If your thinking about using CBD oil for dogs, cats or any other of your furry friends, you’re not alone.
CBD is being touted to bring relief to a variety of ailments for you and your furry friends, acting as a better alternative for their health and wellness needs.
But just how much of a better alternative can it be?
Here, we breakdown what the science suggests using CBD for your pets, along with CBD to THC ratio and dosing tips.
What the Research Says About CBD Oil for Dogs, Cats, Mice and More
CBD has been shown to assist with chronic pain, anxiety, arthritic pain, inflammation and nerve damage and epilepsy, in both humans and animals.
The products available are starting to spill over into the pet market, because just like us, our pets can suffer from a range of conditions, like inflamed joints, anxiety and pain.
Our furry friends could equally benefit from cannabinoids because CBD interacts with the human and mammalian endocannabinoid system – the system regulating most of our vital physiological functions.
The endocannabinoid system promotes homeostasis impacting everything from our mood, our reproduction, inflammation, memory, pain and sleep, meaning that if your pet has a health condition, CBD oil, or other products, might just offer some relief.
So, if you’re looking to take the plunge in providing CBD oil for dogs and other furry critters, let’s look at finding the right dosage for your pets.
Body Weight Influences CBD Oil for Dogs and Other Pets
It’s important to remember that your body weight plays a big role in providing the right CBD dosage.
A dosage for mild pain for a larger person over 240 pounds is going to be more than a dosage for severe pain for someone that weighs just 150 pounds.
If you’re just starting out, you’ll want to take it slow too. In general, your best CBD dosage is to take 1mg to 6mg of it for every 10 pounds of body weight based on your level of pain.
In other words, if you weigh 200 pounds and are just starting out on CBD, choosing anywhere from 20mg to 33mg would be best. Ideally, you’d start out with the 20mg and work your way up if necessary.
Finding the CBD to THC Ratio for Your Pets
Some may need the benefits of both CBD and THC together. THC can come in more than just the form of cannabis. It can be in edibles, cartridges, tinctures, and more. The optimal ratio for you will depend on a variety of things.
Ratio of 0:1
Some of you will rely solely on THC for relieving your medical conditions. This ratio of 0:1 can cause anxiety and paranoia in some, which is why we recommend introducing CBD oil into the mix.
Ratio of 1:3
For a ratio of 1:3, it minimizes the unwanted side effects of THC. It’s great for advanced pain relief.
Ratio of 1:1
An equal ratio of 1:1 is extremely effective though for major pain relief, anxiety, insomnia, spasticity, appetite stimulation, and more. Additionally, this ratio of CBD dosage to THC is very promising for those with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and can potentially kill certain cancer cells. The 1:1 ratio is considered an excellent starting point for CBD dosage with THC.
Ratio of 2:1 and 3:1
Higher CBD dosage options are best for battling autoimmune disorders, arthritis, or gastrointestinal issues. Taking them in ratios of 2:1 or even 3:1 give great benefits with minimal to no psychoactive side effects.
However, more and more people are turning to purely CBD dosage for relieving things like severe anxiety, depression, psychosis, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and neurodegenerative conditions. Hemp-based CBD has been a huge breakthrough for naturally and effectively handling these conditions without THC.
In short, if you’ve never tried any CBD or THC product, taking things slow and adjusting your ratios in line with your body weight is the best method for finding your ideal dosage.
Just like your doctor would adjust your prescription medications, there is a bit of trial and error involved. But starting low and slow with your CBD dosage will greatly reduce your chances of error while finding you relief from common physical and mental ailments.
How to choose CBD oil for dogs, cats, along with other CBD products
It’s equally as important to choose a quality brand and the right form of CBD products for your pet.
You can find CBD for pets in oils, capsules, and even in treats. In contrast to humans, pet products use CBD from hemp plants because its THC levels are so miniscule.
The best CBD product for your pet will supply a dosage chart specific to the type of consumption.
The other important factor for CBD dosage for pets is the ailment they suffer from. You should consult your pet’s veterinarian on their opinion, as well.
CBD Oil for Dogs and Pets: What’s the Right Dosing?
Higher-quality products will cost more, but they will always be researched and have the lowdown you need on the package regarding pet weight and ailments so you can administer the right CBD dosage.
CBD Oil
For CBD oils, you’ll be administering them in drops, much like you’d do for yourself. Again, as products vary, you’ll need to read the packaging.
As a general guideline, you’ll need to give 2 to 4 drops anywhere from 2 to 4 times per day. CBD dosage for your pet can be adjusted just like they can for you but always err on the side of caution and go with the lowest amount first.
CBD Capsules
If you don’t want to measure anything out, try CBD capsules for your pet. They can contain between 5 and 20mg of CBD each, depending on the brand and dosage of each variety.
You’ll definitely want to read the package here to get the weight and dosage right. With capsules, you’ll likely be looking at one tablet taken once or twice a day.
CBD Pet Treats
With CBD pet treats, the concentrations of CBD vary greatly. There is no way to measure it yourself, so choosing a reputable brand that gives detailed dosing instructions is very important. Follow what the packaging says and watch how your pet responds. Then adjust as needed.
The Takeaway on CBD Oil for You and Your Pets
Whether for your pet or for yourself, CBD dosage should be monitored to ensure you get the right ratio to relieve symptoms. Starting with a low CBD dosage is beneficial because you can always add more.
Think of it like adding seasonings when you cook. You can always add more if needed, but if you go too big, you’ll throw everything off balance and have to start again!