Much like humans, our dogs have unique needs as they grow older. Your pet might have mobility challenges, anxiety and stress problems caused by separation, thunderstorm, or other loud events, or they may need pain relief due to illness or old age. Prescribed medications for these canine conditions can come with unwanted side effects for your pet – and these can also be stressful for you as a concerned dog owner. The good news is that alternative treatments for joint pain, stress, and wellness are becoming more widely available. We take a look at where you can buy the best CBD oil for dogs with arthritis, mobility and stress issues online.
CBD is a compound derived from hemp plants. It’s carefully extracted from the plant, and then combined with a neutral oil (for example, coconut oil) which you can then feed to your dog. CBD oil won’t get your dog “high”, but it has numerous benefits for your dog that can greatly improve their quality of life, including:
- Promoting relaxation
- Reducing anxiety and stress
- Relieving joint and muscle pain
- Reducing itchy skin conditions
- Boosting overall wellness
Table of Contents
What is CBD oil for dogs?
CBD (cannabidiol) is a compound that occurs naturally in the flowers, stalks, and leaves of cannabis (Cannabis Sativa L. species) plants. These plants come in two types – marijuana and hemp.
Marijuana contains high levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but it’s low in cannabidiol (CBD). Hemp on the other hand, is very high in CBD but low in THC.
This is important for dog owners to know. You need to ensure you’re giving your dog CBD products – as THC is extremely toxic for your dog.
All of the CBD products listed below are specifically formulated and lab tested to be safe for your pet. They’re derived from hemp which is high in the good stuff (CBD), but contains only trace amounts of THC (less than 0.3%) which are too low to cause any side effects for your dog.
Is CBD safe for dogs?
CBD isn’t psychoactive, so your dog won’t be lying around looking at pink elephants dancing on the ceiling. It’s easily metabolized, and has little to no side effects for most dogs when given at the correct dosage. CBD doesn’t give your dog any feeling of intoxication, so your dog won’t feel confused, aggressive, or agitated – but instead they will feel calmer and more relaxed.
Studies have shown CBD to have a safe profile, and it’s very difficult for your dog to overdose. There have been no recorded cases of CBD overdose in dogs to date. If you do give your dog a little too much, it’s most likely they’ll simply have a giant drink of water, fall asleep and wake up when the CBD wears off.
Most veterinarians recommend that owners take it slow when starting CBD treatment for their dogs. Starting at a low dosage means you can keep an eye on how your pet responds to this treatment. Some CBD effects might be noticeable immediately, but others might take a few days to notice.
If your dog needs CBD for anxiety issues for example, you can watch how they respond to their usual stressors (e.g. loud noises). If they seem more relaxed about this than usual, it’s a good sign that the CBD oil is working as it should be.
Similarly, if you’re giving your dog CBD oil for arthritis, or joint and mobility issues, and you notice that after a few days they’re more active, running with the excitement of previous days, you know the CBD oil is bringing them relief and support.
The safest way to give CBD to your dog over the long term is to do so under the guidance of your vet. This will ensure that your dog’s health can be monitored, and that the CBD doesn’t have any negative reactions with medications your dog might already be taking.
CBD is known to be a generally safe and effective product, which is why the demand is rapidly increasing for both humans and their pets. All reliable CBD manufacturers ensure their batches of dog CBD oil, chews, and other products undergo rigorous testing for safety, purity, and effectiveness.
How does CBD oil affect dogs?
CBD affects your dog by binding with their endocannabinoid receptors in the brain. Your dog’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) regulates vital body processes (e.g. hormones, pain and inflammation responses, sleep, emotions, and appetite).
CBD oil for dogs helps them maintain a healthy balance in their brain, body, and nervous system and keep everything regulated and stable – in a state called “homeostasis”.
What you should look for in CBD oil for dogs
While quality CBD oils can help your dog feel great – not all CBD oils are made with the best or purest ingredients.
These are some of the factors you need to keep in mind before deciding on the best cbd oil for your dog:
- Quality of ingredients
- CBD concentration
- Strength
- Flavor
- Value for money
- Lab tested
- National Animal Supplement Council Quality Seal (NASC)
All of the best CBD oils for dogs that we’ve found are based around these criteria – and they’re brands that we (and thousands of other dog owners) recommend for quality, effectiveness, and value.
In addition, all of these brands have independent third party lab test data available on their website, so you can check their products are effective, and free from nasty elements such as heavy metals and pesticides.
Best CBD oil for dogs – drops, chews, gels, and balm
When you’re searching for the best CBD oil for dogs, it really comes down to what your own dog will eat – and enjoy.
High strength natural flavored CBD oil might be fine for large dog breeds, but your tiny chihuahua might not like it so much. Your fussy furry friend might prefer their CBD oil delivered in soft, bacon-flavored chews instead of oil drops, and your hard-chewing dog might enjoy hard CBD chews more than soft chews!
If your first attempt at giving your dog CBD isn’t a success, don’t be afraid to try different brands and products until you find one that your dog loves.
ElleVet Sciences
At the top of our list of best cbd oil for dogs is the ElleVet Sciences brand. Backed by clinical trials at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, it’s a leader in the CBD pet industry. From small beginnings, it’s now a multi-facility company that has offices in the USA and the world.
ElleVet Sciences completed the first ever successful clinical trial of CBD on dogs with joint discomfort, plus the first safety study and the first published paper (now their most downloaded paper of all time). This study was conducted in 2017. No other pet CBD oil company has been able to prove efficacy since then.
This company produces chews, gels, and CBD oils for small and large dogs, which assist in easing a range of canine health issues including:
- Joint discomfort
- Stress
- Itching
- Cognitive issues
- Senior dog overall wellness
- Mobility issues
- Palliative care
- Shaking
The Ellevet Sciences range of CBD products for dogs includes something for every dog’s taste, including:
And for dogs who only need an occasional dose of calm (e.g. for thunderstorms, fireworks, or a trip to the nail salon), the Calm and Comfort Emergency Chews come highly recommended by dog owners.
Check out these popular products:
Holistapet
Holistapet is a company dedicated to supporting the health of dogs, and providing natural remedies for dogs with arthritis and other forms of joint and body pain – plus those pets that just need general wellness support.
They guarantee their CBD oil is both potent and produces results so you can see an improvement in your pet’s wellbeing. They have been voted among the best cbd oil for dogs in the Las Vegas Sun and the Observer.
Their primary goal is to educate dog owners all around the world about natural, safe alternatives to pharmaceuticals for their pets’ health issues.
Holistapet’s products are:
- Non-GMO
- Free from gluten, dairy, additives, and preservatives
- Made from pure CO2 extracted broad spectrum CBD
- Available in multiple concentration levels
Many of their products also include superfoods and additional supplements which both improve the efficiency of the CBD oil and provide your dog with extra nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. These can help promote overall health and wellness in your pet
The CBD oil tincture contains full spectrum hemp extract which is concentrated and comes in a dropper bottle. There are concentrations suitable for smaller and larger dogs. This CBD oil for dogs is specially formulated for your pet, and is absorbed quickly to provide fast results for your pet.
Holistapet’s range of CBD products for dogs includes:
- CBD oil drops
- CBD shampoo
- CBD soft chews for calming and mobility
- CBD soft chews for stress, mobility, and immunity support
Check out these recommended products:
CBDfx
CBDfx makes CBD oil products for dogs that are all natural, and make it easy and enjoyable to give your pet the benefits of CBD for arthritis, anxiety, and other common canine problems. Their dog CBD oil comes in formulas for small, medium, and large dogs, to make calculating the CBD dosage easier.
What we love about CBDfx CBD oil for dogs, is that they use pure, organic CBD and they have third-party lab tests to back up their potency claims. They’re also:
- Cruelty free
- Solvent free
- Made in the USA
- Not afraid to offer a 60-day money back guarantee
With natural bacon flavoring, it’s easy to feed the CBD oil to your dog. Simply mix in with their food, or give it to them straight from the dropper. You can also give your dog CBDfx oil in the form of pet treats, which make a great addition to your dog’s daily snacks.
CBDfx believes that the benefits of CBD oil for dogs should be made easily available to dog owners and their pets around the world. All their products are made with premium, broad spectrum CBD oil. They’re focused on creating only the best, high quality formulas to give your dog all the advantages that CBD oil has to offer.
The CBDfx range of CBD for pets includes:
- CBD oil drops for small, medium, and large breeds of dog
- CBD chews for mobility
- CBD chews for anxiety
- CBD calming skin balm
Check out these recommended products:
Charlotte’s Web
Charlotte’s Web is a pioneer in the CBD industry for humans – and it also makes products specifically for dogs.
Their CBD oils, chews, and balms help keep your dog calm and relaxed, promote hip and joint health, and support healthy skins and coats. Their product line includes CBD oil with botanical blends, glucosamine, natural chicken-flavors, and topical ointments.
These products are all:
- Quality tested
- Free of chemicals and pesticides
- Non GMO
Charlotte’s Web has also passed the rigorous NASC compliance audit, which means its CBD oil for dogs is made with the highest CBD quality standards, including strict labeling requirements, and product testing by an independent laboratory.
The Charlotte’s Web range of CBD products for dogs includes:
Check out these recommended products:
Honest Paws
Honest Paws creates premium CBD oil for dogs. They have a wide variety of CBD products available to suit all dog sizes and tastes – including peanut butter infused with CBD oil. What dog could resist that!
This company produces CBD oil that’s guaranteed to be:
- Organic
- Non GMO
- Soy free
- Third party lab tested
Honest Paws only uses 100% pure full spectrum CBD hemp oil. All ingredients used in their CBD product range are organic and top quality. Their range concentrates on alleviating anxiety, improving mobility, relieving pain and itchiness, and promoting overall wellness for your dog. In addition to the potent CBD, the products also include herbs like chamomile and turmeric, and joint-friendly supplements including chondroitin, glucosamine, and hyaluronic acid.
- CBD for anxiety
- CBD for mobility
- CBD for relief
- CBD for general wellness
- Dog Shampoo
- Paw Balm
- Calming Dog Vest
The Honest Paws for dogs range includes:
Check out these recommended CBD products for dogs:
Innovet
Innovet launched way back in 2005, and they’re focused on creating high quality, affordable, and effective CBD oil products for dogs. They manufacture all of their products in-house to assure quality control and consistency.
All of their CBD oil for dogs products use human grade CBD oil, with organic hemp sourced from Europe, and carrier oil from farms in Oregon. They use a C02 extraction method to ensure only the best quality oil production. From there, the oils and other products in their range are mixed, tested, and bottled at their facilities in the USA.
Unlike most other brands, Innovet guarantees 100% satisfaction with their pet products – with a 30-day money back guarantee. They have over 13,000 happy customer reviews on their website too – which puts them firmly on our list for best cbd oils for dogs!
The Innovet range of CBD oil products for dogs includes:
Check out these top selling products:
Penelope’s Bloom
Penelope’s Bloom was named after the owner’s French bulldog who was diagnosed early in life with a chronic spinal disc degeneration. Their search for a treatment to improve her wellbeing led to them developing an effective range of pet products to help other dog owners as well.
Their CBD oil product range is:
- Vegan
- Made with full spectrum CBD oil
- Third party lab tested
- Formulated to act fast
- Free to ship anywhere in the US, Alaska, and Hawaii
Penelope’s Bloom offers CBD oil tinctures, treats, and balm for dogs, which includes organic CBD, MCT oil, and chamomile. This can be easily digested to ensure rapid relief for your pet. The CBD oil drops are available in four different concentrations – for dogs under 30 pounds and large dogs that are over 120 pounds.
All CBD oil products are made from organically grown hemp plants in the USA and contain full spectrum CBD. The THC content is guaranteed to be less than 0.3% so you can feed this to your dog with confidence. Additional supplements such as coconut oil and chamomile to reduce discomfort and improve relaxation and cognitive function in your pet.
The entire CBD product range is:
- Organic
- No unnecessary processing
- No harmful additives
- Grown and made in USA
- Third part ISO-certified lab tested
The Penelope’s Bloom range of CBD oil for dogs includes:
When you purchase any Penelope’s Bloom products – they donate a portion of the sale to a non-profit organization that supports animals across the USA.
Check out these recommended CBD products for your dog:
The Anxious Pet
As the name suggests, The Anxious Pet was designed to help dogs and their owners cope with the many issues surrounding canine anxiety.
Formulated by vets, these products are all natural, and evaluated by independent third party laboratories. The products contain no fillers or additives to ensure your dog gets the full benefits of CBD oil.
The Anxious Pet range is:
- Shopper friendly, with a 60-day money back guarantee
- More affordable than other brands
- Veterinarian formulated
- Free for shipping in the USA
With a few drops of the concentrated CBD oil, your dog can better manage pain, anxiety, and restlessness. Hemp oil also stimulates serotonin which naturally stabilizes and improves your dog’s mood. This brand creates products that are both delicious for your dog, and easily digestible, helping your dog overcome any excessive fear and anxiety that they might be struggling with.
The Anxious Pet’s range of CBD oil for dogs includes:
Check out these recommended products:
PETLYcbd
PETLYcbd is one of the brands making the best cbd oil for dogs as they put a high value on scientific evidence when they create all of their products.
All of their hemp is grown in the nutrient-rich soil of Colorado, with farmers who operate under strict guidelines, and are 100% organic in their farming methods. This ensures the quality of the natural proprietary strains of hemp, and also makes sure the products are safe, regulated, and are of high potency and consistency.
PETLYcbd creates CBD products that are:
- Veterinarian approved
- Third party lab tested for high quality
- Human-grade
- Non GMO
- Gluten free
- Vegan
- Free from additives and preservatives
- Made from 100% organically grown hemp
- Broad spectrum hemp extract
The company makes their Certificate of Analysis and Certificate of Quality Assurance easily available to customers who want to verify the potency of the CBD oil they’re buying for their pet.
The PETLYcbd range of cbd oil for dogs includes:
- CBD oils for small, medium, and large dogs
- CBD meal toppers
- CBD dog treats
Check out these popular products:
Verma Farms
Verma Farms has a socially conscious focus on making CBD oil products that leave as little ecological footprint as possible, and they take their CBD seriously. Their award-winning CBD oil kit for humans was raved about by Forbes and Entrepreneur Media – and their CBD Steak Bites for dogs were called the “creme de la creme of CBD dog treats” by Forbes.
They select the finest hemp plants and put them through a simple distilling process. This preserves all the naturally occurring cannabinoids. Minimal ingredients are added to the CBD oil to keep things as natural as possible – which delivers an effective, pleasant experience for your dog.
Verma Farms CBD oil range is guaranteed to be:
- Organic
- Pesticide free
- Non GMO
- Cruelty free
- USA grown hemp
The Verma Farms range of CBD oil products for dogs includes:
Check out these popular products:
Medterra
Medterra was started by people who are passionate about the benefits of CBD products, and believe they should be available to anyone at an affordable price. They also want to remove the stigma around cannabis and hemp cultivation, and educate people on the sustainability and effectiveness of the CBD compound.
Their hemp is grown and extracted in Kentucky under strict quality requirements. Under the Kentucky Hemp Pilot Program, harvesting and distributing hemp is 100% legal at a federal level. Every product that leaves the facility is third-party tested to ensure its consistency and potency.
As a partner of the Hemp Pilot Research Program, Medterra is working hard to be able to provide customers CBD products in all 50 US states, as well as international countries. Their CBD oil products are:
- Non GMO
- Third party lab tested and verified
- U.S. Hemp Authority™ Certified
- 30-day money back guarantee
The Medterra range of CBD oil for dogs includes:
Check out these popular products:
cbdMD
The cbdMD CBD product range is right up there among the best CBD oil for dogs. Their high-quality hemp ingredients are veterinarian formulated, and they’re the only pure CBD company ever listed on the New York Stock Exchange!
Using hemp picked fresh from farms all across the USA, they’re able to provide superior broad spectrum CBD products, while guaranteeing complete satisfaction for you and your dog.
cbdMD has a mission to create the highest-quality CBD in the industry, while still keeping it affordable for everyone (and their dog!). By using a premium source of USA-grown hemp, they pride themselves in producing some of the top CBD oil for dogs on the market.
All of the oils and chews for dogs are tested by an independent third-party, ISO-certified lab to ensure that they are pure and potent. They offer a 60-day money back guarantee so you can try their products and see for yourself how effective they are.
The cbdMD range of cbd oil for dogs includes:
Check out these popular products:
Leaf Remedys
Leaf Remedys produce CBD products for both humans and dogs. They aim to improve lives through creating a better mood, and managing chronic pain and anxiety.
While their product range of CBD oil for dogs is small, they are also powerful. The joint formula CBD dog treats are peanut butter flavored and infused with Isolate CBD, glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM can better manage joint inflammation.
The CBD Pet Tincture comes in three different flavors (chicken, bacon and salmon) to make even the fussiest eaters eager to try some.
All CBD products are tested and accurately labeled, plus they supply a detailed lab report of third party testing. This gives you total peace of mind that the CBD product you’re using has been checked for quality and safety.
The Leaf Remedys range of CBD oil products for dogs is highly recommended by dog owners, and is also:
- Gluten free
- Made in USA
- Lab tested
- Money back guaranteed
How to know the right CBD dosage for dogs
Now that you’ve checked out the best CBD oil for dogs, you might be wondering what the correct amount of CBD oil for dogs looks like. You can use this handy calculator to get started:
Innovet’s Dog CBD dosage calculator
All you need to do is:
- Select your type of pet
- Enter their weight in pounds
- Select the dosage strength from a light dose to a strong dose
Most CBD brands with products specifically created for dogs will recommend the correct dosage on the oil bottle – based on whether your dog is a small, medium, or large breed. Dogs who have painful chronic conditions might need a larger amount than normal for their size.
Always consult your vet if you intend to give your dog CBD daily, or on a regular basis. It’s important to start with a low dose, and monitor your pet’s progress. Depending how your dog tolerates the initial dosage, you can then adjust it accordingly up or down.
Most CBD oil comes in a 30 ml bottle. But because CBD products contain different concentrations of oil, you need to always pay attention to the strength of the product. If you buy the wrong strength, you might be giving your dog too much or too little – which may result in unwanted side effects for your dog.
If you notice unusual behavior such as panting or dizziness, the CBD dosage may be too high. Give your dog some time, and then try a lower dose. CBD oil can come with some trial and error – so don’t hesitate to contact your vet to get professional guidance.
Benefits of CBD oil for dogs
The best CBD oil for dogs can offer temporary pain relief (e.g. after surgery) and for diseases that cause your dog chronic pain. CBD usage has even been studied in dogs that suffer from epilepsy, and is known to reduce the amount of seizures compared to a trial placebo.
CBD also helps reduce inflammation, as studies with dogs with osteoarthritis have shown. As dogs get older, mobility is a common problem, and many pets will suffer from arthritic pain as a senior pet. CBD oil can be beneficial, as it supports joint and bone health, and eases symptoms of pain and discomfort.
But it’s not just helpful for joint support – your dog’s skin, paws, and nose can also benefit from CBD treatment. If your dog’s skin is dry, itchy, or causing discomfort, CBD oil can improve overall skin health and topical applications can promote a shiny, healthy coat.
CBD oil also helps to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety. If your dog struggles with separation anxiety when you leave home, gets terrified at the mere clap of thunder, or freaks out at fireworks time – CBD oil can be extremely helpful to comfort and calm them so they can relax during what would usually be stressful moments.
Possible side effects of CBD for dogs
While CBD oil for dogs is regarded as safe and beneficial, there are a few minor side effects you might notice after giving your dog regular doses.
These symptoms mostly occur when your dog is given a dose that is too high. Over time, you’ll be able to adjust their CBD oil to the perfect dose, and any negative effects should disappear
After giving your dog CBD oil, watch out for any of the following symptoms:
Drowsiness, fatigue, and sluggishness
There’s a fine line between relaxation and sleep! If your dog seems lethargic or drowsy, it’s likely you’ve given them a little too much CBD oil. You should give them just enough to notice a shift in their behavior, but not enough to make them want to nap.
Excessive thirst
Just like humans, dogs can also suffer from a dry mouth after taking CBD oil. This is a common and minor side effect, so make sure you have plenty of water on hand for your dog.
Dizziness or low blood pressure
If your dog has too much CBD oil, it may lower their blood pressure and cause lightheadedness. This can be unsettling for your pup, so make sure you start slow when giving them CBD oil, and start on a low dose.
Diarrhea or upset stomach
This can be a common side effect, and is often caused by the carrier oil, not the CBD oil itself. Your dog may need time to adjust to this new food, so take things slowly when you first start giving them CBD oil products.
Can I give my dog human CBD oil?
Human CBD oil isn’t suitable to give to your dog. Any pet product must contain 0.3% THC or less to ensure its safety for your pet. Dogs are sensitive to THC, so a CBD dose that contains too much THC can be toxic. The risk of giving your dog human CBD with a higher THC component can include loss of coordination, incontinence, and potentially a coma in severe cases.
Pet CBD is designed to provide a concentration of CBD that suits their size and weight – both of which are determining factors in deciding on the correct dosage for your dog. CBD for you and CBD for your dog will contain very different concentrations of oil, so it’s too easy to give your dog a CBD overdose if you’re sharing your oil with them.
In summary – the best CBD oil for dogs
CBD oil is one of nature’s miracles, for both humans and their pets. Each of the brands mentioned above is rated as being among the best CBD oil for dogs due to their dedication to providing pain and anxiety relief that’s safe and effective. They are also leaders in the CBD industry as a result of their ethical operations and strict quality and compliance standards.
Whether your pup just needs the occasional CBD oil chew to calm their nerves, or whether they need extra strength CBD oil drops to overcome chronic pain, arthritis, or other illnesses – all of these leading CBD brands offer effective natural treatments that can help, and that are backed by scientists and veterinarians.
So if your dog has aches and pains, or constant stress that’s holding them back from living their best life – CBD might just be the solution they need to give some relief.
As always, consult your veterinarian before giving CBD to your dog for the first time to ensure your dosage is correct, and that the oil won’t interfere with any existing medications.
