How Long Will CBD Stay in a Dog’s System? Important Facts to Know
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Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a compound found in cannabis that has quickly become a go-to ingredient for pet owners looking to give their dogs extra health benefits. CBD works by binding to receptors in the body that help relieve pain, anxiety, and stress. But while it’s good to have an open mind when it comes to trying alternative treatments for your beloved canine companion, you should check with your veterinarian first to find out if CBD is safe and appropriate for your dog’s needs.
Keep reading to learn more about how long cannabidiol stays in a dog’s system, the factors that affect that time, and the possible health benefits of this alternative treatment.
How Long Do the Effects of CBD Last in a Dog’s Body?
The time that it takes for half of a CBD serving to leave one’s system can be used to estimate how long all the CBD stays in one’s system. The time it takes for the concentration of a product (drug, supplement) to be reduced by half is known as its half-life.
For example, if the half-life of a CBD product is 2 hours, an estimate would place the drug remaining in the dog’s system within 4 hours. But since dogs have faster metabolisms than humans, it may have a shorter half-life in canine systems. Therefore, many dog owners use an 8-hour dosing schedule, but be sure to discuss this with your veterinarian first. Also, it is essential to carefully monitor your dog’s behavior after each dose.
The amount of CBD that your pet needs will vary depending on their weight, breed, age, and the medical condition that they are being treated for. Also, if you give your pet CBD every day, it can take 10 days or more for the CBD to entirely leave their system.
In short, the more CBD you give your dog in a short period of time, such as a week, the longer it takes for it to be completely eliminated from their system.
Factors That Affect How Long CBD Stays in a Dog’s System
The length of time that a dog may be able to benefit from the therapeutic properties of CBD will depend on several factors, including their size, age, breed, activity level, and overall health. So, if your dog suffers from chronic pain or inflammation, taking CBD daily can help alleviate a few of these symptoms. For a dog that suffers from anxiety-related events (e.g., trips to the vet), taking CBD just a few hours beforehand may be enough to reduce the intensity of symptoms. The key thing to keep in mind when giving your pet CBD is to make sure you’re doing it responsibly and appropriately, so always talk to your veterinarian before starting this type of treatment.
Is There Any Proven Benefit to Giving Your Dog CBD?
There is evidence to support the idea that CBD may offer some benefits for your dog, but they aren’t the same benefits that we see from eating a CBD-rich plant. CBD is different from the cannabinoids found in cannabis plants. Instead, it’s isolated from hemp plants. Despite this, there are several studies looking at whether CBD could have health benefits for dogs. Some of the most promising results are coming from lab tests that are researching whether CBD can help with epilepsy. This is a condition that affects many dogs and doesn’t seem to respond well to traditional treatments.
However, note that CBD should not be given to dogs under the age of 6 months. In addition, if your dog has any health conditions, such as liver disease, diabetes, or kidney disease, you should consult a veterinarian before you administer any CBD treatment.
How Much CBD Is Required to Treat Dogs?
Now that you know how long CBD stays in your dog’s system, you might be wondering how often you should be giving them CBD oil and how much. Just like humans, dogs have varying metabolic rates, which will impact the amount of time that CBD oil stays in their system. The time may also differ among breeds and metabolisms.
Basically, there is no set amount of CBD required to treat a dog. The amount that you choose to give your dog will largely depend on their overall health and condition. If your dog is suffering from pain or inflammation, taking CBD daily may help alleviate those symptoms. If your dog is suffering from anxiety or stress, taking CBD on a regular basis may help reduce those symptoms’ intensity. As with humans, the dosage of CBD will largely depend on a dog’s weight. A small dog that weighs only a few pounds may only require 1 mg of CBD per day. A large dog that weighs 50 lb. may require a different dose, such as 10 mg per day.
Conclusion
CBD has been in the news frequently, and it’s only natural to want to know how long it stays in a dog’s system. What you need to remember is that due to a dog’s faster metabolism, CBD will be cleared from their body faster. Therefore, most dog owners choose to give their pets CBD every 8 hours. Regardless, your veterinarian can help you determine how much and how often to give your pet CBD based on their age, needs, and overall health.
Featured Photo Credit: Erin_Hinterland, Pixabay
