Dosage Guide
CBD for Dogs & Cats
How much CBD should your pet take? Start with the chart below for a quick read, then use the calculator to dial in the exact number of drops for the bottle you have. Owner-curated guidance from our Loveland storefront — not a substitute for your veterinarian.
Quick Dose Chart
Twice-daily mg ranges. Light = general wellness · Medium = moderate support (situational stress, post-surgery, older pets) · Strong = intense protocols, typically vet-supervised.
| Weight | Typical pet | Light | Medium | Strong |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5–15 lbs | Small dogs, cats | 1–3 mg | 2–7 mg | 5–14 mg |
| 16–30 lbs | Beagles, terriers | 2–4 mg | 5–10 mg | 10–20 mg |
| 31–60 lbs | Border collies, spaniels | 3–8 mg | 8–18 mg | 16–35 mg |
| 61–100 lbs | Labradors, retrievers | 6–14 mg | 15–30 mg | 30–60 mg |
| 100+ lbs | Great Danes, mastiffs | 10+ mg | 25+ mg | 50+ mg |
Cats — use the lowest range in each band and start with Light. Their CBD tolerance is more sensitive than dogs.
Dosage Calculator
Recommended for your dog
3.6
mg per day
1.8
mg per dose
2
drops per dose
0.83
mg per drop
Assumes 2 doses per day (morning + evening) and a standard glass dropper at ~20 drops per mL. Add the drops to your pet's food, water, or directly in their mouth.
Start low, go slow. Begin at the General Wellness level for the first week and watch how your pet responds. Talk to your veterinarian before starting CBD if your pet is on other medications, especially anticonvulsants or blood thinners.
Pet CBD we carry
Browse all →CBDfx
CBDfx CBD Dog Treats – Calming, Joint, & Skin Health | Soft & Hard Chews
From $45.00
CBDfx
CBDfx Pet Tinctures – Dogs & Cats | Broad-Spectrum CBD Oil for Pets
From $35.00
Koi CBD
Koi CBD Dog Biscuits – Calming Support Treats
From $35.00
Koi CBD
Koi CBD Pet Chews Collection | Calming, Hip & Joint, Omega Wellness
From $35.00
Pet CBD — Frequently Asked
Is CBD safe for dogs and cats?
Hemp-derived CBD with less than 0.3% THC is generally well tolerated by dogs and cats. The main risk is from products with THC — even small amounts can be harmful to pets. Stick to broad-spectrum or isolate pet-formulated CBD with no THC. Talk to your veterinarian if your pet is on other medications.
How much CBD do I give my dog?
Most dogs do well with 0.2 mg of CBD per kg of body weight twice daily for general wellness. For a 40-lb dog (≈18 kg) that's about 3–4 mg per dose. Moderate support is 0.5 mg/kg, and stronger protocols (typically vet-supervised) go up to 1 mg/kg. Use the calculator below to get exact numbers for your pet's bottle.
How long until CBD starts working on my pet?
Oils placed directly in the mouth or on the gums work in 20–45 minutes. Drops mixed into food take 1–2 hours since they have to digest first. Treats are slowest — plan for 45–90 minutes. For situational stress like thunderstorms or vet visits, give the dose at least an hour before the trigger.
Can I give my pet CBD made for humans?
Only if it's THC-free (broad-spectrum or isolate) and unflavored. Many human CBD products contain xylitol, essential oils, or flavorings that are toxic to dogs and cats. Pet-formulated CBD uses MCT oil and meat-friendly flavors and skips ingredients pets can't handle.
What's the difference between full-spectrum and broad-spectrum for pets?
Full-spectrum includes trace THC (under 0.3%). Broad-spectrum has the other beneficial cannabinoids but no detectable THC. For pets we recommend broad-spectrum or isolate — the THC tolerance window in dogs and cats is much narrower than in humans.
Where these numbers come from
The mg/kg ranges echoed in our chart and calculator are consistent with the small but growing body of peer-reviewed veterinary research on dogs. Our Light / Medium / Strong tiers are set below the doses these studies found effective so you have headroom to titrate with your vet.
Gamble et al. (2018) — Cornell University
Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Clinical Efficacy of Cannabidiol Treatment in Osteoarthritic Dogs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science.
22 dogs with osteoarthritis. 2 mg/kg twice daily for 4 weeks improved comfort and activity with no significant adverse effects. Our Medium tier (0.5 mg/kg) is one quarter of this dose.
McGrath et al. (2019) — Colorado State University
Randomized blinded controlled clinical trial to assess the effect of oral cannabidiol administration in addition to conventional antiepileptic treatment on seizure frequency in dogs with intractable idiopathic epilepsy. JAVMA, PubMed.
Dogs with refractory epilepsy. 2.5 mg/kg twice daily over 12 weeks reduced seizure frequency. Strong-tier protocols at this level should be vet-supervised — anti-seizure medications interact with CBD.
AAHA Pain Management Guidelines (2022)
American Animal Hospital Association. aaha.org.
Discusses cannabinoids as a potential adjunct in multimodal pain protocols and emphasizes starting low. AAHA does not publish a single official mg/kg figure — the practitioner consensus is to begin conservatively and titrate.
Hemp-derived CBD products for animals are not FDA-approved. Cat dosing has less published research than dog dosing — stay at the lowest range and consult your vet. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Still not sure?
Bring your pet's weight and we'll walk through options in person at our Loveland store — 677 E. Eisenhower Blvd.