Wondering whether to give your dog CBD oil with food or on an empty stomach? Research shows that pairing CBD with a fatty meal can significantly improve absorption and bioavailability. Because CBD is a fat-soluble compound, foods rich in medium- and long-chain triglycerides help carry it through the digestive tract and into the bloodstream more effectively. Below, we break down the science behind CBD bioavailability for dogs, the best foods to pair with CBD oil, and how MCT-based carrier oils support faster, more consistent results.
What Is CBD Bioavailability and Why Does It Matter for Dogs?
Recent research has underscored the significant impact of food intake on the absorption levels of CBD in the body. The concept of bioavailability, or the proportion of a substance entering the circulation when introduced into the body, is critical in this context. In this sense, bioavailability refers to how quickly and how much CBD is absorbed into the bloodstream, as well as the amount that’s expelled without having an impact. It influences the amount of CBD oil you should give your dog and how soon your pup might feel its effects.
Essentially, the greater the bioavailability of CBD, the more potent it is, requiring lesser amounts for desired effects. Conversely, with low bioavailability, more CBD might be necessary to achieve optimal benefits.
Can Dogs Take CBD Oil on an Empty Stomach?
The prevailing belief among researchers used to be that consuming CBD on an empty stomach was the ideal way to maximize its effects. This was based on the general understanding of how certain substances get metabolized and absorbed into the bloodstream. However, the realm of CBD research is ever-evolving, and recent studies have begun to challenge the previously established idea of taking CBD on an empty stomach.
Newer research findings suggest that the consumption of CBD alongside fatty foods can actually enhance its absorption and longevity in the system. The science behind this lies in CBD’s inherent characteristic as a fat-soluble compound.
When CBD is taken with foods rich in fats, it tends to bind with these fats, assisting in the digestion and absorption of essential nutrients in the digestive tract. Consequently, there’s an increased presence of CBD in the bloodstream, which means the body has more time to utilize its potential benefits.
This discovery has potential implications for both human and animal consumption of CBD. It could mean that, rather than taking CBD on an empty stomach, pairing it with a meal - especially one containing healthy fats - might be a more effective approach.
Why Fatty Meals Improve CBD Oil Absorption in Dogs
For many pet owners, the term “fat” often conjures up images of unhealthy fast food and greasy snacks. However, when discussing fats in the context of enhancing CBD absorption, it’s essential to draw a distinction. The fats we’re referring to aren’t the kind you’d find in a fried chicken bucket or a bag of chips. Instead, the spotlight is on foods rich in medium- and long-chain triglycerides, specific types of fatty acids help maintain optimal health.
Medium- and long-chain triglycerides are hailed for their unique properties. Unlike other fats, they’re efficiently processed in the digestive system, helping support energy production at a cellular level. This not only means there’s less fat storage but also enhanced physical and mental well-being.
But the benefits don’t stop at efficient energy conversion. These fatty acids play pivotal roles in an array of physiological processes vital for helping maintain optimal health. They’ve been linked to supporting a normal metabolic rate.
They’re also known to enhance your pet’s brain function. Given that the brain is predominantly composed of fats, these fatty acids can potentially help support cognitive function, promoting a sense of relaxation and mental alertness without drowsiness.
The holistic advantages of these fatty acids encompass both physical and mental domains. Fatty acids are vital to everyday health, strong muscles and healthy joints. And not only this, but help maintain normal emotional balance. When considering adding fats to your pet’s diet for CBD absorption, it’s these beneficial fatty acids you’ll want to incorporate, ensuring a multifaceted approach to your pet’s health.
Earth Buddy's CBD tinctures use organic MCT oil as a carrier to support optimal cannabinoid absorption for dogs and cats
Full Spectrum Hemp Extract With MCT Oil
Best Foods to Pair With CBD Oil for Dogs
When considering the best accompaniments for your dog’s CBD consumption, it’s beneficial to turn to foods packed with healthy fats to promote how CBD works. Not only do these fats enhance the absorption of CBD, but they also come with their own set of health benefits that can be advantageous for your furry friend. Here’s a deeper dive into some of these beneficial foods:
Coconut Oil
This tropical treasure is lauded for its rich content of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). These MCTs are efficiently metabolized, supporting energy production. Coconut oil promotes the body’s innate resistance to pathogens and supplies nutrients for a healthy coat.
Olive Oil
A staple in Mediterranean cuisine, olive oil is known for its healthy monounsaturated fats. Including small amounts in your dog’s diet can enhance cardiovascular function, promote normal inflammatory processes, and even support the immune system.
Sesame Oil
While not as commonly used as the other oils, sesame oil provides antioxidants and maintains a normal inflammatory cytokine cascade. It’s also known to support normal circulatory function and supports the immune system.
Fish (Salmon, Mackerel, Sardines)
Especially oily fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids are essential for a range of physiological processes, from supporting brain health to promoting normal inflammatory processes. Regularly incorporating fish into your dog’s diet helps maintain joint mobility, supports coat health, and supports and promotes long term health.
Meat (Grass-Fed, Lean Cuts)
While meat is a primary protein source, it also contains essential fats. Grass-fed and lean cuts are especially recommended, as they can offer a more balanced ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids. This balance can be beneficial for helping maintain a normal inflammatory response, supporting connective tissue health, and helping support stamina and endurance.
Eggs
Often dubbed “nature’s perfect protein,” eggs are not only a great protein source but also provide essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. They can be a nutritious addition to your dog’s diet, promoting muscle integrity and definition, supporting healthy skin, and glossy coat.
Incorporating these foods into your dog’s regimen, especially when administering full-spectrum hemp extract, can ensure optimal absorption and provide a rounded approach to your pet’s nutrition and well-being. Always remember to introduce any new food gradually and in moderation to monitor for any adverse reactions.
How MCT Oil Supports CBD Bioavailability in Full Spectrum Products
Medium-Chain Triglyceride (MCT) oil, primarily sourced from coconuts or palm kernels, stands out as an exceptionally proficient carrier oil for hemp extract. The molecular composition of MCT oil facilitates rapid and streamlined absorption into the body’s system. When combined with CBD, MCT oil amplifies the bioavailability of the cannabinoids.
By promoting CBD’s bioavailability, MCT oil ensures that the body can assimilate and harness the benefits of CBD with greater efficacy. As a result, the onset of CBD’s effects can be felt more promptly, potentially allowing users to achieve the sought-after therapeutic outcomes with a smaller dosage. This not only maximizes the benefits but may also prove to be cost-effective for consumers in the long run.
Full Spectrum CBD Oil for Dogs From Earth Buddy
Earth Buddy takes pride in cultivating hemp in the serene landscapes of Colorado. Committed to delivering the finest quality dog supplements, the company adheres to organic farming practices, refraining from the use of pesticides and nurturing their crops in a pristine, natural setting.
With a keen focus on maintaining quality over quantity, Earth Buddy grows hemp in limited batches, spanning an area of 5 acres or less. Such small-scale cultivation allows for indoor drying, a process that significantly reduces the risk of mold and mildew contamination.
In the pursuit of providing high quality products, the oil extraction is carried out using the supercritical CO2 method, recognized for its purity and efficiency. This extracted oil is then thoughtfully blended with MCT oil to promote bioavailability, ensuring that dogs receive the best of what nature and science have to offer.
Choosing the Right CBD Product for Your Dog's Needs
Recognizing the diverse needs and preferences of dog owners, their extensive product range is designed to cater to various requirements. Whether you’re seeking tinctures for easy dosage, treats for a delightful reward, or topicals for targeted relief, Earth Buddy offers an array of options to suit both pet and pet parent.
Each product undergoes rigorous quality checks and is crafted with the utmost care, ensuring that your furry friend receives the best possible benefits from CBD. For those who believe in the power of natural wellness, Earth Buddy provides an expansive selection to seamlessly incorporate CBD into their dogs’ daily routines.
Earth Buddy Full Spectrum Hemp Extract Tinctures
Earth Buddy boasts an impressive line of Full Spectrum Hemp Extract, offering it in a range of potencies to suit various needs. Customers can choose from three distinct strengths: 250mg for milder requirements, 500mg for a mid-range dose, and 1000mg for those seeking a more robust potency.
Recognizing the importance of evidence-based results, Earth Buddy undertook a comprehensive calming study to assess the efficacy of their CBD on pets. Those interested in diving deeper into the findings and understanding the tangible benefits of the product can access and review the study here.
Balance Hemp Extract: CBD and CBDa Oil for Senior Dogs
The Balance Hemp Extract is meticulously crafted to provide a harmonious blend of CBD and CBDa, specifically tailored for our canine companions. This carefully calibrated mix is particularly beneficial for senior dogs, ensuring they get the right balance of these essential compounds.
Regular use of this extract can not only help keep dogs in peak condition but also support and maintain proper body functions and overall good quality of life. By incorporating Balance Hemp Extract into their routine, pet owners can offer their elderly dogs a holistic approach to health and vitality.
Cellular Support Hemp Extract: CBG and CBD for Immune Health
The Cellular Support Hemp Extract is formulated with a distinctive 4:1 ratio of CBG to CBD, a combination designed to promote the body’s innate resistance to pathogens and help support proper digestion and bowel health. CBG, often referred to as the “mother of all cannabinoids,” alongside CBD, plays a pivotal role in supporting cellular health.
Together, these cannabinoids act as a powerful duo, synergistically working to support normal cell function and normal bodily functions. Incorporating Cellular Support Hemp Extract into your pet’s regimen can provide an enhanced level of care, fostering well-being from the cellular level upwards.
Mobility Hemp Extract: CBDa for Joint Support in Dogs
Mobility Hemp Extract stands out for its rich concentration of CBDa, specifically formulated to cater to dogs’ joint health and flexibility needs. As our canine companions age or face physical challenges, maintaining joint mobility can become a growing concern. CBDa, a precursor to CBD, has garnered attention in the holistic health community for its potential to promote normal inflammatory processes and help with occasional discomfort. By incorporating the Mobility Hemp Extract into your dog’s daily routine, you are proactively supporting and promoting long-term health.
Sleep Support Hemp Extract: CBN and CBD for Travel & Nighttime Calm
Sleep Support Hemp Extract is meticulously crafted to be a dog’s nighttime ally, helping dogs maintain a normal and relaxed disposition. Central to this formula is its unique blend: a higher concentration of CBN paired with a lower dose of CBD. CBN, or cannabinol, is a cannabinoid that has been increasingly recognized for helping keep pets calm and relaxed. When combined with CBD, known for its calming effect on nerves, is a powerful synergy designed to provide help for restless animals.
We all understand the significance of a good night’s sleep for maintaining and supporting long term health, and our dogs are no exception. Adequate rest helps support cognitive function, helping reduce the effects of normal environmental stress, and supporting healthy cellular activity. By integrating Sleep Support Hemp Extract into your dog’s evening routine, you can potentially ease their journey into dreamland.
Quick Calm: Water-Soluble CBD for Faster Absorption
Quick Calm, a product from Earth Buddy, harnesses the innovative Rapid Delivery Emulsion Technology to support the absorption of CBD oil into the bloodstream. This cutting-edge method involves emulsifying the raw plant extract, a process that breaks the extract into minute particles, thus enhancing its solubility in water.
By integrating distilled water into the formula, Earth Buddy achieves a significant improvement in the absorption rate, ensuring that the beneficial compounds of the CBD oil for dogs and cats become bioavailable more rapidly.
CBD Capsules With Functional Mushrooms and Glutathione for Dogs and Cats
CBD capsules for dogs and cats from Earth Buddy are combined with other functional pet supplements like Mushrooms, Glutathione, Quercetin, and Elderberry Extract. All of our capsules are in powder form containing a unique blend of functional supplements and organic Kief CBD. This is the purest and safest form of cannabinoids for pets, as it does not require a solvent to extract the medicinal properties from the cannabis plant, but rather, a mechanical extraction that removes the trichomes that contain the full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes. This allows for precise dosing and often lower doses due to the higher potency of various cannabinoids and terpenes.
Earth Buddy CBD capsules for pets can be given directly orally with a pill pocket or opened up and mixed into food daily. Due to our CBD capsules for dogs and cat having additional pet supplements, we typically suggest them for older dogs and cats suffering from seasonal pet allergies or age-related illnesses.
CBD Calming Chews for Dogs: Hemp Hearts With Full Spectrum CBD
Earth Buddy presents their premium Hemp Hearts, AKA CBD edibles, in a delightful trio of flavors: succulent Blueberry, hearty Pumpkin, and a potent Extra Strength variant. Every flavor is crafted with an unwavering commitment to purity and quality. Earth Buddy ensures that each chew is formulated using only the finest natural ingredients, steering clear of any artificial additives or preservatives. It’s important to note, when dogs eat cbd by eating edibles, it may take up to two hours to move through the digestive system and observe effects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I give my dog CBD oil with food or on an empty stomach?
Research shows that giving CBD oil with food, particularly meals containing healthy fats, can improve absorption and bioavailability. While CBD can be given on an empty stomach, pairing it with a fatty meal helps the fat-soluble cannabinoids bind to dietary fats and move through the digestive tract more effectively.
What foods help with CBD oil absorption in dogs?
Foods rich in medium- and long-chain triglycerides work best for supporting CBD absorption. Good options include coconut oil, olive oil, salmon, sardines, grass-fed meat, and eggs. These healthy fats help carry CBD through the digestive system and into the bloodstream.
Does MCT oil improve CBD bioavailability for dogs?
Yes. MCT (medium-chain triglyceride) oil is one of the most effective carrier oils for hemp extract. Its molecular structure allows for rapid absorption, and when combined with CBD, it helps more of the compound reach the bloodstream. Earth Buddy uses MCT oil as a carrier in their full spectrum hemp extract tinctures for this reason.
How long does it take for CBD oil to work in dogs when given with food?
When CBD oil is given with a meal, onset can vary depending on the product type. Oil tinctures given with food may take 30 to 45 minutes to take effect as they move through the digestive system. Water-soluble CBD products like Quick Calm can reach peak concentration faster, typically within about 40 minutes. CBD edibles and chews may take up to two hours to fully process.
What is CBD bioavailability and why does it matter?
Bioavailability refers to how much of a substance actually enters the bloodstream after it is consumed, and how quickly it gets there. Oral CBD bioavailability in dogs has been reported to be below 20%, meaning much of the compound can be lost during digestion. Using a high-quality carrier oil like MCT oil and giving CBD with a fatty meal can help more of the active compounds reach your dog's system.
Can I mix CBD oil into my dog's regular food?
Yes. Mixing CBD oil into your dog's regular meal is one of the easiest ways to administer it, and the fat content in the food can actually help with absorption. For best results, add the oil to a meal that contains some healthy fats rather than mixing it into dry kibble alone.
For further reading, we recommend:
- Food Effect on Pharmacokinetics of Cannabidiol Oral Capsules in Adult Patients With Refractory Epilepsy (Birnbaum et al., 2019)
- Medium Chain Triglycerides and Structured Lipids (Babayan, 1987)
- Medium-Chain Triglycerides May Improve Memory in Non-Demented Older Adults: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials (BMC Geriatrics, 2022)
- The Effects of Food on Cannabidiol Bioaccessibility (Guzman et al., 2021)
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