Anytime that you are starting your dog on a new supplement, it is important to review safety considerations.
Among those considerations, you may be wondering whether it is possible for a dog to overdose on CBD oil. After all, you know that it is important to make sure that you follow the directions concerning dosages.
But what actually happens if you give a dog too much CBD oil?
This resource provides a pretty clear answer to that question, stating, “The APCC reports an increase in calls about cannabinoid treat and tincture ingestion, largely in dogs. Many of the dogs who have eaten more treats or more of the tincture than was recommended have shown clinical signs post ingestion, and those signs tend to be very consistent with pets who have had THC overdoses.”
Wait a second … there is THC in your dog’s CBD oil?
Ideally, the answer to that question would be “no.” But realistically, it is hard to remove trace amounts of THC.
Those trace amounts should not cause any symptoms or concerns for your pet so long as you are administering the correct dosages.
But if you exceed those dosages, the amount of THC your dog ends up ingesting could rise to the point where side effects occur.
The same resource which I just linked to elaborates on these symptoms, listing the following:
- Lethargy
- Ataxia
- Urinary incontinence
- Vomiting
- Hyperesthesia
Additionally, the site mentions that dogs have “even become recumbent.”
What does that even mean? It is simply a word for “lying down.” This seems to suggest that your dog is so overwhelmed by symptoms as to no longer be able to stand up or walk around.
So long as there is not a severe THC overdose, your dog’s discomfort should be temporary, and should pass more or less on its own. You may need to treat the symptoms while you wait.
The linked site says, “more significantly affected pets may benefit from IV fluids, antiemetics and good nursing care (such as warming in hypothermic patients).”
If you have any doubt as to whether your dog is “more significantly affected” or not, the smart move is always to call your veterinarian to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
Of course, the best thing to do is simply to avoid this situation altogether.
You can prevent your dog from overdosing on CBD oil by:
- Looking up the proper dosage for your dog’s weight and purchasing the most suitable product.
- Starting with the lowest recommended dosage.
- Never exceeding the highest recommended dosage.
So long as you do that and you are purchasing a high-quality, pure CBD oil which contains no more than insignificant trace amounts of THC, your dog should not overdose or experience the adverse effects discussed above.
Read more about safely administering CBD oil to your dog in “Does CBD Oil for Dogs Pose Any Dangers or Side Effects?” To purchase a safe and healthy CBD oil for your dog, see our recommendations and reviews.
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