As loving and caring pet parents, it is absolutely devastating for you to watch your four-legged friend struggle with illnesses such as osteoarthritis , chronic pain , anxiety , and digestive issues .
The good news is that administering CBD to your dog can help with these health issues.
how long for CBD to work for my dog or cat?
Depending on how the CBD is dosed, it can take 20-90 minutes for it to work.
To be honest, every dog or cat reacts differently to CBD.
For this reason, the time it takes for the positive effects to manifest depends on many factors, including:
- dog disease
- The form of application of CBD
- Weight
- breed type
- Activity level
However, most dogs or cats experience great health benefits after taking CBD products.
That's why dog owners are using CBD for their furry friends like never before.
What dosage of CBD is needed for dogs and cats?
In general, if you are giving your pet CBD to treat anxiety issues or acute pain , expect it to take effect within 20-90 minutes.
Again, it's hard to know more because of the different circumstances that each breed and each animal has.
When it comes to relieving chronic joint pain , the anti-inflammatory effects of cbd can take time, your dog will show signs of significant relief within 2-4 weeks.
CBD can be used in different ways to start working.
One way to apply CBD is to drop a dose of CBD oil directly under the dog's tongue or rub the dog's gums . With this form of administration, CBD will enter your pet's body faster.
Why use CBD sublingually?
Humans and dogs can experience the benefits of Cannabidiol more quickly via their sublingual glands, to be absorbed through the gums in the dog's mouth. For this reason, this method of assimilation is popular.
CBD oil begins to work when the dose of CBD is administered sublingually, between 20 and 90 minutes, according to some studies of sublingual use in dogs.
Alternatively, you can provide CBD via CBD-infused dog treats or by putting a few drops in your dog's food.
Also keep in mind that older dogs generally take longer to digest dog food or treats containing CBD. CBD usually starts to work after around 45-90 minutes.
CBD oils and treats may differ in absorption time, but offer the same level of effectiveness.
Watch for Signs of Relief After Giving Your Dog CBD Oil
As mentioned earlier, dogs and cats react differently when you give them CBD.
Finding the right dosage takes some time and experimentation. It is recommended to start with a low dose of CBD and monitor your pet's reaction. If you do not notice any changes within the above times, increase the dose gradually.
Please note that there is currently no standard dose of CBD for dogs. In most cases, it is up to you to determine how much CBD oil your dog needs. However, we have created a table to help you find the right dosage.
Dosage table for dogs according to their breed, their weight:
| Size |
Breeds |
Weight |
CBD quantity |
| Very small |
Yorkshire Terriers, Havanese, Pomeranians, Maltese, Chihuahuas, Papillons |
2kg - 5kg |
1mg - 2mg |
| Little |
King Charles Spaniels, Shih Tzus, Miniature Schnauzers, Pugs, Boston Terriers, Shetland Sheepdogs |
6.80kg - 11.34kg |
3mg - 5mg |
| AVERAGE |
French Bulldogs, Beagles, Bulldogs, Welsh Corgis, Dachshunds, Siberian Huskies, Spaniels |
13.61kg - 22.68kg |
6mg - 10mg |
| Big |
Retrievers (Golden, Labrador), Poodles, German Shepherds, Pointers, Boxers, Australian Shepherds, Vizslas |
27.22kg - 34.02kg |
12mg - 16mg |
| Giant |
Great Danes, Rottweilers, Newfoundlands, Mastiffs, St. Bernards, Akitas |
45.36kg - 68.04kg |
20mg - 30mg |
Eventually you will notice a difference when the CBD oil starts to work. Finding that therapeutic dose to help your dog will just take some time, that's all.
How long is CBD effective for your dog?
Once the CBD kicks in, the positive effects from a single dose are likely to last between 4 and 8 hours. This period of time depends on the dog's metabolism, which varies depending on your pet's size, age, breed, health, CBD concentration, and activity level.
Remember that each animal has slightly different bodily functions.
Tracking the duration of the CBD effect is crucial
to determine the dosing frequency for your pet. Typically, you can give CBD 1-2 times a day. Observe how your dog reacts.
If your pet still shows signs of discomfort after the CBD effect wears off, give another dose if needed.
Many pet owners who are using CBD for dogs for the first time fear an overdose from their canine friends.
CBD is safe and can be tolerated well by pets, even if swallowed twice a day. Side effects are rare.
Even if it does happen, these effects are usually mild. Some studies even show that dogs cannot overdose on CBD.
Here is what you need to know about CBD, however:
Not all CBD products contain THC ⛔, the psychoactive compound found in traces of the hemp plant.
By law, hemp can contain up to 0.2% THC. Although this amount is probably not enough to affect a healthy dog, some people want to avoid THC. They do this by purchasing Broad Spectrum CBD Oil.
Broad-spectrum CBD contains nearly 0.0% THC, which makes some pet owners feel more relaxed when giving to their pets.
You may want to choose high quality CBD products with as little THC as possible. Be sure to choose treats or oils from reputable and reliable distributors for best results.
In conclusion :
The time it takes for CBD oil or CBD dog treats to start working may differ. Additionally, the standard dose of CBD for your pet may vary from animal to animal.
Generally speaking, CBD dog treats or other forms of CBD in food can take 45-90 minutes to work.
If you're looking for a faster effect , consider sublingual absorption, which involves placing drops of CBD oil under your dog's tongue and around their gums. It may work a little faster - usually around 20-40 minutes.
In some pets, improvement in their chronic symptoms will occur quite quickly. For others, some changes are needed to find the ideal amount of CBD and dosing frequency.
Whether the CBD supplement is for situational anxiety or joint pain, it is imperative to start slowly with small doses, monitoring the results.
If you have any concerns, always consult your veterinarian.
The sources
Fujimura M, Ishimaru H. Sublingual rash immunotherapy in atopic dermatitis in dogs: a prospective pilot study. Pol J Vet Sci. 2016; 19 (1): 3-6. doi:10.1515/pjvs-2016-0001. PMID: 27096781.
The endocannabinoid system of animals. Animals (Basel). 2019; 9(9):686. Published 16 Sep 2019 doi:10.3390/ani9090686
Pharmacokinetics, safety and clinical efficacy of cannabidiol treatment in dogs with osteoarthritis. Before. Veterinary. Sci., July 23, 2018 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2018.00165
Deabold KA, Schwark WS, Wolf L, Wakshlag JJ. Unique Pharmacokinetics and Preliminary Safety Evaluation with CBD-Rich Hemp Nutraceutical in Healthy Dogs and Cats. Animals (Basel). 2019; 9(10):832. Published 2019 Oct 19. doi:10.3390/ani9100832
