How to administer CBD oil to your pet?

Administering CBD oil to an animal is not just a matter of putting a few drops in its food. You must first check that the product is suitable for the species concerned, determine the amount to give with a veterinarian and choose a method that the animal tolerates without stress.

Particular caution is important because oils do not all have the same concentration. The number of drops alone does not indicate the amount of CBD administered.

Before the first administration

A veterinarian must be able to take into account the species, weight, age, state of health and any ongoing treatments. These factors may affect tolerance to the product and the risk of interaction.

Increased caution is required for:

• very young or elderly animals;
• pregnant or nursing females;
• animals with liver or kidney disease;
• animals with neurological disorders;
• animals already receiving medication;
• weakened, dehydrated or convalescing animals;
• species other than dogs and cats, for which data may be particularly limited.

CBD must not delay a diagnosis. Limping, loss of appetite, unusual agitation or a change in behaviour can have many causes that require a veterinary examination.

Check that the oil is suitable for the animal

Do not automatically use oil intended for humans. It may contain flavourings, essential oils, sweeteners or other ingredients unsuitable for animals.

Before administration, check:

• the species for which the product is intended;
• the complete list of ingredients;
• the clearly stated CBD concentration;
• the THC content and available certificate of analysis;
• the volume contained in the bottle;
• the storage instructions;
• the batch number and best-before date;
• the recommendations given by the veterinarian.

Why does THC require particular attention?

Animals can react to THC, even when exposure is accidental. Oil intended for an animal should have a controlled composition and correspond to the veterinarian’s recommendations.

Never give an animal a cannabis preparation whose origin or THC content is unknown. Flowers, resins, cannabis food products and consumption leftovers must also be kept out of its reach.

Understanding the stated amount

The concentration of an oil may be stated as a percentage, in milligrams per millilitre or as a total amount of CBD in the bottle. Two bottles of the same volume may therefore deliver very different amounts in a single drop.

Drop size also varies according to the pipette, the viscosity of the oil and how the bottle is held. An indication in millilitres measured with a graduated pipette is generally more precise than simply visually counting drops.

Preparing for administration

Choose a calm time and a familiar place. Prepare the bottle before calling the animal to limit waiting and stress.

1. Read the label and check the concentration once again.
2. Check the amount specified by the veterinarian.
3. Shake the bottle only if requested by the manufacturer.
4. Draw up the volume with the supplied pipette or recommended device.
5. Remove any air bubbles that prevent an accurate reading.
6. Close the bottle immediately after use.

Do not place the pipette tip on a dirty surface. If it comes into contact with the mouth or food, clean it according to the manufacturer’s instructions before putting it back in the bottle.

Administering the oil directly into the mouth

Direct administration makes it possible to check that the prepared amount has been given. However, it is suitable only for a calm animal that accepts handling.

Approach without sudden movements. Gently place the tip at the side of the mouth, in the space between the cheek and teeth, then release the oil slowly. Give the animal time to swallow.

Do not direct the pipette towards the back of the throat. Administration that is too fast or forced increases the risk of aspiration. Do not tilt the head sharply backwards or squeeze the muzzle to force the animal to swallow.

With a dog

Many dogs accept administration from the side of the mouth, especially if the action is introduced gradually and associated with a positive experience. Let the dog sniff the closed pipette before the first use.

Avoid holding its head firmly. For a dog that refuses oral handling, a small portion of food may be preferable if the veterinarian and the product instructions authorise this method.

With a cat

Cats can be sensitive to smells, taste and restraint. A forced attempt may increase their stress and make subsequent administrations more difficult.

Approach with the pipette from the side rather than from the front and dispense the liquid very slowly. If the cat refuses, ask the veterinarian whether the product can be mixed with a small amount of food it enjoys.

Mixing the oil with food

This method may be easier for an animal that refuses the pipette. Place the specified amount on a very small portion of food and wait until it has been completely eaten before serving the rest of the meal.

Avoid mixing the oil directly into a large bowl. If the animal does not finish its meal, you will not know how much it actually received.

Also observe the other animals in the household. The prepared portion must be eaten only by the animal concerned.

Can a treat be used?

A small treat compatible with the animal’s diet may make administration easier. However, check that the oil is absorbed and that the entire portion is swallowed.

Do not routinely use very fatty, sweet or salty food to mask the taste. Animals with allergies, digestive disease, excess weight or a veterinary diet need a solution suited to their diet.

Choose a method and stick to it

Frequently switching from direct administration to administration with food may alter the conditions of use. To facilitate monitoring, choose with the veterinarian a method that you can reproduce regularly.

Record in a notebook or app:

• the date and time of each administration;
• the product and its concentration;
• the volume actually given;
• the method used;
• any other medicines taken;
• the behaviour, appetite and reactions observed.

This information helps the veterinarian interpret a reaction or an absence of change. It also reduces the risk of two people in the same household administering a double amount.

What should you do if a dose is missed?

Do not automatically double the next administration. The appropriate course of action depends on the product, the intended amount, when the missed dose is noticed and the animal’s situation.

Follow the instructions given by the veterinarian or contact the practice if in doubt. If several people care for the animal, use a monitoring chart to confirm each administration.

Which adverse effects should be monitored?

After the first administrations or any change decided by the veterinarian, observe the animal carefully. Possible reactions are not limited to drowsiness.

Stop administration and promptly seek veterinary advice in the event of:

• marked drowsiness or difficulty waking up;
• an unsteady gait, weakness or falls;
• agitation or unusual behaviour;
• excessive salivation;
• vomiting or persistent diarrhoea;
• tremors;
• prolonged loss of appetite;
• disorientation;
• unusual incontinence;
• seizures or loss of consciousness.

What should you do in the event of accidental ingestion?

Contact a veterinarian, emergency clinic or the poison control service recommended in your region immediately if the animal has chewed the pipette, knocked over the bottle or ingested an unknown amount.

Do not wait for symptoms to appear and do not try to make the animal vomit without professional instruction. Some home methods may worsen the situation or cause aspiration.

Prepare the following information:

• the animal’s species, weight and age;
• the exact name of the product;
• the stated CBD and THC concentration;
• the amount potentially ingested;
• the approximate time of exposure;
• symptoms already observed;
• other medicines taken by the animal.

Interactions with medicines

CBD may influence how the body processes certain substances. An interaction may alter the intensity or duration of a medicine’s effects, particularly when several products have sedative effects.

Tell the veterinarian about the complete list of medicines, supplements and natural products given to the animal. Do not stop or reduce a prescribed treatment to replace it with CBD without professional advice.

Livestock and animals intended for the food chain

Administration to livestock raises additional questions concerning veterinary medicines, animal feed and residues in foodstuffs of animal origin.

Do not give CBD oil to an animal producing milk, eggs or meat intended for consumption without explicit instructions from a veterinarian familiar with the applicable Swiss requirements.

Store the bottle safely

Follow the conditions stated on the packaging. As a general rule, the bottle should remain properly closed and protected from light, heat and major temperature variations.

Keep it out of the reach of animals and children, preferably in a locked cupboard. Do not leave the pipette accessible: the smell of oil may attract some animals and lead to the ingestion of a large amount.

Keep the product in its original container to preserve the concentration, batch and durability information. Do not transfer the oil into an unidentified bottle.

Mistakes to avoid

• Choosing human oil without checking all its ingredients.
• Improvising an amount based on weight alone.
• Confusing percentages, milligrams, millilitres and drops.
• Changing products without having the amount recalculated by a professional.
• Forcing a pipette towards the back of the throat.
• Mixing the oil into a large portion that may not be finished.
• Giving a second amount because the first administration seems uncertain.
• Masking a symptom without investigating its cause.
• Ignoring medicines and supplements already administered.
• Leaving the bottle within the animal’s reach.