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Detailed Dosing Guidelines for CBD in Dogs and Cats

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Based on peer-reviewed studies and veterinary resources as of October 2025, here is a comprehensive overview of CBD dosing guidelines for pet wellness in dogs and cats. These are derived from pharmacokinetic data, safety studies, and clinical trials, primarily focusing on hemp-derived CBD (<0.3% THC) for conditions like pain, anxiety, inflammation, seizures, and stress. Note that CBD is not FDA-approved for veterinary use, and there is no universal dosing chart—dosing varies by individual pet factors (e.g., weight, age, health, breed sensitivity), product formulation (e.g., oil, chews), and condition severity.

 

Always start with the lowest effective dose ("start low, go slow"), monitor for 3–7 days, and titrate up as needed. Consult a veterinarian before starting, especially if your pet is on medications, as CBD may interact with drugs metabolized by CYP450 enzymes (e.g., antiepileptics, NSAIDs). Third Day Botanicals products should be third-party tested for potency and purity to ensure accurate dosing.

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Dosing is typically expressed in mg/kg of body weight, administered orally twice daily (BID) due to CBD's short half-life (2–9 hours in dogs, 2–13 hours in cats). Use a calibrated dropper for liquids. Bioavailability is higher with food (up to 3–11-fold increase), so administer with meals. Regular blood work (e.g., liver enzymes) is recommended for long-term use (>4 weeks).

 

Dosing Guidelines for Dogs

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General Recommendations

  • Starting Dose: 0.25–0.5 mg/kg once daily for the first 3–5 days to assess tolerance, then increase to BID if needed.

  • Maintenance Dose: 2–5 mg/kg BID (total 4–10 mg/kg/day) for most wellness applications. This range is well-tolerated long-term (up to 36 weeks) based on safety studies.

  • Maximum Safe Dose: Up to 10–20 mg/kg/day in studies, but not recommended without vet supervision due to potential side effects like elevated liver enzymes.

  • Calculation Example: For a 20 kg (44 lb) dog at 2 mg/kg BID:

    • Single dose: 20 kg × 2 mg/kg = 40 mg CBD.

    • Daily total: 80 mg.

    • If using a 25 mg/mL tincture: 40 mg ÷ 25 mg/mL = 1.6 mL per dose.

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By Condition

  • Pain/Inflammation (e.g., Osteoarthritis, Arthritis): 1–4 mg/kg BID (e.g., 0.3–4.12 mg/kg every 12 hours, titrate until pain score improves). Studies show improved mobility at 1–2 mg/kg BID of broad-spectrum CBD or CBD/CBDA blends. Effective alongside NSAIDs or gabapentin; may reduce need for other pain meds.

  • Anxiety/Stress (e.g., Separation, Travel, Noise): 2–4 mg/kg BID, or a single dose of 4 mg/kg for acute events like car travel. Anecdotal and preliminary studies suggest reduced stress behaviors; higher doses may be needed for severe cases.

  • Seizures/Epilepsy (as Adjunct Therapy): 2–9 mg/kg/day (e.g., 2–4.5 mg/kg BID). Broad-spectrum CBD reduced seizures by 25–42% in drug-resistant cases; monitor plasma levels (>150 ng/mL for efficacy).

  • Itching/Pruritus (e.g., Atopic Dermatitis): 2–4 mg/kg BID. Full-spectrum CBD/CBDA showed ~65% improvement in itching.

  • Other (e.g., Nausea, Appetite Stimulation): 1–2 mg/kg BID, based on anti-nausea effects observed in humans and anecdotal pet reports.

Administration Methods

  • Oral (Preferred): Tinctures/oils (higher bioavailability), soft chews, capsules, or powders mixed in food. Oil formulations absorb best; give with fatty meals.

  • Topical/Transdermal: Lower absorption (e.g., creams for skin issues); not ideal for systemic effects.

  • Frequency: BID for steady levels; single doses for acute needs.

  • Duration: Short-term (e.g., 15 days for acute pain) to long-term (e.g., 36 weeks for chronic conditions), with vet monitoring.

 

Warnings and Side Effects

  • Common Side Effects: Diarrhea/soft stools (dose-related, >10 mg/kg), elevated ALP liver enzyme (36–100% of cases, often transient), mild GI upset, vomiting, lethargy, ataxia (tolerates over time). Rare: Dry mouth (increased thirst), lowered blood pressure (light-headedness), drowsiness.

  • Warnings: Avoid in pregnant/lactating dogs or those with liver disease. Product variability can lead to inconsistent dosing—choose certified, tested products. No known toxicity threshold, but high doses (>62 mg/kg) tolerated in studies. Gradual withdrawal for epilepsy to prevent rebound.

 

Dosing Guidelines for Cats

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Cat-specific data is more limited than for dogs, with fewer studies. Cats metabolize CBD differently (e.g., higher variability in absorption) and may be more sensitive to THC contamination, so use THC-free (broad-spectrum) products.

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General Recommendations

  • Starting Dose: 0.25–0.5 mg/kg once daily for 3–5 days, then BID.

  • Maintenance Dose: 2–5 mg/kg BID (total 4–10 mg/kg/day). Up to 4 mg/kg daily tolerated for 4–26 weeks in studies.

  • Maximum Safe Dose: Up to 30–80 mg/kg in sibut stick to <10 mg/kg/day routinely.

  • Calculation Example: For a 5 kg (11 lb) cat at 2 mg/kg BID:

    • Single dose: 5 kg × 2 mg/kg = 10 mg CBD.

    • Daily total: 20 mg.

    • If using a 10 mg/mL tincture: 10 mg ÷ 10 mg/mL = 1 mL per dose.

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By Condition

  • Pain/Inflammation (e.g., Osteoarthritis, Post-Surgery): 2–4 mg/kg BID for 15 days. Limited data shows potential relief, but titrate based on response.

  • Anxiety/Stress (e.g., Boarding, Travel): 2–4 mg/kg BID. Emerging evidence for calming effects; may need thrice-daily for steady levels.

  • Other (e.g., Appetite, Nausea): 1–2 mg/kg BID, anecdotal for anti-nausea.

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Administration Methods

  • Oral (Preferred): Oils/tinctures or pastes (higher AUC than semisolid); mix with food for better absorption (up to 11-fold increase).

  • Frequency: BID or thrice daily due to shorter half-life variability.

  • Duration: Short- to long-term, with monitoring.

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Warnings and Side Effects

  • Common Side Effects: Hypersalivation, head shaking, lip smacking (post-dose), lethargy, ataxia, mild GI issues (vomiting, diarrhea), transient ALT elevation, sedation. Rare: Hypothermia, protruding nictitating membranes.

  • Warnings: Cats are less tolerant of contaminants; avoid THC. Monitor for behavioral changes. No LD50 established, but well-tolerated at studied doses. Consult vet for CKD or liver issues.

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