Best CBD oil for dogs

Although formal research studies are limited, CBD oil has earned a reputation for providing a variety of benefits to humans and animals, with a growing body of anecdotal evidence. However, the CBD industry is still largely unregulated. So be sure to consult your vet or other animal healthcare professional before giving a CBD pet product to your furry friend.

To give you a leg up on your search, we’ve scoured the web for the best CBD pet products currently available — basing our picks on a strict set of criteria.

Compare some of the best CBD products for dogs

td>$20

Name	Average price	Type	Size	Concentration (mg)	Other info	Purchase
Cannanine	$40–$90	Oil	30 mL	250–1000	Organic, lab-tested, non-GMO, money-back guarantee
King Kalm	$40–$90	Oil	30 mL	75–300	Organic, lab-tested, also contains krill and hemp oils
NuLeaf Naturals	$39–$180	Oil	5–30 mL	240–1450	Organic, lab-tested, non-GMO, no additives
RE: Botanicals	$30	Tincture	30 mL	300	Organic, lab-tested, organic, non-GMO, cruelty-free
Lazarus Naturals Sensitive Pet	$12–$38	Tincture	15–60 mL	225–900	Lab-tested, non-GMO, vegan, full organic certification in 2022
Charlotte’s Web Calming Chews	Treats	30 chews	5		Also contains valerian root, passion flower extract and other ingredients

Types of CBD products for dogs

Ingredients

When searching for CBD for dogs, you’ll come across two main active ingredients: CBD oil and hemp oil. Although some companies use these terms interchangeably, they are not the same.

• CBD oil is derived from the all parts of the hemp plant — including the leaves, stems and flowers. CBD is a phytocannabinoid that many believe have a variety of health benefits for both animals and humans.
• Hemp oil, also called hempseed oil, is derived from only the seeds of the hemp plant. It contains very little – if any – CBD. Hemp oil is not believed to have the same purported benefits as CBD oil.

Vehicle

The most common vehicles, or methods used to deliver the CBD oil for pet products are oils, tinctures and treats. The best one for your pet will depend on their specific needs and preferences.

How to compare CBD products for pets

Look at these key features when comparing and choosing a CBD product for your pet:

• Price. CBD products can range anywhere from around $20 to $200 or more, depending on the type, concentration and purity. In general, the higher the price, the more concentrated the product. But just because a product is expensive doesn’t necessarily mean it’s high-quality. Be sure to consider these other factors as well.
• Ingredients. If you are looking to reap the claimed benefits of CBD for your pet, make sure the product you’re buying contains CBD oil and not hemp oil. While hemp oil may have other benefits, it does not contain CBD.
• Concentration. Compare the number of milligrams of CBD per serving to determine the concentration. Keep in mind that concentration also depends on the size of your dog and the suggested dosage per pound of body weight.
• Lab testing. Ideally, the product will have been tested by a third-party laboratory for purity and lack of heavy metals and additives. Many brands include the product’s certificate of analysis and lab results directly on their websites.
• Product type. Use the table above to help you decide what type of CBD product might be right for your pet. If you know Fido’s a picky eater, for example, pure oil might not be the way to go.

How can CBD oil help my pet?

CBD may offer a variety of purported benefits for your dog — though more formal research is needed to determine the validity of these claims. Scientists do know, however, that CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid systems of both humans and animals.

Just a few of the conditions that CBD may help to relieve include:

• Stress and anxiety. CBD products only contain trace amounts of THC at most, so they are not psychoactive. However, they may still possess the ability to relax and calm a stressed or anxious dog.
• Arthritis and other joint pain. By helping reduce inflammation, CBD oil may offer relief from joint pain.
• Chronic inflammation. Many diseases and ailments stem from chronic inflammation throughout the body. It’s believed that CBD may possess anti-inflammatory properties to help reduce symptoms.
• Seizures. A small clinical trial involving 16 dogs found promising evidence that CBD oil may help reduce the frequency of seizures in dogs.
• Digestive problems. CBD oil may help calm stomach and intestinal inflammation, thereby reducing symptoms of common digestive issues.
• Pain. Some evidence suggests that CBD may help reduce neuropathic pain caused by cancer or other diseases.

Because there are currently no formal dosing guidelines for CBD for dogs, it’s recommended that you start with smaller doses when first introducing anything new to your pet.

Is CBD safe for pets?

CBD oil appears to be safe and well-tolerated for animals and humans with few side effects, according to a 2017 report by the World Health Organization (WHO). That said, there is little research on the short- and long-term effects of CBD, so no one knows for sure just yet.

CBD is known to be metabolized by the liver. So if your pet has existing liver problems or is already on medications that are also extensively metabolized by the liver, talk with your veterinarian before giving CBD.

It’s also vital that the CBD products you’re using contain pure CBD and do not contain heavy metals, pesticides or other additives. Check to make sure that the CBD products you’re buying are certified organic and have not been farmed with the use of pesticides.

Dr. Gary Richter, a veterinary health expert with Rover.com, says CBD has the same effect on animals as it does on people. As far as side effects, he notes it could potentially make an animal sleepy and, in rare cases, may cause gastrointestinal upset.

“CBD based products are highly effective for a wide range of conditions affecting dogs and cats and an equally wide margin of safety,” Dr. Richter says.

Case study: Roslyn's experience

Roslyn McKenna

Insurance Publisher

My dog, Doc, is a 10-year-old terrier mix. He has hip dysplasia and luxating patella, which means he has hip joints and kneecaps that can pop in and out of place. He’s currently taking twice-daily Cosequin, an over-the-counter joint supplement.

Since Doc’s been slowing down a little with age and he’s at risk of arthritis and joint issues, I asked my vet about next steps for pain management options. According to the vet, anti-inflammatory medication is the best pick for chronic joint issues at this point, and we can move up to stronger pain meds in the future if he needs it. The downside of these medications is they can harm the liver or kidney over time.

CBD oil is another one of our options. You don’t need a prescription to try it, but our vet suggested it might be safest to start with a CBD oil product designed specifically for dogs and to avoid anything containing THC, since THC is toxic to pets. The vet also suggested starting with a small dose and testing the results for a short period to see how it goes.

Unfortunately, CBD oil products for pets and people are mostly unregulated and insufficiently tested at this point, which means ingredients and results can be inconsistent and the downsides haven’t been fully vetted. We may try CBD oil in the future if the industry becomes more regulated.

Can cats, horses and other pets use CBD oil?

Yes. Many of the same products that are marketed for canine use can also be used for cats, rabbits, birds, horses and other animals. All animals and invertebrates are known to have an endocannabinoid system that CBD oil targets.

However, it’s always best to check with your veterinarian or other animal healthcare professional before giving your pet something new.

Bottom line

Many people swear by the benefits of CBD oil — from calming anxiety to reducing the frequency of seizures. Still, there is little formal research to back up these claims. You’ll have to decide if the anecdotal evidence is enough to give these types of products a try.

Ready to buy? Compare top CBD products for dogs.

Frequently asked questions

• Can I give my dog CBD oil for humans?

  Check the concentration and dosage recommendations based on your dog’s weight before giving him CBD products intended for humans. Products made for people tend to have a higher concentration of CBD than is recommended for animals.

• Can vets prescribe CBD oil for dogs?

  No. Veterinarians can’t prescribe CBD oil, as it’s not currently considered a prescription drug. However, you can discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of trying CBD oil for your dog with your vet.

• What are the side effects of CBD for dogs?

  The most common side effects of CBD oil in dogs include:

  • Drowsiness
  • Dry mouth and increased thirst
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Temporarily lowered blood pressure