How Long Does CBD Last In A Dog's System? A Helpful Guide

How long does CBD last in your dog’s system? That’s a great question for someone looking out for their best friend, and we’re here to help you answer that question and maybe some you didn’t even know you had!

Key Takeaways

• CBD oil is a natural oil extracted from the hemp plant and can have a variety of health benefits for your dog.
• CBD is a non-psychoactive compound that interacts with the dog’s nervous system, muscles, and organs, and may affect a dog's body from four to twelve hours.
• CBD oil for dogs can ease joint stiffness and support their emotional health, such as when dealing with stress from separation.

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Understanding How CBD Works

How long does CBD stay in a dog? Before we answer that, it's important to understand what CBD is and how it works with the bodily system of our furry friends.

What Is CBD?

CBD is a cannabinoid. CBD or cannabidiol, is the second most prevalent active ingredient in cannabis. CBD does not contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the psychoactive ingredient found in cannabis that produces a high. CBD does not cause this high.

CBD is often, but not always, derived from hemp plants. 

What Are the Effects of CBD?

Many pet owners treat their dogs like one of the family. We want nothing more than to help Max or Luna live their best lives. So we must understand the effects of CBD and how it can be an important part of pet care.

CBD oils and treats have increasingly been used to address anxiety, epilepsy, and pain in our precious pooches.

For dogs who fear raucous gatherings, thunderstorms, loud noises and the like, certain CBD products can promote relaxation. It's one more tool in the toolbox for comforting your pet.

CBD balms can be applied to a dog's skin to relieve skin-related irritations such as rashes. The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD can soothe inflammation, which helps with a number of health conditions.

In dogs with epilepsy, CBD has been used to lower both the frequency and severity of seizures. For everything from mobility issues to improving appetite, CBD shows a lot of promise.

As with just about everything, you should still be aware of potential side effects and interactions with other medications. Be sure to discuss your concerns with a veterinarian or other professional.

How Exactly Does CBD Work?

Now that we covered some of the positive impacts of CBD on dogs, let's dig a little deeper into how it interacts with their system. To better understand how the endocannabinoid system works, we can review some key terms and concepts. 

Endocannabinoids and the Endocannabinoid System

The endocannabinoid system is a complex cell signaling network spread throughout your body (and your furry friend's body, too!). A dog's endocannabinoid system is similar to that of a human. It controls many bodily functions like sleep, mood, appetite, and memory.

Endocannabinoids are the molecules produced when the body needs to respond. For example, if there is pain in a paw (or a hand), the body sends endocannabinoids to the receptors in your central nervous system (CNS) so it can respond to the discomfort.

The endocannabinoids bind to receptors in the central and peripheral nervous systems to elicit the desired reaction. This might initiate the release of neurotransmitters like endorphins that naturally reduce pain perception. Enzymes then break down the endocannabinoid molecules once they’ve been used.

When CBD is consumed (by dogs or humans) it doesn’t bind with the receptors in your endocannabinoid system. Rather, the new CBD present appears to prolong the amount of time the body takes to break down its own natural cannabinoids.

In other words, taking CBD extends the natural pain-relieving or relaxing effects of the nervous system.

How Long Does CBD Last In a Dog?

When someone asks how long CBD will last in a dog, it's important to determine whether they are referring to the effects of CBD or evidence of the CBD itself.

The duration of CBD effects differs from how long CBD will stay in the animal's system. 

While the observable impact of CBD treats may last for a few hours, the compound can remain detectable in an animal's system for much longer. That's because CBD is metabolized slowly and can accumulate in fatty tissues. 

It's generally estimated that the effects of CBD can last between 4-12 hours, whereas CBD can stay in a dog's system for days, and potentially weeks, after their last dose.

The half-life of CBD in dogs can vary but is estimated to be between one and twenty-four hours. This means that after this period, the concentration of CBD in the dog's bloodstream will be reduced by half.

The exact timing will depend on the method of CBD administration, formulation of the product, and the individual dog.

Both the effects and duration of CBD in an animal's system are impacted by similar factors like dosage, metabolism rate, and the specific product used. Let's take a closer look at those factors, so you can keep them in mind when administering CBD.

How Long CBD Effects Your Dog Depends on Several Factors

As mentioned above, many factors affect the duration of effects when you give your dog CBD. We'll go over some of these now.

Dosage

Unsurprisingly, the dosage will impact the duration of CBD's effects and how long it will stay in their system. Higher concentrations of the compound in a CBD product directly correlate to how long CBD stays in a dog's system.

To achieve the desired benefits and help with your dog's health overall, you should seek out a professional.

A veterinarian, or someone quite familiar with veterinary medicine, will help you determine the appropriate dosage and frequency for giving CBD oil or another CBD treatment to your dog.

Dog's Size and Weight

Body weight, diet, age, and activity level will all play a role in how long CBD stays in a dog's system. These factors will help determine CBD's effects and the desired amount to do the job.

As you might have guessed, larger dogs often require more CBD because they weigh more and have a greater volume of body tissue.

Big dogs also metabolize CBD more slowly than smaller dogs and may retain CBD in their system for a longer period of time, which can prolong the effects of the compound. This may mean dishing out those CBD treats more slowly. The same goes for older dogs.

Bonus: How Much THC Is In A Joint?

Dog's Age

Yes, a dog's age, regardless of size, will be another element to consider when gauging CBD effects. 

Since dogs’ bodies may metabolize substances more slowly as they get older, the effects of CBD could last longer. This means that a lower dosage might be sufficient to achieve the desired results.

To determine how much CBD to give your dog, you'll need to consult someone who has experience with dogs and CBD products, which is likely your local vet. Once you have that initial consultation, you can purchase quality CBD treats from a variety of sources.

Product Quality

The quality of the CBD product can make a significant difference in its effectiveness and duration. Whether you've opted for CBD oils, soft chews, or other CBD treats for Fido, if it's a lower-quality product, it may have a negligible positive impact and an extremely short duration.

Before you give your pet CBD, make sure you trust the brand. If you've already experienced the high-quality products we have at Clean Remedies, you know you can count on us when it comes to CBD for dogs, too.

Clean Remedies' PAWS Full Spectrum CBD Oil, which is sourced from hemp plants, could be the perfect fit for your dog.

Should You Give Your Dog CBD Oil?

There are many ways your dog can benefit from CBD products. 

If they suffer from separation anxiety and other approaches just aren't working, cannabis could do the trick for your canine. If your little fur ball gets extremely anxious before every car ride and it makes you reluctant to travel, consider CBD.

How Often to Use CBD for Dogs

You care about the overall health of your dog and want what's best.

Depending on your particular pet and the recommendation of your vet, daily usage may be appropriate. You may just need a little help now and then.

Your dog's system is somewhat unique, so you will learn over time - in consultation with a professional - what works best for your particular situation.

Tips for Giving CBD to Dogs

If you're giving your dog CBD soft chews, keep in mind those must pass through the digestive system before they take effect. Balms must also work their way through the skin, so be patient and don't overdo it.

CBD oil placed under the dog's tongue will take effect faster. 

If you have trouble administering the CBD sublingually, you can also rub the oil into the soft part of their inner ears. And what dog doesn't love a good rub of the ears as you ask them, "Who's a good dog?"

Keep Reading: Hybrid Weed: What Is It And How To Use It

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