Dogs make a house a home, so providing your loyal companion with the best possible life is important to pet owners.
CBD has many benefits as a gentle and natural compound for supporting your pet’s health. Whether your dog suffers from anxiety, arthritis, epilepsy, or cancer, CBD may be able to help.
In this article, we’ll be looking at the benefits of CBD for dogs and reviewing the 3 top CBD brands worth checking out to keep your pet happy and healthy.
Top 3 CBD Oil Brands for Dogs:
- Royal CBD — Best CBD Oil for Dogs
- Gold Bee CBD — Best Organic CBD Treats for Dogs
- Hemp Bombs CBD — Best CBD Isolate
What is the Best CBD Oil for Dogs?
1. Royal CBD
Royal CBD is a company that prides itself on quality. The company produces some of the finest CBD products on the market for humans and their pets.
The Royal Paws bacon flavor CBD oil comes in strengths of 125 mg, 250 mg, and 500 mg — giving you potency options whether you own a teacup chihuahua or a horse-size Great Dane.
These oils are full-spectrum, which means the oil contains more than just CBD — it also contains various other cannabinoids and terpenes naturally produced in the hemp plant.
When CBD is combined with the other active cannabinoids and terpenes present in hemp and cannabis, it’s far more effective at treating certain health conditions. This is known as the entourage effect.
Key Points:
- 3 potencies available
- Bacon flavor for your dog’s enjoyment
- Full-spectrum
- Uses certified organic hemp
- Independent lab tested
2. Gold Bee
Gold Bee is a smaller artisan company that produces a limited range of high-quality CBD products.
Its standard high-potency full-spectrum oil, although not dog-specific, is excellent for your dog. However, it has no tasty flavorings to entice your dog.
Its best product for dogs is 600 mg full-spectrum CBD oil. These tinctures contain a rich cannabinoid profile.
These CBD oils contain 30 mg of CBD per serving made with natural and simple ingredients, including peanut butter extracts, and terpenes. Gold Bee takes pride in its manufacturing and product quality, so the company chooses to create small batches to maintain the biscuits’ freshness.
Giving your pooch a dropper or two (depending on its size) before leaving them at home is a great way to calm your hyper dog.
Key Points:
- Full-spectrum
- 30 mg of CBD per serving
- Peanut Butter flavor
- Uses certified organic hemp
- High terpene & cannabinoid content — independent lab tested
3. Hemp Bombs
Hemp Bombs offers the best range of CBD isolate pet products on the market.
The Hemp Bombs product catalog contains dog-specific CBD oils in 125 mg, 250 mg, and 1000 mg. You can also find dog chews in 15 mg and 120 mg potencies for small and large breeds.
These products are excellent for dogs that react poorly to other cannabinoids, but they’re also valuable for dogs that suffer from stress, anxiety, and mild pain conditions.
Hemp Bombs offers two topical CBD products for dogs. Its CBD shampoo and conditioner contains 250 mg of pure CBD and is great for relieving itchy and irritated skin.
The CBD paw butter is ideal for keeping your dog’s paws moisturized and free from damage. This is great for dogs that are constantly walking on harsh terrain or live in colder climates where the road salt can lead to dry and cracked paws.
Key Points:
- CBD isolate
- Oils and treats in multiple potencies
- Dog-friendly topicals available
- Uses U.S-grown organic hemp
- Independent lab tested
What is CBD Oil for Dogs?
CBD is a non-psychoactive compound found in hemp and cannabis that boasts a wide range of health benefits.
CBD oil for dogs is the same as CBD oil for humans. However, unlike CBD oil for humans, the canine variants are usually flavored with your pooch in mind.
You’ll find CBD oil for dogs in meaty flavors that your dog will enjoy. You’ll also find CBD-infused dog treats that make your pup’s supplementation as easy as feeding them.
CBD’s not the only active compound in CBD oil.
There are over 100 cannabinoids found naturally in the hemp plant. Depending on the type of dog-specific CBD extract you purchase, many of these cannabinoids will be present.
CBD is considered far more efficient when used alongside these other cannabinoids. This is due to the entourage effect [1].
Three types of CBD are named according to their cannabinoid profiles.
CBD isolate is a pure extract of CBD without any other cannabinoids present. Broad-spectrum CBD contains a full cannabinoid profile excluding THC, and full-spectrum contains all the naturally occurring cannabinoids found in hemp (including THC under 0.3%).
Due to the entourage effect, full-spectrum CBD oil is considered the most beneficial to humans. The same goes for your dog because every mammal’s endocannabinoid system works in the same way.
How Does CBD Benefit Dogs?
Although few studies have been done on the effects of CBD on dogs, numerous studies have been done on humans and rats that have discovered a wide range of health benefits.
The endocannabinoid system in a dog is remarkably similar to ours and most other mammalian animals. So, it’s safe to assume that your dog will receive the same benefits we get from CBD.
These qualities are:
- Anti-inflammatory qualities
- Pain-relieving qualities
- Appetite stimulation
- Anti-nausea qualities
- Seizure-controlling properties
- Antibacterial qualities
- Sleep-promoting properties
Common Conditions that CBD can Support
1. Pain
CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system and the chemical signals responsible for inflammatory and pain responses [2].
CBD’s interaction with the ECS helps improve the communication between certain vital systems, including the body’s inflammatory response. CBD’s interaction with the vanilloid receptors in the central nervous system may also help reduce pain signals.
CBD and other cannabinoids present in full-spectrum CBD oil could relieve your dog’s pain from various conditions.
CBD’s common conditions that may be effective are arthritis, muscle pain, age-related pain, intervertebral disk disease, periodontal disease, and cancer-related pain.
2. Stress and Anxiety
Several studies have discovered that CBD is effective in the management of stress and anxiety [3]. Although these studies have primarily involved people, there’s strong evidence to suggest that the same effects can be seen in dogs.
CBD may increase gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in the brain. GABA is a naturally occurring amino acid that acts as a neurotransmitter associated with reducing stress, mood, and emotional responses.
Stress and anxiety are commonly seen in canines, with separation anxiety the most common form. Around 20 to 40 percent of dogs admitted to behavioral specialists suffer from the condition.
CBD could be a natural way to combat stress and anxiety in your dog without resorting to prescription veterinary treatments.
3. Seizures
Many people use CBD for epileptic seizures.
One study that looked into CBD’s effect on dogs suffering from epileptic seizures has also produced promising results [4]. More than 80 percent of dogs in the trial had a significant reduction in seizure frequency.
It’s safe to say that CBD is an effective treatment for seizures in canines.
4. Chronic Inflammation
CBD has anti-inflammatory properties and may be an effective treatment for inflammatory conditions such as arthritis.
One veterinary study discovered that when CBD oil was administered to dogs suffering from osteoarthritis, mobility significantly improved, and pain levels were reduced [5].
Several people are using CBD to treat their dog’s inflammatory conditions, and it’s now becoming widely accepted as a front-line treatment for canine osteoarthritis.
How to Choose the Right CBD Product for Your Dog?
As with most pet medications, administering them to your dog can be challenging, especially if your pooch is on the fussy side.
Choosing dog-friendly CBD products that are just as tasty as their normal treats will make both your life and your dog’s life much easier. It will make your dog’s experience much more enjoyable, and you will waste less CBD in the process.
CBD oil is one of the best ways to treat your dog. It provides the best bioavailability when administered under the tongue and gives you ultimate flexibility in dose.
If you want to be successful when administering CBD oil to your dog, you must purchase oil with a tasty flavoring. Bacon, chicken, and beef flavor CBD oils seem to work best for this.
If it’s impossible to administer CBD oil under the tongue of your dog, mixing the dose in your dog’s food is another option. You can also find CBD-infused dog treats.
CBD dog treats provide a simple way to treat your dog with CBD. Most high-quality CBD dog treats taste no different from what’s in their treat box at home, so medicating becomes easy.
2. CBD Isolate, Full-Spectrum, or Broad-Spectrum?
As with humans, choosing the right type of CBD for your dog and its condition is important.
So, what’s the difference between the three?
- CBD Isolate: a pure extract of CBD with no other cannabinoids or terpenes present
- Full-Spectrum CBD: a CBD extract that contains a full cannabinoid profile rich in cannabinoids and terpenes, including THC
- Broad-Spectrum CBD: a CBD extract with a full cannabinoid profile excluding THC
The best CBD for the widest range of conditions is full-spectrum due to the entourage effect [1]. Having a rich cannabinoid profile offers the best benefits for a variety of health conditions.
If your dog doesn’t react well to THC for some reason, then a broad-spectrum CBD oil is the next best thing. Your pooch will still benefit from the entourage effect to some degree but without the THC.
If your dog reacts badly to other cannabinoids in broad-spectrum CBD, CBD isolate is your next option. Your dog will benefit from the effects of CBD but won’t experience the entourage effect. This may mean that you may need to administer higher doses of CBD isolate products to reach the same level of effects as the full-spectrum products. Making it less effective for more serious conditions.
3. Sourcing CBD From a Reputable Company
Finally, sourcing CBD for your dog from a reputable company is key if you expect the best results.
There are many inferior products out there claiming to be high-quality CBD oil, but in reality, they pose no real benefits to your dog’s health.
Buying from a reputable company that openly displays third-party lab results for all products is essential during purchase.
In the lab results, you’ll find the percentage of CBD and other cannabinoids and terpene content and any chemical residues that may be in the product.
Never purchase CBD from a company that refuses to supply a third-party lab report.
Where to Buy CBD for Dogs?
Although dog-specific CBD products are less common than CBD for humans, you won’t struggle to find them.
If you’re heading to the mall, the most likely place you’ll find dog-friendly CBD is a large pet store or veterinary practice.
However, if you don’t mind waiting for the postman to deliver your dog’s CBD, the best place you can source it from is online.
Finding a reputable CBD company online is much easier than in the store.
You’ll be able to see detailed descriptions, look at lab results, and choose from a wider product selection.
Is CBD Safe for Dogs?
Just as CBD is safe for humans with few risks or side effects, it’s perfectly safe for your dog.
There are a few precautions you need to take when giving CBD to your dog. Dogs are smaller and more sensitive than humans, so treating them differs from how you may treat yourself.
CBD Dosage for Dogs
When treating a dog with CBD, the dose should be significantly lower than what you would give a human. Dogs are much smaller, and their digestive tracts work differently from ours.
A dog’s body weight, size, and age will affect the dose of CBD you give them. The condition you’re treating your dog for may also require a change in dose.
For example, a dog with cancer will need a relatively high dose, whereas a dog with anxiety issues will require a much lower dose.
There’s a simple way you can figure out the dosage for your dog.
First, you need to assess their condition.
If you’re giving your dog CBD to support chronic pain, you will need a high-potency dose if you’re treating your dog for something less serious such as stress, anxiety, arthritis, or age-related pain; a low-potency dose is needed.
Once you’ve figured out whether your dog needs a high- or low-potency dose, you can work out how much CBD in milligrams they’ll need from their body weight.
- Low-potency dose — 1 mg per 5-pounds of weight
- High-potency dose — 2 mg per 5-pounds of weight
As with humans, it’s important to start with a low dose to make sure your dog doesn’t have a negative reaction.
Once you’re certain your dog reacts well to the CBD, you can follow either the 1 mg or 2 mg per 5-pounds of weight rule. If you’re giving your dog CBD as part of a treatment for a condition, we recommend speaking with your vet to ensure it’s safe and won’t cause any negative interactions alongside prescribed medication.
Are There Any Side Effects of CBD for Dogs?
There are no serious side effects associated with CBD in dogs.
Some dogs may negatively react to CBD if they’re particularly sensitive or suffer from certain allergies. This is why it’s important to test a small amount of CBD on your dog and monitor their behavior.
Although there are no serious side effects for most dogs, there are some minor side effects that some breeds may experience:
- Dry mouth
- Lowered blood pressure
- Drowsiness
- Change in appetite
- Fatigue
Final Thoughts: Does CBD Work for Dogs?
Although there’s less clinical evidence to support the use of CBD in dogs, more and more studies are coming to the surface.
CBD definitely works for canines. It has the potential to treat several conditions, from mild anxiety to severe arthritis.
If you’re looking to supplement your dog’s condition with CBD, make sure you use a reputable supplier, do your research, and most importantly, speak to your vet if your dog is on any medication that the cannabinoid could react with.
References Used In This Article
- Russo, E. B. (2019). The case for the entourage effect and conventional breeding of clinical cannabis: no “strain,” no gain. Frontiers in plant science, 9, 1969.
- Russo, E. B. (2008). Cannabinoids in the management of difficult to treat pain. Therapeutics and clinical risk management, 4(1), 245.
- Blessing, E. M., Steenkamp, M. M., Manzanares, J., & Marmar, C. R. (2015). Cannabidiol as a potential treatment for anxiety disorders. Neurotherapeutics, 12(4), 825-836.
- McGrath, S., Bartner, L. R., Rao, S., Packer, R. A., & Gustafson, D. L. (2019). Randomized blinded controlled clinical trial to assess the effect of oral cannabidiol administration in addition to conventional antiepileptic treatment on seizure frequency in dogs with intractable idiopathic epilepsy. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 254(11), 1301-1308.
- Bland, S. D. (2015). Canine osteoarthritis and treatments: a review. Veterinary Science Development.
- Go, Y. Y., Kim, S. R., Chae, S. W., & Song, J. J. (2020). Cannabidiol enhances cytotoxicity of anti-cancer drugs in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 1-11.