Can You Give a Puppy CBD?

Can a Puppy Have CBD Oil

Yes, a puppy can have CBD oil, and do not worry, it will not make your puppy “high.” Pet CBD oils are THC-free and do not have psychoactive properties. Plus, CBD oil has no known toxicity level. This is good news and means your new puppy cannot overdose on CBD products for animals

If you are now wondering how much CBD oil you can give your puppy, the answer is between 1 and 5 mg of CBD per 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of body weight per day. Depending on the reason for using CBD, you can give the full CBD dosage at once or divide it and use it twice per day. 

When adding the best CBD oil to your puppy’s health regimen, there are two important considerations: 

  • Since young pups have sensitive stomachs, the good rule of thumb is to start with small amounts of CBD. This will give your puppy time to adjust to the small dose of the new supplement and prevent stomach upsets. 
  • Do not exceed the recommended dose. Although CBD is non-toxic to your best friend, higher doses increase the risk of adverse reactions and potential side effects of CBD.

However, before using CBD, pet owners must consult with a veterinarian. The use of CBD in pets is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and vets are not legally allowed (on a federal level) to prescribe such products. Therefore, it is a good idea to find a holistic vet willing to discuss the topic and answer any CBD-related question you may have.

Is CBD Oil Safe for Puppies?

Yes, CBD oil is safe for puppies. Based on preliminary studies, the World Health Organization concludes that “there is no abuse or dependence potential for animals using CBD.” It reports also mention CBD “as generally well-tolerated, with a good safety profile.” On the same note, it states that CBD products can be helpful for a “number of medical conditions from anxiety to nausea.”  

Simply put, when it comes to CBD supplements, there is no age limit and cannabinoids are perfectly safe and health-boosting for young puppies, same as they are for adults and senior dogs. The correct dose paired with responsible use of full-spectrum CBD oil results in various health benefits and overall better health. 

To take advantage of the therapeutic benefits of CBD, you need to use high-quality CBD oil products. CBD pet products like oils and dog treats are made of the hemp plant and not marijuana. This is because the marijuana plant contains THC (psychotic ingredient people associate with being “high”). In dogs too much THC results in THC toxicity. 

On the other hand, hemp is low in THC (less than 0.3%) and loaded with cannabinoids (CBDs) with medicinal properties. The cannabinoids are derived from hemp using the CO2 extraction process for optimal purity and medical benefits. This is a good reason to double-check and ensure you are using a pet-specific product. 

What Effects Does CBD Have on a Puppy?

Basically, CBD has the same effect on puppies as it has on adult dogs and it manages pain, inflammation, and stress. It also improves the quality of life in pups with chronic conditions and inherent medical problems. However, as the American Kennel Club accents, the veterinary scientific circles lack formal studies on the effects of CBD. Different sources agree on this matter. 

Mark Verdino, MD, senior vice president and chief of veterinary staff at North Shore Animal League America, wonders whether CBD products “actually help with pain, or make them not care? We don’t know, but they seem to be less reactive to low level pain stimuli, for example arthritis and things like that, when they take the product.” 

When to Give Your Puppy CBD Oil

When to Give Your Puppy CBD Oil

Based on formal studies, recent research, and anecdotal evidence from dog owners, CBD oil can help dogs with various health issues, chronic conditions, and behavioral problems. Below are some puppy-specific situations that can benefit from regular CBD supplementation:

  • Painful teething. In this scenario, CBD can help with two things, inflammation and pain. Namely, because of its anti-inflammatory features, CBD decreases gum inflammation. CBD is excellent for pain management as it decreases the pain sensation. Alleviating chronic pain will improve the puppy’s mood, support good behavior, and prevent destructive chewing. 
  • Immunity. Puppies have underdeveloped immune systems. CBD oil boosts immunity by supporting gut health, enhancing the efficacy of the natural killer (NK) immune cells, and featuring anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. This immune-modulating profile gives puppies a healthy start in life. 
  • Anxiety and hyperactivity. CBD promotes calmness and relaxation, aiding puppies prone to separation anxiety, stress, and hyper behaviors. CBD balances mood and helps with noise-induced stress as well as with stress-related aggressiveness. It also increases the total sleep time and improves sleep which is imperative for a healthy developmental process in growing puppies.  
  • Allergies. CBD can inhibit histamine release, thus playing an important role in allergy prevention. Described as a therapeutic opportunity and a new possibility in skin health and disease, CBD can help with contact allergies, atopic dermatitis, and food allergies. Allergies are a chronic condition and are common in puppies. 
  • Epileptic seizures. Clinical studies at the Colorado State University describe CBD as a promising anti-epileptic drug that balances the dog’s nervous system and may reduce the intensity and frequency of seizures. It can also boost the effects of conventional anti-epileptic drugs. 

As you can see, there are plenty of reasons to use CBD oil for puppies. CBD is a possible treatment for various health problems, and the best thing about it is its safety profile. 

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When Not to Give CBD to Your Puppy

Just because CBD oil is safe for puppies, it does not mean it is universally indicated. Namely, there are three situations when you should not give your puppy CBD which we’ve listed below:

  • When receiving certain prescription medications. Although there is little research on the subject, it is shown that CBD oil can affect the production of liver enzymes, thus boosting or inhibiting the effects of some medications. Therefore, if your puppy is on prescription medications, you need to talk to your trusted veterinarian before supplementing with CBD. 
  • When there is a non-medical solution for the issue. Namely, if there is an underlying behavioral issue like dog anxiety or aggression, your first management choice should be adequate training or behavior modification. If this does not work, you can take the problem to the next level and add CBD. 
  • When there is no available CBD made for pets. Human friendly CBD products are dangerous as they contain THC and other harmful ingredients like the artificial sweetener xylitol. Therefore, you must never give your dog CBD made for humans (recreational cannabis or medical marijuana). If you do not have a veterinary-specific product with CBD, skip on the dose and get a new bottle as soon as possible. 

Can I Give My 1-Year-Old Dog CBD Oil?

Yes, you can absolutely give your 1-year-old pup CBD oil. Not only is it safe, but there are several benefits of CBD oil for dogs. This supplement can be used to boost your dog’s health or to manage specific health issues.  

However, it is worth mentioning that, as with any other supplement, in rare cases, some puppies may experience side effects when first introduced with CBD. Luckily the side effects are mild and transient and include issues like:

  • Dry mouth. CBD can decrease saliva production. The puppy is likely to increase its lip-licking frequency or water intake to combat the unusual dry mouth sensation. Increased thirst results in an increased frequency of bathroom visits. Just make sure your puppy has constant access to fresh and clean drinking water.
  • Lowered blood pressure. CBD can cause a sudden and temporary blood pressure drop which generally manifests with lightheadedness and increased sleepiness. If your puppy is feeling drowsy after receiving CBD oil, let it sleep off the effects. Once your puppy gets up, it will be as good as new.
  • Diarrhea. As mentioned, puppies have sensitive stomachs and are prone to digestive upsets when introduced to new items. Practicing slow CBD introduction is a good way of preventing diarrhea. It is also helpful to give the CBD during or after meals instead of on an empty stomach.
  • Inhibited liver enzymes. CBD alters the production of liver enzymes which may affect the way certain drugs are metabolized in the liver (this is particularly true for medications for seizures). 

Finally, we should note that finding the right amount of CBD for your new pup takes a trial and error phase as some puppies are more sensitive than others. Therefore, if planning to use the CBD for a specific event, depending on what the situation calls for, we suggest supplementing for several days before the event. 

For example, imagine your new puppy exhibits anxious behavior during car rides, and you have a scheduled vet visit next week. In such cases,  you should start giving your pet CBD in advance. This way, you will have time to experiment and find the right CBD dose that calms your dog’s nerves and ensures a good time during the ride. 

What Age Can I Start Giving My Dog CBD Oil?

What Age Can I Start Giving My Dog CBD Oil

The use of CBD oil and treats is not limited by age. CBD is perfectly safe for all dogs regardless of age category. However, as with any other supplement, the use of CBD comes with certain precautions and warning signs. 

And with CBD  products being everywhere, you need to be extra mindful and responsible about the use of CBD on your family dog. 

For example, you need to choose a high-quality and full-spectrum CBD product that is made exclusively for pets (no THC and other harmful ingredients). Then, you must find the correct dose for your puppy. Finally, you should monitor the pup’s reaction and modify the CBD dosage in case of adverse side effects. 

CBD is Safe for Young and Old Dogs

CBD oil is generally safe for dogs regardless of age (young dogs, adults, older dogs). This is because all dogs have an endocannabinoid system (ECS), and CBD works by supporting its function. There is enough research explaining the way the ECS system works. Namely, the ECS is a regulatory system built of three components – endocannabinoids, endocannabinoid receptors, and enzymes. 

There are two types of cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2), and they are scattered throughout the body and mostly located in the central and peripheral nervous systems. When the endocannabinoids bind with the receptors, based on their location, they help regulate body functions like appetite, sleep, pain, metabolism, energy, immunity, inflammation, mood, memories, etc. 

Cannabidiol (CBD) replaces the body’s naturally occurring endocannabinoids and binds with their receptors, thus managing the above-mentioned functions. In simpler words, CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system to achieve homeostasis. Therefore, all of the potential benefits of CBD stem from this interaction. 

Depending on the dog’s age and preferences, you get to choose the best ways of adding CBD products to the menu. You can use pet CBD oil or CBD dog treats like soft chews, bites, peanut butter. For example, puppies and senior dogs generally prefer soft chews, while adults enjoy crunchy bites.