Cannabidiol (CBD) is used to help with a wide variety of issues, including anxiety, pain, insomnia, inflammation, and arthritis.

As it happens, pets can suffer from similar health problems. And like us, they also have an endocannabinoid system. This means CBD oil and other CBD-based products can benefit the health of our four-legged companions much in the same way they do for humans.

But how do you decide which CBD product is ideal for your pet? There are hundreds of products with varying levels of quality to choose from. That’s why we did the research and compared dozens of brands.

Below you will find our recommendations for the best CBD products for pets, broken down by convenient categories. Our picks are based on hemp source, third-party testing, company reputation, and other criteria.

Compare Top CBD oil Brands for Dogs & Cats

Best CBD Oil Products for Dogs & Cats

• Editor’s Pick – CBDfx CBD Oil for Dogs and Cats
• Best CBD Dog Treats – Honest Paws Wellness Bites
• Best CBD Dog Treats – JustCBD CBD Dog Treats
• Best CBD Dog Treats – King Kanine Crunch Hard Chews
• Best CBD Cat Treats – cbdMD Cat Chews
• Best CBD Cat Treats – JustCBD Cat Treats
• Best Value – Lazarus Naturals Calming CBD Oil Pet Tincture
• Best potency -Endoca Hemp Oil Extract for Dogs
• Best CBD Topical for Pets – cbdMD Pet CBD Balm for Dogs
• Best CBD Topical for Pets – King Kanine Kalm Paw Balm
• Best for Pain  – Honest Paws Relief CBD Oil and Bites
• Best for Anxiety – CbdMD Calming CBD Oil Tincture and Chews for Dogs
• Best for Anxiety – Honest Paws Calm CBD Oil and Treats
• Best CBD Oil for Pets with Arthritis – Honest Paws Mobility CBD Oil and Soft Chews
• Best CBD Oil for Pets with Arthritis – CbdMD Joint & Hip Chews
• Best for Itching and Inflammation – King Kanine Soothe

CBD Oil for Dogs and Cats: What Is It and What Does It Do?

Editor’s Pick – CBDfx CBD Oil for Dogs and Cats

CBDfx is our editor’s pick for pets. There’s a lot to like about this product from one of the most popular CBD brands in the U.S.

For starters, it’s made with full-spectrum hemp extract, which means your furry companion will benefit not only from CBD but many other beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes. Full-spectrum products are more effective than those made with CBD isolate.

This tincture is available in three potencies, which makes it easy to choose the right CBD strength for your pet. For cats and small dogs, the 150 mg (5 mg/ml) tincture will work best, whereas medium and large size dogs will be better suited by the 300 mg (10 mg/ml) or 600 mg (20 mg/ml) options.

CBDfx’s third-party tested pet CBD oil is derived from organic hemp cultivated in Kentucky. It costs $29.99–69.99 or $0.12–0.20 per mg of CBD. That’s a reasonable price as far as CBD products for pets go.

Watch out interview with CBDfx at their HQ offices:

• CBDfx Review

• CBDfx Official Site

Best Dog Treats – Honest Paws Wellness Bites

We recommend Honest Paws for those who prefer the convenience of edible treats. This company is an excellent pick for your furry friend because it’s dedicated entirely to pets.

Honest Paws’ delicious wellness bites are designed as an all-around health and wellness product. They contain pure, THC-free CBD alongside nutritious ingredients, including barley, oats, and peanut butter. Each bite has 5 mg of CBD with 30 pieces per bag.

Honest Paws’ wellness bites cost $24.95 or $0.17 per mg of CBD. This price is considered average for edible CBD pet treats.

Honest Paws uses Colorado-grown hemp for all products. It also provides third-party test results directly on each product page.

• Honest PawsReview

• Honest Paws Official Site

Best Dog Treats -JustCBD CBD Dog Treats

Florida’s JustCBD is another excellent option for CBD dog treats. This company specializes in edible products and offers many different flavors.

These treats contain about 1.8 mg of pure CBD without any other cannabinoids and come in a container with 18 pieces for a total of 100 mg. They’re derived from organic, Oregon-grown hemp and come with third-party tests confirming their potency. Other ingredients include flour, lecithin, and natural flavoring.

JustCBD’s treats are available in multiple delicious flavors, including steak bites, liver meatballs, chicken meatballs, and chicken biscuits. They cost $19.99 or $0.20 per mg of CBD, which is considered an average price for edible pet treats.

• JustCBD Review

• Visit JustCBD Official site

Best Dog Treats – King Kanine Crunch Hard Chews

King Kanine is another great brand for pets. As the name implies, this company makes CBD products designed specifically for our four-legged friends.

Its king kalm crunch treats contain 3-4 mg of THC-free CBD isolate, with 40 treats per bag.

They’re formulated with multiple nutritious ingredients, including omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, oat flour, apple, cinnamon, eggs, and turmeric. The precise ingredients will depend on which flavor you choose: apple cinnamon, blueberry, or honey oat.

These third-party tested treats are derived from organic hemp cultivated in Colorado. They cost $34.99 per bag, which is equivalent to about $0.25 per mg. That’s more expensive than the average cost for CBD dog treats.

• King Kanine Review

• Visit King Kanine Official site

Best Cat Treats – cbdMD Cat Chews

The cat chews from cbdMD are our top pick for your feline companion. Each soft chew contains 2 mg of THC-free CBD alongside flour, coconut MCT oil, rosemary extract, vitamin E, natural flavoring, and other ingredients.

This product is derived from organic hemp cultivated in Colorado and Kentucky. Thanks to the chicken & catnip flavor, it won’t be very difficult to get your cat to eat these edible treats.

CbdMD’s cat chews come with third-party lab results so you can verify their potency yourself. They cost $34.99 or $0.12 per mg of CBD, which is a great price point for pet treats.

They’re also available in a special formula for supporting kidney health, which costs slightly more; $29.99–39.99 or $0.13–0.20 per mg.

• CBDmd Review

• CBDmd Official Site

Best Cat Treats – JustCBD Cat Treats

Another great option for cat treats is JustCBD. This Florida-based company offers treats in tuna and chicken flavor. They’re formulated with CBD isolate, so there’s no THC or any other cannabinoid.

Aside from CBD, these third-party tested treats contain standard ingredients like flour, lecithin, and natural flavoring. Like the dog version, there’s a total of 100 mg CBD per container.

JustCBD’s cat treats are sourced from organic hemp cultivated in Oregon, one of the leading states for high-quality hemp. They cost $19.99 which is $0.20 per mg of CBD. Relative to other pet edibles on the market, this price is considered average.

• JustCBD Review

• Visit JustCBD Official site

Best Value – Lazarus Naturals Calming CBD Oil Pet Tincture

Our top value pick for pet products is Lazarus Naturals. If you want to save money on premium-quality CBD pet products from a trusted source, we highly recommend this brand.

Lazarus Naturals is known for having some of the lowest prices on the market, and its calming pet CBD oil is a testament to that. This tincture has a potency of 15 mg/ml and comes in two strengths: 225 mg (15 ml) or 900 mg (60 ml), which cost only $12 ($0.05 per mg CBD) or $38 ($0.04 per mg CBD).

That’s excellent value, even more so because it’s made with full-spectrum hemp extract, so your four-legged friend is benefitting from all of hemp’s cannabinoids and other beneficial compounds. Besides, you have the option to buy a THC-free CBD isolate version if you prefer.

This third-party tested tincture is derived from organic hemp grown in Oregon. Better yet, Lazarus Naturals cultivates 70% of its own hemp, which is rare for a CBD brand.

Additionally, the company gives a massive 60% discount to veterans, people with disabilities, and low-income families, and is one of the only employee-owned CBD brands in the world.

• Lazarus Naturals Review

• Lazarus Naturals Official Site

Best potency — Endoca Hemp Oil Extract for Dogs

If you need a potent CBD product for large dog breeds, horses, and other big pets, Endoca is an excellent choice. The company’s concentrated hemp oil extract comes with an impressive 200 mg of full-spectrum CBD per gram.

This concentrate contains a total of 2000 mg of full-spectrum CBD in a 10-gram syringe, making it one of the most potent pet products currently available. It can be used similar to CBD oil by placing it directly under your pet’s tongue or adding it to food.

Endoca’s hemp oil extract costs €177.06 or €0.09 per mg of CBD, which is a great price point for a full-spectrum pet concentrate.

In addition, Endoca offers a high-strength tincture with 150 mg of CBD/CBDa per ml for large dogs, one of the most potent pet CBD oils available. It costs €114.68 or €0.08 per mg, which is also a reasonable price.

Endoca grows its own organic, non-GMO hemp in Denmark and tests it at every part of the manufacturing process, including the seeds, growing plants, and resulting CBD extracts. It also provides comprehensive third-party lab test results for all products. Endoca ships worldwide and has a facility in California for U.S. orders.

• Endoca Review

• Endoca Official Site

Best Topical – cbdMD Pet CBD Balm for Dogs

Our top pick for the best pet topical is cbdMD. The company’s CBD balm for dogs contains 500 mg of pure, THC-free CBD isolate in a 2 oz (60 ml) container.

With a potency of 8 mg/ml, this balm is strong enough for most pets’ topical concerns. Aside from CBD, it also contains tried-and-true skincare ingredients such as coconut oil, beeswax, and shea butter.

Although this product is focused on dogs, there’s no reason you can’t use it for your cat or another pet. After all, all the ingredients are perfectly natural and safe.

CbdMD’s third-party tested balm is sourced from organic Colorado and Kentucky-grown hemp. It costs $39.99 or $0.08 per mg of CBD. Relative to other CBD pet topicals, this price is considered below-average.

• CBDmd Review

• CBDmd Official Site

Best Topical – King Kanine Kalm Paw Balm

King Kanine is another solid option for a pet topical. The company’s 1.75 oz (51 ml) king kalm paw balm contains 392 mg of CBD isolate, which means it’s free of THC and other cannabinoids. That gives it a medium-level potency of 7.7 mg/ml, which is high enough to meet the needs of most pets.

It also contains simple, effective skincare ingredients such as coconut oil, beeswax, and manuka honey. Although it’s designed for dogs, it can be used just as effectively for cats and other pets. This third-party tested topical is derived from organic hemp grown in Colorado.

The King Kanine kalm paw balm costs $16.99 or $0.04 per mg of CBD. This is one of the lowest prices for a CBD pet product we’ve come across.

• King Kanine Review

• Visit King Kanine Official site

Best for Pain – Honest Paws Relief CBD Oil and Bites

Honest Paws is our top pick for this category. It’s one of the only brands offering pet CBD products designed for specific concerns.

Honest Paws’ relief tincture is formulated to help with physical discomfort, which is why it contains ginger, a popular anti-inflammatory herb backed by some research evidence.

Better yet, it’s made with full-spectrum hemp extract, which is more effective than pure CBD (isolate). This third-party tested extract comes from organic, Colorado-grown hemp.

Honest Paws’ relief CBD oil is available in three strengths designed for small, medium-sized, and large dogs: 125 mg, 250 mg, and 500 mg per 30 ml bottle. This makes it easy to choose the strength that suits your pooch and the low potency is also suitable for cats.

The company also provides relief bites, which contain the anti-inflammatory herb turmeric and 5 mg of pure CBD per treat with 30 pieces per bag.

Honest Paws’ relief tincture costs $39.95–79.95 or $0.16–0.32 per mg of CBD ($0.24 average). This price is higher than average for pet CBD oils. Meanwhile, the bites cost $24.95 or $0.17 per mg.

• Honest PawsReview

• Honest Paws Official Site

Best for Pest Anxiety – CbdMD Calming CBD Oil Tincture and Chews for Dogs

Thanks to its special calming formula, cbdMD is the best pick for pets with anxiety.

It contains THC-free CBD alongside multiple herbal ingredients with relaxing and anxiety-relieving properties: valerian root, passionflower, lemon balm, chamomile, and more.

Better still, it’s available in both oil and soft chew versions, so you can choose the product you prefer.

The calming CBD oil for dogs is flavored with blueberry and comes in a 30 ml bottle with 250 mg or 500 mg of CBD. Meanwhile, the soft chews are flavored with turkey and come in three potencies: 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg, with 30 chews per jar. This wide variety of CBD strengths makes it easy to match the ideal product for your pet’s size and symptom severity.

CbdMD’s third-party tested pet products are derived from organic, Colorado-grown hemp. They cost $29.99–69.99 or $0.09–0.20 per mg of CBD, which is close to the average for CBD pet treats and tinctures.

• CBDmd Review

• CBDmd Official Site

Best for Anxiety – Honest Paws Calm CBD Oil and Treats

A pet-focused brand known for quality, Honest Paws is another top-tier option for dealing with an anxious pet. The company’s calm formula offers a CBD oil tincture and soft chews formulated with additional anti-anxiety ingredients.

The 30 ml calming CBD oil contains full-spectrum hemp extract and chamomile, a herb with evidence-backed anti-anxiety properties. Like the company’s regular tincture, it comes in three strengths designed for small, medium, and large dogs: 125 mg, 250 mg, and 500 mg.

Meanwhile, the calming soft chews contain 5 mg of THC-free CBD isolate alongside L-theanine, the tea leaf compound known for its reliable anxiety-reducing and calmness-promoting effects, as well as tryptophan, an amino acid needed to make serotonin, a brain chemical that regulates mood, anxiety, and related cognitive functions. The chews come in a 30-piece bag with a total of 150 mg CBD.

Honest Paws’ calm tincture and soft chews cost $39.95–79.95 or $0.16–0.32 per mg of CBD ($0.24 average). This price is considered above-average for this type of product.

• Honest PawsReview

• Honest Paws Official Site

Best for Pets Arthritis – Honest Paws Mobility CBD Oil and Soft Chews

Honest Paws is our recommended choice for arthritis. The company’s mobility CBD oil and soft chews are formulated to help with joint stiffness and overall joint health.

The 30 ml CBD oil contains turmeric, one of the most popular, evidence-backed anti-inflammatory herbs, alongside full-spectrum hemp extract. It’s available in three CBD strengths for small, medium, and large dogs: 125 mg, 250 mg, and 500 mg.

Meanwhile, the soft chews contain full-spectrum CBD alongside chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine, hyaluronic acid, and Boswellia serrata, four natural ingredients with potential joint health benefits. Each soft chew provides 8.3 mg of CBD and comes in a pack of 30 pieces.

Both of these products are third-party tested and derived from organic hemp grown in Colorado.

Honest Paws’ mobility and relief CBD oil and edibles cost $39.95–$79.95, or $0.16–0.32 per mg of CBD. Relative to similar products, this price is a bit higher than average.

• Honest PawsReview

• Honest Paws Official Site

Best for Arthritis – CbdMD Joint & Hip Chews

Another great pick for supporting your dog’s joint health is cbdMD. The company’s joint & hip chews are formulated with natural compounds with potential joint health benefits, including glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), and omega-3 fatty acids.

Each edible treat contains 5 mg, 10 mg, or 20 mg of THC-free CBD and is flavored with bacon to make it appealing to your pooch. They’re made from organic hemp cultivated in Kentucky and Colorado.

CbdMD’s third-party tested joint & hip chews are sold in 30-piece containers. They cost $29.99–69.99 or $0.12–0.20 per mg of CBD. Compared to similar products, that’s a very reasonable price.

• CBDmd Review

• CBDmd Official Site

Best for Pets Itching and Inflammation – King Kanine Soothe

One of the only products of its kind, King Kanine’s soothe spray is an excellent choice for any sort of itching or inflammation. It’s formulated with soothing, anti-inflammatory ingredients such as aloe vera, tea tree oil, and chamomile.

This 4 oz product contains 96 mg of THC-free CBD and can be used for dogs, cats, and other pets. It comes in a convenient spray bottle to make it easy to apply to your pet’s trouble spots.

King Kanine’s third-party tested soothe spray is derived from organic hemp grown in Colorado. It costs $19.99 or $0.21 per mg CBD. That’s a fairly reasonable price given the multiple ingredients and unique nature of this product.

• King Kanine Review

• Visit King Kanine Official site

CBD Oil for Dogs and Cats: What Is It and What Does It Do?

Table of Contents

• Basics of Hemp-derived CBD
• What is CBD Used for in Animals?
• How Does CBD Work?
• Ways to Use CBD in Animals
• Labels and Forms of CBD
• Where to Buy CBD Products for Your Dog
• The Bottom Line
• References

CBD or cannabidiol has surged onto the market in the past year. Following close behind, is the use of CBD for pets. Many questions still remain, especially concerning the safety, efficacy, dosages and other questions.

Research on CBD for Animals

Probably not too surprisingly, research into medicinal use of CBD in animals is still in pre-infancy. Anecdotally, many veterinarians shy away from using it themselves, even as they know that many of their “pet parents” use CBD for their animals. If you are thinking of using CBD on your four-legged friend, talk to your veterinarian first, especially if your animal is currently on any medication or treatment plan. More on the existing research later…

Basics of Hemp-derived CBD

In the US, the 2018 Farm Bill act legalized (1) the farming of industrial hemp. Industrial hemp is in the same plant family as marijuana. They are both in the cannabis family, in the same manner as daisies, chrysanthemums and sunflowers are all in the aster plant family. And just as those plants are different from one another, there are major differences between industrial hemp and the marijuana plant that is still illegal to grow under federal statute.

The main difference between industrial hemp and marijuana is the amount of THC, tetrahydrocannabinol, in the plant. THC is the cannabinoid that gives a “high”. By contrast, CBD does not, but instead has potentially beneficial effects. Industrial hemp legally must contain less than 0.3% THC while marijuana plants have much higher percentages; 10-30% in some strains. Industrial hemp was hybridized to increase the hemp fiber strength and as a result (and we don’t quite know why), the THC level in hemp decreased while the CBD level increased.

In humans, CBD is used for a variety of effects, mainly to help reduce anxiety, help people sleep better and to help reduce inflammation and pain associated with inflammation.

• In the US, CBD derived from the industrial hemp plant is at least theoretically legal in all 50 states. There are, however, some grey areas because some jurisdictions like counties or townships may view it differently. If medical cannabis or recreational cannabis is legal in your state, there should not be a problem.
• Currently, CBD derived from hemp is legal in most of Europe, Canada, Argentina, Peru, South Africa and Turkey. You should check the legal status for individual countries, as this list is constantly changing.
• THC has psychoactive properties; it delivers a “high”. CBD on the other hand, works on a different type of receptors. Think of receptors as a kind of biological lock that needs a specific type of key. CBD is a “key” that fits into different “locks” when compared toTHC.
• When it comes to your pets, you should understand that the legal status applies to humans, even in states where CBD products are legal, it may still be illegal (2) for vets to recommend or advise someone on how to use CBD for their pets.

What is CBD Used for in Animals?

As mentioned, the research concerning CBD use for animals is very limited. For dogs little information is available and it is even more limited for cats.

In dogs, CBD is used to give symptomatic relief of seizures, nausea, stress, anxiety, arthritis, back pain, symptoms of cancer, and for digestive issues. In cats, CBD is used to give symptomatic relief for inflammatory conditions, pain, anxiety and to enhance comfort.

A few studies have been published and many more are probably in various stages of publication. This is what we know so far:

• From the Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research came a recent study with the goal of trying to determine some of the basic ways in which CBD acts in healthy dogs (beagles).(3) They found that CBD oil given orally was able to achieve the highest blood levels (as compared to creams or caplets). For the CBD oil, they used 10 and 20 mg for every kilogram of weight, giving the equivalent of 75 or 150 mg of CBD every 12 hours. The group did not report any adverse effects specifically. The study documented that all dogs completed the 6-week trial.
• It is really important to note that in this study, the group analyzed the amount of CBD in products before administering it to the dogs. They found that many products had less CBD than was declared on the label. This is just one reason why third-party lab testing is important. You want to ensure that you are giving your animal friend the dose you think you are giving them. The fact that there was generally less CBD in the product than was listed on the label means that it would be more difficult to give too much CBD, even though we don’t know what dose may constitute too much. It also means that you may end up giving your animal less that he or she might require to actually obtain the full benefit from CBD. Third-party testing allows you to verify the amount that is given, allowing you to dose your pet with better accuracy and achieve a superior probability of producing maximum benefit.
• Another study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science looked at how CBD acts in the body, its safety and its efficacy in dogs with osteoarthritis (OA) (4). These dogs were of various breeds brought into the Cornell animal hospital who were given 2mg/kg of CBD oil every 12 hours. Their findings suggested that this dose could “increase comfort and activity in dogs with OA.” There were no observed side effects but the level of a liver enzyme (alkaline phosphatase) was increased.
• One paper was found that looked at CBD in both dogs and cats. This study examined reports of animals eating marijuana products that contained THC rather than CBD. The signs of overdosing included lethargy, depression, muscle movement problems and agitation.(5)
• A study recently published looked at adverse effects in healthy dogs.(6) They concluded that CBD appeared to be well tolerated but also reported that all the dogs experienced diarrhea. The authors of the study suggested that the diarrhea was not due to the CBD but more likely due to “stress related to relocating the dogs to new housing, sharing enclosures, and diet.”

How Does CBD Work?

Most mammals, including humans, dogs and cats have a system known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system is responsible for the regulation of several different body systems and functions including appetite control, the immune and digestive systems, pain response, sleep, reproduction, mood, memory, how muscles work and temperature regulation. The ECS uses two different receptors called CB1 and CB2. When thinking about receptors, the most useful analogy is the lock and key idea previously mentioned. The receptors are the locks and CBD and other cannabinoids are the keys.

The CB1 receptor is mainly found on cells within the brain and spinal cord. This is the receptor that the psychoactive THC binds to or “unlocks” and this is likely how THC produces a high, by directly affecting brain cells.

The CB2 receptor, on the other hand, is located throughout the rest of the body and on the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord. CBD binds to these receptors and “unlocks” those receptors which mediate and provide regulation of pain perception, muscle control, appetite and the digestive system. CBD also binds weakly with the CB1 receptor and appears to displace the natural “keys” – the natural endocannabinoid substances like 2AG and AEA. This is likely the mechanism underlying why CBD can affect mood, anxiety and sleep.

Some Ways to Use CBD in Animals

We definitely need more research but we do know that 2-20 mg of CBD for every kg (2.2 pounds) of dog appears to be safe. CBD oil is the form of CBD that has been best studied. The topical applications used in the CJVR resulted in lower blood levels and seems to irritate the skin of the ear in most dogs. CBD oil also has the advantage of being easier to dose. You can add it to your pet’s water (it doesn’t dissolve really well, but it can be done), your pet’s food or drop it directly into your pet’s mouth. You can even mix it with a perennial favorite, peanut butter!

Always talk to your vet first. Your vet is the best source of information concerning what your dog may benefit from and can tell you if he or she should try CBD.

So, say you have the OK from your vet and your dog weighs 10-15 pounds, you should start with the lowest dose tested; 2 mg/kg. You can do this calculation:

• 1 kg = 2.2 pounds, so 10 pounds is equal to:
• 1 kg/2.2 pounds x 10 pounds= 4.55 kg ≈4.6 kg
• 2 mg/ kg x 4.6 kg = 9.2 mg total CBD

Now let’s say you have CBD oil that comes in 0.5 mL droppers.

• 1mL = 20 drops so 0.5 mL= 10 drops
• Your CBD oil has a listed concentration of 9 mg of CBD in every 0.5 mL dropper and you are certain of this because it has been 3rd party-tested and you have the results in hand. (More on labels later)
• You have calculated that your dog should get 9.2 mg of CBD
• 0.5 mL/9 mg X∕9.2 mg= 0.511 mL or ≈ 0.5 mL
• Note that because droppers are not very precise, your dog would be getting a bit under the 9.2 mg because of rounding off the values. This is fine because you are starting low and can increase the dose as needed and we really can’t get much more precise.

Labels and Forms of CBD

Labels in CBD-world are a problem for human use and an even bigger problem for pet use. Here are a few points to keep in mind:

• You want to buy only 3rd party-tested products. One reason as mentioned is to be certain of the purity. The other reason is that these products will likely give you the actual amount of CBD stated to be in the product. This will make it much easier to calculate and give the appropriate amount.
• Call or otherwise contact the company to get a better idea of the amount of CBD in each dose (serving)
• The general recommendation is to avoid hemp seed oil products. These do not contain CBD in appreciable amounts. They are nutritious but such oils are almost free of CBD!

High-quality CBD oil for dogs usually are either:

• “CBD isolates” where the CBD has been highly purified and will contain at most trace amounts of THC. These are primarily CO2 extracted, the best and most accepted way to purify CBD. This may allow more precise dosing.
• “Full spectrum CBD oil” can be either extracted using the CO2 method or obtained by ethanol extraction. Such oils contain other cannabinoids and other plant produces ingredients that may enhance the effect of the CBD by what is known as the “entourage effect” This means that it may work better for your dog, but doesn’t allow for more precise dosing usually. (7)

Always start low and go slow. The 2-20mg/kg range means that there is a relatively large window for dosing. If you start at a low dose and increase slowly, always watching for any changes, you will end up giving your pet only what they need. Remember, more is not always better!

There are CBD edibles for dogs available which are often sold as “chews”.

• Look for products that are 3rd party-tested
• Look for the quantity of CBD per serving. Many times, the front of the container lists the total amount of CBD in the container rather than the amount per serving or dose.
• The edibles have the advantage of ease of dosing and probably dogs like the flavors better than the oil!

Where to Buy CBD Products for Your Dog

We are here to help provide you with the most current information available on CBD; its effects, where the best products can be found and how to make your best buying decisions. When it comes to your pets, CBD is probably easier to get online but we recommend that you talk to your vet first. Your vet may be able to recommend a higher quality product and may even have some available. It depends on where you live and where your vet stands on the issue of CBD for dogs.

If your vet is unable to provide you with products, you can safely use the CBD for humans, adjusting the quantity given by using the dosing calculations given.

The Bottom Line

CBD appears to be safe to use on your pets. It is best to talk to a vet who is knowledgeable about CBD use in animals for specific advice. You can safely use CBD intended for humans and adjust the dosage according to the calculations given above for dogs. If you have a cat, talk to your vet about the proper dosage. We will keep you updated on any new information concerning how to best use CBD for your pet.

References

1. Bartner LR, McGrath S, Rao S, Hyatt LK, Wittenburg LA. Pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol administered by 3 delivery methods at 2 different dosages to healthy dogs. Can J Vet Res. 2018;82(3):178–183.
2. Gamble, L-J., et al, Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Clinical Efficacy of Cannabidiol Treatment in Osteoarthritic Dogs. Front. Vet. Sci., 2018: https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2018.00165
3. Turkanis SA, Karler R. Cannabidiol-caused depression of spinal motoneuron responses in cats. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior. 1986 Jul 1;25(1):89-94.
4. McGrath S, Bartner LR, Rao S, Kogan LR, Hellyer PW. A report of adverse effects associated with the administration of cannabidiol in healthy dogs. Veterinary Medicine. 2018;1(2):6-8.
5. Russo EB. The Case for the Entourage Effect and Conventional Breeding of Clinical Cannabis: No “Strain,” No Gain. Front Plant Sci. 2019;9:1969. Published 2019 Jan 9. doi:10.3389/fpls.2018.01969