If you’ve done any research on using CBD for pets (or, specifically, dogs) you’ve undoubtedly come across tons of anecdotal evidence in support of its use. You haven’t, however, found much scientific evidence, right? Because CBD has only been legal here in the US for a short time the FDA and scientific communities haven’t undertaken the testing required to give credence to these first hand reports. Because CBD for pets has become popular primarily by word of mouth, you’ve probably got plenty of questions…so we’re here to answer them for you.
Is CBD for dogs just a fad?
In 2018 pet owners spent about $31 million on CBD products for their animals and in 2019, that number increased 946% to $321 million!!!! We think you’ll agree that an increase of that size is an indicator that the products purchased are working, and working well. As Americans are discovering the benefits of CBD for themselves, so are they passing those benefits on to their four-legged companions.
Does CBD really help dogs like it does humans?
All animals (humans included!) possess an important physiological system that’s vital for establishing and maintaining health. This “Endocannabinoid System”, or ECS, plays a vital role in regulating a range of our functions and processes. In humans, CBD interacts with the ECS in a way that promotes homeostasis and stability and because we know that pets, too, possess the ECS, it’s suggested that CBD affects animals in a similar manner. In both humans AND pets, the Endocannabinoid System is responsible for, among other things, balance, coordination, appetite, memory and muscle movements. An imbalance in the ECS can manifest itself in a variety of ways causing sleep issues, anxiety, depression, physical pain and digestive problems. So the bottom line is that CBD provides the same basic benefits for both humans and pets.
How can CBD help my dog?
It has been reported that an overwhelming percentage of owners who purchased CBD pet products agree that it has improved their pet’s life. Among the cited improvements are increased mobility, calmer behavior and better sleep and a large number report that their pet exhibits this recovery by reduced whining and/or barking.
Does CBD really help dogs with anxiety?
Pets often experience extreme anxiety because of situational and environmental factors that are out of their control. An example of this is fireworks. Similarly, many pets
suffer from extreme separation anxiety when their owner is forced to leave them at home alone. Dogs, especially, are susceptible to this because of their “pack” instincts. Scientific studies show that CBD has a major calming effect on animals undergoing stress tests and in the past few years pet parents have found that those calming effects are mirrored in their homes with their fluffy family members. Many CBD brands are listening to their customers and offering products designed especially for pets, including Purelix Wellness!
My dog is getting old and suffers from bad joint pain. Will CBD help with that?
Just like their two-legged owners, pets’ joints get sore and grumpy as they age. Arthritis, joint issues and other mobility challenges make everyday living difficult and depressing for dogs and cats. A pet who is able to play, exercise and get around comfortably enjoys a healthier and longer lifespan. Purelix Wellness CBD Tinctures and chews, when taken on a regular basis, have been found to improve joint and connective tissue health for pets of all sizes and types.
What types of “skin issues” can CBD help?
Numerous breeds have a predisposition to skin allergies and eczema-type issues. Other dogs suffer from dermatitis caused by anxiety or environmental factors. In many cases, topical CBD products can offer relief when applied directly to a pet’s skin. Because these topicals bypass your pet’s digestive system the CBD is absorbed right into the skin for immediate relief. Some salves are soothing and non-toxic, providing both relief outside the body and within. They’re also easy to apply and carry. If your pet has a longer coat or you prefer a cream to a salve, we recommend a CBD cream that smooths on easily and cleanly. Both of these topical products can be administered in conjunction with tinctures and chews. Again, if they’re THC-free, there is no fear of giving your pet too much.
Which type of CBD products should I give my dog?
Like humans, pets can get their daily dose of CBD from tinctures, edibles (chews) and topicals. In some instances, two or all three work for different issues. It really depends on your preference. Just make sure the products you use are THC-free!
Can my dog overdose?
First and foremost, rest assured that there really isn’t anything like a damaging “overdose” of THC-free CBD. That doesn’t mean your pet won’t show symptoms of sleepiness or lethargy if given larger-than-normal doses. It just means “too much” won’t harm them. Another thing to be aware of is the fact that although human and pet CBD is essentially the same formulation, the dosage requirements are radically different. For recommended dosages for your pet see below.
How much CBD should I give my dog?
To determine what each dog’s dosage size should be you first start with your their body weight. We recommend administering 1-2mg of CBD for each 10 pounds of body weight, starting on the lower end and working up to a daily dose over time.* From there you must determine how much CBD is in each serving of the product you choose. Our Purelix Wellness Pet Tinctures come in four strengths – 225mg, 450mg, 900mg and 1350mg of broad spectrum CBD contained in one ounce bottles. So if you choose the 250mg strength, each dropper contains 8.33mg of CBD per drop. It would then follow that, for a 40 pound dog, one dropper would be sufficient because 8.33 x 5 = 41.65. Confused yet? Fear not, conscientious pet owner. It isn’t actually necessary to calculate each exact dosage if you’re using a trusted brand with clear and concise labeling. Most all follow the “1-2mg per 10 lbs.” formula and have the recommendations right there on the packaging. Remember, broad spectrum oils contain no THC so your pet can’t be harmed if he or she ingests a little more or less than advised. When it comes to pet chews, the dosages are the same but, because the delivery method differs, how MANY chews should be given depends on the strength of the chew. Purelix Wellness Dog Chews contain 2mg of CBD per chew. To make this potentially-confusing topic easier to understand, we’ve put together a handy Dosing Chart.
*Please note: We’ve included “heavy” recommended dosages for those instances where pets are experiencing extreme pain or stress. Remember – they can’t overdose on CBD!
Dosing Chart
| Pet weight | Starting | Medium | Heavy |
| <10 pounds | 1 mg | 2 mg | 3 mg |
| 10-20 pounds | 2 mg | 4 mg | 6 mg |
| 20-30 pounds | 3 mg | 6 mg | 9 mg |
| 30-40 pounds | 4 mg | 8 mg | 12 mg |
| 40-50 pounds | 5 mg | 10 mg | 15 mg |
| 50-60 pounds | 6 mg | 12 mg | 18 mg |
| 60-70 pounds | 7 mg | 14 mg | 21 mg |
| 70-80 pounds | 8 mg | 16 mg | 24 mg |
| 80-90 pounds | 9 mg | 18 mg | 27 mg |
| 100+ pounds | 10 mg | 20 mg | 30 mg |
What should I look for on the label of my pet CBD?
We can’t stress it enough….do your homework when choosing a CBD brand. If you do your research you will undoubtedly come across numerous reports of CBD manufacturers whose products contain little to no CBD and/or harmful ingredients such as synthetic marijuana, contaminants and even toxic materials that have been used during the extraction process. Companies who follow up-to-date Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP)
use safe, high-quality ingredients in a clean environment. In the hemp space, trustworthy companies are very transparent about the ingredients they’re using and how they label their products.
Does it matter if the hemp used comes from the USA?
All hemp is not created equal! While it’s true that many countries around the world are presently growing hemp, the quality of the crop differs dramatically depending upon where it is sourced. Hemp grown in the U.S. is regulated and hemp farmers are subject to strict requirements so the U.S. presently produces some of the finest quality CBD products on the planet. Lower quality CBD, much of which is produced in Asian countries and/or is extracted from industrial hemp, has far lower concentrations of CBD and is not subject to the quality standards presently enforced in the U.S.
What is a COA (Certificate of Analysis)?
Before you decide on a CBD brand for you and your pet, make sure the manufacturer has their testing completed by an independent third-party laboratory. This is a vital component in ensuring that you are using the purest, safest CBD. When these tests are completed by the third-party lab, the company is given a COA which shows the levels of THC and CBD and confirms the absence of any harmful contaminants. Purelix Wellness is proud to have one of the highest standards of testing in the industry. Every batch receives the most comprehensive testing available: microbial (E. coli, yeast, mold), potency (ensuring what’s on the label is in the bottle), heavy metals (lead, arsenic, mercury and cadmium) and pesticides (60 in total). Every Purelix label of a product sold features a batch number linking both the internal lab reports on the raw oil and the third-party testing on the finished product.
Can my dog use my CBD? And vice-versa?
It’s also a good idea to choose a brand that caters specifically to pets as well as humans. As we stated earlier, the actual CBD is the same for pets and humans alike but some oils (like grape seed oil) can be harmful to animals and is used in some tinctures produced for humans.
Why won’t my veterinarian prescribe, or even recommend, CBD?
It’s not that he or she WON’T recommend CBD….it’s that they CAN’T. At least not yet. The 2018 Farm Bill loosened restrictions on hemp-derived CBD and removed it from the “Schedule I Drug” designation BUT….there are still a number of restrictions on the ability of vets to recommend or prescribe CBD. What these restrictions 
are and how they are enforced is, unfortunately, very confusing and is in no way straight-forward. Laws regarding CBD differ in every state and, until the Federal Government takes the eventual step toward clearing it up, it will remain a gray area for veterinarians. This doesn’t mean you aren’t free to discuss CBD and its benefits with your animal practitioner but just means they aren’t legally free to formally prescribe it as a remedy for your four-legged friend. Depending on what state you live in, your veterinarian may have more freedom when offering a hemp-derived solution to your pet’s problems.
What products does Purelix Wellness have for dogs?
Each “Purelix Pet” (that’s what we call our many four-legged fans) has their own unique tastes and preferences. That’s why we offer several types of products created specifically for pets. Our tinctures are created with an organic, THC-free blend of CBD and extra-virgin olive oil and
- TINCTURES These oil based liquids can be administered either directly under your pet’s tongue for extra-fast sub-lingual delivery to the system or drizzled on food to be ingested orally. Our tinctures are created with an organic, THC-free blend of CBD and extra-virgin olive oil that is both safe and easy to administer.
- CHEWS For our more finicky furry friends we recommend a CBD chew. Our Purelix Wellness Dog Chews contain phytocannabinoid-rich ingredients, are water-soluble, THC-free and offer a popular natural bacon flavor. These treats taste good AND provide the same broad-spectrum, high-quality CBD contained in our other products.
- TOPICALS As mentioned above, some pet owners choose to enhance their pet’s comfort by using CBD topicals. They can be applied directly onto the effected area and have been found to ease the discomfort caused by allergies, “hot spots” and other dermatological issues. Think about how good it feels to get a rub down using a medicated topical salve when your skin itches. Now you can help your pet feel that same relief!
Although not quite as common, there are some pets who ingest capsules and pills fairly easily. There are softgels and tablets on the market that cater specifically to animals but, as always, if you opt for these choices make sure the manufacturer is trustworthy and transparent.
Do you use CBD for YOUR pets?
Absolutely. We have six dogs of varying ages and breeds (mutts, too!). Each and every one suffers from a different issue. Three have mobility and joint problems, one has extreme anxiety and we give all six CBD when we travel in the car. Our bulldog loves to have topicals rubbed into her itchy skin and our “orange” dog (he graces the label of our products) enjoys a few chews when we need him to calm down after “zoomies”. We love them all very much and consider them family so we wouldn’t give them anything we didn’t believe in. Our four-legged family members live a better life thanks to CBD. We’d love to hear how CBD has helped you and your dog!
