As a pet parent, wouldn’t you do everything in your power to help your dog live a happier, healthier, longer life? After all, for many of us, our fur kids are some of our favorite companions, and we want to keep them around, active, and feeling great. 

Just as with humans, diet and exercise are important aspects of a dog’s health. And many people are looking at supplements and wellness products that may help optimize their pet’s overall health. That’s why CBD oils are growing in popularity. Dosage and frequency are important considerations. With that come two very common questions: how long does CBD last in dogs’ systems and how fast does CBD work in dogs?

The first consideration is how much CBD oil does your dog need, which we discussed in a previous blog post. Next up is how long does CBD last in a dog’s system. 

Dogs, humans, and other mammals all have cannabinoid receptors throughout their bodies as part of the endocannabinoid system. This system is important as it helps regulate sleep, pain, immunity, and mood. It’s a vital system for maintaining balance in the body. In fact, it’s been shown to help reduce pain, decrease anxiety, reduce seizures, decrease digestive upset, help the body fight infections, and more.

The body produces its own endocannabinoids but cannabinoids are also found in various foods, including some herbs, black pepper, hops, and flaxseeds. The highest concentration, however, is found in the leaves, stems, and buds of the hemp plant. Most commonly, CBD is found in CBD oil extracted from the hemp plant. 

While the research on how long does CBD last in dogs’ systems is limited, we can look toward human studies for the answer. 

 

 

The Half-Life of CBD

Researchers consider the half-life (or how long it takes for the concentration of the compound to be reduced to half the original dose) to help them determine the optimal dosage of a drug or supplement. 

For example, if a compound is expected to provide benefits for 24 hours, the estimated half-life would be 12 hours or more. Products with a shorter half-life may require more frequent dosing. On the flip side, compounds with a longer half-life can build up in the body, providing a longer effect, even at the same dosing.

According to human research, when taken by mouth, CBD half-life lasts around 18 to 32 hours. In general, it appears that CBD takes around a week before it leaves the body. This, however, can also depend on weight, age, diet, activity level, severity of symptoms, and biochemical makeup. It can also depend on how long CBD has been taken. 

For example, after a single use, a quality CBD product tends to stay in the system for up to three days. With moderate use, it can last in the system for three to five days. And with regular use, the CBD may stay in the system for up to 10 days or even more. 

How Long Do CBD Effects Last in Dogs?

More important than how long CBD from hemp stays in the system is how long the effects last. In general, it can take up to 30 to 45 minutes before the CBD reaches the bloodstream and the effects become noticeable. If, for example, you’re giving your dog a quality hemp CBD oil to help them better manage anxiety-provoking situations (e.g., car rides, thunderstorms, or separation), CBD should be given at least 30 minutes prior if possible. Most pet parents report their dogs begin to calm down within 30 to 60 minutes. 

The CBD effects can then last up to 12 hours, indicating that one to two doses of CBD given per day, depending on the reason and the dog’s metabolism, will suffice. If the CBD oil effects are falling off sooner, you may need to adjust the dosage. Just make sure you do so slowly to ensure the dosage doesn’t become too much for your pet. 

For seizures, many pet owners find episodes are reduced or eliminated almost immediately; others find it takes more time. Finally, for pets suffering from pain or inflammation, results may not be readily apparent for up to two to four weeks as the dog’s body gets back into balance. 

Again, how often hemp CBD is given to the dog may depend on the dog’s system and the specific reason you’re giving it to the dog. For more chronic conditions, smaller doses twice per day may be most effective. For more acute or short-lived issues, a single but stronger dose may be most effective.

How Long Does CBD Last in Dogs’ Systems: Other Considerations

A great deal of the information above has related to CBD oils or tinctures, which have the fastest rate of absorption and also have a higher potency. Other types of CBD products available for dogs include treats and topicals. 

Oils are typically absorbed sublingually in the mouth to some degree as well as through the rest of the digestive system. Treats that contain CBD oils are often the easiest to give to your dog (they may even do a trick for you). It’s worth noting that time to absorption with this method, however, is much longer. It can take between 45 and 90 minutes for the full effects. 

Finally, CBD topicals, such as shampoos, creams, lotions, sprays, and balms are absorbed through the skin and can be especially helpful with helping deal with skin and coat issues. These products, however, are not absorbed at all. That is, they don’t reach the bloodstream. Rather, they only affect the area on which they’re applied.  

How Long Does CBD Last in Dogs’ Systems: Bottom Line

There are many reasons pet parents provide their dogs with CBD, and knowing how much and how often to supplement your pet’s diet with CBD tinctures can provide more optimal results. In other words, knowing how long CBD lasts in a dog’s system is vital.

Ready to see how the best CBD for pets—ABSC Organics—can help your pet live a more vibrant, healthy life? Get started here. 

Related Information: 

• CBD Oil for Small Dogs 
• CBD Oil for Medium Pets
• CBD Oil for Large Dogs
• CBD Oil for Dogs 
• CBD FAQs for Pets
• Pure CBD Oil Dosage for Dogs

References: 

Taylor L, Gidal B, Blakey G, Tayo B, Morrison G. A phase I, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single ascending dose, multiple dose, and food effect trial of the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of highly purified cannabidiol in healthy subjects. CNS Drugs. 2018 Nov;32(11):1053-67. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40263-018-0578-5

Lucas CJ, Galettis P, Schneider J. The pharmacokinetics and the pharmacodynamics of cannabinoids. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 2018 Nov;84(11):2477-82. https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bcp.13710

Millar SA, Stone NL, Yates AS, O’Sullivan SE. A systematic review on the pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol in humans. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2018 Nov 26;9:1365. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2018.01365/full