Science has shown us that cannabidiol (CBD) isn’t just for humans – our beloved canine companions are equally capable of experiencing the many known benefits associated with cannabidiol, and the hemp plant in general. Therefore, it’s no surprise that a massive surge of CBD companies are developing CBD-infused supplements for dogs, which are specially developed to suit the unique needs of their bodies. Many of our furry friends suffer from separation anxiety, chronic pain like joint pain, and other issues that, as dog owners, we want to ease. If you’re a pet owner with an interest in starting your canine on a hemp oil routine for specific issues or even just for general wellbeing, you’re not alone and you will soon see why.
CBD for Dogs: 4 Recommended Brands in 2022
Coming up with the best CBD oil tinctures out of hundreds upon hundreds that are currently available on the market was no easy task. We had to consider all kinds of factors that impact safety, effectiveness, and overall quality of formula. That being said, after holding each CBD oil that we observed to extremely high standards, we were able to determine which ones clearly stood out.
- Fab CBD Dog Treats – Best Overall
- NuLeaf Naturals – Best CBD Oil for Dogs
- Blessed CBD – Best CBD Oil Not Specifically Made for Dogs
- Honest Paws – Best CBD Balm for Dogs
Best CBD for Dogs: Our Selection Criteria
Naturally, dog owners want only the very best supplements for their precious canines, and that’s why we took this selection process incredibly seriously. Not all brands that are producing hemp oil products are going above and beyond to ensure that their formulas are as high in quality as possible. That’s why we developed strict selection criteria based on the following:
- Hemp Source: How a brand sources their hemp is very important, as organic, domestically grown hemp is superior. It’s fresher and therefore more potent, and it’s grown under strict American standards while being free of pesticides, heavy metals, and other contaminants.
- Quality of Ingredients: The other ingredients in a CBD dog product matter tremendously. They have to be ingredients that are known to be safe for dogs to consume and must be naturally derived while being sourced with utmost carefulness.
- CoA Availability: Naturally, all CBD-infused products made for dogs should undergo third-party lab testing, which provides insight into the purity, safety and potency of a brand’s hemp extracts.
- Flavors: We looked at whether or not CBD dog products have natural flavors that appeal to dogs, and similarly, if they avoid flavors that appeal to humans but not to canines.
- Strength: The milligram strengths of CBD dog products matter a great deal, as dogs have specific needs when it comes to how potent their daily servings of cannabidiol should be.
- Brand Reputation: The reputation of the brand producing the CBD products is enormously important. We looked at reviews to make sure that dog owners are extremely satisfied with a company’s products.
4 Best CBD Products for Dogs: Leading Brands You Can Buy from in 2022
#1: FAB CBD Dog Treats – Best Overall
Generally speaking, FAB CBD is producing some of the finest CBD oil products on the market at the moment. This CBD brand simply goes above and beyond in every way to maintain customers’ trust and deliver the most effective and cleanest products that exist. FAB is renowned for the purity levels they achieve with their various formulas, along with the exceptional ingredients that they use, which all come from natural sources. They also have a 30-day money-back guarantee which gives new customers peace of mind when exploring the world of CBD.
FAB CBD Highlights:
- Uses organic, domestic hemp
- Very transparent with customers
- Naturally derived ingredients
- Large variety of products
- Full spectrum CBD oil products
The CBD Dog Treats from FAB CBD
FAB CBD dog treats are an easy way to get your pooch to take their daily dose of hemp, with an irresistible peanut butter and apple flavor that they’ll scarf right up. Free of wheat, soy, corn, and other unwanted and unnecessary additives, solvents, or preservatives, they boast an ultra-clean and gentle formula, while having a soft crunch that your dog will find appealing. These treats are specially formulated with natural herbs that add a calming effect to each serving.
Source of Hemp: Colorado
Additional Ingredients: Peanut butter, apples, coconut oil, tapioca syrup, passionflower, chamomile
Certificate of Analysis: Proverde Labs
Flavors: Peanut butter and apple
Strength: 3mg per treat / full spectrum hemp
Brand Reputation: Excellent
Pros:
- Calming formula
- All-natural
- Comes with dosing instructions
- Organic hemp
- High bioavailability
Cons:
- No flavor selection
#2: NuLeaf Naturals – Best CBD Oil for Dogs
NuLeaf Naturals has worked hard to earn a superb reputation for their quality of products and transparency with customers that lets them in on the entire process of manufacturing the brand’s premium hemp. They are clear about how they source their plant material all the way up to the ingredients in each product found within their giant catalog. The company offers all kinds of appealing hemp formulas including ones that highlight the properties of alternative cannabinoids like cannabinol (CBN) and cannabigerol (CBG).
NuLeaf Naturals Highlights:
- Organic hemp, grown in Colorado
- No fillers or chemical additives
- High transparency
- Generous selection of products
- CBN and CBG products
The CBD Oil for Dogs from NuLeaf Naturals
Available in a variety of sizes to accommodate different dogs’ daily needs, NuLeaf Naturals CBD Oil (dogs) boasts an ultra-clean formula consisting of only full spectrum hemp extract and hempseed oil which is rich in essential nutrients like omega fatty acids. Easy to administer, it can be given as a sublingual or added to your dog’s food.
Source of Hemp: United States
Additional Ingredients: Hempseed oil
Certificate of Analysis: n/a (requires product batch number to access)
Flavors: None
Strength: 3mg per drop / full spectrum hemp
Brand Reputation: Excellent
Pros:
- Only 2 ingredients
- Nutrient-rich hempseed oil
- Full spectrum
- Three bottle sizes
- Organic, domestically grown hemp
Cons:
- Unflavored
#3: Blessed CBD – Best CBD Oil Not Specifically Made for Dogs
Blessed CBD is a UK-based brand that is putting all of their resources into developing the best hemp you can find across the Atlantic. The company works carefully with the finest hemp plant material and cutting-edge extraction methods to ensure maximum purity, bioavailability and chemical stability, which translates into an effective experience with cannabidiol. Their product selection covers everything from gummies to topicals, while their small-batch approach pays off in the quality control department.
Blessed CBD Highlights:
- Small batches
- Advanced extraction methods
- All-natural ingredients
- Based in the United Kingdom
- Knowledgeable customer service
The CBD Oil from Blessed CBD
Although it’s not made specifically for dogs, Blessed CBD Oil is a product that you can share with your canine. As the bottle contains 500 milligrams per 30 milliliters, you can easily dose out the proper amount for your canine before you take your own daily dose of hemp.
Source of Hemp: United Kingdom
Additional Ingredients: Hempseed oil
Certificate of Analysis: Phytovista Laboratories
Flavors: None
Strength: 500mg per 30ml bottle / broad spectrum hemp
Brand Reputation: Excellent
Pros:
- THC-free broad spectrum hemp
- Only two ingredients
- Rich in nutrients
- Organic hemp
- Perfect for dog and owner alike
Cons:
- No flavors to choose from
#4: Honest Paws – Best CBD Balm for Dogs
One brand that has dedicated everything they have to focusing on CBD-infused pet products is Honest Paws, and we love the effort that they put into sourcing the most effective, property-rich and safest ingredients for our furry friends. They have everything you could ask for when it comes to getting your pet onto a CBD routine – chews, topicals and more, while incorporating into their formulas superfoods known to benefit the bodies of cats and dogs.
Honest Paws Highlights:
- Only makes CBD products for pets
- All-natural ingredients
- Enhanced with superfoods
- Offers all kinds of pet-friendly products
- High bioavailability
The Relief Pet Balm from Honest Paws
We love this innovative balm formula which is designed to protect your dog’s skin from irritation, dryness and discomfort, while delivering CBD deep into the muscles and joints for maximum topical relief. It combines pure, non-gmo hemp extract with a variety of plant-based oils and butters that offer intensive moisture to their skin along with health benefits that keep the skin generally healthy.
Source of Hemp: USA
Additional Ingredients: Coconut oil, shea butter, sweet almond oil, olive oil, jojoba oil and aloe vera
Certificate of Analysis: n/a (product QR code must be scanned to access)
Strength: 450mg per container / full spectrum hemp oil
Brand Reputation: Excellent
Pros:
- Full spectrum hemp
- Targeted, localized effects
- Enhanced with moisturizing ingredients
- 100% plant based
- Safe for pets’ skin and fur
Cons:
- Only for localized issues
What is CBD, and is It Really Beneficial for Your Dog?
Research has found that like humans, all mammals have an endocannabinoid system (ECS) that uses cannabidiol and other compounds in the cannabis plant to help regulate systems of the body to promote a state of homeostasis. Dogs can therefore generally tolerate and receive the same benefits from CBD hemp oil as we do. There is no difference between human-grade organic CBD oil and dog CBD oil.
Study #1: Discovered that dogs feel calmer after being administered cannabidiol. The research exposed canines to fireworks which is a known fear trigger. The dogs who were given a CBD dosage were less reactive to the loud noise, while the dogs that were not given CBD responded predictably with anxiety.
Study #2: Cornell University’s data showed that cannabidiol can be extremely useful to dogs that have osteoarthritis, as the administering of CBD minimized their joint pain and increased their mobility.
It is important to point out that since dogs have the same ECS that we do, these are only two of several potential benefits associated with giving them CBD extract. More studies are being conducted in the future to display the specific ways in which this cannabinoid can benefit canines.
Many Potential Benefits of CBD for Dogs, Explained
CBD has been researched for its benefits that affect all mammals since its discovery in 1965. Among its most prominent benefits are:
- Pain relief: CBD contains anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that can work together to alleviate pain, desensitizing the nervous system’s pain receptors while reducing inflammation
- Anxiety relief: CBD works with neurotransmitters in the brain that determine our mood and levels of stress
- Aid in sleep: CBD can regulate the balance between melatonin and other neurochemicals that balance our sleep cycle
- Aid in symptoms of depression: CBD may regulate serotonin production in a way that can be useful in those with depression
- Increase in appetite: CBD can regulate appetite to encourage a dog to consume more food
- Immune benefits: CBD attaches to cannabinoid receptors in the immune system that regulate overall immune response
- Reduction in inflammation of the digestive tract: CBD also works with cannabinoid receptors in the digestive system that balance inflammation levels
- Reduction in seizures: CBD acts as a neuroprotectant that may improve neurological function to reduce frequency and severity of seizures
CBD Oil vs. CBD Treats: Which One is Best for Dogs?
You’ll see in the list above that we promote both CBD oil and CBD treats for dogs. So, which is better? Simply put, it comes down to the personal preference of both you and your dog.
- CBD Oil: CBD oil is more versatile as it’s a simple oil formula that can be added to food or administered sublingually. It’s easy to control the amount of CBD based on how many drops you administer.
- CBD Treats: CBD treats hide hemp extract in an irresistible treat formula with a flavor that is carefully developed to appeal to dogs. It can be easier to use CBD this way, as your pup will likely be naturally more drawn to a treat than to a CBD tincture or using a dropper.
Is CBD Considered Safe for Your Dog?
Because dogs have endocannabinoid systems, as we mentioned earlier, cannabidiol is nontoxic to canines. There have been no reports thus far of serious side effects caused by giving CBD to dogs. Also, CBD is non-intoxicating and non-addictive, making it a safe choice for dogs overall.
How Often Should You Give CBD to Your Dog?
Ultimately, your veterinarian can provide you with more personalized information, but overall, dogs can tolerate a daily serving of cannabidiol. In fact, daily administration might be the leading option. Why? Well, because cannabinoids work cumulatively to be more effective when consumed consistently.
Which Product Should You Pick for Your Furry Friend?
You and your veterinarian can discuss your dog’s unique needs to help come up with the pet product for them. You’ll need to consider your dog’s health, the severity of their needs, and their personal preferences in terms of things like flavor and consistency. This is all to ensure that the CBD product you select will appeal to them.
What Do Veterinarians Suggest When it Comes to Giving Your Dog CBD?
A veterinarian’s suggestions will depend on the unique needs of your dog, and that’s why it’s critical to have a discussion with them prior to starting them on cannabidiol. However, keep in mind that current laws mean that vets cannot recommend CBD directly. They can provide some guidance, which is why you should ask them questions about product type, dosage, frequency of dosing, and the risk of side effects.
To elaborate a bit more, this was a reference from the American Kennel Club:
“Dr. Klein: According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, “under current federal and state law, veterinarians may not administer, dispense, prescribe or recommend cannabis or its products for animals.” Laws are changing rapidly, so this may change in some areas of the country. Your veterinarian is likely able to provide recommendations for other products or medications to treat your pet’s problem.” [Source]
How to Buy CBD Oil Online Legally
CBD oil is 100% legal under federal law (2018 Farm Bill), and in all 50 states, as long as it:
- Comes from the hemp plant rather than the marijuana plant.
- Is tested to show that it contains a maximum of 0.3% delta 9 THC.
It is extremely unlikely that you will encounter CBD oil online that breaks either of these rules. But, just to be safe, always buy from a reputable brand that has established a good online presence and has lots of positive reviews. The amount of THC is important, both for legal considerations and health reasons.
Will CBD Cause Any Side Effects?
Overall, CBD oil is not associated with any major side effects for dogs or any other species. However, these mild, temporary side effects may occur if a dog is particularly sensitive to CBD:
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Reduced blood pressure
- Increased appetite
Where Can You Buy CBD Products for Your Dog?
Ultimately, we recommend that you buy CBD-based pet oil online from a top CBD brand that has a very strong reputation. Purchasing directly from the manufacturer ensures authenticity, meaning that the cannabidiol is completely legitimate. Buying online also makes it easy to learn about different types of CBD and how the product is made, in order to then ensure that it’s safe for your dog while making it simple for you to access lab results as well.
Final Thoughts
CBD is a great product to give to your dog on a regular basis, as it supports their body’s ECS to promote a sense of equilibrium that can benefit them in numerous ways. If you want to know that you’re giving your dog the safest and most effective high quality CBD oil possible, make sure to have a conversation with your veterinarian beforehand to ensure that you give your dog exactly what they need in order for them to feel their best. From there, if given the go-ahead from your vet, consider any of the brands above, since they are known for producing some of the highest-quality CBD that you can find anywhere.
