Cannabis Oil for Animals

CAN I GIVE CBD OIL TO MY PET?

Cannabis oil, also known as CBD Oil, is not a new concept in veterinary medicine. In ancient Greece, for example, cannabis was used to treat horses' colic and battle wounds. Since humanity discovered it, cannabis extracts have been used to manage various health issues in animals.

Most research on cbd oil mostly focuses on human health issues, but many studies are based on animal models, and significant practical experience has been gathered from veterinarians who have incorporated cannabis oil into their practices. Increasingly, there are reports of animals successfully treated with cbd oil for inflammatory, allergic, and even cancerous conditions.

HOW DOES CANNABIS OIL AFFECT ANIMALS?

Just like humans, mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and arthropods have an Endocannabinoid System that enables them to utilize the valuable compounds in CBD Oil, the cannabinoids. The endocannabinoid system consists of a complex network of receptors regulating countless vital biological processes, including appetite, pain sensation, mood, and memory. Most animals have a similarly functioning endocannabinoid system, though some species exhibit unique traits.

For example, dogs have a unique endocannabinoid system with a particularly high concentration of endocannabinoid receptors in the cerebellum and brainstem. (These brain regions control breathing, heartbeat, and motor coordination.) Due to the high concentration of CB1 receptors in the brain, dogs are much more sensitive to the cannabis compound THC. Also, since most pets have smaller body weights, THC-containing products must be used with extra caution.

In cases of THC overdose in dogs, static ataxia may occur. This condition causes them to stiffen, rock back and forth, and lose control over urine and feces elimination. Symptoms generally subside after a few hours but can persist for days in severe cases. During these times, dogs may not be able to drink, leading to dehydration.

A significant amount of THC must be ingested for static ataxia to develop, which is unlikely when using low-THC (less than 0.2%) cbd oils. Most cases occur when pets accidentally consume improperly stored baked goods with high THC content. These incidents are most common in countries where high-THC cannabis products are legal.

Interestingly, cats are less sensitive to THC and tend to show symptoms more typical of humans when overdosed.
It is very rare for an animal to die from THC overdose. If it does occur, it is usually due to some toxic food, such as cannabis-infused treats made with sweeteners (which can be fatal to dogs on their own).

In What Cases Can Cannabis Oil Be Beneficial?

Anxiety & Stress

Many pets experience anxiety due to separation, loud noises, or changes in routine. Cannabis oil can help ease anxiety by promoting a sense of calm, making stressful situations more manageable.

Pain Management & Joint Health

Cannabis oil’s anti-inflammatory properties can assist pets with pain from conditions such as joint inflammation, arthritis, or injuries, ultimately improving mobility and comfort.

Relaxation & Focus

Cannabis oil may promote a calm state of mind, helping pets concentrate better during training, play, and other activities.

General Well-being

The interaction between CBD and the endocannabinoid system can support balance within the animal’s body, enhancing overall health and immunity.

Cancer

Cannabis oil components may inhibit the spread of tumor cells and trigger programmed cell death in cancerous cells.

With the right product and dosage, cannabis oil can be a valuable nutritional supplement, contributing to a happier and healthier life.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR WHEN GIVING CBD OIL TO YOUR PETS?

It’s good to know that cannabis oils come in two main types: broad-spectrum and full-spectrum. Full-spectrum oils contain THC, while broad-spectrum oils do not. Both types of high-quality products include multiple other cannabinoids (CBDA, CBDV, CBC, CBN, CBG), which is important because these compounds enhance each other’s effects—along with CBD and THC—providing better therapeutic value.

For painful, inflammatory, and cancerous conditions, products containing THC can be beneficial, but it’s important to monitor that the total daily THC intake doesn’t exceed safe limits. Full-spectrum CBD oils typically have low THC content under 0.2%, meaning a single drop contains approximately 0.058 mg of THC. This may not seem like much, but dogs are more sensitive to this compound, so it’s essential to strictly follow the dosing recommendations detailed below.

BEFORE BUYING CANNABIS OIL

Always verify the ingredients of the cannabis oil before purchase. This is done through a so-called cannabinoid analysis, which reputable manufacturers or distributors ideally provide alongside the product. This document is issued by an independent laboratory after product testing and shows what cannabinoids are present besides CBD in the oil.

CBD DOSING GUIDE

The required active ingredient amount depends on the animal’s weight, health status, and individual characteristics. It is generally accepted that the minimum daily dose is 2 mg of active ingredient per 4.5 kilograms of body weight, so for a 20 kg dog, the smallest recommended daily amount is:

20 kg / 4.5 = 4.44 x 2 mg = 8.88 mg

For moderate cases, 3 mg, and for severe cases, 5 mg of active ingredient per day per 4.5 kg of body weight can be used.

Summary in a table:

Calculated for a 20kg dog

Low Dose	Medium Dose	High Dose
2 mg / 4.5 kg body weight	3 mg / 4.5 kg body weight	5 mg / 4.5 kg body weight
Daily dose: 8.88 mg	Daily dose: 13.32 mg	Daily dose: 22.2 mg

When to Use Which Dose?

Use a low dose if your pet is healthy but you want to give their body a little extra support. Cannabis oil ingredients can positively affect the joints and support the immune system.

Use a medium dose for allergic reactions and strains.

Use a high dose for epileptic seizures and cancer.

Pay attention to titration! For starters, give half the recommended dose for 2-3 days to allow the animal’s body to adjust, which is especially important if you’re using full-spectrum cannabis oil!

Large amounts of CBD can be safely administered through broad-spectrum oils that contain no THC, or with concentrated full-spectrum oils containing at least 1000mg of total active ingredient per 10ml product—meaning at least 10% concentration.

Full-spectrum oils with 0.2% THC content contain about 0.058 mg THC per drop, regardless of product concentration, with only the amounts of other active ingredients (CBD, CBDA, CBG, CBN) varying. A 500mg full-spectrum cannabis oil contains the same amount of THC as a 1000mg full-spectrum product. This means you can safely administer large amounts of CBD with high-concentration full-spectrum oil while keeping THC exposure within safe limits.

HOW TO USE?

Divide the high dose into at least two servings throughout the day; medium and low doses can be given all at once.

CBD works best when not administered with the main meal. For best results, give it 20 minutes before eating. Keep in mind that most animals begin reacting to CBD within 30-40 minutes, so we recommend administering CBD at least an hour before stressful events (like travel) for safety. You can also mix it into their daily food if giving as a supplement and the animal is healthy.

Pets’ taste preferences vary just like humans'. Some dogs and cats like CBD oil and will take it easily by mouth, while others detect its smell and avoid it like the plague. In such cases, you can try dripping it onto their favorite treat or making a small soft food (like liver pâté or spread) pocket with your finger, drip the oil inside, and seal it up.

In the CANNADOL^TM range, you can now find CBD oils specially developed for dogs (SUPERDOG^TM) and cats (SUPERCAT^TM), which do not contain the fragrances found in products intended for human use.