Can I Give My Dog CBD Oil?

There’s nothing worse than seeing your pup in pain, or hearing them whimper as you grab your stuff to start walking out of the house. You know CBD works wonders for you, but can I give my dog CBD oil, too? The answer is yes - with a couple of really important caveats.

The first being, you must choose a pet-specific CBD oil. Human CBD oil is not formulated for pets and could actually cause more harm than good. The other important note is that you need to understand things like dosing. We’ll show you how to give a dog CBD oil below.

But before we get into all that, take the first step by ordering CBD pet products at Medterra so we can get your oil in the mail and on its way to your doorstep. From CBD oil for relief to calming or joint support chews, we have what your dog needs to live their best life!

Key Takeaways 

• You can safely give your dog CBD oil as long as it’s formulated specifically for pets.

• Veterinary research suggests that 1-2 mg per kg of bodyweight is a good dosage for managing joint discomfort.1,2

• Dogs love Medterra’s Daily Relief Pet CBD Tincture because it comes in flavors like chicken and beef.

• We make dosing easy with dropper recommendations based on bodyweight.

• You can also consider CBD dog chews as an alternative to tinctures, which your pet may be more receptive to. 

How CBD Works in Dogs 

You’ve seen CBD work in humans, and dogs have their own endocannabinoid system (ECS), too. This is a network of receptors throughout the body and brain that allow a being to experience the therapeutic potential of cannabis. 

Unlike THC, CBD doesn’t have any intoxicating effects. Instead, it works subtly and indirectly through signaling pathways, touching everything from pain perception to stress response. 

We’re not just guessing that pets can enjoy the benefits of CBD like humans, either. Veterinary research teams at Cornell University and Colorado State University have both conducted clinical trials showing efficacy and safety with CBD for dogs.2,3 

Can I Give My Dog CBD Oil?

So, can I give my dog CBD oil? For sure! You just have to be aware of the pros, the cons, and the caveats. Let’s start with a few of the specific benefits of giving your dog CBD oil. 

Potential Benefits

There are three main use cases you’ll see for giving dogs CBD. 

Dog CBD Oil For Pain 

The most common reason pet parents come to us, though, is for aches and pains. Even when your pet can’t tell you something is wrong, they have their way of showing it - and the signs are always obvious. 

Fortunately, CBD may be able to help get your pet moving again. A 2018 trial gave dogs with osteoarthritis CBD oil twice daily for 4 weeks, and the pain scores plummeted.2 Our Pet CBD Joint Support Chews were made with this in mind. 

Dog CBD Oil For Stress and Separation Anxiety 

The second most common reason pet parents come to us for CBD is to manage separation anxiety - or just anxiety in general. The same way CBD can support a better stress response in humans, it may be what your pet needs to settle down and finally relax. 

We read about a study done just a few years back in which dogs were put through the two things that stressed them out most - car travel and separation from their owners. Dogs that got CBD were significantly less stressed than the others.4  

Our Calming Pet Chews are a perfect way to help your nervous, stressed-out dog find their inner zen. They contain not only CBD but also L-Tryptophan!

Dog CBD Oil For Seizures 

This is exactly where most of the research on CBD oil for dogs exists. Dogs suffering from intractable idiopathic epilepsy were given CBD twice daily, and experienced a 33% drop in monthly seizure frequency. 89% of treated dogs saw some degree of improvement.3

Is it Safe? 

It clearly works. But can I give my dog CBD oil without it causing more harm than good?

There is a very strong safety profile for dog CBD oil. That is, CBD oil specifically formulated for dogs. Not human CBD oil given to dogs.

There are some mild side effects in some cases, including tummy troubles and temporary sedation (which may not be a bad thing).1 These are usually dose-dependent, which is why understanding how much CBD oil to give a dog is so important. 

How to Give a Dog CBD Oil: Dosage, Timing, and Product Selection

We’ve said it throughout this guide on how to give a dog CBD oil - not all CBD is appropriate for canines! Human CBD oil is not only much stronger, but may even include THC - and that’s where things can get really problematic for your pet. 

Make sure you’re buying something that’s specifically tailored to dogs and contains CBD isolate. It should have a certificate of analysis (COA) so you can shop with peace of mind. 

How Much CBD Oil Should I Give My Dog? 

We’ve made dosing CBD oil for your dog super simple. Here’s a quick chart specifically for our 300mg Daily Relief Pet CBD Tincture (10mg/mL):

How Often Can I Give My Dog CBD Oil? 

You can give your dog CBD every day, if not twice a day, as needed. You might get in the habit of giving your pet their daily doses with breakfast and dinner to space them out consistently. 

Or, you might find that your pet only needs CBD situationally. Say, before you head out of the house for a while, prior to road trips, or when you know there will be fireworks.

Are CBD Dog Treats a Better Option? 

Some dogs take CBD oil like a treat, especially with our Chicken and Beef flavoring! Others are a little hesitant. Rather than wrestle your dog’s mouth open and try to get them to swallow the tincture, you could try dog treats. They’re just so much more familiar.

Really what matters most is you find a way to give your dog CBD that works for both of you. Our CBD dog chews have 10mg per chew. The Joint Formula also has glucosamine, while the Calming formula has L-Tryptophan. Both are crafted from the finest hemp and backed by lab results! 

Shop now, whether you go with treats or oil, and help your pet feel their best. 

Do I Need to Loop in My Vet? 

We get asked all the time, can I give my dog CBD without my vet’s approval? Yes! CBD is available without a prescription. However, it’s not a bad idea to get your vet’s opinion. Just be aware that some vets are very set in their ways and would rather prescribe you anti-anxiety medications or painkillers. 

Frequently asked questions 

What is CBD?

It’s a non-intoxicating therapeutic cannabinoid extracted from cannabis. 

How does CBD work in dogs? 

It interacts indirectly with their ECS to ease discomfort, calm stress, and create a sense of balance overall. 

Are there studies showing CBD is effective for dogs? 

Yes, many! We referenced them in our guide on how to give a dog CBD oil above. See the sources themselves at the bottom of the page. 

Is CBD legal for dogs? 

Yes. Our products - both human and pet CBD - are Farm Bill compliant as they’re made from hemp and lab tested to confirm they have less than 0.3% THC by dry weight. 

How do I confirm product quality?

Look for COAs, which are readily available on our website. These show you that the products are free of any impurities. 

Are there any side effects of CBD for dogs? 

Mild gastrointestinal issues and temporary sedation are sometimes reported, but you can mitigate this by starting with a lower dose. 

What’s the ideal CBD oil dose for dogs? 

It depends on your pet’s bodyweight. We generally recommend 1 dropper per 10 pounds of bodyweight to simplify things. Most research advocates for a dosage of 1-2 mg per kilogram of bodyweight.1,2

Do I have to ask my vet’s permission to give my dog CBD? 

Nope! You can place your order at Medterra right now and help your pet live their best life.

Related Resources 

Can dogs have CBD gummies? | How to consume CBD oil | CBD gummies vs oil

References 

1. Wakshlag J. The ABCs of Cannabidiol (CBD) from Hemp. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Cornell Vet

2. Gamble LJ, Boesch JM, Frye CW, et al. Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Clinical Efficacy of Cannabidiol Treatment in Osteoarthritic Dogs. Front Vet Sci. 2018;5:165. PubMed

3. McGrath S, Bartner LR, Rao S, Packer RA, Gustafson DL. Randomized blinded controlled clinical trial to assess the effect of oral cannabidiol administration in addition to conventional antiepileptic treatment on seizure frequency in dogs with intractable idiopathic epilepsy. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2019;254(11):1301-1308. JAVMA

4. Hunt ABG, Flint HE, Logan DW, King T. A single dose of cannabidiol (CBD) positively influences measures of stress in dogs during separation and car travel. Front Vet Sci. 2023;10:1112604. Frontiers