How Long Does CBD Stay In a Dog’s System? 5 Factors to Consider

Ever wondered whether your dog is a lightweight or heavyweight when it comes to CBD? To figure that out, we'll discuss the five main factors that influence how long CBD stays in a dog's system.

Keep reading to learn more.

Key Takeaways

• CBD has gained significant popularity in recent years due to its potential health benefits for both humans and dogs. 
• Potential health benefits for dogs include supporting gut health, the immune system, cognitive function, and joint health. Not bad for a plant once considered a weed!
• In general, your dog should likely start to feel the effects of CBD within half an hour. However, this can vary based on the factors we discuss below.
• The time it takes for CBD to be eliminated from your dog's system is determined by its half-life. It can also vary depending on your dog’s size, breed, age, and genetics.
• When administering CBD to your furry friend, be sure to mix it in with their food or treats. This will enhance absorption and maximize results, which is an important part of pet wellness! 

Keep Reading: How to Support Healthy Joints for Your Dog

What Is CBD?

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a compound found in the hemp plant. It's been used for hundreds of years for all kinds of potential health benefits.

CBD's Rise in Popularity

In recent decades, CBD has exploded in popularity. From 2014 to 2022, the value of CBD products sold in the U.S. increased almost twenty times, from about $100 million to almost $2 billion.

Not Just For Humans

Not all of that CBD was for humans, though. Our furry friends can also benefit from this natural compound. 

Currently, the CBD pet product market is valued at about $250 million.

Can CBD Make You High?

Unlike THC, CBD does not cause a "high." This has been proven by multiple scientific studies, which have repeatedly found that CBD is generally safe for both humans and dogs.

Types of CBD

When it comes to taking CBD, your imagination is really the limit. Well, maybe that's a slight exaggeration. But really, there's no shortage of ways to take it.

Popular methods include the following:

• Oil (like our CBD Oil for Dogs)
• Tincture (like our Cellular Support Extract)
• Capsules (like our CBD Capsules for Dogs)
• Chews (like our Hemp Chews, which come in a variety of flavors)
• Patch
• Lotion
• Cream
• Bath bomb
• Spray 

This is by no means an exhaustive list. As you can likely see, some methods of CBD administration are clearly more suited to pets than others. (Your dog probably won't appreciate a bath bomb in the same way you might, for example.)

But with plenty of methods to choose from, you can find what works best for you and your furry friend.

Effects of CBD

Scientists are still not exactly sure how CBD works. But they have a pretty good idea.

This compound interacts with a signaling network in our bodies called the endocannabinoid system. That system regulates various processes within the body. It's found in all mammals, including dogs.

By interacting with that system, CBD is thought to bring various potential health benefits.

Benefits of CBD for Dogs

Here are just a few of the possible benefits CBD is thought to provide:

• Gut Health: CBD may help maintain a healthy intestinal tract.
• Immune System: CBD can help support immune system function and enhance the immune response. 
• Mental Health: CBD is thought to help support cognitive function. CBD can be used to promote relaxation, and pet owners often use it for stress from traveling, hospitalization, moving, or other situations that may cause anxiousness.
• Joint Health: CBD is often used to promote healthy bones and joints. (In fact, we offer a range of CBD products tailored to help maintain healthy bone and joint function.)

How Long Until CBD Effects Begin

This varies based on a number of factors we'll discuss below. In most cases, though, the effects of CBD will start to begin within 20 to 40 minutes. 

When giving your dog CBD, be sure to mix it in with their food. This is key for a few reasons. 

For starters, it makes it much easier to administer and use CBD, as some pets can be wary of their supplements. It also tends to kick in faster, which is very desirable when using CBD to calm or relax your pup. Time is of the essence when it comes to a dog on the edge! 

But how long, exactly, does CBD stay active within a dog's system?

That answer also varies.

Factors That Influence How Long CBD Stays in a Dog

Like humans, dogs experience CBD differently, depending on various factors. Ultimately, you can never be entirely certain exactly how long CBD will remain in your dog's system.

Before we discuss the factors that can influence how long CBD might remain in your dog's system, let's quickly cover how scientists discuss this.

First, scientists use a term called "half-life" to refer to how long CBD stays active. The half-life of CBD is simply the length of time it takes for the concentration of CBD to decrease by half.

But don't we want to know when all the CBD is gone? Well, not necessarily. You need a certain amount of CBD to actually feel its effects. 

That amount isn't necessarily half of the original dose. But with the half-life, you can calculate roughly how much CBD is in your dog's system at any time.

The half-life of CBD in dogs is generally considered to be about four hours. So, after four hours, roughly half of the CBD in the dose given will remain in your dog's system. After another four hours, one-quarter of the original dose should remain.

And so on.

As your dog metabolizes CBD, the amount left in their system continues to decrease. Eventually, it'll all be gone.

That means CBD can remain present in your dog's system for up to 24 hours after the original dose. However, it's unlikely to have lasting effects for that entire time. 

Remember, that four-hour figure is just an average. It can vary based on different factors!

Bonus: Hemp for Dogs - Everything You Need to Know

#1. Dog's Size

Larger dogs generally require larger doses to feel the effects of CBD. Conversely, smaller dogs will likely feel the effects at lower doses of CBD.

Your dog is usually considered a larger dog if they weigh over 50 pounds. If they weigh less than 20 pounds, they're probably a smaller dog. Anything in between is often referred to as a medium dog.

We provide precise dosage recommendations for each of our products so you can calculate how much you should give your furry friend.

In general, it's always best to start low and go slow. There's no harm in giving a dose that's too small. 

Interestingly, smaller dogs often retain CBD for less time than larger dogs. In other words, the CBD's effects might not last as long in your little dog compared to your larger one. 

This isn't so surprising when you consider the fact that the concentration of CBD matters more than the raw amount. In a larger dog, the CBD will be more diluted than in a smaller dog.

#2. Age

Like in humans, your dog's metabolism will usually slow down as they age. Older dogs with slower metabolisms may experience the effects of CBD for longer than younger dogs with faster metabolisms.

#3. Dosage

This might be unsurprising, but it's worth mentioning. The dosage of CBD is absolutely crucial for achieving the maximum benefit.

A higher dosage will naturally result in the CBD's effects lasting longer. But that doesn't mean it's better to go bigger. To achieve your desired benefits, stick to the recommended dosage first, then tailor that to your dog's individual responses and needs.

#4. Type of CBD and Administration Method

We've already discussed the many types of CBD products available, from CBD oils to pet CBD chews and beyond. The specific product you use can affect how long the CBD stays active within your dog's system.

Some products might have higher concentrations of CBD, for example. Others might be absorbed more slowly or gradually, therefore staying active in your dog's body for a longer period.

Generally, placing CBD oil directly under your dog's tongue is the fastest way to see effects. 

Product quality might also play a role. Generally, you want high-quality products. Other things like shelf life or if your CBD oil has gone bad to factor in, too.

When it comes to CBD oils, look for full-spectrum CBD mixed with organic MCT oil as the carrier oil. (That happens to be what we use in our CBD Oil for Dogs.)

Regardless of the type or amount of CBD product you want to give your canine companion, you should always administer it with food. This will enhance absorption and speed up the onset time, allowing it to take effect faster and remain active for longer. This is especially important if you’re using CBD as a wellness remedy for your furry friend!

#5. Frequency of Use

Research suggests that CBD can build up in your dog's body over time. In turn, it can become more effective with regular use. 

Conclusion

Many pet owners are turning to CBD products to help support their dog's health. But to do this properly, you need to know just how long CBD will stay active in your dog's body.

That, in turn, varies between individual dogs. Fortunately, nobody knows your dog like you do! So take the four-hour figure as a general guide, stick to the recommended dosages, administer it with a meal, and make sure to pay attention to how your furry friend responds.

Keep Reading: Is "Grain-Free" Good for Your Dog?

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References & Further Reading

• Cannabidiol plasma determination and pharmacokinetics conducted at beginning, middle and end of long-term supplementation of a broad-spectrum hemp oil to healthy adult dogs
• Long-term daily feeding of cannabidiol is well-tolerated by healthy dogs
• Food effect on pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol oral capsules in adult patients with refractory epilepsy
• Even High Doses of Oral Cannabidiol Do Not Cause THC-Like Effects in Humans
• Earth Buddy Study: Full-Spectrum CBD Effective at Calming Pets
• Study Shows that CBDa and CBD Significantly Improve Mobility in Dogs with Joint Discomfort

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Earth Buddy is an environmentally conscious and family-owned company dedicated to providing natural solutions for pets. From our CBD oils to our colostrum supplements, our products are designed to promote calmness and encourage relaxation for our furry friends. To learn more and stay connected, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Pinterest.