Best CBD Oil for Dogs
Top 10 of 2023

Paul James Updated on December 24, 2024 Affiliate Disclosure Some links are specifically formatted for which we may receive a commission on resulting sales or clicks from affiliate partners (“Affiliate Links”).

If CBD oil has helped you, there’s no reason it can’t also help your pet. From Holistapet to LolaHemp, here are our topic picks for the best oil for dogs.

As cannabidiol (CBD) takes the alternative medicine community by storm, more and more people are asking the same question; is CBD oil good and safe for my pet? CBD is a cannabinoid (chemical compound) found within the cannabis plant. Unlike its fellow phytocannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), it does not carry any psychoactive effects.

For that reason as well as CBD’s inherent benefits, many pet owners have been using these oils for pets. CBD has been credited with several health benefits in humans – including reduced inflammation and decreased anxiety, and it was also found to work similarly in our pets. This is due to the fact that we both have an endocannabinoid system (ECS).

When it comes to CBD for pets, pet owners trying to provide the best care for their pets will come across misinformation and conflicting claims on the internet. The purpose of this article is to help you begin to understand how it will affect furry friend and what are the best oils for dogs currently on the market.

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What Is CBD Oil for Dogs?

CBD oils for pets are almost the same as CBD oils for humans. Generally speaking, there are three main differences differentiating pet products from human products:

  1. Dosage Amount – Body weight plays a fundamental role in how much CBD one should take. Being as animals generally have less body weight than humans, their oils are made with lower dosage amounts.
  2. Flavor – Since animals have a unique set of taste buds in comparison to our own, their products are flavored to best fit what they may enjoy.
  3. Ingredients – Some ingredients found in human oils are not safe or ideal for pets. Therefore, the ingredients used in pet oil can vary from the human version.

CBD oils are made by using a type of hemp extract. Currently, there are three primary extracts this industry uses:

  • Full-Spectrum – Includes all of hemp’s cannabinoids.
  • Broad-Spectrum – Includes all of hemp’s cannabinoids with the exception of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
  • Isolate – Purely CBD and no other cannabinoid.

Ideally, a broad-spectrum or isolate is better suited for pets as animals tend to be very sensitive to THC. However, being as full spectrum extracts contain less than 0.3% THC, your pet should be fine on any spectrum.

Top 10 Best CBD Oils for Dogs

Honorable mentions:

If you’re looking for CBD oil for dogs Canada, feel free to check out our guide!

How Can CBD Help Your Dogs?

Unfortunately, as of this time, there have been no formal studies that specifically look at the effects of CBD on our furry friends. What scientists know for a fact is that, similar to humans, dogs have an endocannabinoid system (ECS) located in their central nervous system (CNS). When a dog takes CBD, it indirectly affects their ECS. For this reason, dogs will receive similar health benefits of CBD, including (but not limited to):

  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Anti-nausea
  • Appetite stimulator
  • Arthritis
  • Cardiac benefits
  • Chronic pain relief
  • Inhibits cancer cell growth
  • Seizures

 

Currently, the AKC Canine Health Foundation is attempting to research how the use of CBD may be able to treat dogs struggling with epilepsy.

CBD Oil for Dogs Dosage Recommendation

When it comes to the best dosage for pets, there are a few things to consider. The most important is bodyweight – being as animals are usually of lighter bodyweight than humans, they do not require as much CBD to feel the same extent of therapeutic effects. However, keep in mind that the more pounds (lbs) they weigh, the more CBD is recommended.

There are a few other factors you should keep in mind when it comes to figuring out the right dosage for your dog:

  • Ailment – What is your furry friend struggling with? The answer to this question will determine how much you should give them. For example, a dog struggling with chronic pain will typically need more than a dog struggling with mild pain.
  • Strength of CBD Product – Some of the products mentioned on our list contains high concentrations of CBD. These are measured out in milligrams (mg). Generally speaking, the higher the milligram-count, the less you will need to give to your pet in order to feel the desired effects.
  • Tolerance – If your pet has been taking CBD for some time, their body may have become accustomed to it. With that said, you may need to give your pet more in order for him or her to feel the initial effects.

 

Since pets cannot speak to us, it can be difficult to decide what the best dosage amount is. Most pet owners experiment around with dosages – observing their pet’s behavior and if any improvements are made – before deciding the proper amount to give them.

Luckily, CBD is very safe for animals to take and your pet is highly unlikely to experience any intense side effects if you accidentally give them too much.

Our Criteria for Best CBD Oils for Dogs

It is in our best interest to make sure our furry friends only get the highest-quality products on the market. For this reason, we developed a set of criteria in order to decide what the best CBD oils for dogs were. These are as follows:

  • Certificate of Analysis (CoA) – Since the CBD industry is unregulated, reputable companies have taken it upon themselves to be transparent with consumers about the contents of their products. One way of doing this is by putting all their products through a third-party lab test. The lab reports this test generates will offer insight into the CBD, including its purity, its cannabinoid and terpene count, and whether or not it contains contaminants, such as heavy metals or pesticides.
  • Extract Type – CBD products come in three standard extract types: full spectrum, broad spectrum, and isolate. It’s important to understand these extract types and the slightly different effects each of them produces. Furthermore, some animals may be highly sensitive to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). For that reason, it may be in your best interest to only use a broad spectrum or CBD isolate.
  • Hemp Source – The majority of products on the market are derived from the cannabis plant known as hemp. With that, it is vital you make sure the company you purchase from sources their hemp from ethical and organic farms.
  • Ingredients – While CBD oils don’t contain too many ingredients (usually just hemp extract and coconut oil), it’s still in our best interest to know what our furry friends are consuming. With that, we always suggest looking at the ingredients listed on a product’s page. This will help you identify if the product meets the dietary requirements of your pet.
  • Potency – As mentioned, animals tend to not need as much as humans (depending on their size). For this reason, you will want to always keep an eye out for the potency of oils before you purchase. The potency is usually identified in milligrams (mg) on the product label.
  • Pricing – While pricing shouldn’t necessarily be a decision-maker, it can give you an idea of the company. Admittedly, higher-priced products are usually of better quality. Not to mention, if you purchase a larger mg bottle of CBD oil, it’s likely you’ll have to pay more. You’ll also want to make sure companies offer a money-back guarantee. We offer coupon codes for all of the brands on our list to help you save on pricing.

Will Your Dog Experience Side Effects From CBD?

Since no study has specifically looked into CBD and dogs, there is no conclusive evidence that CBD will result in any side effects to your canine. However, we do know of CBD’s side effects in humans. Therefore, it is possible you may run into these side effects when you give CBD to your furry friend:

  • Dry Mouth – It has been documented that CBD will reduce the amount of saliva one builds up. Within a dog, this may lead to them becoming thirstier.
  • Fatigue – CBD has been found to be a prominent anti-anxiety medication. However, these effects may also result in fatigue. Especially, if you are giving your dog high doses.
  • Low Blood Pressure – When CBD is taken in high doses, it has been reported to reduce blood pressure for a short period of time. This reduction typically isn’t significant but may leave some sensitive dogs feeling light-headed.

Currently, there are no identified risks when it comes to CBD and dog use. However, since the industry is not currently regulated, you may come across products that contain chemicals or ingredients that are dangerous to your pet.

As a result, it is very important you find a reputable company you can trust. In order to find a brand you can truly trust, consider the following points when looking at producers:

  • Ensure the company conducts third-party testing and publish the results.
  • Only purchase liquid forms of CBD for your dog (i.e. CBD oil or tinctures).
  • Do not always go for the cheapest product.
  • Choose organic products whenever possible.

 


Paul James

Paul James is a seasoned cannabis and CBD writer and expert. He is a mental health blogger who advocates CBD as a natural alternative to prescription medications. You can read more about this and other natural alternatives on his blog: https://bedlamite.co/."

Frequently Asked Questions

CBD oil usually takes a similar amount of time to affect pets as it does humans – this can range anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes. It all depends on how much and how well the CBD was absorbed into your pet’s body.