CBD oil can be seen as somewhat controversial but more and more people are coming around to realize its many benefits. Still, it’s important to ask – can dogs overdose on CBD, and how to avoid CBD toxicity? Which type of CBD is ok for canine consumption is another important question too. Lastly, we’ll also go over how to make CBD dog treats.
Can Dogs Overdose On CBD?
So, is there such a thing as too much CBD dogs can’t handle? Technically yes, but it’s really difficult to give your dog that much CBD oil. If your dog breaks into your stash and eats/licks it all at once, that can potentially lead to an overdose. The other common cause of accidents is if you make your own CBD dog treats and you confuse the measurements (namely milligrams and milliliters – more on that below).
So, can dogs overdose on CBD oil? Sure. But as long as you keep your measurements straight and you keep the CBD out of your dog’s reach, everything should be fine.
Learn more about What Is The Best Joint Supplement For Dachshunds?
Can CBD Kill Your Dog?
In theory – yes. With large enough quantities even plain water can kill your dog. In practice, however, it’s all but impossible to kill or even harm your dog with CBD. Even a heavy overdose is something a healthy dog should be able to just sleep through with some minor symptoms.
Learn more about: My Dog Peed On My Bed For The First Time – What Should I Do?
How Much CBD Should You Give Your Dog?
There’s no official recommendation as the type and quality of the CBD can vary. Plus, the health of your dog can matter as well. So, consulting with your vet first is always recommended.
That being said, the rule of thumb is to keep the dosage to about 1 milligram for every 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of dog weight. Do not confuse milligrams with milliliters, however. For example, a standard 30-milliliter bottle of CBD will have about 500 milligrams of CBD. This means that one milliliter is roughly equal to 16.6 milligrams (500 / 30 = 16.6).
So, for a 20 pound / 9 kg dachshund, you only need to take 2 milligrams or 0.12 milliliter (1/8th of a milliliter) of CBD (2 / 16.6 = 0.12).
How To Pick The Right CBD Oil For Your Dog?
The type and quality of the CBD oil are obviously crucial for successful and safe therapy. As a pet owner, you should only ever buy hemp-derived CBD products for your dog. There are plenty of studies showing that dogs can’t overdose on or be harmed by hemp-derived CBD oil.
Make sure that the CBD doesn’t have any more than 0.3% THC in it too (more on THC toxicity below). If possible, get full-spectrum CBD for the best possible effects. Additionally, toxicity studies have suggested that the cannabidiol in CBD is safest to consume when taken orally.
Standard Side Effects Of CBD In Dogs
As safe as it is, CBD oil still can have some mild and generally harmless side effects for some dogs. These include:
- Dry mouth – always make sure that your pet has easy access to fresh and clean water to drink at all times but especially after administering CBD oil.
- Diarrhea – having a loose stool is unpleasant but if it’s due to CBD oil it should be perfectly harmless. Just give your dog extra water to avoid dehydration. Also, consider a different CBD product.
- Lowered Blood Pressure – slight nausea and dizziness are possible due to a lowered blood pressure from the CBD. Try a different CBD product if that’s the case.
- Lethargy – it’s one thing if the pet is relaxed and another if it’s outright lethargic. This is still a safe side-effect but you should try a different CBD product and/or a lower quantity to avoid it.
Symptoms Of A CBD Overdose In Dogs
Overdosing on CBD doesn’t really have any additional symptoms over the standard side-effects we listed above. Once the dog has taken more CBD/cannabinoid than it can handle, the cannabinoid receptors in the dog’s system simply won’t be able to interact with the extra substance and it will be safely flushed out of the dog’s body.
As CBD can cause relaxation and sleepiness, your dog is likely to fall asleep. Once it wakes up, drinks some water, and goes potty, everything should b perfectly fine. That’s just as the World Health Organization confirms in its own report too.
What To Do If Your Dog Has Overdosed On CBD?
As cannabinoid itself doesn’t have any major side effects, all you’ll typically need to do is give your dog some water and let it sleep it out. If your dog has THC toxicity, however, you’ll need to contact your vet. That’s exactly what we’ll touch on next.
What Is CBD Toxicity and How To Avoid It?
Now that we answered the “Can dogs overdose on CBD?” question, what about its toxicity? Are the two connected?
While cannabinoid itself isn’t toxic, CBD can have THC – that’s tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive part of cannabis that gives people the signature “high” sensation. Too much of this ingredient can lead to nasty toxicity and potentially even fatal consequences in some dogs.
That’s why we earlier recommended that you only get full-spectrum or hemp-derived CBD with no more than 0.3% THC in it. That way, no matter how much CBD you give your dog, THC toxicity is virtually impossible – your dog will fall to sleep before it can eat enough.
So, THC is only ever a risk if you’ve accidentally gotten CBD with a higher THC count. That, or if your dog gets a hold of your marijuana stash.
How To Make CBD Dog Treats?
As safe as CBD is, you should still be careful with the treats you give your dog. Human treats such as pot brownies, for example, can be deadly for dogs. That’s not just because of the CBD/THC in them but also because of other ingredients such as chocolate, sugar, etc.
However, if you just want to add a couple of drops of CBD to your standard dog treats (or homemade dog treats mixture) – that’s perfectly fine. Or, you can just get commercial CBD dog treats.
In Conclusion – Can Dogs Overdose On CBD and What To Do About It?
They can and there’s very little to worry about with it. Just make sure to get the right product, dosage it right, and keep your dog hydrated. Do that and everything else should be perfectly fine.
