Can dogs overdose on CBD? Well, while it is still possible in theory, a dog overdosing on CBD oil or any other CBD product is practically impossible to some degree. CBD products do not contain any toxic psychedelic ingredients that could result in poisoning, either.
However, very high doses of CBD can have certain side effects that may be as bad as overdosing. But then again, it is highly possible that your dog will just sleep through these effects. Usually, CBD is unreactive with the brainstem receptors and does not cause any respiratory depression.
Also, dogs can only utilize a certain amount of CBD; the rest of it goes to waste.
But as a dog owner, you can only be as safe as possible. Different dogs react differently to CBD. Thus, you need to have the utmost level of awareness if you plan to introduce CBD in your dog’s everyday diet.
Can Dogs Overdose On CBD: Overdose Vs Toxicity
A lot of times, dog owners tend to get confused between CBD toxicity and overdose. But they are not the same terms. Each of them has a very different reason behind them. Overdose happens when you give a certain substance in excess – more than what the body can tolerate. This substance necessarily does not have to be toxic in nature. Sometimes, dogs can overdose on the safest substances, too.
On the other hand, toxicity happens because of the consumption of unsafe substances, even in the most minimal doses.
In a more practical sense, dog owners should realize that their pets can likely overdose on CBD, while THC can cause toxicity. Let’s break this down in simpler words now.
Overdosing happens when a dog consumes more than what is recommended for them as safe or beneficial. In this case, their metabolism cannot detoxify the materials fast enough, resulting in unwanted side effects.
Toxicity or pet poisoning is pretty different from an overdose. Toxicity happens when a dog consumes/ingests a certain drug that has no potential benefits for them, but even the smallest doses have toxic side effects. This poison can be anything – a plant in your home, human medicines, wild mushrooms, marijuana products, etc.
Therefore, when it comes to giving CBD to your pets, it is important that pet owners only choose organic, hemp-based CBD products. However, hemp-based CBD extracts still contain a slight amount of THC in them that can cause toxicity in dogs. Therefore, it is important to remember that the THC content in hemp-based CBD products should not go beyond 0.3 percent.
What Happens If You Give Your Dog Too Much CBD?
This has been one of the most common concerns among pet parents. Introducing CBD can be challenging – especially monitoring its quantity. But, in case of an overdose, most dogs will come up with the same symptoms to look out for. While these symptoms are very minor, dogs can get pretty uncomfortable and need careful monitoring.
One of the most common side effects in dogs that have consumed more CBD is gastrointestinal issues that include nausea, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. The other most common side effects are too much drowsiness, lethargy, or sleepiness. While too much calmness is one of the most subtle benefits of CBD for dogs, you don’t really want your little furry baby to be tired or not like themselves.
The correct amount of CBD will ensure your dog’s existing cheerful behavior with a bit of extra relaxation. Too much CBD might result in them napping all day long with a lack of interest in doing anything.
Can Dogs Overdose On CBD?
The constant worry about your dog is pretty understandable. They are no less than your babies, after all. But the only way to know that your baby dog has overdosed is by observation. Dogs cannot vocalize how they are feeling, so keeping an eye on their behavior after taking CBD is the only way to find out if they have been given a higher-than-preferable dose.
Some of the most common symptoms of overdose that your dog might show are:
- Low blood pressure
- Drowsiness or lethargy
- Excessive thirst or dry mouth
- Difficulty in walking or uncoordinated movement
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
If you notice any of these or any other usual behavior in your dog after taking CBD, they have likely overdosed on it. In that case, keep them in a comfortable and calm environment and provide them with ample water so that they can easily sleep it off.
The abovementioned symptoms usually go away with time and proper rest, but there is a rare chance that a more severe reaction occurs. If that is the case, consider this an emergency. Symptoms like heavy diarrhea or vomiting to the point of bleeding are not normal overdosing symptoms of CBD. This is very unusual and indicates a major reaction in your dog’s body.
If this happens, rush them to the vet immediately, as they are the only ones who can treat such a severe degree of illness. These symptoms are not to be treated at home.
Finding The Right Dose Of CBD For Your Dog
One of the most common reasons why pet parents refrain from giving CBD to their dogs is the fear of overdosing. But do not let that fear overpower the benefits that CBD has on your dog.
CBD is just like any other supplement that you probably already give to your dog. So, the key here is to give them the right dosage for best results.
If you are a starter, here are some tips to get you going!
The Dose Shall Depend On Their Weight
One of the most common ways to find out the right dosage for your pet is their weight.
Dogs drastically vary in size. The dose that you give to your little Chihuahua would not work on a massive Great Dane. These dogs not only vary in size but have completely different metabolisms and, hence, different tolerance levels to CBD.
While this is not really a universally agreed-upon theory, as the benefits of CBD on dogs are still being researched, here is a small guide that can help you to some degree:
- Low Dosage (0.1 mg/kg – 0.5 mg/kg): Best for dogs that have very mild symptoms or are just standing at the starting point as first-timers.
- Medium Dosage (0.5 mg/kg – 1 mg/kg): Generally best for dogs having moderate conditions or symptoms.
- High Dosage (1 mg/kg – 2 mg/kg): Usually used for dogs that experience severe symptoms or conditions. These doses need administration under the guidance of your dog’s vet.
Go For CBD Products Made For Dogs
This is the one thing that you need to keep in mind if you plan to give CBD to your dogs. Sharing is caring, but not when it comes to CBD for dogs. The CBD product you consume should NOT be shared with your dog under any circumstances. While the differences between human CBD and pet CBD are not many, it is better to keep your furry baby away from your stash.
While the core component – CBD – may remain the same, the other substances may vary majorly when it comes to human CBD. Also, human CBD products may have a higher concentration of THC, which is highly toxic for pets. While THC is not lethal, it might cause other uncomfortable issues in your pet.
The cannabinoid receptors in a dog’s brain exceed in numbers when compared to the human brain. Therefore, when they take in even the slightest amount of THC, they might experience a more intense and possibly harmful reaction than humans, like seizures, respiratory depression, or coma after consuming the same amount of THC.
Even when you are being extra careful, the line of error with pets is much smaller because of their difference in size and metabolic rate. Hence, it is always better to be safe and pick out only the products that are made for dogs.
Go For CBD Dog Treats
CBD treats are one of the most pet-friendly and convenient ways to introduce this potentially beneficial substance into your dog’s routine.
One of the biggest challenges that dog owners face with other CBD products is using the right dosage. Even with a dropper, it can get quite tricky to measure the right amount, particularly for small dogs. However, you can scrape out this worry by shifting to CBD treats. Each of these treats contains a very specific amount of CBD, making it much easier to give to dogs and ensure the right dose every single time.
Is CBD Overdose Fatal For Dogs?
Not necessarily. One cannot call CBD lethal for dogs. Theoretically, pet CBD products contain a slight amount of THC in them, and THC, being a toxic element, may cause a certain degree of toxicity in your dog. However, this is practically impossible. Given the quantity of THC that is allowed in pet CBD products, your dog would have to consume an enormous amount of CBD to reach that level of toxicity.
However, when it comes to edibles like chocolates or brownies for humans that are laced with marijuana contain a high quantity of THC in them. Those may cause a severe degree of toxicity in dogs.
The most prominent symptoms of THC toxicity in dogs include ataxia, vomiting, slow heart rate, dog anxiety, and urinary incontinence. There will also be symptoms of hyperesthesia, like sensitivity to light, loud noise, touch, dilated pupils, and extreme lethargy.
Dogs that are experiencing THC poisoning should immediately be taken to the vet for proper treatment. Depending on the conditions of the dog, the vet will suggest hospitalization, IV fluid injection, and supportive care.
So, if you are concerned if CBD can be fatal for your dog, the answer depends on nothing but the cannabis plant. CBD extracts based on hemp plants cannot really cause any harm, but extracts from marijuana plants may be lethal.
How Is CBD Overdose Treated?
CBD overdose does not require any specific treatments. If your dog shows any symptoms of CBD overdosing, just give them a calm environment and some water to sleep it off. But, in the case of THC poisoning, things might get a bit more serious than usual.
Dogs that show very moderate gastrointestinal symptoms of THC poisoning are treated with the help of anti-nausea or anti-diarrhea medications. Immediate hospitalization is not necessary, though.
Hospitalization to monitor more major symptoms, blood pressure, or neurological signs is necessary for dogs that show more severe Treatments, including anxiolytics, IV fluids, and anti-nausea medicines. Anticonvulsants, mechanical ventilation, and IV Intralipid emulsion – a sterile fat solution used for the elimination of very specific poisons are used in case of life-threatening symptoms.
When To Visit The Vet?
Dogs usually do not overdose on CBD. If it is at all they do, the symptoms turn out to be very minor, and your dog can easily sleep it off. However, if your dog comes in contact with THC, you need to take things seriously. If the vomiting and diarrhea get to a point where you cannot control it, if your dog bleeds, it is time that you take them immediately to the vet before things worsen.
Final Take
All things come with a side effect, regardless of their benefits. Too much of a good thing can easily turn into a bad thing. Coming to “Can dogs overdose on CBD?” – they necessarily cannot. And even if they do, the symptoms are usually too little to worry about. If you accidentally give them more than they need, giving them a comfortable place with water will let them sleep it off.
However, what’s concerning here is THC. Most CBD products contain a slight amount of THC in them, which may cause poisoning in dogs. So, make sure the products you choose have less than 0.3 percent THC in them. Additionally, refrain from buying any CBD products that are made for human consumption. They may have a higher THC concentration than other additives that are harmful to dogs.
Finally, keep in check how much CBD you give to your dog, depending on their size and metabolism. If you at all feel that CBD oil is challenging, CBD treats are a far better option, as each of the treats comes with a particular concentration that is best for your dog.
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