CBD oil has grown in popularity as of late and millions of dog owners are turning to the supplement to help their pets treat anxiety, joint pain, and more.
With so many CBD products available on the market, it’s easy to accidentally give your pet too much of the good stuff. But how can you tell if your pup has gotten their fill?
Here’s what happens if I give my dog too much CBD and how you can prevent it from happening in the future.
Dogs are more sensitive to THC than humans
Dogs are able to become addicted to THC. However, the dose needed for an addiction is significantly higher than for humans. A dog would need about two pounds of an equivalent product to reach a lethal dose, where as a human would only need 2 ounces.
Dogs can also experience extreme effects from too much THC, such as high heart rates, vomiting and seizures. The most common effect dogs have with over-dosage is gastrointestinal issues.
These can include stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea and loss of appetite.
A specific example was when a labrador retriever in New Zealand ate her owner’s entire supply of cannabis edibles (about 32 candies).
She experienced stomach cramps, seizures and had a dangerously elevated heart rate before she was taken to the vet.
CBD has been used by many pet owners without any significant side effects reported; but it’s still important to make sure your furry friend isn’t ingesting anything that could be potentially harmful or toxic!
If you’re unsure if your animal needs CBD, consult a veterinarian first. If you think they might benefit from using it, always start small and work up to determine what works best for them!
Every dog reacts differently
CBD is safe for humans and animals alike, but too much can cause mild to severe side effects. As with any medication, always follow the directions on the label and consult your veterinarian.
Some common symptoms are lethargy, drooling, diarrhea, or a loss of appetite. These symptoms may be temporary and stop once your dog’s body adjusts to the new dosage; if not then it may be time to adjust their dosage or schedule a vet appointment.
If you think your dog has overdosed call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 right away!
Consult with your vet on safe dosage guidelines
If you are going to give your dog CBD, make sure to consult with your vet first on the appropriate dosage. According to research, the safe dose for pets is anywhere from 2.5 mg up to 10 mg for every 20 pounds of body weight.
However, it should be noted that there have been no long-term studies done to test the safety of high doses and its potential side effects. If a dog does get too much CBD, symptoms can include lethargy, vomiting, drooling, loss of appetite and diarrhea.
It is important to keep in mind that not all dogs will react the same way. Symptoms may take up to two weeks after ingestion before they become noticeable, so it’s best to check in with your vet if you think your pet has been exposed.
When it comes to children, any intake over 0.3 mg per pound of body weight could lead to some negative side effects such as confusion, sedation and decreased coordination.
For adults, it would take an estimated 15 grams or more than 60 capsules to reach this level.
Know what you’re getting in the product you give your dog
CBD oils are supposed to be safe for humans and animals, but that doesn’t mean you should give them to your dog liberally. And if you do, you may be risking some serious health risks for your pup.
One the positive side, it’s possible the oil could alleviate pain or anxiety for your pet—particularly dogs with epilepsy. But there’s a possibility that excessive dosage can damage the liver or other vital organs in your dog over time.
Even just one drop too many can cause vomiting, lethargy, drooling, unsteadiness on their feet, or seizures.
If you think your pup might have had too much CBD oil (or any supplement), take them to the vet right away!
If your dog needs CBD…
CBD has been shown to help a number of conditions in dogs such as chronic pain, arthritis, seizures, anxiety, and more. The maximum dosage for CBD is 1mg per pound and even too much cannabis may not be lethal for your dog.
Some common symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, increased heart rate, and low blood pressure. If you suspect that your dog ingested too much CBD please call the veterinarian immediately or visit the nearest emergency vet clinic.
You can also contact ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435. Once an animal ingests some type of substance, it enters their bloodstream and goes throughout their body before being excreted from the body through urine, feces, etc.
As the substance circulates through their body, it goes into areas where it might have negative effects. For example: ingesting something toxic like garlic would cause inflammation in the stomach area which could lead to nausea or worse…it’s best to avoid giving them any items with strong odors.
Lighting up around your pet is also something that should be avoided because if they inhale marijuana smoke, this could irritate their respiratory system causing coughing and other side effects.
If your dog doesn’t need CBD…
If your dog doesn’t need CBD, he shouldn’t be given it in any form for any reason. In general, dogs don’t react well to the cannabinoids found in cannabis and it’s highly unlikely that a dog would need its health improved by use of any cannabinoid-containing product.
If you want to give your dog something because you’re worried about its health, talk to your vet first. Make sure that you know what you’re giving them.
If they tell you no, ask why not? There may be alternatives out there that will suit their needs better than cannabis products.
The downside is that if you go this route, then you’ll have to wait until your pet is sick before taking action – and sometimes that can be too late. One such alternative is a special herbal mixture called Comfort Zone which is available at most pet stores or on Amazon.
It contains chamomile, lavender, hops and other herbs known for their calming effects on animals.
