Reviewed by: Dr. Robert Menardi, DVM
CBD and CBDA seem to be constantly in the news, with a wide variety of opinions on what it can and can’t do for our pets, and how much is the right amount to give our dogs and cats. With the myriad of conflicting advice, it can be hard to know which product to buy and how much to give to your pet. The answer comes down to science. Science and data will tell you what you need to know.
ElleVet’s research has not only shown that ElleVet CBD + CBDA is highly effective and safe but has also demonstrated appropriate administration levels for different species and support needs. ElleVet is the only CBD + CBDA product for pets that has been proven to work in multiple clinical trials. ElleVet is also the only product to have scientifically established administration guidelines across several species and usage situations.
However, for CBD + CBDA to work for your pet, you also need the right amount. How much CBD + CBDA should you give your pet? The answer depends on a few variables, such as the species (dog or cat), what it is being used for, and the individual pet.
Table of contents
- Why is accurate administration of CBD + CBDA important?
- Different amounts for different species
- Why do cats require a different amount than dogs?
- How much ElleVet CBD + CBDA should I give my cat?
- Unique needs require unique amounts
- What are the administration guidelines based on?
- How long does it take for CBD + CBDA to work?
- The importance of personalized support
Why are accurate administration amounts of CBD + CBDA important?
Think about it this way: you would not take a quarter of an aspirin for a pounding headache; it simply would not work. Getting the accurate administration amount is the key to success with CBD + CBDA products, as well. Because the right administration depends on species, different support needs, and the individual pet. The right amount, or even a small adjustment, can make a significant difference.
ElleVet Sciences research has shown that CBDA increases absorption and can also support a healthy immune response. In fact, some animals only absorb CBDA, so ElleVet’s 1:1 CBD + CBDA formulation ensures your pet is getting an effective product. In a groundbreaking research study, ElleVet investigated CBD and CBDA absorption in dogs and found not only that CBDA is better absorbed and retained than CBD, but that CBDA also helps with the absorption and retention of CBD, so both work better with a 1:1 ratio.
Different amounts for different species
As with any product, giving the right amount of CBD + CBDA is essential for it to work. ElleVet has conducted extensive pharmacokinetic, or metabolic studies to determine accurate administration for multiple species and conditions. In fact, ElleVet is the only company that has completed pharmacokinetic studies on our product with multiple species, as well as long-term safety studies on dogs and cats. This is important because CBD + CBDA administration guidelines for dogs are different from that for cats, and both are quite different from horses!
Why do cats require a different amount than dogs?
Cats require a higher administration of CBD + CBDA per kilogram of body weight than dogs do. This is because cats metabolize and eliminate CBD + CBDA much faster than dogs. ElleVet recommends CBD + CBDA be given to felines twice per day, at mealtimes.
How much ElleVet CBD + CBDA should I give my cat?
ElleVet’s research has found that 2 milligrams of CBD + CBDA per kg of body weight (2mg/kg) is needed to effectively support joint discomfort, stress, mobility, and overall comfort in cats.
ElleVet has four feline products: oil, soft gels, paste, and chews. ElleVet’s research has shown that cats respond incredibly well to CBD + CBDA oil, but some cats find accepting oil to be challenging – especially those with food or stomach sensitives. ElleVet has also offers odorless and flavorless Feline Soft Gels, and salmon-flavored Feline Soft Chews for exactly this reason.
Unique needs require unique amounts
ElleVet’s research shows that the administration guidelines for joint discomfort in dogs differ from amounts for sensitive skin, stress, neuro support, and cognitive support. The baseline levels ElleVet recommends are the lowest levels required for efficacy. However, every animal is different, and every support type is unique. There is a range to account for individual responses, and administration be increased or decreased to achieve optimal response.
Joint Discomfort & Mobility
ElleVet’s research has found that with joint discomfort, loading the amount given for the first week in the morning and evening, a maintenance amount of 2mg/kg administered twice daily thereafter is required.
CBD + CBDA helps your pet by supporting a healthy immune response and supporting less perception of discomfort. For mobility support, ElleVet recommends CBD + CBDA chews, soft gels, or oils.
Stress
Just like humans, all dogs and cats experience stress differently. ElleVet has found that, at a minimum, 2mg/kg twice a day is needed for stress support. This can be increased as needed. Stress has the widest administration range, as it varies from pet to pet.
ElleVet’s Calm & Comfort situational-use chews provide maximum strength support for dogs that experience intense stress during short-term moment like fireworks, thunderstorms, and vet visits. These chews contain 46mg of CBD + CBDA. ElleVet recommends giving your dog Calm & Comfort 1.5-2 hours before a trigger event. The recommended administration for Calm & Comfort is 4mg/kg.
Canine Brain Health
For neurological and cognitive support in dogs, a range between 2 to 4mg/kg twice daily is needed.
Canine Skin Health
ElleVet Sciences has extensively studied CBD and CBDA for their ability to help support a healthy immune response.
ElleVet Sciences’ clinical trial on dogs with sensitive skin showed that 2mg/kg given twice daily can promote calm skin and overall skin health. Dogs that did not respond to other options responded extremely well to CBD + CBDA at this level. We recommend starting with 2mg/kg.
Senior Wellness
All you want is to keep your dog or cat comfortable and happy during their golden years. For senior dogs or cats, the CBD + CBDA administration amount can vary depending on your pet’s comfort, starting at 2mg/kg twice-a-day.
What is the administration amount based on?
ElleVet has worked hard to scientifically establish administration guidelines for many types of pets.
Recommended administration for CBD + CBDA is based on your pet’s body weight and how fast they eliminate the product. ElleVet’s pharmacokinetic study found that CBD + CBDA needs to be taken twice daily for dogs and cats – with the option to add a third administration to your cat’s routine as needed – and twice a day for horses. Other species are very different. Parrots, for example, need about 15-30mg per kg of body weight!
You should also consider whether your pet has multiple support needs for which they are using CBD + CBDA. If your pet has multiple areas of concern, administration should follow recommendations for the use case that requires the highest amount.
How long does it take for CBD + CBDA to work?
The timeline for when you can expect to see results while your pet is using ElleVet’s CBD + CBDA is anywhere between two days and two weeks. Some pet owners see a noticeable improvement within 24 hours, while some can take up to two weeks. Note that administering CBD + CBDA at mealtimes will increase absorption.
The importance of personalized support
As a pet owner, you should be able to contact the CBD company and speak with an expert about your individual pet’s unique needs. It is important to be able to talk to a professional on the phone to get administration guidance based on your pet’s size, age, support needs, health, preferences, and a wide range of other factors.
ElleVet’s customer service team is always available to offer personalized support. If your pet isn’t experiencing your desired results, ElleVet can provide adjustments tailored to your pet – often times; a small change can make a world of difference.
Book a free online consultation with our on-staff veterinary technicians for questions about the administration of ElleVet’s CBD + CBDA products or to learn how CBD can help your pet have the best quality of life. We are here to help.
Any health or medical information in ElleVet blogs is from a variety of public and reputable sources. This information is intended as an educational resource only and is not a substitute for expert professional care.