How To Give CBD Oil To Dogs?
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CBD treats, oils, and other CBD products are all the rage amongst dog and other pet owners because of their ability to improve our furry friends' health.
In this article, we are covering everything from how to give CBD oil to dogs to the benefits of a CBD oil product to the best CBD oil for dogs.
So let's not waste any more time! Here's why we should all be adding CBD oil to our furry friends' diets.
What Is CBD Oil for Dogs?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound found in cannabis and hemp plants. Unlike THC, CBD does not produce the intoxicating "high" associated with marijuana. Most CBD products marketed for pets are derived from hemp.
CBD products for dogs are commonly sold as oils, tinctures, treats, and chews. For owners who want to control the amount given, oil can be convenient because you can measure the dose with a dropper.
Whether it's a CBD treat or high-quality CBD oil, CBD is a great way for dog owners to give their pet the health support they've long been looking for.
When looking for CBD oil or another CBD-based product like a treat or a multivitamine, it's important to verify a few points:
- Always make sure your CBD product is derived from the hemp plant and that it's full spectrum CBD. Full Spectrum CBD means the CBD product contains all the beneficial compounds found in the resin that coats the flowers, leaves, and stalks.
- Make sure it's organic CBD oil for dogs, so it's free of pesticides and heavy metals.
- Make sure it comes with a Certificate of Analysis (COA). This is the lab result done by a third party that will confirm how much CBD is in the product.
However, CBD products are not standardized like approved veterinary medications. The concentration, ingredients, and quality can vary considerably between products.
How CBD Oil Works In Dogs
Your dog's endocannabinoid system produces its own cannabinoids naturally, but sometimes it needs extra support. Stress, aging, illness, or genetic factors can create deficiencies that leave dogs struggling with anxiety, discomfort, or other issues.
CBD oil fills this gap by providing external cannabinoids (CBD, CBG, CBC, CBDA, and trace amounts of THC) that support the system's function.
Research shows CBD has a favorable safety profile with few side effects at physiological doses. There also have been several dog studies demonstrating that CBD improves clinical signs associated with osteoarthritis and epilepsy.
Note: CBD is being explored as a supportive therapy for epilepsy, especially for dogs who don’t respond well to conventional anticonvulsants; it’s not yet a standalone or guaranteed solution.
How To Give CBD Oil To Dogs
After you pick a CBD oil that suits your dog, giving it to them can be simple. Here are some easy tips to help:
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Start with a small amount: Listen to your vet and follow the product’s instructions instead of giving your dog a lot at once.
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Use the dropper to measure the oil carefully: This helps you give the same amount each time.
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Mix with food: If your dog doesn’t like the taste, try mixing the oil into a small amount of their usual food or a favorite treat.
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Be consistent: Try to give CBD at the
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same time every day. This makes it easier to keep a steady routine.
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Reward: After giving the oil, praise your dog or offer a favorite treat. This helps them see the process as something good.
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Do not use force: If your dog gets anxious or resists, take a break. You can try again later with a different approach.
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Take notes: Watch how your dog reacts after taking CBD. Look out for any changes that seem unusual.
And lastly, don’t forget to store your CBD in a safe place, far from your dog’s paws, so they don’t get into it by accident. Especially if it’s in the form of CBD treats of delicious chews.
The aim is to make CBD a simple, regular part of your dog’s routine while keeping them comfortable and safe.
⚠️ If your dog is on medication, has a health issue, or reacts oddly to CBD, check with your vet before continuing.
Benefits of CBD Oil for Your Dog
CBD affects dogs in much the same way it affects people. By supporting the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), CBD can help a dog’s body manage important functions.
Because the ECS helps keep the body’s systems balanced, CBD may be able to help with many different health issues.
1. Arthritis and mobility
Chronic pain and inflammation are common symptoms of arthritis and other mobility problems like hip dysplasia and joint pain. CBD has often been shown to help reduce pain and inflammation, which can help restore balance in the body.
2. Chronic anxiety and temporary nervousness
CBD has also been shown to help with anxiety and nervousness. This is helpful for pet owners whose dogs get anxious during thunderstorms, fireworks, being left alone, traveling, or other stressful situations.
3. Seizures
CBD became popular in part because it can help treat epilepsy, especially drug-resistant forms where other treatments do not work except for marijuana.
But because marijuana causes a high, giving it to children and pets is controversial because it may bring serious side effects.
CBD offers an alternative that does not cause a high but can still help. In many places, this has led to CBD being allowed even where marijuana or THC are not.
4. Digestion
Many dog owners are happy to learn that CBD may help balance the digestive system and help with common issues like nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and even bad breath.
5. Cancer
CBD products may have anti-cancer properties, but how much they help is still not fully known. Still, many people have found CBD helpful when dealing with cancer, since it can support areas affected by both the disease and its treatments.
CBD may help with nausea, inflammation, and pain, which are important issues for those dealing with cancer.
3 Types of CBD Products For Dogs
CBD can be made into many different forms, so you have several options for giving it to your dog. Here are the three most popular ways.
1. Dog CBD oil
If you’ve never tried CBD, we recommend starting with CBD oil. It is one of the earliest forms of CBD and still the most popular today.
CBD oil is a combination of hemp CBD extract and a carrier oil that improves absorption like hemp oil derived from the seeds. This one is great because it makes it easier to experiment with different dosages, so you can give whatever precise dosage you find works.
To administer CBD oil, simply check the back of the product’s label for the recommended starting dosage, fill the dropper with the appropriate amount, place it in your dog's mouth, and simply squeeze the rubber tip until empty.
→ If you're looking for a convenient way to add CBD to your dog's routine, explore Innovet's CBD Oil for Dogs, available in different strengths based on your dog's weight.
→ Give your pet's diet an extra source of omega-3 fatty acids with Innovet's Salmon Oil for Dogs & Cats, a simple addition to their daily meals.
Most dogs accept this method, but if yours does not, you can mix the CBD oil with peanut butter or add it to their food. Many dogs like the natural flavor of CBD oil and do not need it mixed with anything else.
2. CBD treats
While not quite as popular as CBD oil because you can’t experiment with different dosages as freely, CBD dog treats remain a go-to for many owners.
Because most dogs do just fine with a general dose that is simply within an appropriate range based on the dog's weight and their reaction to high dosages of CBD.
Not only are CBD dog treats fantastic for fussier dogs, but they're also a great way to make your dog feel special with a treat that improves their health. It’s a cake-and-eat-it-too situation, and what’s not to love about that!
→ If your dog prefers treats over liquid supplements, Innovet's CBD Dog Treats offer a convenient way to incorporate CBD into their routine.
3. Dietary Supplements Featuring CBD
Since CBD can support many aspects of health, it is often combined with other natural supplements. You can now find CBD in dog multivitamins, mobility supplements, digestive aids, and products for specific health needs.
Many pet owners have had good results with these daily supplements, even before CBD was added. Some find that including CBD makes these products even more effective.
→ For broader nutritional support, consider Innovet's Dog Multivitamin Soft Chews, which provide a convenient daily supplement in chew form.
Why Choose CBD Oil Over Other CBD Formats?
When you're looking at CBD products, you'll see oils, treats, and capsules. So why do so many vets prefer oil? It comes down to a few advantages that put you in the driver's seat of your dog's wellness plan. First, this table summarizes the main differences:
| Product Type | Onset Time | Duration | Bioavailability | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBD Oil | 15–30 min (sublingual) | 4–6 hours | High (60–80%) | Precise dosing, anxiety, daily wellness |
| CBD Treats | 45–90 minutes | 6–8 hours | Moderate (25–45%) | Convenience, training rewards, travel |
| CBD Capsules | 45–90 minutes | 6–8 hours | Moderate (25–45%) | Consistent dosing, supplement routines |
| CBD Topicals | 5–15 minutes | 2–4 hours | Local only | Skin issues, localized pain |
Now that you understand the primary differences between CBD types, here’s what makes CBD oil the superior option in some situations:
Dosage Control
Dosage control is the single biggest benefit. A 10-pound Yorkie and a 100-pound Great Dane have vastly different needs.
With a treat, you're stuck with a pre-set dose. With oil, you can make tiny, precise adjustments, like a single drop at a time, to find the exact amount that works for your dog.
This is especially vital for senior pets or sensitive dogs, where even a small change can make a big difference.
Faster Absorption
CBD oil works when you need it to. Imagine the panic when fireworks start. You need relief for your dog now, not in an hour.
When given under the tongue, oil bypasses the slow journey through the digestive system and is absorbed directly into the bloodstream in as little as 15–30 minutes.
A treat has to be fully digested, which can take up to 90 agonizing minutes while your dog is in distress.
Purity and Simplicity
High-quality CBD oil often contains just two ingredients:
- The full-spectrum hemp extract
- A healthy carrier oil.
Many treats, on the other hand, can contain fillers, grains, preservatives, or artificial flavorings that may not be ideal for a dog with a sensitive stomach or allergies.
Its purity makes it a better choice, and the fact that it offers higher bioavailability compared to the alternative means more of the CBD actually reaches your dog’s system to provide benefits.
Plus, CBD oil generally provides more servings per dollar compared to treats or capsules, especially for larger dogs requiring higher doses. You can also give it directly, mix it with food, or even apply it to treats, making it suitable for picky ogs or those with specific preferences.
When Is The Best Time To Give CBD To Dogs?
With CBD oils' ability to help with many health conditions, the best time to give CBD to your dog will vary on a personal basis. For help with chronic conditions and daily wellness, many dog owners give their pup CBD once in the morning and potentially once again at night.
Giving your dog CBD on an empty stomach will help increase the rate the effects come on, but is unlikely to increase the potency. As such, many owners administer CBD when they give their dog their daily food.
Depending on the form of CBD given along with whether it’s taken with food or not, expect anywhere between 20-60 minutes for the effects to kick in. With CBD oils given on an empty stomach, provide the fastest relief.
Generally, the longer CBD stays in your pet's mouth the faster it kicks in. This is why people are able to feel CBD oil within a few minutes by holding it under their tongues. As far as side effects of CBD oil for dogs there are minimal to none.
CBD Dosage For Large And Small Dogs
Most CBD companies separate their dosage guidelines into three tiers: low, middle (average), and high. How much oil said range will advise you to give will depend on your dog’s body weight, with a big Mastiff needing quite a bit more than a tiny Chihuahua would.
Because dogs can vary in size so much, you’ll often find CBD products with varying amounts of CBD in them to account for all the different breeds.
This will help ensure you don’t accidentally give too much, and it makes it easier to give precise dosages no matter your dog's size.
You can find our Pure CBD Oil for Dogs in 6 different concentrations.
Our 125 mg is great for small dogs up to 25lbs, while our 6,000 mg is great for really large dogs and other large pets.
We also provide you with a handy dosage calculator and dosing chart:
Dosage Considerations by Condition
| Condition | Typical Effective Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General Wellness | 1–2 mg per 10 lbs | Start low; you may not need increases |
| Anxiety/Stress | 2–4 mg per 10 lbs | May need higher doses for severe cases |
| Joint Pain | 2 mg/kg twice daily | Often requires consistent twice-daily dosing |
| Seizure Support | 2.5 mg/kg twice daily | Always coordinate with a veterinarian |
The Three-Week Titration Protocol
Let's use an example. Meet Cooper, a 40-pound Golden Doodle who is getting stiff in his old age. A good starting dose for him is around 4 mg of CBD once a day.
- Week 1: Cooper gets 4 mg every morning with his breakfast. His owner isn't looking for a miracle yet. She's just letting his body get used to it and watching for any changes—good or bad. She keeps a simple journal: "Monday: 4 mg. Seemed a little less stiff getting up. Tuesday: 4 mg. Eager for his walk.”
- Week 2: Cooper is doing well, but he's still a bit slow in the evenings. His owner decides to increase his dose by about 50%, moving to 6 mg each morning. This is a small, safe increase.
- Week 3: The 6 mg dose seems to be the sweet spot! Cooper is moving more freely and even wants to play fetch again. His owner has found his maintenance dose and will stick with it. If she had noticed him getting sleepy, she would have known the dose was too high and cut it back.
Remember: More isn't always better. Some dogs become drowsy with higher doses, while others need surprisingly small amounts to see benefits.
What Happens If I Give My Dog Too Much CBD Oil?
In most cases, medical treatment isn't necessary if you give your dog too much CBD oil. If you give too much, expect symptoms such as lethargy, dry mouth, tiredness, lowered blood pressure, and stomach discomfort. With time, they will soon pass, and your dog should feel back to their regular selves within a few hours up to overnight.
To find the right dosage for your dog, the best method is to start small and gradually increase over several weeks. In the large majority of cases, higher doses are well tolerated by many dogs, but it's good to proceed slowly because the proper dosage for your dog may not warrant high amounts.
If you give a very large dose, be sure to check how much THC is in the product, since too much THC can cause unwanted effects similar to those from marijuana.
Take Care Of Your Best Friend
CBD oil is a great way to help your furry friend reclaim their health, with research and anecdotal evidence showing CBD oil can help both dogs, cats, and other pets better manage pain, anxiety, and weight. And these are just a few things CBD oil has been shown to help.
Remember, how much CBD you should give your dog will be based on your pet's weight along with the medical condition or reason it's being given.
For most dogs, CBD quickly becomes their favorite treat. So much so that we give our customers the ability to easily make a recurring purchase due to popular demand. We hope you enjoyed learning about all about how to give CBD oil to dogs.
