Choosing the Best CBD Oil for Dogs
The first step to our buyer’s guide is to introduce you to what CBD is, how it’s used, the way it affects pets, and how to select the best fit based on your pet’s symptoms and needs.
What Is CBD Oil?
CBD is short for cannabidiol, which is extracted from the buds and flowers of hemp or marijuana plants. It is one of the many cannabinoids found in cannabis plants but is the most potent and has the most health benefits.
Unlike its cousin, THC, it doesn’t get you or your pet high, making canine CBD oil a good option for many health problems.
Furthermore, it’s essential to know whether the CBD is extracted from a marijuana or hemp plant, as each contains a considerable difference in THC levels. Marijuana extractions can contain up to 30% THC, while on the other hand, hemp plants have a maximum of 0.3%, which is the legal maximum.
The sale of CBD oil derived from marijuana plants is permitted only in a few states, while the oil derived from hemp plants is legal in all US states.
The use of CBD oil for humans has grown in popularity and many new products. You can find everything from topicals to teas and CBD gummies alongside the conventional oils, vapes, and capsules that are released every day.
But is cannabis oil for dogs safe? How does it affect our four-legged furry friends?
Although not all are on board, many vets do recommend CBD oil for use in pets. Research is still in its first stages, but studies in humans have shown that cannabinoids have anti-inflammatory superpowers that aid not only with easing muscle pain but also aggression, anxiety, seizures, and many neurological disorders.
Animals experience the same benefits as humans, thus making it a safe option as long as it’s used correctly.
CBD Oil vs. Hemp Oil for Dogs
There is quite a difference between hemp and CBD oil. Knowing these differences will help you decide on the best product for your pup.
CBD Oil
As noted above, it’s a cannabinoid compound that is extracted from the flowers, leaves, and sometimes from the stems of cannabis plants. It offers many therapeutic and medical benefits. As you will see below, the question of hemp oil vs. CBD oil for dogs depends on your needs.
Hemp Oil
Unlike CBD oil, hemp oil is extracted from cannabis seeds. This means that there is almost no CBD or THC in the extraction.
Thus, extraction from hemp seeds doesn’t give the same medical and therapeutic results. However, it does offer its own benefits, and pet owners can give it to their four-legged friends as a supplement rich in vitamins and minerals.
With that said, once again, it’s essential to understand your pet’s needs and symptoms.
The Benefits of CBD Oil for Dogs
It’s been confirmed that CBD oil is safe and suitable for pets because they have the same endocannabinoid system. It’s this system that allows the cannabinoids in CBD oils to alleviate many symptoms and complaints.
Even though there is still little research done on the effects of CBD specifically on animals, and in particular our pets, there has been plenty of proof already by happy pet owners.
By finding the best quality CBD oil for dogs, you will find that it can alleviate the symptoms of many conditions, both temporary or chronic:
Anxiety
If your pup is trembling, whimpering, hiding, pacing, or panting, or it has trouble sleeping or demonstrates bouts of aggression or other signs of anxiety, a quality CBD product can help. CBD is known to help moderate the common impulses that lead to an increase in tension and excitement in animals.
Furthermore, by finding the best CBD for dog anxiety and the ideal dosage for your pup, it will boost serotonin, adding to this calming effect.
Autoimmune Disease
Animals, like humans, suffer from many autoimmune diseases such as lupus, diabetes, and arthritis. They may cause abdominal pain, excessive panting, kidney failure, weight loss, fever, and muscle weakness.
With the right CBD product, you can give your pet comfort by easing any tenderness and pain, all while improving its quality of life.
Cancer
By finding the best CBD oil for dogs with cancer, it’s easier to tackle chronic injuries, swelling in the bones, abnormal bleeding, wounds that won’t heal, and bumps and lumps in the body.
Some studies back that CBD may aid in the prevention of new tumor growth, all the while slowing the spread of cells. It’s also beneficial in addition to traditional cancer treatments as it reduces nausea and pain.
Chronic Inflammation
Inflammation can be painful, causing chronic pain, swelling, stiffness of the joints, and redness of the skin in both humans and animals. One of the CBD oil benefits for dogs is that it helps reduce inflammation by interacting with the receptors responsible for the inflammation for easier treatment and pain reduction.
Epilepsy
Epileptic seizures cause several symptoms that include loss of consciousness, tongue chewing, jerking, twitching, frothing at the mouth, muscle spasms, and collapsing.
CBD helps this through its anticonvulsant properties. It aids in preventing the erratic firing of the nerves that are responsible for the cause of seizures.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
With the right cannabis oil for dogs and the proper dosage, the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease such as frequent flatulence, bloody stool, weight loss, fatigue, abdominal pain, and diarrhea can be reduced dramatically.
This disease is the result of an abnormal immune response that results in inflammation, causing discomfort in both humans and animals. As CBD has anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing properties, it can reduce the symptoms of IBD by alleviating frequent diarrhea and discomfort.
Regular Pain
The best CBD oil for dogs with pain will help alleviate both chronic and temporary discomfort from a number of causes.
If your dog is having a hard time performing simple tasks such as playing, climbing stairs, walking, or running, it will benefit from regular CBD doses. It can enhance the neurotransmitter anandamide signaling, thus reducing pain signals being sent out.
One of the most significant benefits of CBD oil is how it can be prepared in various forms. This means if your dog struggles with a particular type, there’s always another one you can try.
So if you have a stubborn pup who always eats around pills, there are other options available.
What Is the Best CBD Product for Dogs?
Here, it’s important to note that every product type has its own benefits and applications, so your animal’s symptoms and needs should be considered when choosing.
There’s quite a variety available, and each depends on the use, the health issues your animal has, and their severity.
CBD Oil Topical Creams
These are best used for animals that have a skin condition or for animals with stomach problems that make oral application difficult. Canine
CBD that’s applied topically is ideal for animals with issues such as rashes, arthritis, allergies, or other conditions affecting the surface of their skin and bodies.
A quality CBD balm for dogs must be higher in CBD potency as it will need to be able to penetrate the skin to release its agents and have an effect. Just make sure the animal doesn’t lick the cream, which can be a challenge of its own.
You can also apply a CBD cream for humans, but make sure there are o ingredients that could be dangerous to your pet.
CBD Oil Dog Treats
These are by far the easiest way to administer CBD to dogs as they’re usually seen as a delicious reward rather than a treatment. There are many flavors, shapes, sizes, and dosage levels available, making them an easy way to get the benefits of CBD.
Also, unlike tinctures, the dosage is precise and consistent with these CBD chews for dogs, so there’s no worrying about guesswork and overdosing.
CBD Capsules for Dogs
The CBD dosage for dogs is easily controlled through capsules. It’s carefully dosed and put inside easy-to-digest capsules that can be given to the dog by hiding it in their food or in a treat. Each dose is precise, which makes it much easier to dose and administer.
However, make sure you read the ingredients carefully and make sure that there’s enough information on the dosage, THC percentage, and other ingredients before administering.
CBD Tincture for Dogs
CBD tinctures, or oils, are the purest and most effective form of CBD. They give the fastest and most powerful results, but administering them can be a pain.
For the best results, the oil needs to be carefully dosed and administered under your dog’s tongue. As they swallow it, the CBD is absorbed quickly into their bloodstream.
On the one hand, it gives you more control over dosage and allows you to use one product for multiple animals varying in size, but administering it this way can be difficult. Another option is to drop the CBD onto their food, but the results won’t be the same.
CBD Oil Dosage for Dogs
Although CBD is safe for dogs, experts and vets urge pet owners to be cautious when giving CBD to their pets.
One reason is that regardless of the positive results we’re seeing in the many examples of pet owners already using CBD, there’s still very little scientific research to back it and set a safe dose level for pets.
Nevertheless, today many vets recommend and encourage CBD for a dog’s pain, seizures, inflammation, anxiety, cancer, and much more.
Consider the Tips Below Before Giving Your Dog CBD:
- Always consult with your pet’s veterinarian before considering any treatments.
- Start administering CBD at about 0.25 mg a day and then increase slowly if necessary.
- Closely monitor how your pet responds to the CBD.
- When considering doses, keep in mind that your dog’s activity level, size, and overall weight affect the way it will metabolize the CBD.
- Before you buy CBD oil for dogs, consider your pet’s health conditions, which may prevent metabolization of the CBD, such as kidney or liver problems.
- It’s essential that the CBD brand you choose offers products free of toxins and shows proof of this. There are several shady products out there because the industry isn’t regulated.
- Choose the CBD potency that suits your pet’s size best. Each brand has different potency levels. A general standard is 75 mg for smaller dogs and more than 300 mg for large dogs.
Remember, dogs and most pets have more cannabinoid receptors than humans do, so a lot less CBD is needed to get results.
How Long Does It Take for CBD Oil to Work in Dogs?
Many wonder when they will start seeing the CBD taking effect after administering it to their dog. This depends greatly on what you are trying to treat with the CBD. And of course, the potency of the CBD needs to be suitable for your pet’s weight.
If you have chosen the best CBD oil for dog anxiety, you may see your dog relax within 5 to 30 minutes. For chronic health issues such as inflammation or arthritis, it may take up to several weeks to see it take effect. Of course, this varies by the dosage and brand you’ve chosen.
Many people get discouraged by CBD oils when they don’t see immediate changes, but it’s essential to be patient. It isn’t a magic wand that cures all overnight. Experimenting with dosage usually does the trick if you’ve chosen a quality trusted brand.
Can a Dog Overdose on CBD Oil?
Once again, this greatly depends on the product you have chosen and the quality of the brand. If it’s a broad-spectrum or isolates product, then it doesn’t contain any THC whatsoever, and an overdose is near impossible.
However, it’s crucial to follow dosing instructions carefully if it’s a full-spectrum CBD oil for dogs, even if it has barely traceable amounts of THC.
If the dog has overdosed on CBD oil, you may notice these signs:
- Vomiting
- Urinary incontinence
- Increased awareness of the senses
- Impaired balance or coordination
- Lethargy
If you notice these symptoms in your dog and fear it may have ingested more CBD than recommended, call your vet immediately.
Treatment varies depending on the symptoms and their severity. Most mild cases are easily managed at home, but more severe symptoms may need veterinary care and IV fluids.
Choosing the Best CBD Oil for Dogs
It’s important to understand that CBD oil for animals isn’t regulated yet, which means that there are plenty of low-quality products out there. Worse, some are scams that could merely be a waste of time, but they could also be potentially dangerous to your pet.
Always carefully research who you purchase from, whether it’s a brick and mortar store, an online one, or directly from the brand.
Choose Organic
Find the best organic CBD for dogs. The hemp used for extracting the CBD must be organically grown and free of toxins and pesticides.
US-grown hemp is the way to go, as there are strict farming practices. Some companies go so far as to get themselves certified as organic and offer proof of their farming practices.
Processing and Extraction
Processing is also crucial. The safest methods of extraction are cold press and carbon dioxide. Avoid companies that use cheap extraction methods, specifically those that use toxic solvents like hexane, propane, or butane.
Third-Party Testing
The best rated CBD oil for dogs will come from a company that focuses on transparency.
Companies that follow these practices have all of their products third-party tested and present the test results or certificates of analysis for review before you purchase the product.
The test results should have essential factors listed, including mycotoxins, pesticides, microbiology, heavy metals, and residual solvents. It should also have the THC percentage and CBD potency.
THC Levels
The majority of CBD products should have THC potency less than the legal 0.3%, and for pet products, this is absolutely mandatory. Choose pure CBD for dogs that are an isolate to avoid any THC content or a full- or broad-spectrum product.
This way, you only get isolated CBD rather than the full range of cannabinoids and terpenes that prove to be most beneficial together.
The Bottom Line
There is a wide variety of CBD products out there both for humans and animals, and many more will continue to be developed in the future.
Unfortunately, because it’s not a regulated medication, finding the best CBD oil for dogs is even more difficult. Many companies are looking to take advantage, releasing not only low-quality products but ones that could potentially be dangerous for your animal.