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How to Give CBD Oil to Dogs: 4 Easy Methods That WORK!

Whether your dog is experiencing joint discomfort or feeling anxious about a move, CBD oil is a great way to keep them soothed and comforted. But what do you do with this bottle of CBD oil? We’re here to teach you how to give CBD oil to dogs. And luckily, it’s quite easy!

CBD oil doesn’t have a strong taste, so it’s very simple to give your dog the CBD dosage they need with no stress or struggle. CBD oil can easily become part of your routine once you find out how to properly give it to your dog.

Is CBD Oil Safe to Give to Dogs?

Yes! CBD oil for dogs is a well-tested and natural product — you don’t have to worry. CBD (cannabidiol) is a natural compound found in hemp. Unlike other cannabis plants, hemp contains only trace amounts of THC (0.3% or less). THC is the phytocannabinoid in cannabis that gets you high.

Since CBD oil comes from hemp, it also contains very little to no THC and is therefore non-psychoactive. That’s just a fancy way of saying it shouldn’t get your dog high! So, what is CBD, and how does it work?

CBD shouldn’t intoxicate your dog, but it will still relax them. Plus, it provides plenty of benefits, improving your dog’s overall wellbeing. It works by interacting with the receptors in your dog’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).

The ECS helps maintain your dog’s balance and wellness. The ECS’ receptors are found in every major system in the body. This includes the digestive, nervous, and immune systems. When CBD interacts with these receptors, it provides benefits to your dog’s mind and physical health.

Dogs can’t overdose on CBD. It’s not a drug and doesn’t carry deadly toxins or many side effects. The most common side effects of a dog taking too much CBD would be drowsiness and a dry mouth. While uncomfortable, these effects are not life-threatening and often disappear after your pet adjusts to CBD.

What Are the Benefits of Giving CBD Oil to Dogs?

So, what exactly happens when your dog takes CBD oil? CBD has tons of benefits for dogs, both mental and physical. Here are some of the major benefits of CBD oil.

Relaxed and Calm

CBD can help ease your dog’s mind, keeping them relaxed and calm and ridding them of anxious feelings. You’ll notice less destructive behavior and more positive reactions during stressful situations.

Providing your dog with CBD routinely (twice every day) will positively impact your dog’s mood. You can also give your dog CBD oil 30 minutes before a triggering situation. This can be a trip to the vet or an upcoming fireworks show. Or maybe a day where you are going to leave alone a dog with separation anxiety. Your dog will be calmer and more relaxed during these worrisome times.

Physically Soothed and Comforted

CBD has anti-swelling properties that can help soothe physical discomfort in your dog’s muscles or joints. You’ll notice your pup feeling less lethargic and more active after routinely taking CBD. This is especially important for seniors dogs!

These soothing qualities also make CBD helpful for dogs that have had a painful surgery or deal with chronic discomfort. CBD may reduce soreness and stiffness, keeping them balanced and ready to back on their paws at any moment!

Well Rested

CBD can promote more restful sleep when taken consistently. Since cannabidiol relaxes your dog, it’s easier for them to get deeper, trouble-free sleep. More rejuvenating rest helps your dog’s overall health and keeps them happy and active.

dog sleeping on a dog bed

Healthier Coat and Skin

Did you know CBD can also work on the outside as well as the inside? You bet! When taken internally or externally, CBD oil enhances your dog’s skin and coat. You can use CBD dog shampoo to help alleviate dandruff and other pesky skin irritations.

Better Appetite

CBD oil can reduce queasiness. When your dog’s stomach doesn’t feel as uneasy, it will be easier for them to eat a proper meal each day. This helps your dog get the nutrients and protein they need to feel healthy, balanced, and active.

Related: CBD Oil for Dogs Near Me [How To Pick The Best CBD Oil!]

How to Give CBD Oil to Dogs

There are a handful of ways to properly give your dog CBD oil that will give them the full benefits with little effort. Luckily, it’s easy to give your dog CBD oil! With these handy methods, you can get the most out of CBD by making it a part of your dog’s daily routine.

Give CBD Oil to Your Dog Directly

You will most likely be able to use a CBD oil tincture dropper to plop CBD oil directly into your dog’s mouth. Direct placement is ideal because you know exactly how much CBD your dog is getting. It’s great for dosing since you can give your dog the exact amount of drops they need!

This is a great way to administer CBD oil if your dog won’t bite you no matter what. Hold their mouth open and carefully drop the CBD oil into their mouth. You don’t want to drop it too far back, or they might gag or become uncomfortable. Give your dog a treat after to make the experience more enjoyable and make sure they swallow all of the CBD oil!

Try administering the CBD oil at the same time each day to get your dog into a routine. Consistently giving your dog CBD oil increases its effectiveness over time.

Mix CBD Oil Into Your Dog’s Food or Treats

This is another easy way to get your dog CBD oil. Dogs love food, so you can’t go wrong! Try adding the proper dosage of CBD oil into your dog’s meal in the morning and/or at night. This will ensure that they get the right amount of CBD oil they need in a routine fashion.

CBD oil mixes perfectly with wet food, but dry foods might not allow the tincture to blend as evenly. There’s a chance your dog will notice a change in the food’s taste in certain areas where the CBD oil has pooled in the bowl. That means your dog might not get the exact dose they need.

Try using a smaller dose at first so your dog can get used to the additional flavor. CBD oil doesn’t have a strong taste, but dogs have a more sensitive nose than us. They might pick up its earthy scent and taste a bit more than we do. Let the CBD oil soak in for a few minutes before feeding the food to your dog.

You can also add CBD to fun treats at the same time each day. This can be peanut butter or chunks of meat. Just make sure you don’t add CBD oil to unhealthy or fattening treats since your dog may become unwell if you give them these foods daily.

Try CBD Dog Treats

If your dog turns their nose up at oil, a great alternative that works every time is CBD dog treats. Pick a CBD treat with all-natural, healthy ingredients. Also, look for treats that use CBD oil extracted from US-grown hemp.

Good thing you don’t need to look far to find these qualities — HolistaPet has FOUR varieties of organic, vegan CBD treats that help your dog with their specific needs!

  • Best CBD Dog Treats: Blueberries provide your dog with antioxidants, strengthening their cardiovascular system. Flaxseed promotes healthy skin and coat by boosting their immune system.
  • CBD Dog Treats for Joint Pain: These treats take care of your dog’s joint with natural superfood ingredients. Tumeric root can help reduce swelling and discomfort while Boswellia stimulates tissue immunity. Plus, hemp seed powder provides essential omega fatty acids and protein to help the body repair itself.
  • CBD Dog Treats for Anxiety: This formula was crafted with special ingredients that detangle nerves and natural apple, peanut butter flavor! L-Theanine decreases stress and promotes relaxation. Chamomile can also reduce nervousness and promote calmness.
  • Calming Chews for Dogs: These soft chews are especially great for senior dogs that may have issues chomping down on hard biscuits. Made with tasty peanut butter and tried-and-true calming ingredients like L-tryptophan, phosphatidylcholine, and chamomile, these treats are sure to calm any nerves.

Holistapet-dog-treats-3-flavors

Bake CBD into a Dog Treat

You can add HolistaPet’s CBD oil into your own homemade dog treats. This is a great alternative to CBD oil as well, since you can choose your own ingredients and flavors. You know your dog best! There are many easy-to-follow CBD dog treat recipes online. And a lot of them don’t even require baking! Choose one that has healthy ingredients and also delicious flavors your dog can’t resist.

One great treat to try is the no-bake pumpkin and turmeric treat. Pumpkins have Vitamin A, iron, and potassium to help your dog’s digestion. Tumeric is an antioxidant that can boost your four-legged friend’s immune system. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 2 cups pumpkin puree (not pie filling, no added sugar)
  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 3 tbsp coconut oil
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • 3 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp CBD oil

Steps:

  1. First, mix everything together in a large bowl except for the rolled oats.
  2. Then, add the rolled oats. Keep adding oats until the mixture starts to have a consistency similar to cookie dough.
  3. Use a cookie or ice cream scooper to roll dough into small balls.
  4. Grab a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Space the balls evenly on the sheet, making sure none are touching.
  5. Put the sheet in the fridge until the balls become hardened. This should take about 15 minutes.

You can feed them directly to your dog after they warm-up a little. Or you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks!

CBD Dosage for Dogs

Wondering how much CBD oil you should give your dog each day? There are currently no official dosing standards, but we have some general recommended guidelines for you to follow.

Basically, 0.25 mg per 1 pound of body weight is recommended as a regular dose. A strong dose would be 0.5 mg per 1 pound of bodyweight. To calculate your dog’s dose, simply multiply their weight by the dosage rate you want (regular or strong)/ Here’s an example for a 40-pound dog:

  • Regular dose: 0.25 x 40 = 10 mg of CBD
  • Strong dose: 0.5 x 40 = 20 mg of CBD

This means that a 40-pound dog would be given 10 mg as a regular dose and 20 mg as a strong dose. You’ll most likely end up adjusting the amount depending on your dog’s specific attributes and needs. Your dog might require more or less than the regular dose when you factor in their size, breed, activity level, metabolism, and ailments.

A regular dose will boost your dog’s daily wellbeing. It helps with allergies, minor skin irritations, appetite stimulation, digestion, joint stiffness and aches, and nervousness. A strong dose is often used for more severe symptoms and ailments.

For the best results, you’ll want to give your dog CBD oil every eight hours. CBD becomes more effective the more regularly you use it. Give your dog CBD once or twice a day, usually around the same time. You can also give your dog CBD 30 minutes before a stressful event to help control their fear.

cbd dosage chart for dogs & cats
Click on the image for a detailed dosing guide!

What is the Best CBD Oil for Dogs?

While the CBD pet market is becoming more and more saturated with products, it’s important to remember that not CBD oils for dogs have the same ingredients and quality CBD as HolistaPet. HolistaPet’s CBD oil is one of the best oils for dogs out there. Why is that?

All of their CBD pet products are organic, natural, and vegan. They contain no harsh chemicals, preservatives, or artificial flavors. There are also no GMOs! HolistaPet strives to make CBD products that are healthy and suitable for all canines. Not only that, but the company picks ingredients that give extra benefit to your dog’s body.

This includes their CBD oil! They use hemp seed oil as the carrier in their formula, which boosts your dog’s immune system with omega acids and protein. These nutrients encourage healthy fur and skin.

HolistaPet’s CBD comes from US-grown hemp. When the 2018 Farm Bill declared hemp products legal, stricter regulations on growing and manufacturing CBD oil were established. That means that CBD oil for your dog should be free of harmful contaminants if it comes from US-grown hemp. Imported CBD oil doesn’t have to follow these regulations, meaning it could contain harmful pesticides or be of low quality.

Final Thoughts – How to Give CBD Oil to Dogs

Dogs are not picky eaters, that’s for sure. So getting them to eat food mixed with CBD oil is very, very easy! It’s not challenging to give your dog the proper dosage of CBD for their size, breed, and ailments.

CBD oil is great for dogs experiencing a loss of appetite, joint discomfort, nervousness, or queasiness. It’s luckily very easy to administer CBD oil, meaning you can have a regular routine with your dog. The more consistently your dog gets CBD oil, the more effective its benefits!

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