CBD can have many beneficial effects for dogs, just as it does for humans. Though it has yet to be approved by the FDA for medical use (so we can’t make any medical promises or recommendations here!), people still give cannabidiol to their dogs to ease muscle and joint pain, calm them during stressful times, and for general wellness.
For first-time users, there can be a bit of uncertainty regarding exactly how to give CBD to your dog, how much CBD to give them, how long it takes for the effects to kick in, and how long CBD stays in your dog’s system.
Today, we’ll look at how CBD interacts with your dog’s endocannabinoid system, so that you can have a better understanding of its potential benefits for your dog, and we’ll tackle the question of how long CBD stays in your dog’s system.
What Is CBD, and Is CBD Safe for Dogs?
The cannabis plant produces a group of chemical compounds called cannabinoids, whose purpose is to protect the plant from the elements and insect pests, as well as attract pollinators. CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the two most prevalent cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, with the other being THC. You’ll recognize THC as the cannabinoid found in marijuana that gets users high. But marijuana isn’t the only form of cannabis. There is a type of cannabis with almost no THC, called hemp. It’s the hemp plant that yields the oil used in CBD products. This is an important distinction, since THC can actually be toxic for dogs. But you can rest-assured that hemp-derived CBD cannot get your dog high, nor is it toxic to them.
What Is Your Dog’s Endocannabinoid System?
All vertebrates — your dog included — have an endocannabinoid system. The ECS is a cell-signaling system that connects with other systems and organs throughout your dog’s body and helps them to maintain homeostasis, or balance.
Here’s how the endocannabinoid system works.
Your dog’s body creates its own endocannabinoids. Endocannabinoids are neurotransmitters that attach to the body’s CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors are found in the central nervous system and the brain. CB2 receptors are located throughout the peripheral nervous system, as well as our immune system and other organs and tissues. When endocannabinoids attach to these receptors, they send signals to the various systems and organs to keep them working properly, helping to regulate such crucial functions as sleep, mood, memory, appetite, motor control, stress, pain, immune, and many more.
Plant-based cannabinoids, or phytocannabinoids, act very similarly when introduced to your dog’s body. While they don’t attach to the receptors, they do signal to them in much the same way — telling the body to regulate those very same functions. CBD, being a major cannabinoid, is sort of a “jack of all trades” cannabinoid, helping the body to maintain homeostasis in a variety of the aforementioned functions. This is why it has become such a popular wellness product for both humans and pets.
Bioavailability and Your Dog
When we talk about bioavailability, we’re referring to the rate and amount of CBD that’s absorbed into your dog’s bloodstream. Bioavailability can be affected by a number of factors. And every dog, just like every human, is different — so CBD can affect them all differently. These factors include weight, activity level, body mass, tolerance, and more.
With this in mind, it’s important to give your dog the amount of CBD that’s right for their own individual body. Unfortunately, dogs can’t really express how they feel verbally. But if you’re giving an older dog CBD for joint pain, for instance, you can pay attention to whether the amount you’ve given them seems to be working. Or, if you’re giving your stressed-out poodle a CBD Pet Treat for Stress and Anxiety to calm them down, you can monitor them to see if your pooch is relaxing.
How Much CBD Oil Should I Give My Dog?
CBDfx does a bit of the work for you by making their CBD Oil for Dogs available in strengths specially formulated for different sized dogs: 250mg for smaller dogs (under 20lb.), 500mg for medium-sized dog breeds (20–60lb.), 1000mg for large dogs (over 60lb.), and 2000mg extra strength for the largest dog breeds (over 100lb.).
Still, you should start out with a lower dose than the suggested serving size. Try half a dropper for your dog’s first time. If it doesn’t seem to be working, edge it up to three-fourths of a dropper when you use it the next day. Keep working your way up until you find the serving size that’s right for your dog.
How Long Does It Take for My Dog to Feel the Effects of CBD?
Again, this will depend on all of the bioavailability factors mentioned above. Every dog is different. CBD topical products aside, the method of delivery you’re most likely to be giving your dog is via an edible. Even if you give your dog a CBD oil tincture, it’s highly unlikely you can explain to your dog how to hold it under their tongue for 60 seconds. This means, whether you’re giving your dog CBD oil or a CBD dog treat, it will need to travel through their digestive tract before the CBD enters their bloodstream. We can’t necessarily compare the rate of absorption to that of a human taking CBD, because people and dogs have different metabolisms. The metabolism of a dog is much faster than ours. In general, you can estimate that it will take up to 90 minutes for your dog to feel the effects of CBD that has been digested.
We did mention topical products, such as a CBD Pet Balm. These don’t travel through the bloodstream, but are rubbed into the affected area and are absorbed through the skin. With topicals, it can take 30–60 minutes for your dog to feel the effects of CBD.
How Long Does CBD Stay in a Dog’s System?
So, to answer the question of how long CBD stays in your dog’s system, again, we have to understand that every dog is different and results may vary. But in general, your dog may feel the effects of digested CBD for four to eight hours.
As far as how long it stays in their system, a general estimate is about 24 hours (long after the effects are gone). There are studies that show a single serving can remain in their system for three days, but we’re talking about almost imperceptible trace amounts.
If your dog takes CBD regularly, it can build up in their system (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, given how CBD positively affects the endocannabinoid system). Dogs with moderate use can show traces for three to five days, and dogs with repeated use can have CBD in their system for 10 or more days.
Final Thoughts on CBD for Dogs
If you’re trying CBD on your dog for the first time, we hope this article has been helpful. We also encourage you to talk with your veterinarian. Pet owners and veterinary professionals are partners, really, in the healthcare of our animals. And be sure to check back here for more informative articles on CBD for pets. We hope that your dog (or dogs!) has a long, healthy, happy life!
Ready to explore CBD for your dog? Check out our entire line of CBD for Pets!
