CBD products have gained quite some popularity among dog owners in the past few years. The internet is full of anecdotal reports from pet parents who tell stories of how CBD helps their pets with surgery pain, travel anxiety, seizures, fear of loud noise, and other such events/conditions.
The demand for CBD for dogs, cats, horses, and many other pets is so high that the global pet CBD market is expected to grow with a CAGR of 32.4% in the next six years. But here’s the thing, CBD is still a relatively new miracle in the health and wellness niche and there’s no official body that gives guidelines as to what are safe limits and how long it takes to work.
So it’s natural for first-time pet CBD buyers to wonder how long it’ll take CBD oil or chews to work in their canine friends. Well, that’s exactly what we’ll try to find out in this article so that you can make an informed and healthy choice for your lovely dog.
What is CBD?
CBD or cannabidiol, is a plant compound found in cannabis sativa plants. There are over 100+ such compounds which are collectively known as cannabinoids. CBD is one of the most studied, deemed safe and widely used cannabinoids to date. It’s specifically extracted from hemp plants to make animal and human CBD products.
Hemp plants have very high concentrations of CBD and only trace amounts of intoxicating cannabinoid THC. As per the 2018 farm bill, only hemp-derived CBD products with no more than 0.3% THC can be legally sold in America. Unlike THC, CBD is completely non-intoxicating and does not create a high or euphoric feeling.
You’ll notice that pet CBD products like CBD chews for dogs don’t have even trace amounts of THC, and are usually made of broad spectrum CBD formula. That’s because, unlike humans, THC can be quite sensitive and damaging for pets, and there’s no converter research to confirm its safety in animal use as of now.
Studies have shown that CBD has strong healing and therapeutic effects. It works effectively for both humans and dogs and provides relief from pain, anxiety, sleep, and many other health conditions. You must give your dog only pet CBD products, as human CBD oil may contain ingredients that are not good for the dog’s health.
How long does CBD take to work for dogs?
It all boils down to factors like an individual dog’s body chemistry, weight, tolerance levels, severity of underlying health conditions, dosage potency, and frequency. But the consensus is that it takes around 30 minutes to 2 hours before CBD’s full calming effects kick in for dogs. The type of product and administration method can also make a difference.
For example, if you give your dog CBD oil sublingually, then it will work faster due to faster absorption of cannabinoids in the bloodstream through the capillaries under the tongue. Whereas if you mix it on their food or give them edible CBD-infused treats, the onset time will increase because it’ll take time to digest and metabolize the ingredients.
CBD oil given sublingually might work within 20 to 60 minutes. Whereas when given by mixing in food, it may take 45 minutes to a few hours. But these are just general estimates, and the actual time will be different from one dog to another.
The condition you are trying to treat is also important. If you are giving CBD to your dog for pain relief, then it can take maybe a week of regular dosing for the best results. Whears if your aim is to help them deal with anger, travel anxiety, or stress, then calming effects may kick in within a few minutes or hours of eating a CBD-infused treat or chew.
Can I give CBD to my dog every day?
Yes, it’s completely safe and effective to make CBD a regular part of your dog’s diet/wellness routine. Just make sure to buy it from reputed, well-tested, and regulated brands like Colorado Botanicals. The CBD market is still largely unregulated, so it’s essential to buy it from high-quality and well-known brands.
Always check the certificate of analysis to confirm the exact concentration of cannabinoids in the products. Also, opt for brands that offer easy return policies so that you can try different flavors, strength options, and variations till you find the perfect product for your dog.
You can give your dog CBD at any time of the day, but keep the dosage in control and note down changes in your dog’s behavior to gauge whether the product is working or not. If you see any side effects like extreme lethargy, nausea, or excessive panting, reduce the dosage right away and get in touch with a vet.
How does CBD for dogs work?
Just like humans, dogs have an endocannabinoid system in their body. It’s a complex cell signaling network made of up CB1 and CB2 receptors which are spread throughout the body. This system is essential for maintaining a balance in the body.
It does so by controlling anxiety, memory, pain perception, appetite, mood, temperature, and other such important bodily functions. CBD makes the working of this system more efficient by influencing the cannabinoid receptors and increasing their cannabinoid absorption power. As a result, dogs feel more calm, focused, and at ease after eating CBD treats.
The End Part
To sum it up, CBD for dogs can take anywhere between 30 minutes and 2 hours to work. The exact time can vary based on the dog’s weight, CBD potency, administration method, and other such factors.
CBD oil given sublingually will work much faster than CBD chews or treats. For better absorption of cannabinoids by the body, you can mix CBD with your dog’s dry or wet food. Don’t expect results overnight; just follow a routine, keep observing the changes in your dog’s behavior, and then adjust the dosage accordingly.
Finally, make sure to buy CBD oil for your dog only from reputable and well-tested brands like Colorado Botanicals, which provides the latest lab test reports, the best discounts, and the highest quality products.
