Your pet will experience the wellness benefits of CBD best if you set up a regular CBD routine in their daily lives. Some pet owners are overwhelmed by the question of how to do this, but it’s very simple. Just like you have a feeding schedule every day, you can incorporate CBD treats or tinctures into your pet’s life with regularity and consistency.
The wonderful thing about incorporating this wellness resource into your pet’s routine is that it can cater to their unique needs and lifestyle. While you need to remain consistent in the amount of CBD you give to your pet daily, you can alter other parts of the regimen – such as delivery method – to accommodate your schedule and their preferences. Because there are various ways to give CBD oil to your pet, it’s not hard to find the best routine for you and your furry family member.
You’re just five simple steps away from finding the best wellness routine for your best friend. Check out our handy infographic, then read more about each step below!
Step 1: Consult Your Veterinarian About Your Interest in CBD for Pets
This is always the first step when introducing anything new to your pet. No matter how well we know and love our pets, veterinarians bring a wealth of knowledge to the table that is important when making decisions about their wellness. Here’s why this step is important and what you need to keep in mind when talking to your veterinarian about CBD products for dogs and cats.
Why You Need to Keep Your Veterinarian Informed About Your Pet’s Lifestyle
Your veterinarian can offer invaluable insight into your pet’s specific physiology and needs. They can likely provide some insight about how much of this resource to give to your pet and the best delivery method for their breed, size, and needs. Additionally, your veterinarian has crucial knowledge about how cannabidiol might interact with your pet’s current medications or treatments. Sometimes CBD will interact with other drugs and it’s possible it might not be a great fit for your pet.
Your Veterinarian Is Legally Limited During This Conversation
You need to talk to your veterinarian about your plans to use CBD for dogs or cats when establishing a new routine for your furry friend. But it’s important to recognize the limitations of your veterinarian when it comes to this relatively new tool.
Veterinarians are limited by laws and regulations, which vary from state to state, that dictate how much they can discuss the benefits of CBD. If your veterinarian doesn’t seem eager to have this discussion, it’s not necessarily because they don’t trust this wellness resource. It’s usually because they’re trying to protect their license and stay within specific parameters about what they can and cannot say.
How to Talk to Your Veterinarian About CBD
Despite the complications around this talk, it’s still one you need to have. Here are some tips for chatting with your pet’s doctor about CBD:
- Don’t mention a specific CBD brand name.
- Open the conversation with a general question: What can you tell me about CBD for pets?
- Do a little research beforehand and have a clear idea of what you want to ask.
- Take notes.
- Don’t be afraid to follow up later – this discussion is changing regularly with new laws and research.
Step 2: Find the Right Amount of CBD for Your Pet
When getting started with CBD, one of the most common questions is, “How much CBD should I give to my pet?”
Your pet’s health and happiness will be best supported when they are given the right amount of CBD – not too much and not too little. Here’s what to consider when deciding on the right amount of CBD for your pet:
- Your pet’s size
- Their lifestyle and individual needs
- The label directions on your CBD product
Dogs and Cats of Different Sizes Will Need Different Amounts of CBD Each Day
When you start a new CBD routine with your pet, you’ll choose the initial daily amount according to your animal’s weight. The amount of CBD your pet needs depends on its size, which is why a reliable CBD product will always provide choices for small, medium, or large animals. Smaller animals will typically need to consume less of the product each day to see the benefits. Always start with the smallest amount to see how your pet reacts.
Every Individual Pet Will Need a Specific CBD Routine
Size will be the initial determining factor when establishing your routine, but it won’t be the only factor. Your pet’s unique make-up and lifestyle will also determine how many mg of CBD for dogs and cats you should use. Some pets might need more CBD than others to see the benefits, while some pets might need less than other animals their size to remain happy and alert.
A Responsible Company Will Have Amount Instructions on the Label
Choosing the right amount for your pet should be easy with the instructions on the label of whatever CBD products for dogs and cats you have chosen. A high-quality product will come in varying strengths for dogs of different sizes, and each label will provide instructions for where to start and how to deliver the product to your pet daily.
Step 3: Choose the Right Delivery Method (or Methods!)
CBD oil tinctures, soft chews, crunchy CBD dog treats, CBD peanut butter, special formulas to support hip mobility, calming, or kidney health – the options for how to deliver this support to cats and dogs are nearly endless! Choosing the best delivery method will be an important part of establishing your pet’s CBD routine.
Soft Chews Are Perfect for Pets with Small Mouths and Sensitive Teeth
Soft chews are a wonderful option for pets with specific dental needs or tooth sensitivities. CBD soft chews for cats provide a unique treat specially catered to a cat’s small, sensitive teeth. Likewise, CBD soft chews for dogs offer an option for smaller dogs or senior dogs with smaller mouths or dental issues.
CBD Oil Tinctures vs. Treats
You might want the portable, pre-measured convenience of a CBD-infused pet treat, or you might want to be able to control serving size with your bottle of pet CBD oil tincture. Oil can be drizzled on your pet’s food or onto any snacks you like to give them, such as a healthy, pet-safe vegetable. It can even be put directly into your dog or cat’s mouth, which is why Paw CBD has so many yummy oil flavors like catnip and peanut butter.
Administering a treat to your pet is a little less messy, and treats make it easy to know exactly how much CBD your pet is getting. Families with more than one dog or cat tend to prefer oil because they can adjust the serving for each pet’s needs.
Other Ingredients Can Contribute to Overall Pet Health
You’ll also want to consider other health goals for your pet when choosing the best delivery method. Some CBD products contain other ingredients that can address specific wellness issues, like a calming CBD oil that contains melatonin. Our hip and joint soft chews for dogs offer mobility support, and our calming formulas feature melatonin or L-tryptophan for added relaxation for extra comfort and care.
You Can Mix Different Types of CBD Products for a Diverse Routine
It’s important to remember that your pet’s CBD doesn’t have to be provided in one serving a day or even in one method. As long as you keep the daily total the same, you can mix and match different ways to give your pet CBD. You can always try new delivery methods while keeping the amount of CBD the same.
For example, if your canine companion needs 20 mg of CBD daily, you can add 10 mg of CBD oil tincture for dogs to their breakfast kibble, then give them 5 mg of CBD peanut butter later in the day, and then end the day with 5 mg of our award-winning peanut butter treats. Three separate (and delicious!) goodies for your pet, but the daily total of 20 mg remains the same!
Or, if your feline friend needs 10 mg of CBD a day, you might give her 5 mg of catnip-flavored CBD oil in the morning and a yummy 5 mg chicken and catnip soft chew for cats later in the day. Our selection of CBD for cats and dogs makes it easy to add variety to your pet’s routine!
Step 4: Maintain the Same Daily Amount for 30 Days
After you’ve decided on a starting CBD amount for your pet, it might be tempting to change it after a few days. Don’t do that! Here’s how to proceed:
- Maintain your pet’s daily amount for at least 30 days
- Monitor your pet carefully
- Don’t panic if you miss a day
It May Take 30 Days to See the Benefits
You might not see any benefits on the first day, but be on the lookout for ways your pet might be demonstrating their health and happiness. While 30 days might sound like a long time, it’s really important to be consistent with your pet’s serving size for a full 30-day period.
CBD will build up in your pet’s body over time, and you might not notice the benefits immediately. You also need to give your pet time to adjust to this new wellness routine.
Monitor Your Pet Closely for Changes in Behavior and Demeanor
CBD is processed by your pet’s endocannabinoid system, which regulates a variety of bodily processes. The benefits of CBD will show up in different ways for different animals, which is why it’s important to allow the 30-day window so your pet’s ECS has time to process.
A common question that pet owners have when they start a CBD routine for their furry friend is, “How long does CBD last for dogs and cats?” Every pet is different, so the amount of time it takes for the CBD to accumulate in their system will vary. Pay close attention to your pet’s habits and behaviors – especially how they respond to various stress signals.
Try to Be Consistent – But Missing a Day Won’t Hurt Your Pet
Don’t panic if you forget to give your pet their CBD treat one day. Also, don’t increase their daily amount the next day to make up for the missed day. Just go on with your routine as usual – one missed day shouldn’t cause any drastic effects. It might just delay your pet’s experience of the benefits of CBD.
Step 5: Adapt Your Pet’s CBD Routine as Needed
It’s an unfortunate reality that our pets can’t talk to us. We are entirely responsible for watching their behavior and identifying how a new wellness routine is impacting them. As a cat or dog owner, you know your pet better than anyone, so you’re uniquely suited for this job!
Signs Your Pet’s Daily Amount Might Be Too Small
You want to ensure your pet is comfortable, moving easily, and maintaining an appropriate amount of energy. If you don’t notice any change in your pet after using the same amount for 30 days, you might consider increasing your pet’s daily CBD by an incremental amount, then using that routine for another 30 days. Always allow the 30-day window so that your pet’s body has time to react and adjust.
Signs Your Pet’s Daily Amount Might Be Too Large
If your pet appears groggy or lethargic, you likely need to reduce their daily amount of CBD or find a different formula for their needs. As always, consult your veterinarian if you have any concerns about your pet’s reaction.
Your Pet’s Wellness Routine Should Be Fun and Diverse
Once you’ve monitored your pet for 30 days, you can change how you use CBD oil for pets. Maybe you want to see how your pet does with a few milligrams more or less of CBD each day. Or maybe, now that you know exactly how much CBD your pet needs, you’re ready to start experimenting with other delivery methods or flavors. The process of keeping your furry friend happy and healthy can – and should – be a pleasure. Don’t be afraid to try new things!