How Much CBD Should XS & Extra Small Dogs Get?

Extra small dogs are the favorites of queens and gentry from long years past and continue to be popular as family dogs and one-on-one companions today. Extra small dogs offer many benefits to their pet parents, including their small size, smaller appetites, and warm, loving natures. From the regal Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to the loveable and loyal Chihuahua, extra small dogs are making their homes in our hearts. You likely treat your extra small dog like a full member of your family. That’s why you want to give your dog the right CBD for her size. CBD for dogs poses some special challenges for XS pups, given their small size. In this article, we’ll discuss the CBD amounts for XS dogs and how to compute the right quantity for your dog.

What is the Correct Amount of CBD oil for XS or Extra-Small Dogs?

When it comes to CBD for extra small dogs, how much oil you give your dog will depend on your brand of CBD oil. The general guideline for giving dogs CBD is 1-2mg per 10lbs of body weight. This might be a few drops or a half dropper, depending on the concentration of CBD. So for a dog weighing 10lbs, her amount will be 1-2 mg of CBD, and a 20lb dog will be at 2-4 mg of CBD. We’ll go over how to calculate the correct amount of CBD oil for your dog no matter the brand in a later section.

Pet Releaf CBD for Extra-Small Dogs (1-25 lbs)

Every Pet Releaf product is sized by weight. For dogs 1-25 lbs, choose the bottle or bag labeled for that weight and follow the daily amount on the label.

Split the daily amount between morning and evening, start at the low end, and adjust gradually. For more detail by weight, see our CBD chart for dogs.

How to Compute CBD Quantities for XS Dogs

While many CBD companies will include a usage guide based on weight, you may find yourself in a position where you need to calculate this yourself. The general guideline is 1-2 mg of CBD per 10lbs of body weight. Let’s say your dog is 12lbs. We’ll round down to 10lbs for usage purposes. This means your dog’s quantity is 1-2 mg of CBD. What if your dog is extra, extra small? For a 6lb dog, their amount would still be 1-2 mg of CBD. You could, however, calculate on the smaller side and say your 6lb dog’s quantity is 0.5-1 mg of CBD.

Now, you need to figure out how much CBD is in one serving of your CBD oil. Divide the concentration of CBD by how many servings one bottle provides. This will tell you how much CBD is in one serving. Sometimes this information is listed on the product packaging or website. If the number of servings isn’t listed, assume 30, since most CBD products are designed to last a month. If you have a 100mg bottle of CBD oil, 100 divided by 30 is about 3. So, there are 3 milligrams per dropper or serving of your CBD oil. So your dog’s quantity at 1-2 mg of CBD is one-third to two-thirds of a dropper. At 0.5-1mg, her serving is one-sixth to one-third of a dropper. To calculate these small amounts, it’s easier if you go drop by drop.

Factors That Affect CBD Amounts for XS Dogs

Every dog is a little bit different. When it comes to CBD for XS dogs, each dog will uniquely process CBD. This will influence your dog’s individual CBD quantity. Your dog’s individual physiology is part of what makes him special. At the end of the day, how your dog is feeling will be the most important factor in determining his correct CBD amount. Look to your dog for guidance, if you don’t see an improvement within an hour or a few days, gradually up his quantity until you see the results you want. Here are a few more factors that will help guide you as you look for your dog’s correct CBD amount. Also—there’s no harm in simply sticking with the recommended usage. Your dog will still be benefiting from CBD.

1. How big is your dog?

Your dog’s weight will be the starting point for figuring out his best CBD amount. In general, smaller dogs need less CBD than larger dogs, just like they need much less food than a big dog. So, while this means you’ll be spending much less on CBD than a pet parent with a Great Dane, there is another factor to consider. Smaller dogs have much higher and faster metabolisms than large dogs do. This means they’ll process CBD much faster than their larger counterparts. Splitting the daily amount between morning and evening helps keep CBD in their system throughout the day.

2. How healthy is your dog?

Two dogs who weigh the same, but who are in different states of health will likely need different amounts of CBD. With healthy dogs, CBD is used to promote and support optimal wellness. If your dog has a health condition or takes medication, talk with your veterinarian before starting CBD.

3. What brand of CBD are you using?

If you’re using a lower quality CBD, then there may be less bioavailable CBD and other compounds from hemp. This is particularly true if the company uses heat to extract its CBD. This might mean you’ll need to use more CBD to see results.

4. What kind of CBD are you using?

Pet CBD products come in four main types: oils, capsules or powders, chews, and topicals.

1. CBD oil is considered to be the most cost-effective type of pet CBD and makes it easy to adjust small amounts for tiny dogs. CBD oil is generally given by mouth.
2. CBD capsules and powders offer a fixed amount. It may be hard to find capsules sized for extra small dogs.
3. Chews, or “treats”, are quite popular and easy to give your dog. While they aren’t really treats and need to be treated like supplements, they are flavored and dogs love them.
4. A topical is a CBD lotion and is typically used for surface-level skin support.

Why Pet Releaf for Extra-Small Dogs

Pet Releaf is dedicated to quality from the seeds they use to grow their hemp to how their products are made. Their hemp is USDA Certified Organic, grown with zero synthetic herbicides or pesticides. To ensure quality and a full cannabinoid profile, Pet Releaf uses supercritical CO2 extraction, with no solvents. Instead of preparing a CBD isolate, Pet Releaf makes a full spectrum extract, so pets get CBD along with the other naturally occurring compounds in hemp like terpenes and flavonoids. Every batch is third-party tested.

Pet Releaf’s Daily Releaf Oil 100 mg, sized for pets 1-25 lbs, is USDA Certified Organic. Compare every option on our CBD for dogs page.