How Much CBD to Give Your Dog or Cat: Dosing Chart by Weight
Start with 1 to 3 mg of CBD per 10 lbs of body weight, once or twice a day. Begin at the low end, watch how your pet responds over the first week or two, and adjust from there. Full spectrum CBD is non-intoxicating for dogs and cats, and every Earth Buddy batch is third-party tested so you know exactly how many milligrams are in each dose. Use the chart below to find your pet's starting range, then match it to the mg per dropper on your product label. For puppies and kittens under 1 year old, start with very small amounts or check with a holistic vet first.
CBD Dosing Chart for Dogs
Start at the low end for your dog's weight, give consistently for 1 to 2 weeks, and adjust as needed. One serving is based on 0.25ml per 20 lbs. Splitting into a morning and evening serving keeps support steadier through the day.
| What you're using it for | Product | Under 20 lbs | 20–40 lbs | 40–60 lbs | 60–80 lbs | 80+ lbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday calming & stress | Hemp Extract (full spectrum CBD) |
0.125–0.25ml (~1–2mg, 250mg bottle) |
0.25–0.5ml (~4–8mg, 500mg bottle) |
0.5–0.75ml (~8–12mg, 500mg bottle) |
0.75–1ml (~6–8mg, 1000mg bottle: 0.25ml) |
1ml+ (~8–10mg, 1000mg bottle: 0.25–0.3ml) |
| Joint comfort & mobility | Mobility Hemp Extract (4:1 CBDa:CBD) |
0.125–0.25ml (~2–4mg) |
0.25–0.5ml (~4–8mg) |
0.5–0.75ml (~8–12mg) |
0.75–1ml (~12–17mg) |
1–1.25ml (~17–21mg) |
| Nighttime restlessness | Sleep Support (4:1 CBN:CBD) |
0.125–0.25ml (~1–2.5mg) |
0.25–0.5ml (~2.5–5mg) |
0.5–0.75ml (~5–7.5mg) |
0.75–1ml (~7.5–10mg) |
1–1.25ml (~10–12.5mg) |
| Muscle tension & senior support | Cellular Support (4:1 CBG:CBD) |
0.125–0.25ml (~2–4mg) |
0.25–0.5ml (~4–8mg) |
0.5–0.75ml (~8–12mg) |
0.75–1ml (~12–17mg) |
1–1.25ml (~17–21mg) |
Serving guideline: 0.25ml per 20 lbs, 1–2 times daily. Amounts shown are per serving, calculated from each bottle's total cannabinoids. Timid or hemp-new dogs can start at half the amount shown. Sleep Support works best given 30–60 minutes before bed. Not for pets that are pregnant or nursing. Consult your veterinarian if your dog takes prescription medication.
CBD Dosing Chart for Cats
Cats process cannabinoids faster than dogs, so smaller amounts given twice daily work better than one large serving. Research on cats also shows the raw acid form, CBDa, is absorbed especially well, which is why our CBDa-forward tinctures are a strong fit for senior cats. Start low, mix into food or a lickable treat, and adjust gradually.
| What you're using it for | Product | Under 8 lbs | 8–12 lbs | 12+ lbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday calming & stress | Hemp Extract 250mg (full spectrum CBD) |
0.1ml (~1mg) |
0.1–0.2ml (~1–1.5mg) |
0.2–0.25ml (~1.5–2mg) |
| Senior mobility & joint comfort | Balance (1:1 CBD:CBDa) or Mobility (4:1 CBDa:CBD) |
0.1ml (~1.5mg) |
0.1–0.15ml (~1.5–2.5mg) |
0.15–0.25ml (~2.5–4mg) |
| Nighttime restlessness | Sleep Support (4:1 CBN:CBD) |
0.1ml (~1mg) |
0.1–0.2ml (~1–2mg) |
0.2–0.25ml (~2–2.5mg) |
| Muscle tension & senior support | Cellular Support (4:1 CBG:CBD) |
0.1ml (~1.5mg) |
0.1–0.15ml (~1.5–2.5mg) |
0.15–0.25ml (~2.5–4mg) |
Amounts shown are per serving, ideally given twice daily (morning and evening). Mix into food or a favorite snack. Not for kittens under 1 year old unless directed by a holistic veterinarian. Not for pets that are pregnant or nursing. Consult your veterinarian if your cat takes prescription medication.
How to Convert Your Dose Into Drops
Milligrams matter more than dropper-fulls, because potency differs by product. Check the mg per dropper on your bottle, then match it to your pet's range above. For example, with our CBD Oil for Cats - 250mg, a full dropper delivers about 17 mg of CBD, lab-verified amount printed right on the label and box.
Once Daily or Twice Daily?
Either works. Once a day is simple and fine for general daily wellness. Splitting the amount into two servings, morning and evening, keeps things more consistent for pets on a steady routine. Give it with or without food, whatever makes it easiest for your pet.
Our Dosing Philosophy: The Minimum Effective Dose
Our philosophy on CBD dosage is clear and simple: the optimal CBD dosage for dogs and cats is the minimum amount required to elicit the desired response with a minimal side effect profile. We believe in the minimum effective dose because that is the whole point of a botanical extract. If we reach the response we want without side effects, there is no reason to add anything extra.Every pet is a little different, so results may vary with age, breed, size, and predisposition. We base all of our starting amounts on the weight of the animal, and we treat full spectrum hemp extract as an individualized supplement to monitor on an as-needed basis.How to Adjust Your Pet's Dose Over Time
Give a new amount a week or two before you change anything.
If you see a clear response, hold there. If you see some response but want a little more, increase by about 25 to 50 percent. If you see no change after a week or two, increase by 50 to 100 percent.
Go slow, and let each change settle before the next one.
CBD Dosage for Puppies and Kittens
Puppies and kittens typically have a healthy ECS (Endocannabinoid System), so we suggest holding off, or using an extremely low amount, when giving full spectrum CBD to cats and dogs under 1 year old. Always check with a holistic veterinarian if you are unsure.
For more frequently asked questions about how to use CBD oil for dogs and cats, check out our Cat & Dog CBD FAQ Page.
Always consult with a holistic veterinarian if you are unsure.
CBD for Dogs & Cats: Dosing, Safety & How to Use
Veterinarian Dr. Casara Andre, DVM Explains
What the Research Says About CBD Dosage for Pets
Many pet parents ask how much research backs this. Earth Buddy ran our own Calming Pathfinder study, where pet parents reported a meaningful change in everyday stress signals in dogs and cats using our full spectrum hemp extract consistently over about three weeks. Our Mobility Pathfinder study looked at joint comfort and everyday movement in dogs using our 4:1 CBDa:CBD Mobility Hemp Extract. Using our own research alongside our formulations is something most brands in this space cannot offer.
Recent research conducted by Earth Buddy on whether or not lower CBD oil dosage for relieving signs of stress in dogs and cats showed significant reduction in overall dog stress signals and stressed cats, by using consistently over 21 days.
CBD dosage for dogs and cats is not an exact science, as not all CBD pet products are the same. All of our products have Certificates of Analysis by 3rd-party laboratories and we only use full spectrum hemp extracts that will contain high amounts of CBD along with many other naturally occurring hemp compounds (CBDa, CBC, and CBG).
As a general starting point with our pet supplements we recommend the following CBD dosage for dogs and cats, but keep in mind that you know your pet better than us and you can always increase or decrease on an as-needed basis:
Is CBD Safe for Dogs and Cats?
At Earth Buddy, our main objective is to make safe products for your pets. From carefully sourcing our ingredients to testing our finished products with third-party labs, we take care at every step. Your pet is family, and family deserves the best.
Will CBD Get My Pet High? Understanding Non-Intoxicating Hemp
When considering hemp-derived CBD for dogs and cats, one of the first questions pet parents ask is whether it will get their pet high. CBD is a non-intoxicating, non-habit-forming compound. Unlike THC, the intoxicating compound in marijuana, CBD is not intoxicating for your dog or cat. It offers relaxation without intoxication. CBD for dogs and cats is studied for its role in supporting the body's natural balance, and hemp-derived CBD has been deemed safe by the World Health Organization and other health organizations.
How Earth Buddy Verifies Every Dose: Third-Party Lab Testing
One of the clearest signs that a CBD oil for dogs and cats is safe is whether the company is transparent with third-party lab testing. We test our raw botanical extracts for potency (cannabinoids and terpenes), heavy metals, pesticides, mold, mildew and mycotoxins, and residual chemical solvents. We go a step further and require Certificates of Analysis (COAs) from all of our raw ingredient suppliers, and we source USDA Organic certified ingredients wherever possible.
Where Our Hemp Comes From: Regenerative Colorado Farming
When choosing a CBD Oil for dogs or cats, pet parents should know where a product’s cannabis plant originates from.
At Earth Buddy, all of the hemp used in our products is grown outdoors in Colorado, under the guidelines of the Department of Agriculture and complies with the 0.3% or less THC limit.
- We use rigorous, organic standards, never spraying our plants with pesticides.
- We test our crop regularly for purity and potency.
- Our water is sourced from glacial melt from the Rocky Mountains, so our plants always receive clean water.
- We use regenerative farming methods along with aquaponic irrigation.
To ensure we produce a potent and healthy plant, we only grow to scale on four acres of land. Because of this, our crop does not require harsh interventions typically used by larger farm operations, including pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, and other chemical applications.
We hand harvest and hang-dry our plants in a temperature-controlled facility to ensure that the quality and purity of our hemp is preserved. We extract CBD from hemp using subcritical Co2, that yields other cannabinoids, to create a concentrated form consumable for humans (and pets!).
Our farm also doubles as a Hemp Research & Development site, run by professionals with PhDs in Evolutionary Biology and Biochemistry. Our research team leads the industry by producing and studying the latest in plant science and plant medicine for pets and people.
Small-Batch, Full Spectrum, Solventless
Plant quality matters and Earth Buddy believes in taking a true small-batch approach by using strict organic cultivation practices driven by science and innovation. We grow single origin hemp, which allows us to NEVER sacrifice quality. Opposite of commodity based CBD pet products, which primary focus is lowering cost, we use quality of the plants as the driving factor in our sourcing.
The organic hemp used in Earth Buddy products is grown outdoors in the Colorado sun at an elevation of 5,000 feet above sea level. By using a process called subcritical CO2 extraction for our various hemp extracts or mechanically separating hemp trichomes to form CBD Kief, we are able to extract a wide and varying spectrum of cannabinoids, fats, lipids and terpenes.
Earth Buddy believes in the “Entourage Effect” theorizing that a mix of cannabinoids, flavonoids and terpenes contribute to an overall broader effect compared to single-molecule cannabinoid therapies, like CBD Isolate.
Recent research has been conducted to support this hypothesis - showing that full spectrum CBD oil containing other cannabinoids and terpenes outperform Pet CBD Isolate products. This speaks to our commitment to CBD quality while ensuring our customers Earth Buddy tests every pet CBD product with independent labs for purity and potency.
All of the Organic Hemp Extract used in Earth Buddy Pet supplements is grown under the guidelines of the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Industrial Hemp Program. This means that all of our products have less than 0.3% THC and are non-intoxicating.
Pet CBD Philosophy
At Earth Buddy our goal is to provide locally sourced, minimally processed natural pet supplements that will allow your pet to thrive. In a world where most CBD pet products are highly processed, our focus is the opposite by allowing Mother Nature to provide the benefits to your furry friends.
Our hemp plants produce hundreds of bioactive compounds that work synergistically. We do not use ethanol, butane, or other harsh solvents to extract. By preserving our full spectrum hemp extracts with subcritical Co2, our natural remedies will offer the safest and most effective pet supplements in the world.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pet CBD Dosage
Earth Buddy recommends starting with 1-3mg of CBD per 10lbs of body weight as a starting dose for dogs. The goal is to find the minimum effective dose - the smallest amount that produces the desired response with minimal side effects. Every dog responds differently based on age, breed, size, and individual predisposition.
Start at the lower end of the range and adjust as needed. For severe health conditions, some research supports doses around 1mg per 2.2lbs of body weight, but consult your vet before using higher doses.
Yes. CBD derived from hemp is non-intoxicating and has been deemed safe by the WHO and other health organizations. Earth Buddy's Hemp products for cats use full-spectrum CBD Oil containing less than 0.3% THC - well below any intoxicating threshold.
For cats, start with a very low dose and adjust gradually. Mix in food or light snack to make the experience enjoyable for your cat. Avoid giving CBD to kittens under 1 year old unless directed by a holistic veterinarian.
Look for three things: third-party lab testing (COA), organic sourcing, and full-spectrum extraction. Earth Buddy tests all products for potency, heavy metals, pesticides, mold, mildew, mycotoxins, and residual chemical solvents. They also require COAs from all raw ingredient suppliers and use USDA Organic certified ingredients wherever possible. Their hemp is grown on a Colorado farm using regenerative, pesticide-free practices and extracted using subcritical CO2 or mechanical kief separation - no chemical solvents.
Yes. Daily CBD supplementation is safe for dogs and cats. Earth Buddy conducted research where pet parents reported significant reduction in stress signals in dogs using CBD consistently over 21 days, suggesting that regular use builds cumulative benefit. Follow the recommended dosage on the product label and consult your vet if your pet has underlying health conditions or is on prescription medications.
Full-spectrum CBD oil for dogs & cats contains the complete range of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids found in the hemp plant - including minor cannabinoids like CBC, CBDV, and CBG. CBD isolate contains only pure CBD with all other compounds removed. Earth Buddy uses full-spectrum hemp extract exclusively because research supports the "Entourage Effect" - the theory that the full spectrum of compounds produces a superior therapeutic effect compared to isolated single-molecule CBD. Studies show that full-spectrum outperforms isolate for most pet wellness applications.
Start with 1 to 3 mg of CBD per 10 lbs of your dog's body weight. A 50 lb dog would start around 5 to 15 mg. Begin at the low end, give it consistently for a week or two, and increase gradually only if you feel your dog needs more. Because potency varies between products, always go by the milligrams listed on the label rather than the number of drops.
The simplest calculation is 1 to 3 mg of CBD per 10 lbs of body weight. Take your pet's weight, divide by 10, then multiply by 1 for a low starting amount or up to 3 for the higher end of the range. Our charts above do the math for common weight ranges, and our free Dosing Journal helps you track what works.
CBD is well tolerated in dogs, and research has found healthy dogs tolerate amounts far above a typical starting range. Very high amounts may lead to temporary drowsiness or loose stool, which is why we recommend the minimum effective dose: the smallest amount that gives you the response you want. Start low, go slow, and talk to your vet if your pet takes prescription medication.
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