CBD Tincture for Dogs: How to Use CBD for Your Dog

Just like people, our beloved pets can benefit from a little bit of CBD. After all, humans aren't the only ones who suffer from anxiety, pain, or the myriad of other day-to-day ailments that CBD can help treat.

Another parallel: CBD tincture for dogs is one of the best, easiest, and most effective ways of delivering that daily dose. Whether for the range of delicious, dog-friendly flavors or the variety of application methods, it's easy to see why CBD tinctures for dogs are one of the most popular CBD pet products.

So if you're considering introducing CBD into your pet's health regimen, here's everything you need to know to decide whether CBD oil tinctures are the right choice for your pup.

What Are CBD Tinctures?

CBD tinctures, also sometimes called "CBD oil tinctures" or just "CBD oils", are one of the most common and popular CBD products on the market. CBD tinctures are a mix of cannabidiol (CBD) suspended in a liquid, which is most often a rich, healthy fat such as MCT oil.

Many CBD tinctures will also contain a variety of other synergistic ingredients that seek to improve the product's health benefits. At their most basic level, however, CBD tinctures only require CBD and a base liquid.

Are CBD Tinctures for Dogs Different?

What makes a CBD tincture for dogs? Simply put: flavor and dosage.

• Most pet CBD oils will use a flavor designed to appeal to pets' palates. These often include bacon, salmon, peanut butter, and other dog-friendly classics.
• Because most dogs weigh far less than humans, it's essential to calibrate their dose to best suit their biology. CBD tinctures for dogs typically come in a variety of potencies or prescribe different dosage sizes, depending on the size of your canine.

Outside of these two key differences, there's effectively no difference between CBD tinctures for dogs and those intended for people!

What Are the Benefits of CBD for Pets?

CBD for pets can provide benefits virtually identical to those for humans. The most common canine ailments benefited by CBD include:

• Anxiety and depression
• Stress and over-excitement (such as from fireworks or surprise visitors)
• Muscle aches and soreness
• Arthritic pain

CBD has many other potential benefits, but these are the best-understood health effects that are relevant to common canine ailments.

Is CBD Oil Safe For Dogs?

Yes! CBD is safe for dogs. While some other cannabinoids (such as THC) are toxic for canines, CBD is generally recognized as being completely safe for dogs.

That said, giving your dog too much CBD can cause some mild side effects, so it's important to carefully follow your product's recommended dosage guidelines.

Moreover, it's always a good idea to consult your veterinarian. Your pup's health and comfort are key, and a veterinarian may be able to provide valuable insights into the role that CBD can play in helping them live a happier life.

How to Give CBD to Your Dog

There are many types of CBD pet products available. Other options have their appeal, but none have the sheer versatility of CBD tinctures for dogs.

CBD tinctures can be added to virtually any part of your dog's routine. You can give your dog CBD by:

• Putting a few drops in their water
• Adding the dose to their food
• Dropping the dose directly in their mouth (but be careful if you're using a glass dropper!)

Heck, CBD oils are also the best choice for DIY projects, such as making your own CBD dog treats!

How Much CBD Oil To Give Your Dog?

It's difficult to give a one-size-fits-all answer to this question. CBD potencies vary wildly between different products, and animal age, weight, and other factors all need to be taken into consideration.

Luckily, any reputable CBD pet product will have clear guidelines on the recommended dosage for your dog's size and the potency of each individual product.

We recommend using these dosage guidelines as a maximum dose rather than as a baseline. Consider starting your dog on roughly half the recommended dosage, then gradually increase the dosage until your pet exhibits the desired behavior.

Does CBD Have Side Effects for Dogs?

CBD is safe and non-toxic for dogs, but at high doses or in sensitive pets, it can have some mild side effects.

These are the most common ones to keep an eye out for:

• Dry mouth
• Drowsiness
• Diarrhea

If your dog is exhibiting any of these side effects, it's possible that you need to adjust their dosage of CBD. As always, it's best to consult your veterinarian for dosage guidelines — especially if new symptoms or side effects emerge.