Just like you and I, our beloved dog buddies experience stress and anxiety, as well as aches and pains that come with aging. That’s why CBD oil is a great choice to help your dog live a more comfortable and happy life.
CBD is booming — it’s now approaching $2B as an industry — and there’s definitely no scarcity of CBD products on the market for dogs and cats, as well as their human companions. But so much variety of products can be a double-edged sword: how do you know which CBD products to shop for? Is CBD for dogs safe? Do CBD hemp products even work at all? How do you tell a good CBD oil for dogs from a bad one?
Not to worry, pet parents. It’s way easier and safer to find a quality pet CBD oil product than you might think. There are just a couple of nuggets of knowledge you’ll need in order to confidently shop for your pet pal’s CBD products. Let’s take a look at some recommended CBD oil products for dogs that are on the market right now, and then we’ll examine what it is that makes these particular CBD oils so good.
Best CBD Oil for Dogs 2022
CBDfx CBD Pet Tincture
CBDfx has been a leader in the CBD industry since they hit the scene in 2014, and their pet CBD products have been a lauded addition to their catalog — particularly for us dog lovers. All CBDfx dog and cat CBD products are all-natural and vegan, and made with non-GMO, organically grown, and pesticide-free hemp. Every CBDfx CBD pet product is backed by an independent, third-party lab report, and to top it off, their pet CBD oils and CBD dog treats are all made with human-grade ingredients.
CBDfx’s naturally flavored CBD Pet Tincture is a vegan-friendly CBD oil made with high-quality processes and ingredients, and formulated with a bacon flavor so realistic you’ll wish CBDfx made a bacon-flavored CBD oil for people. CBDfx CBD Pet Oil Tincture is also available in four CBD strengths tailored to any dog, from Chihuahua to Terrier to Great Dane. If you’re a cat lover, the small-breed 250 mg strength is also a great CBD oil product for your feline friends.
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CBDfx CBD Dog Tincture
Created to provide just the right amount of calming, therapeutic CBD to your pup, the CBD Dog Tincture from CBDfx delivers long-lasting effects, and couldn’t be easier to administer. Naturally infused with a cruelty-free vegan chicken flavor that’s sure to satisfy any pup’s palate, this healthful CBD oil is available in CBD mg strengths for all dog sizes, from small dogs to extra-large pooches. And there is a 250 mg CBD feline formula for this chicken CBD oil tincture, as well.
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cbdMD Paw CBD Canine CBD Oil
A standout from the other CBD oils on our list, cbdMD’s Paw CBD Canine CBD Oil offers an alternative to the typical meat-flavored dog CBD oil. For this pet tincture oil, cbdMD selected a savory and delicious peanut butter flavor, containing nothing but MCT oil combined with CBD oil sourced from USA hemp, with added peanut butter extract. Broad spectrum CBD paired with the peanut butter flavor puppies love — this CBD oil for dogs is a match made in dog heaven.
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Medterra CBD Pet Tincture
Another trusted CBD brand, Medterra offers their unflavored Pet Tincture CBD oil for dogs made with 99% pure CBD and MCT oils in three strengths of 150 mg CBD, 300 mg CBD, and 750 mg CBD. This CBD oil for dogs is perfect for pups who aren’t into run-of-the-mill meaty flavorings, and for humans who don’t want to give their dog additional ingredients. The fats found in MCT oil aid in CBD absorption — a great combo to suit your pet’s needs.
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CBDistillery CBD Pet Tincture
Formulated with cold-pressed hemp oil, CBDistillery’s Full Spectrum CBD Oil Pet Tincture allows your dog to experience the same benefits of full spectrum CBD as you do. This 150 mg CBD oil for dogs is specially formulated, and designed to work with your dog’s natural systems and help with digestion.
It’s important to know that the strengths of all of the CBD oils for dogs on this list vary from brand to brand, so keep that in mind if you mix and match oil products.
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What to Know Before Giving Your Dog CBD
There are two very important steps to take before administering a CBD dog product:
- Ask your dog’s veterinarian about using CBD oil for dogs
- Understand what CBD is and how it affects a dog’s body
Regarding how CBD works for dogs, the best way to understand it is to understand how CBD works for humans, because the basics are the same.
What Is CBD and How Does It Work on Dogs?
Short for cannabidiol, CBD is a molecular compound known as a cannabinoid, one of over a hundred that exist naturally in the hemp, or cannabis, plant.
In almost all animals (including humans, birds, snakes, goldfish, cats and dogs) exists an endocannabinoid system that produces a number of compounds called — you guessed it — endocannabinoids. The endocannabinoid system, itself, is a cell-signaling system that is tightly integrated with our bodies’ central and peripheral nervous systems, along with the bodily systems and organs that regulate immune response, mood, sleep, digestion, and other functions. Cannabinoids, like CBD, interact with this system in much the same way as the body’s own endocannabinoids, assisting in helping the body to maintain homeostasis, or balance.
The hemp plant is brimming with wellness-boosting cannabinoids, like CBD, CBN, CBG, and CBC. Each individual cannabinoid has its own unique effects on the ECS’s various receptors, and also works in tandem with other cannabinoids to achieve the Entourage Effect, bolstering one another and creating a stronger, more powerful overall effect.
It’s because of these wellness benefits that so many people are turning to CBD in products as diverse as CBD gummies (CBD gummies being among the most popular CBD products), CBD vapes, CBD cream, CBD capsules, CBD tinctures, delta-9 THC oil products (not suitable for pets!), and even CBD mushroom extract!
Is it Safe to Give My Dog CBD Oil?
Yes, it’s safe to give your dog CBD as long as your dog is an adult, and not a puppy. The World Health Organization declared in 2017 that CBD is safe for animals.
Will My Dog Get High From CBD Oils?
CBD will not get your dog, or you, high. The psychoactive compound in cannabis that produces a “high” is called tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC for short. THC is found in large quantities in the form of cannabis generally referred to as marijuana. However, the CBD products we’re discussing are all derived from the low-THC form of cannabis called hemp.
It’s important to note that THC in large doses can be toxic to pets, so never administer products to your dog that have any THC content greater than 0.3%, which is the maximum legal amount found in full-spectrum CBD oil. Full-spectrum CBD oil is the initial oil that is extracted from the hemp plant, containing all of the cannabinoids (including CBD), terpenes, flavonoids, and healthy fatty acids of the plant.
Many consider the best type of CBD oil to use in CBD oil for dogs to be broad-spectrum CBD oil. Broad-spectrum CBD oil is the same oil as full spectrum CBD, but with those trace amounts of THC filtered out. Your dog still enjoys the benefits of the Entourage Effect, but in a THC-free CBD experience.
Why Give CBD to Dogs?
Anxiety and pain relief are the two most cited reasons people may choose CBD hemp oil as a natural supplement for their dog’s wellness.
Whether your dog is settling into a new home, experiencing stress from thunderstorms, fireworks, or separation anxiety when you’re not there during the day, there are a myriad of stressors that can affect our dogs — and in turn, affect us as our dog’s companions. These stressors can lead to destructive behavioral issues, which is why CBD is a very popular option for those with nervous or hyperactive pups. According to The American Kennel Club, “the calming effect of CBD can also cause slight drowsiness,” which is also true of products that contain additional supplements such as passion flower and chamomile.
As dogs age, it’s unfortunately common for them (just as it is for us) to experience pain and discomfort. Some dog breeds are especially prone to joint issues that can cause chronic discomfort that will only continue to get worse with time. Bearing in mind that the research into the use of CBD to ease chronic pain is currently ongoing, a Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine study cited by The American Kennel Club found that “dogs given CBD at a rate of 4.4 mg per pound twice daily for a month showed significant improvement in pain relief and quality of life.” We can’t legally give medical advice for the use of CBD, but we can tell you that the anecdotal evidence shows that CBD can ease aches and pains and potentially improve your dog’s quality of life.
What to Look for in CBD Products for Dogs
When shopping for CBD oil for dogs — or yourself, for that matter — here are a few important things to bear in mind if you’re considering a product.
Insist on Organic CBD
Almost like a wonder plant, hemp is quite useful for a wide variety of applications, including construction materials, fabric fiber, holistic medicine, and much more. One of the more intriguing properties of the hemp plant is its ability to act as a phytoremediator, siphoning heavy metals, toxic chemicals, and pesticides from the earth in which it grows.
However, all of those pesticides and chemicals will end up in the hemp plant itself (and ultimately, in your CBD oil). So, you should always choose CBD oil for dogs, cats, humans, or anyone else that is made with non-GMO, organically grown, and pesticide-free hemp.
Clean Oil Extraction
Many cost-cutting CBD brands will use cheaper methods to extract the CBD oil from the hemp plant. These oil extraction methods include the use of solvents, which can leave a chemical residue behind in your CBD oil. CO2 oil extraction leaves no solvent residue and actually is more efficient in pulling the CBD oil from the hemp. That means no toxins and more CBD and other healthful compounds for you — and your dog!
Third-Party Confirmation
You always want to choose CBD products that include a lab report supplied by a third-party, independent lab. These lab results inform you of the exact compounds (and their amounts) present in that given hemp product. This is to ensure the CBD oil you’re giving to your pet is free of THC and toxic pesticides — and to make sure you’re getting all the CBD you were promised on the product label. Every reputable CBD oil company will provide you with a third-party lab report.
How Much CBD Should I Give My Dog?
Knowing the amount of CBD to give to your anxious pup can cause some serious anxiety to you, yourself. And factoring in the variables of the size of your dog, your dog’s metabolism, and the concentration of CBD in whichever product you choose, it can be tricky to discern which product and dosage of CBD is right for your pet.
On top of that, a concerned pet parent’s internet search will reveal a whole range of CBD oil dosage recommendations for dogs, causing even more confusion.
So … how do you know what’s best?
- Ask your veterinarian
- Always follow the specific instructions on each CBD product
- Start small, with a low dosage
It may sound obvious, but the simplest way to make sure you’re giving your dog the correct dosage is to choose a CBD product specifically intended for your dog’s size. Always start with a low dose, and closely monitor your dog after administering CBD to watch for possible side effects, such as nausea, or simply any signal that your pet is uncomfortable with or not enjoying the experience of CBD.
Conclusion: CBD for Dogs
Yes, CBD oil for dogs is safe for your beloved best friend. And no, CBD oil will not get your pet high.
CBD oil can provide a calming, soothing, and therapeutic effect to make your dog’s life a little less stressful, and a little more enjoyable.
Talk with your vet and always listen to your dog’s body and behavior by monitoring how they react to CBD oil for dogs. Armed with this “best CBD oil for dogs” list and the CBD oil tips provided here, you can confidently shop for the best CBD product to help your beloved pet companion.
Today’s world can be a stressful place for humans and dogs alike. We all get by with a little help from our friends.
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