Best CBD for Dogs 2020: Organic CBD Oil for Pets
Many pet owners have shown interest in finding new ways to enhance the health and wellbeing of their pets. In their search, people have ventured into the cannabis space and read that CBD offers a wide range of health benefits for animals. For those that have personally tried CBD on their pets, they say it has the potential to reduce pain, anxiety, and seizures, among other advantages.
To help clarify any misconceptions about the use of CBD on animals, we wanted to outline important information regarding effects, dosing, and scientific research related to CBD use on pets.
Although your veterinarian will likely tell you something along the lines of “research is ongoing and we’re not making recommendations now,” it’s worth doing your own research to find the best solution for your pet. You may be on your own, but you can still find healthy solutions that work—just know that you’ll be giving your pet CBD at your own risk.
CBD Oil for Dogs
When it comes to cannabis, dogs have a slightly different endocannabinoid system than humans. Canines have a higher concentration of CB1 receptors in the cerebellum than any other species, and THC is a partial agonist of these receptors. This means that dogs have increased sensitivity to THC, but is CBD is different because it does not have much direct action with these CB1 receptors. Because if this, it’s unlikely that CBD would harm your dog, but anything heavy in THC should probably be avoided unless prompted otherwise by a trusted vet.
While THC may have medicinal value, it can produce a psychoactive effect that might actually increase anxiety in animals when administered in high doses. If you want to introduce cannabis extracted ingredients into your dog’s diet, it’s generally safer to use CBD dominant extracts.
Although THC and CBD can be used in conjunction for therapeutic purposes, it’s more difficult to obtain extracts with a high concentration of THC—unless you live in one of the few states that allows for recreational marijuana use. Cannabis extracts that are high in CBD and low in THC are preferred, as they are considered to be widely available and legal in more areas. Lab test results, especially from a third party lab, can determine the percentage of CBD and THC within a cannabis extract. This way, you can ensure that any cannabis extract given to your dog is accurately labeled.
Top CBD Oils for Dogs
Below is a list of CBD oil products for dogs. Each of these brands has exhibited a commitment to third-party lab testing and creates products we think you can trust.
Each product featured here has been independently selected by the writer. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
1. NuLeaf Naturals
NuLeaf Naturals makes dosing easier, as the oils all come in a consistent strength. NuLeaf Naturals offers a clean, natural way to try plant-based relief for your pet. All products are also certified as organic by the U.S. Department of Agriculture—the only dog CBD products to bear that distinction.
$39
2. Medterra
All Medterra products are THC free and come in a variety of flavors—including chicken and beef. Concentrations available are 150, 300, and 750 milligrams per 30 milliliter bottle. As with Medterra’s human-focused products, these oils are made with Kentucky-grown hemp.
3. CBDistillery
CBDistillery CBD products are processed in cold-pressed hemp seed oil. This is meant to aid in the dog’s digestion of the product. They have a 150-milligram tincture for small to medium sized dogs and the 600-milligram pet CBD oil is made for larger breeds—each is affordable when compared to other brands on the market.
$38
Benefits of CBD Oil for Dogs
There are plenty of personal stories about the health benefits of CBD on pets, but what science is there to back up these claims?
One survey from the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA) included responses from more than 600 pet owners, and found that the most successful uses of CBD in pets were:
- Pain relief
- Sleep aid
- Anxiety relief (including thunderstorm or firework phobia)
- Nervous system support
- Reduced inflammation
- Reduced seizures
- Preventing vomiting and nausea
- Mitigating muscle spasms
- Helping with digestive tract issues
- Skin condition treatments
On top of these findings, a recent scientific study conducted by Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine has shown that CBD oil helped decrease pain, and increase activity, in dogs suffering from osteoarthritis.
With this information, it appears that there may be some validity to the health claims of CBD.
But how do you introduce CBD to your pet?
How to Choose the Right CBD Product for Your Pet
With increased popularity in CBD and hemp products, new sellers are popping up everyday. There are a range of CBD products designed for the pet owners, including:
- Oils
- Sprays (oral and topical)
- Dog treats
- Balms, salves, and other topical treatments
It can be difficult to distinguish between the quality of different brands and what product is best suited for your pet. You’ll want to do your homework before buying anything. We recommend using CBD products that are intended for pets, as well as brands who use third-party labs to verify CBD potency and test for the presence of any pesticides, microbials, or solvents.
Most quality CBD pet products will have dosing guidelines, which makes it easier for owners to give their animal the right amount. But these guidelines are often coming from the company, not a veterinarian, so keep this in mind.
It’s important to take existing medications into consideration before using CBD on your pet, as it may alter the efficacy of these treatments for certain conditions. According to Dr. Tim Shu, CEO and founder of VETCBD, “CBD has been shown to be very safe across a wide range of doses in multiple animal species. But if an animal is on other medications, especially ones with narrow therapeutic ranges, a pet owner should discuss the concurrent use of CBD with their veterinarian prior to starting.”
Using CBD products designed for human consumption can be a bit more difficult, and they may include ingredients that are not healthy for dogs or cats to ingest. Currently, there are no pet products certified by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
Look for Tested Products
- CBD products extracted from hemp: CBD can be extracted from hemp or marijuana, as both plants are from the cannabis family. Marijuana plants contain more THC than hemp plants, so it’s likely that marijuana extracted CBD products will have a higher concentration of THC. CBD oils extracted from hemp can sometimes distill out these cannabinoids and terpenes to create a CBD isolate, but we recommend using full-spectrum CBD extracts for a synergistic effect and greater therapeutic value.
- The product’s origin story: Since cannabis is a hyperaccumulator, it absorbs the elements of the ground within which it was grown. This is of particular concern when it comes to CBD oil because heavy metal toxicity can be prevalent, and you certainly don’t want to feed your pet anything toxic. Even “natural” doesn’t always equal safe.
- Is it infused with oil? CBD oil for dogs is easy to add into your pet’s food without them detecting a difference. For ease of absorption, look for a CBD product that’s infused with olive oil. Olive oil is rich in unsaturated fats, and healthier for your pet than other options like coconut oil. According to Healthline, the saturated fats in coconut oil may cause diarrhea or even high cholesterol when given to your pet in excess.
- Is it made with CBD or hemp seed oil? Hemp seed oil is not the same as CBD oil, and this can cause some confusion. Hemp seed extract is pressed from the seeds of hemp to produce an oil that may help give your dog a shinier coat or better skin, but it does not contain any cannabinoids.
We know this is a lot of information to take in while searching for quality hemp extracts for your pet. Our curated list above features some of our favorite CBD brands selling pet products.
What Are the Side Effects and Risks?
The biggest risks presented to pets when given CBD are usually caused by an overdose of the compound. Some adverse side effects, such as an upset stomach or drowsiness, may occur in rare instances—but these can likely be avoided by supplying the proper dose.
If you’re using a product that includes THC, you increase the risk that your pet may have a negative reaction. Dogs that suffer from too much THC intake develop static ataxia, which is specific to canines and results in loss of muscle coordination, balance, and problems controlling their bowels or bladders. For this reason, proper dosing of CBD and THC products is extremely important.
Is CBD Safe for Dogs?
In the emerging CBD space, it helps to look to medical professionals, review sites and other experts to help you decide if CBD is the right fit for your dog.
The American Kennel Club says “while there’s no definitive scientific data on using CBD to treat dogs, there’s anecdotal evidence from dog owners suggesting it can treat pain, especially neuropathic pain, as well as helping to control seizures.”
There is also some compelling research now being done on CBD’s effects on canines. For instance, a study conducted by Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine showed that treatment with CBD oil resulted in decreased pain for dogs with osteoarthritis.
And in a survey collected by the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, data from over 600 pet owners found that CBD use in animals also seems to yield positive results. These owners found success using CBD for anxiety relief, sleep assistance, nervous response support, treating skin conditions, reducing nausea, and preventing inflammation in dogs.
How Much CBD Should I Give My Dog?
Since official dosing recommendations from the veterinary community are limited, it’s always best to start small. You can increase dosage slowly to gage your pet’s response, and once you notice positive improvements in their condition, you can stick to this dose amount.
A general guideline is 0.2mg of CBD per pound of body weight per day.
Final Word on CBD for Dogs
Although CBD is generally considered to be safe for pets, it has not been approved by the FDA for this purpose. For this reason, it’s hard to distinguish between fact and fiction in an industry where there is minimal regulation on the manufacturing of these products.
CBD is legal in most states, but it does present a grey area for some when federal and state regulations are in conflict. Just stick to CBD that’s extracted from hemp and you should be safe from legal reprimands in most areas.
As with anything you give your pet, it’s important to recognize when something’s off. If you are concerned about how your dog or cat is responding to CBD, contact your veterinarian and discontinue use of the product until professional guidance has been given.
