How Long Does It Take for CBD Oil to Work in Dogs?

Dogs are curious creatures. Defined almost solely by their relationships with human beings, our canine companions have inherited their masters’ all-too-human tendencies toward anxiety or melancholy.

Owners of dogs often care for their pets like children, so they are constantly seeking new ways to help their pooches deal with their psychological problems safely. Many pet owners believe CBD is the answer when it comes to canine anxiety.

If CBD works when dogs feel anxious, how long does this non-intoxicating cannabinoid take to kick in? How long do the effects of CBD persist in dogs?

We’ll answer all these questions and more as we continue with this detailed guide to expecting results from CBD in dogs.

What can I give my anxious dog?

Dogs were never meant to live in human society. Their wolf ancestors lived in the eternal forest as a seamless part of nature, and part of every dog’s heart will always be wolf.

Exploding fireworks, passing cars, construction equipment. These are all sounds that human beings have simply acclimated to over time, but they can still cause dogs to go into a genetic frenzy countless generations after a symbiotic relationship with humans has made true danger rare.

Like anxious humans, anxious dogs are often prescribed benzodiazepines, a class of drugs that exert strong sedative effects throughout the brain. Just as with humans, however, benzodiazepines can have serious side effects in dogs.

What can dog owners use, then, to help their pooches cope with the inherent stresses of even the poshest human cohabitation lifestyle? Many natural substances don’t help, and some might even be dangerous.

Can you give a dog CBD oil to calm them down?

You can certainly try giving your dog CBD oil to help with an anxiety attack. No CBD products have been approved for anxiety for either humans or animals, but in the United States, nothing is likely to stop you from purchasing CBD oil and giving it to your dog.

In recent years, there’s been a lot of talk about CBD use in dogs. Due to federal and state laws, CBD still isn’t officially recommended for dogs, but many vets and dog owners know about CBD and are curious about its benefits.

Research into CBD for dogs is ongoing, and it’s likely that we’ll see some clarity on CBD regulation in the near future. Until then, use your own discretion when administering CBD products to your dog.

What does CBD oil do for dogs?

There’s still a lot we don’t know about the effects of CBD in dogs. What we do know is that, like humans, dogs have endocannabinoid systems, which are complex arrays of neuroreceptors designed to process cannabinoids and cannabinoid-like molecules.

Both canine and human bodies make their own substances that are just like cannabinoids. Called endocannabinoids, these substances, including anandamide, are critical for a variety of neurochemical processes.

Some plant-derived cannabinoids, called phytocannabinoids, affect the activity of anandamide in the brain or impact the endocannabinoid system in other ways. CBD, which affects the endocannabinoid system very unconventionally, has broadened our depiction of this critical biological system’s scope.

How long before CBD oil starts working for my dog?

Because of the complex nature of its action in the endocannabinoid system, CBD can have a cumulative effect. Meaning, this cannabinoid’s effects might not be immediately noticeable in some dogs, but they could get stronger over time.

The method you use to administer CBD to your dog can also impact the amount of time this cannabinoid takes to kick in. CBD tinctures absorb through the thin membranes in a dog’s mouth, allowing benefits to take effect faster.

Other types of CBD oil dog products, like treats, might take a little bit longer to kick in. In both dogs and humans, it’s a general rule that orally ingested substances take around 30-60 minutes to fully activate.

How long does CBD oil last for in dogs?

Dogs generally feel the effects of CBD oil for around 3-6 hours. While there are lots of different kinds of dog CBD products, they’re mostly ingested orally, allowing an extended deployment of effects.

There’s not much you can do to extend the duration of effects of CBD in your dog. The latest research indicates that CBD doesn’t cause any significant side effects in dogs, however, so feel free to administer CBD oil again once the first dose’s effects wear off.

How much CBD oil should I give my dog?

There is no official information available regarding the best dosage of CBD for dogs. As with most substances given to dogs, alter your chosen dose based on the size of your canine.

Consult your veterinarian if you have any questions about how much CBD to give your dog. In the study we referenced above, dogs were given 2-8mg of CBD every 12 hours.

CBD oil for dogs FAQ

As we’ve found out, CBD works similarly in dogs to how it works in humans. Have any lingering questions about the effects of CBD in dogs or how long it takes this cannabinoid to take effect in canines?

1. Do vets recommend CBD oil for dogs?

Your veterinarian might privately recommend that you give CBD oil to your dog. By law, however, vets remain prevented from directly prescribing CBD.

Regardless, vets across the nation are becoming aware of the very real therapeutic potential of CBD. In some cases, they’re starting to talk to their patients about this cannabinoid even without any prompting.

2. How do I talk to my veterinarian about CBD oil?

First, do your own research. Are you sure that the condition your dog is experiencing is something that CBD has any chance of making better?

Examples of the most-researched CBD topics include using this cannabinoid for inflammation, pain, and neurological or psychological issues. If your dog is experiencing any conditions in these categories, ask your vet if they’ve heard of CBD helping in these particular applications.

If your vet is strongly for or against the idea of giving CBD oil to your dog, ask them why. As trained medical professionals, veterinarians can often be goldmines of valuable information on product safety and cutting-edge research.

3. Can you overdose your dog on CBD oil?

It doesn’t appear that CBD poses any overdose potential in dogs or in humans. One of the best things about CBD is that, despite significant serious inquiry, scientists haven’t reached a consensus that this cannabinoid has any serious side effects.

CBD isn’t toxic enough to cause overdose except in cases of extreme over-ingestion. We’re talking kilos of hemp here.

4. How long does it take for CBD oil to work for joint pain in dogs?

In most cases, you can expect orally ingested CBD to fully kick in within around an hour. Your dog might feel the effects of CBD more quickly depending on its weight and the size of the CBD dose.

Since it absorbs through the mouth before being swallowed, the CBD in tinctures may be able to make it where it needs to go in your dog’s body faster. Getting a dog to drink a tincture can be an acquired art, but there are plenty of ways to get it done.

5. When will I start seeing results from CBD oil in my dog?

That all depends on the types of results you’re looking for and the types of results it’s reasonable to expect from CBD. This hemp-derived cannabinoid is not a miracle cure, and there’s no guarantee it will help your dog.

If CBD is destined to help your dog with whatever ails it, however, you’re likely to see results within a matter of days or weeks. The endocannabinoid system is complicated, and we can’t stress enough both that:

• Every case is different,
• And we aren’t medical doctors.

With that said, you should know whether or not your investment in canine CBD was worth it within a month or less.

6. How long does CBD stay in my dog’s system?

As a fat-soluble substance, CBD can remain in adipose tissue for as long as 30 days. It all depends on:

• The speed of your dog’s metabolism
• The amount of CBD you’re giving your dog per day
• The amount of CBD you’ve given your dog overall
• The type of CBD product you’re giving your dog

CBD is widely-regarded as non-toxic, however, so any buildup in fatty tissues is unlikely to cause any issues. Even if it builds up, the CBD that has accumulated is usually no longer bioactive, so it won’t fight for CYP-3A4 enzymes with other substances, drugs, or medications. 

7. How do I make CBD oil for dogs using Secret Nature CBD flower?

The size of the CBD pet product industry has grown in direct relation to pet owner interest in the potential benefits of this cannabinoid. However, the vast majority of the new CBD pet products crowding the market aren’t worth your attention.

Decided to take things in your own hands? Use a variation of one of these three recipes to make your own CBD oil using Secret Nature hemp flower. Then, check out our guide to making CBD flower cat treats if you need to brainstorm alternatives to giving your dog the raw oil with an eyedropper.