How to Find the Best CBD for Dogs

Did you know that 57% of U.S. households have a pet? And dogs make up the majority of pets owned in the country. 

If you’re a dog owner, you love your dog like any other member of the family. That’s why you’ll want to do as good for their health and happiness as you can. 

As such, you probably heard of CBD and how it can improve a dog’s physical and mental well-being. But is this true? And how do you find CBD products for Fido?

TL;DR? While there’s not enough research supporting these claims, CBD does seem to improve a dog’s quality of life in many ways. If this is your first time buying CBD, look for safety and quality factors such as lab test results and organic ingredients. 

I recommend CBDfx CBD Oil the most. They create specific products based on your dog’s weight. This makes the dosing experience significantly easier. Their products are natural and free of preservatives. CBDfx also offers other CBD products and offers lab testing for all products.

What Does the Science Say About CBD for Dogs

First things first, does CBD for dogs really work? Or is it just a bunch of snake oil? While there is no concrete scientific data for any of these symptoms and concerns, research is still ongoing and what has been found is positive.

Pain

CBD for pain hasn’t been tested for dogs the same way for humans. And it’s also easier for a human to say “I’m pain-free” than a dog. However, dog owners have reported benefits when giving their pup CBD.

Inflammation

Studies suggest that dogs experience the same anti-inflammatory properties when taking CBD as humans do. One particular study suggests that CBD may help dogs with Canine Osteoarthritis. 

In addition to inflammation, dogs with Canine Osteoarthritis typically experience stiff joints, pain, lethargy, loss of mobility, reluctance to play, and irritability.

Seizures

Seizures affect dogs, too. Fortunately, CBD shows serious promise in reducing seizures in dogs. So much so that 89% of dogs in a study experienced a reduction in seizures when taking CBD.

Stress

Dogs can get stressed for many reasons, such as during thunderstorms and when new humans visit. 

Relaxation is one of CBD’s most-touted benefits. If there’s a stressful event coming up, such as a trip to the vet or traveling, make sure you give your dog some CBD. CBD can also help your dog rest, especially if they get irritable when alone.

Loneliness

Another reason dogs may get sad and stressed is when they’re alone. This happens most often when their owner is at work. 

CBD can help your dog deal with loneliness and separation anxiety by calming your dog. Keep in mind, we’re relying on human data here. There have been no clinical studies to support these effects on dogs.

How to Find the Best CBD for Dogs

If you’re now interested in trying CBD for your pup, you’ll need to ensure you’re giving doggo a high-quality and safe product. Here are some factors to look for.

No THC

In case you didn’t know, THC is the psychoactive cannabinoid in the marijuana plant. The CBD products you will give your dog may have small traces of THC. While this isn’t enough to get them “high,” it’s still better that we avoid giving doggo any psychoactive cannabinoids.

Dog owners have two product options: CBD isolate and broad spectrum CBD. CBD isolates are the purest form of CBD, while broad spectrum contains complete plant compounds with no THC.

Lab Testing

Reputable CBD brands will conduct third-party lab testing on all of their products. 

You can view the lab test results by looking at the Certificate of Analysis (COA). The COA will display which cannabinoids the product contains, including whether or not it contains THC. It will also ensure the product is safe from toxins such as pesticides.

Price

You can find CBD products for dogs at all price points. CBD products are usually priced by potency. 

If you’re unsure which CBD strength to choose, set a budget. Put more priority on high-quality CBD products that are safe and contain no THC. If a better quality product is more expensive, it is worth buying.

Ingredients

Regardless of the type of CBD product you get for your dog, focus on high-quality ingredients that you can read. 

Ensure that the product contains organic hemp (you can usually read this information on the brand’s website) and ensure no artificial ingredients. 

Treats will likely contain dog-friendly flavors such as bacon, chicken, and even peanut butter. Ensure these flavors are natural.

How to Give CBD to Dogs

Now that you found a great CBD product, you may be wondering how to give your dog CBD in the first place. This depends on two factors: the type of CBD and the dosage.

Treats

Let’s discuss the easier one first. These are exactly what they sound like: dog treats infused with CBD. 

Giving your dog a CBD treat is very straightforward, and most brands have a recommended dosage. If the brand doesn’t offer a dosing guide, I suggest giving your dog one treat a day. You can also ask your vet for their recommendation.

Oil

CBD oil is the other option. This oil consists of food-grade carrier oil, MCT oil, and extracted CBD. 

The brand should also provide dosing guidelines. I suggest giving your dog no more than 0.5 ml/day if it doesn’t. If your dog doesn’t mind, it’s best to administer the oil directly in their mouth. If that doesn’t work, mix the oil in with their food.

Is CBD for Dogs Safe?

First and foremost, the side effects of CBD for dogs haven’t been properly evaluated. It’s impossible to say exactly how your dog will possibly react. Always consult with your veterinarian before giving your dog CBD.

These side effects are mild yet but have only been studied on human subjects:

Vomiting
Dry mouth
Low blood pressure
Diarrhea

With that being said, the few studies on dogs do show that CBD seems to be safe for Fido. Again, there are only a handful of studies available that support this.

How Long Should I Give My Dog CBD?

While CBD does seem to be safe, is it an excellent long-term treatment option for dogs? As with all advice, it’s best to ask your veterinarian this question. If they give you the okay for long-term use, ask for specific dosages.

How I Chose These Products

When I researched this list, these were the qualities I looked for:

Lab test results
No THC
Natural ingredients
Affordable price

Keep in mind, I couldn’t follow this list to a T. 

For example, a couple of products here have THC (they’re full spectrum products). But suppose I see the brand offers quality factors that other brands don’t (such as USDA-certified organic products). In that case, I will add them to the list for quality alone.

My Favorite CBD Products for Dogs

Are you looking for CBD products for your doggo? Here are some of our favorites!

Simple Wag CBD Oil

Simple Wag takes the top spot on our list because their CBD oil is USDA-certified organic. While full spectrum CBD oil isn’t my first choice for dogs, they offer quality that other CBD brands don’t provide.

While this brand only offers CBD oil, they provide oil in three different potencies. Each product includes lab analysis, so you know what doggo is taking. Simple Wag also has dosing guidelines, so you always know how much CBD to give Fido.

Other benefits that Simple Wag offers include products made in the USA, hemp sourced from Colorado, and affordable pricing.

Pros

USDA-certified organic
Made in the USA and hemp sourced from Colorado
Three different CBD potencies that all include lab test results

Cons

Full spectrum CBD means there are slight traces of THC in the oil

Honest Paws Calm Bites CBD Dog Treats

I like Honest Paws because of the diversity of its products. They not only offer treats but various treats for all dogs. 

I chose the Calm bites because more fur parents give their dogs CBD to reduce stress and separation anxiety. However, Honest Paws offers treats formulated for mobility, wellness, and more.

All of the Honest Paws’ products include third-party lab results, and their products are organic with full spectrum hemp. Again, I don’t like THC in these, but I’m choosing this for quality and product diversity. 

If you’re not happy with your purchase, Honest Paws offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Pros

Organic
Made with wholesome ingredients, such as organic oats and peanut butter
Form of a dog treat

Cons

Holistapet CBD Capsules for Dogs and Cats

Holistapet is one of the most reliable CBD for both dogs and cats. While CBD oil is popular among dog owners, I want to include the capsules here to offer pet parents some diversity. 

Like many other products, Holistapet offers different CBD strength levels for its capsules. 

I absolutely LOVE how their products contain no THC and 100% natural ingredients. You can also find third-party lab test results with this product and all of the products in their catalog. Plus, Holistapet is affordable and always hosts sales.

Pros

Vegan CBD capsules
100% natural ingredients
Formulated for pets
No THC

Cons

Only available for buyers in the USA

CBDfx CBD Oil for Pets – Small Breeds 250mg

Not sure how much CBD to give your dog? CBDfx makes this process easy. They separate their CBD oil in breed size. While I chose the small breed here, they also offer CBD oil for medium and large breeds. They also offer an extra strength option for large breeds.

While CBDfx primarily makes products for humans, they have a pet section where they sell dog treats and various CBD oils. Their products are affordable, and your dog will love these yummy flavors – the oil flavor I linked here is bacon! Specifically, natural bacon flavor.

All of CBDfx’s products undergo lab testing, and their products are free of preservatives and other additives. They use broad spectrum CBD, which contains all essential cannabinoids and terpenes sans THC. They use MCT oil as the base, and this oil is organic.

Pros

Third-party tested for safety
Affordable
Organic and non-GMO
CBD oil potencies based on dog size

Cons

These product dosages and potencies may not work for all dogs of the corresponding sizes.

Medterra CBD Joint Support Pet Soft Chew

If you like the idea of purpose-specific CBD products, another common one you’ll find is joint support. 

I personally love these chews by Medterra. These chews are made with CBD isolates made with 99.6% pure CBD. 

Medterra also includes other ingredients, such as MSM, glucosamine, and chondroitin. These ingredients, specifically glucosamine and chondroitin, improve pain and your joint health for the long term.

These chews are ideal for both dogs and cats, but I feel the peanut butter flavor will attract dogs more than cats.

Pros

Affordable
Lab-tested
Good customer service
No THC
Additional ingredients to improve the joints

Cons

They don’t offer free shipping

FAQs

Question: Where Can I Buy These Products?

Answer: I attached the website links to all product recommendations. If you prefer shopping in-store, I suggest looking at your local grocery and health food stores. Many cannabis and CBD dispensaries also sell products for pets. Just ensure they contain no or less than 0.3% THC.

Question: Will My Dog Get High From Full Spectrum CBD?

Answer: While I tried finding THC-free CBD products for dogs, some great brands only sold full spectrum CBD. Full spectrum means all hemp plant compounds are in the product, including 0.3% or less THC.

As you can see, this isn’t a lot of THC. But will my dog still get high? Fortunately, most dogs won’t get high. But THC does come with its own side effects, such as increased heart rate, drowsiness, and even dizziness. It’s best to start your dog off with THC-free CBD products. 

Always talk to your vet about giving your dog any CBD, especially products made with THC.

Question: How to Dose CBD Products for Dogs?

Answer: It depends. Most brands will either provide a dose or suggest a specific dose based on your dog’s weight. However, there are times you may want to give your dog a larger dose. It’s best to seek advice from your vet in this situation.

Bottomline

Dogs are some of the most popular pets for a reason. They’re loving and loyal, making them the perfect companion. That’s why pet owner wants to give their fur babies the best care possible.

You may have heard of CBD. While there aren’t enough studies to prove CBD’s full range of benefits, studies show they can improve a dog’s quality of life in different ways. 

If you want to try CBD for your dog, look at our product recommendations. Make sure you research the brand and product to ensure it’s the right fit for your dog.