CBD oil is becoming more common as a natural alternative to prescription medicine for pets. However, because it is still relatively new and lacks thorough research, some doubt the safety, effectiveness, and benefits of CBD. For a more detailed account of what CBD is and what is known about its' effects on pets, check out this helpful article from GoodRX. However, most of us here at Pet Wize have personally used CBD for our pets and so have our customers with great success.

Benefits

The benefits of CBD include relief from pain, anxiety, depression, and sleeplessness. If your dog or cat suffers from anxiety due to thunderstorms, fireworks, trips to the vet or groomers, and so on, your pet may benefit from a dose of CBD prior to these events. At the owner's request, we will administer CBD for an additional $5 per dose prior to grooming. Additionally, if your pet suffers from chronic pain, regular doses of CBD may provide relief. 

Choosing A Product

CBD products for pets include both oils and treats, and come in different strengths. CBD oil tends to be more cost effective for the amount of product, while treats tend to be easier to administer than oil. Check out some of the featured CBD items we sell at our store.

It is important to consider your pet’s weight and how much product you intend to use when selecting the strength. A product with a higher strength will cost more, but your pet will need less of it and it will last you longer.

Many products advertise the total milligrams of CBD contained in the bottle or bag, so it is important to read the packaging thoroughly to be sure of how many milligrams are in each dropper or treat. CBD oil most commonly comes in 250 mg, 500 mg, and 1000 mg per bottle.

Recommended Starting Dose

The safest way to introduce CBD to your pet is to start at the lowest dose for your pet's bodyweight and then monitor your pet’s behavior. The recommended starting doses are 2mg of CBD per 10lbs of bodyweight for dogs, and 3mg of CBD per 10lbs of bodyweight for cats. As part of a daily routine, it is suggested that you administer CBD 2x a day with 4-8 hours between servings. As cats seem to have a lower absorption and faster elimination of CBD as opposed to dogs, they often require a higher and more frequent dose.

Adjusting The Dose

Your pet cannot overdose on CBD but if the dose is too high for them, there may be mild side effects such as diarrhea or excessive clumsiness. Veterinary studies have shown that even at high doses, pets experienced no major adverse effects. If there are no negative side effects, you may increase the dose gradually in proportion to your dog’s pain or anxiety. Inversely, lowering the dose the next time around is an option. For maximum effectiveness, monitor your pet’s behavior and adjust their dose at your discretion.

Tips For Administering CBD

Convincing a finicky pet to take CBD may be challenging. The best way to administer CBD oil is to put the dropper directly into the pet's mouth, but this isn't always easy. Another option is to put the dose of oil into a bowl in hopes your pet will lick it up. There are CBD oils that come in flavors such as beef, chicken, or salmon that may be more appetizing to your dog or cat! Finally, your last resort is to mix it with a favorite creamy treat of theirs such as peanut butter or an Inaba Churu treat.