditions.

How Much CBD Oil to Use for Seizures

Seizures are a very serious condition – one that can be life-threatening if not addressed properly. If the human evidence is to be trusted, you’re probably going to need to use larger amounts of CBD for managing seizures. Humans tend to need anywhere from 10-20 times the normal dose of CBD to manage serious seizure conditions.

How Much CBD Oil to Use for Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the easier conditions to manage with CBD.  As you might expect, you can generally see results using smaller amounts of CBD.  If you’re going to be using CBD to treat anxiety for dogs or cats, start on the lower end of the dosage spectrum.

How Much CBD Oil to Use for Arthritis

Arthritis can vary in its intensity. If your cat or dog has been struggling with arthritis for many years, they may require larger doses of CBD than a pet who has recently developed arthritis. Start with a lower dose and increase it until they show some improvement.

What is the Ideal CBD  dose for your Cat or Dog

Your dog or cat may need to use the bathroom immediately after taking CBD. We cannot determine the amount of time your dog or cat will require to fully absorb the CBD into his body. The time it takes for your dog or cat to go to the bathroom should depend on how much CBD he is taking.

Dogs or cats with behavioral or neurological issues may need to wait longer than others. Remember that CBD is not an anti-anxiety medication. Your pet may be anxious and distressed after taking it. He may urinate more frequently than normal.

Your dog or cat may suddenly develop a host of other symptoms, including diarrhea, vomiting, seizures, weakness, loss of coordination, tremors, aggression, aggression or aggression out of anxiety, whining, or aggression out of fear.

It is possible that your dog or cat could become reactive, such as barking, growling, lunging, licking, urinating, or biting after taking CBD.

Please discuss any behavior changes you observe and any other behavioral changes your dog or cat has with your veterinarian. Sometimes, your dog or cat may not exhibit any of the known or known potential adverse effects of CBD and may seem completely normal. Your pet may act completely normal. In order to help you better determine the potency of the CBD, you should speak with your veterinarian. Your veterinarian may need to test the potency of the CBD to determine the correct CBD dose. The potency of CBD should not be confused with the amount of THC in the product. While the THC content can be high, the CBD level should be far less than the THC level. 

It is important that you speak with your veterinarian to determine the best CBD dosage for your cat or dog. Before starting CBD, you may want to speak with your veterinarian about any medical condition your pet is suffering from, any allergies, and any other medications your pet is taking.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE CBD TO START WORKING for my cat or dog?

CBD takes 30-45 minutes to start working.

As a rule, oils tend to kick in a little faster than biscuits or treat just because there are fewer ingredients for furry bellies to break down first. But there’s no difference in effectiveness between the two.

From the first drop of oil or tincture to the last, it takes approximately an hour for CBD to have an effect.

Are there any side effects?

CBD is a non-toxic, legal medication and as such there are no known side effects for pets.

A word to the wise: Not all animals react the same. If your dog or cat reacts with the onset of symptoms (such as increasing their pace, refusing food, vomiting, panting, and/or diarrhea), it is likely they are being allergic to the CBD. For this reason, it is important to select a product specifically formulated to treat your pet and with no interactions with other medications.

Can I use CBD on my cat if she/he is pregnant?

Yes. If your cat is pregnant or nursing, be aware that the effects of CBD on both a mother and a fetus may be greater than if the animal were not pregnant or nursing. A slight change in their behavior is normal.

In the meantime, look for products that are both natural and formulated for pregnant or nursing pets.

Can I use CBD on a sick or injured pet?

No. CBD does not treat the underlying cause of a pet’s illness or injury.

For this reason, if a pet is sick or injured, talk to your veterinarian to determine if CBD is safe to use.

WHEN DOES CBD TREATS AND OIL WORK FOR MY CAT?

Most cats start having a noticeable response between 30 minutes and an hour after consumption. It takes about one to two weeks to experience full effects.

A few older or “special-needs” cats are more sensitive to the effects of the CBD. They might not initially be “good” with the high potency oil or tincture, but can eventually feel the effects after the initial 3 to 6 weeks.

Cats at a young age can also have trouble feeling the effects of CBD, and will need to be treated with a lower amount for their first few doses.

Can I take CBD on a plane?

It depends. Most likely, within the US. Yes. While products are available to travel, they must be labeled and properly followed by the pet owner before you can take your CBD with you. Read the label and make sure to read the instructions. Please check with TSA and or your Airline first, but you’ll still need to make the final decision before taking your CBD and pet on a plane.

(Note: Although we do not recommend this, even in extremely rare situations, if your pet is in bad health, you could buy a travel-sized product and take it with you in a carry-on to ensure your pet’s safety and to maximize your pet’s chances of getting through security. It will cost more than using the product in a capsule or tincture, but for vets who’ve seen firsthand what the effects of CBD are like on dogs, and know what they mean, the expense and trouble may be worth it.)

HOW LONG DOES CBD LAST FOR my Cat or Dog?

Each dose—whether from CBD oil or CBD Dog / Cat treats—lasts from 4-8 hours.  That’s a big spread, we know, but the duration can vary a lot depending on your pet’s size, activity level, breed, and the severity of their symptoms. But as a good rule of thumb: older pups tend to take longer than younger ones to digest food.

Depending on how much your cat or dog has taken, your pet may be back to normal in as little as a couple of hours, or as much as 24 hours.  When your pet is sick, the duration can also vary a lot, which is why it’s important to watch them closely for signs of pain or distress.

Will They Throw Up?

If your pet throws up after taking CBD, it could be one of many reasons.  Too much CBD.  Previous food that has now mixed internally with the CBD.  It could be the type or brand of CBD product (CBD Oil, CBD Pills, or CBD Dog or Cat Treats. (Remember: doses aren’t much different from, say, how many times you or I would swallow an ibuprofen.)  If you are worried. please contact your local Vet for more information.

But if you’ve given them enough food to make the pill a potential part of his diet and gradually increased his dosage over time, he should be alright.  Your dog or cat may not feel as hungry after ingesting CBD as well.  If he hasn’t eaten for a couple of hours, however, then he’s not likely to be hungry.  Small changes in appetite may occur and as always consult your local Vet is at all concerned.  One of the key concerns is whether they’ll be sick after you give them the medication, or if they’re going to be sick at the same time.

If they throw up, keep an eye on them, and clean it up. If he’s still eating and drinking normally, then he’s likely to be fine.