The most asked question we at Resilience CBD receive is: How much CBD should I give my K9? What is the proper dose?
We wish the answer were a simple one, but each dog, like each human, has a unique body composition. Dosage depends on a number of factors including the size and weight of the dog, breed, current health condition, and past disease history.
Also, each dog, again like each human, metabolizes CBD at a different rate. For example, one person may eat cheeseburgers and milkshakes on a daily basis and never gain a pound, while someone else looks at a cheeseburger and adds three inches to their waistline. The same principle applies to K9s: ultimately, no two K9s are the same.
START LOW AND GO SLOW!
CBD will not be effective if too much or too little is given. In order to find the right dose, the rule is start low, and then slowly increase the dose after about 5 days if there has not been improvement.
As an owner, you are trying to find the optimum “sweet-spot”. The goal is to calibrate your dog’s daily dosing, and ultimately use the LEAST AMOUNT of CBD to achieve the desired effect.
A 20lb beagle with anxiety is conceivably going to require a different level of dosing than a German shepherd with severe joint pain.
300MG AND 600MG BOTTLES
Each Resilience CBD bottle contains 30ml of liquid, yielding 30 1ml servings per bottle. This means that if a dog gets a 1ml serving (one full dropper) daily, the bottle will contain a one-month supply.
How much CBD is in one dropper?
300mg bottle = 30x1ml servings (one full dropper) = 10mg CBD/serving
600mg bottle = 30x1ml servings (one full dropper) = 20mg CBD/serving
How much CBD is in one drop?
Pharmacists experimented and concluded that 1 ml gives an average of 20 drops per ml, which is 0.05ml per drop.
In a 300mg bottle, each drop would contain .5mg of CBD.
In a 600mg bottle, each drop would contain 1.0mg of CBD.
SUGGESTED DOSAGES
Many people choose to give half the dose in the morning and half in the evening.
Optimally, the liquid should be given sublingually – under the tongue, but sometimes that is just too difficult. The CBD oil can be dropped onto a treat, or added to a bit of food that, ideally, would be given at least an hour before or after a full meal.
For general health and wellness, start with about 0.1mg CBD per pound daily for a low-end dose. Increase after 5-7 days if necessary.
For a 10lb dog, a low-end dose would be 1mg = 2 drops (300mg bottle) or 1 drop (600mg bottle).
For a 75lb dog, a low-end dose would be 7.5mg = 3/4 of a dropper or 15 drops (300mg bottle); or 1 ½ droppers or 7.5 drops (600mg bottle).
Use this dose if your dog is elderly; needs general immune system help; has allergies or skin conditions; digestive problems; or aches and pains caused by inflammation or a touch of arthritis. This dose should also help to stimulate appetite and relieve slight stress and/or anxiety.
If a dog has anxiety attacks during thunderstorms, fireworks, travel, or separation experiences, an additional dose can be given about 30 minutes before the expected anxiety provoker.
For more troublesome problems, start at 0.25mg CBD per pound TWICE daily. Increase after 5-7 days if necessary.
For a 10lb dog that would be 5mg daily = ½ dropper or 10 drops (300mg bottle) or ¼ dropper or 5 drops (600mg bottle).
For a 75lb dog, that would be 37.5mg = 3 ¾ droppers (300mg bottle) or 1 dropper plus 1 scant 9 drops (Okay, you can go with 2 droppers!) (600mg bottle).
Divide these numbers in half if giving TWICE a day.
More troublesome problems would include chronic pain, intense arthritis and/or joint inflammation, difficulty moving, seizures, and severe anxiety. Chronic gastrointestinal issues would also fall into this category.
Continue to increase the amount of CBD you are administering to your dog every 5-7 days until your optimum “sweet-spot” is achieved and your dog’s specific symptoms gradually improve.
A REMINDER
Dosing is different for every dog, and ultimately it depends on what you are trying to achieve with CBD. If your dog is suffering from chronic pain, you may choose to provide a higher dosage; while minor anxiety would call for the lower dosage.
Whatever your goal, remember, if you give your dog too little CBD, it will not work. If you give your dog too much CBD, it will not work. You do not want to jump ahead, give a higher dose, and miss the “sweet spot”.
With diligence and patience, you can find the perfect amount of CBD that gives the gift of happiness to your loving companion.
BE CONSISTENT
Consistency is key! To realize the full medical benefits of CBD it is important to develop a routine and stick to it. While some dogs may start recognizing the benefits quickly, it will take other dogs a longer time before the CBD fully integrates with your dog’s cannabinoid receptors.
Nonetheless, a consistent program of CBD can be an incredible solution for bringing health, happiness, and vitality back into your dog’s life.
KEEP A JOURNAL
Do not be afraid to start a daily journal! Ideally, begin before your dog starts taking CBD. Carefully tracking the amount and frequency of CBD you are giving your pet is a good way to follow your pet’s progress.
Over time, you should begin to notice changes, large or small, in your dog’s overall health. Whether your desired outcome is to enable a dog with joint pain to climb stairs or to run around like a puppy showing no signs of aggravated pain; or whether it is for a dog with anxiety to demonstrate a calmness not witnessed in years, it is important to carefully track the progress towards achieving your dog’s “sweet-spot”.
DRUG INTERACTIONS
Strong doses of CBD can inhibit the cytochrome P450 enzyme system, one of many enzyme systems found in the liver that metabolize certain drugs. Grapefruit and watercress can also inhibit the metabolization of drugs.
If your dog is taking a pharmaceutical medication that is metabolized by the cytochrome P450 enzyme, it will stay in the body longer and may cause side effects. This is one reason to start by giving a low dose.
Also, it is best to give the CBD an hour or two before or after the prescribed drug. This will help ensure that CBD does not react with it.
Check in with your veterinarian. After taking CBD for a while, you may – happily – need to decrease the amount of pharmaceutical medication.
TOO MUCH
No need to worry. CBD is non-toxic and non-psychoactive, so you can never hurt your dog by giving too much.
SIDE EFFECTS
If there are side effects, they will NEVER be life threatening. If your dog is taking too much CBD, s/he may be a bit groggy; may suffer dry mouth and want more water than usual; or, occasionally, become over-excited. Stop giving CBD until things normalize, then begin again with a reduced dose.
YOUR DOG IS OUR DOG, TOO
Our mission at Resilience CBD is to provide the highest quality, naturally organic-based supplements to improve the overall health, happiness, and vitality to all pets. Once your dog begins taking Resilience CBD, your dog is our dog, too.
Written by: Michael Tatz | Linkedin
Michael Tatz is the Co-Founder of Resilience CBD, and a passionate leader in the health & fitness world helping others rise to and crush their wildest goals. A former Division 1 college wrestler, Army Officer, and investment manager at Goldman Sachs, he has pushed his body and mind to the limits on the mats, dressed in camo, and in the boardroom.
Today, he spends his time leading Resilience CBD to develop the absolute best recovery products for athletes everywhere. Resilience was founded after CBD personally impacted Michael’s life, and the brand was built to partner with everyday athletes in pursuit of conquering their most difficult challenges, rebounding after their toughest performances, and rising to their goals that once seemed impossible.
