You might have a limping Labrador or a stressed Schitzu, or you could just want to chill with your Chihuahua. Whatever the case, you’re here because you’re curious about CBD for dogs. Is CBD safe? Does it work? How do you know which CBD dog products to buy and avoid getting ripped off?
From anxious Airedales to itchy Irish Setters, CBD can bring our furry best friends relief in a multitude of therapeutic ways. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know, from how CBD works with dogs to the best products for your pooch’s particular needs.
The best way to fully understand what CBD product works best for your dog, you need to know the fundamentals — what CBD is, how it works, and what to look for in a CBD product. That’s the foundation to a safe and enjoyable experience for you and your dog.
CBD for Dogs 101: The Fundamentals
Our understanding of CBD for dogs begins with our understanding of CBD itself and how it interacts with our own bodies.
What CBD Is and How It Works
CBD is short for cannabidiol. Cannabidiol is one of many molecular compounds called cannabinoids that are found in the (you guessed it) cannabis plant.
Unlike its infamous cousin THC, CBD is not psychoactive, meaning it won’t cause a “high” for you or your dog.
The cannabis hemp plant — from which our CBD products are derived — is packed with other beneficial and non-psychoactive cannabinoids, like CBC, CBG, and CBN, that all impart their own benefits as well as working together to achieve a greater synergistic effect, known as the Entourage Effect.
There are other powerful compounds in the cannabis plant that work on their own and in tandem with cannabinoids, too. These are terpenes, or the compounds that give plants their scent, and flavonoids, or compounds that give plants their color. Each of these compounds carries a cornucopia of healthful benefits.
So, how does CBD work with our bodies — and the bodies of our dogs, for that matter? What’s the step between the product and the effects we feel?
CBD and other cannabinoids interact with a cell-signaling system within our bodies called the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is integrated with our central and peripheral nervous systems, as well as systems that regulate sleep, digestion, mood, and more.
Cannabinoids, like CBD, interact with the endocannabinoid system by engaging with receptors throughout the system. These receptors pass on therapeutic benefits to the systems, organs, or tissues they’re connected with.**
CBD and Your Dog
Like you, your dog also has an endocannabinoid system. In fact, pretty much all vertebrates (animals with spines) have an endocannabinoid system. That includes dogs, cats, fish, turtles, snakes … you name it.
This means our dogs can benefit from the therapeutic effects of CBD just like we do.
Just as humans find that CBD helps them with stress and aches, scientists and pet owners have found the same possibilities with animals. There’s a handful of scientific studies indicating CBD could help with a wide range of issues dogs may encounter.**
Is CBD Safe for Dogs?
Yes! In a 2017 report, the World Health Organization stated that CBD is safe for animals.
However, it’s crucial to note that THC can be toxic to dogs. So, you want to avoid products that contain it, and this includes full spectrum CBD, which does contain legally allowed trace amounts of THC.
When shopping for a CBD product for your dog, always look for broad spectrum CBD, which has the THC filtered out. This is just one of our tips for selecting CBD for dogs, but it’s the most important.
CBD for Dogs: Dosage
This can get confusing for two reasons:
- Your dog can’t tell you the dosage that works best for them because they don’t … talk.
- Dosage amounts are dictated not only by the size, metabolism and tolerance of your dog, but also by the concentration of CBD in the product you’re using.
You’ll see a wide range of serving amounts for dogs recommended online, and this can be overwhelming when we consider how many CBD products there are on the market.
How do you decide? First, consult with your veterinarian. Second, follow the instructions on your CBD dog product. And start small.
By far, the easiest way to ensure you’re giving your dog the right amount is to choose a product specifically formulated for your dog’s size.
By the way, your veterinarian isn’t allowed to prescribe CBD for animals, due to professional regulations. But, the American Kennel Club has some great recommendations on how to talk to your vet about CBD. Check it out.
Why Do People Use CBD for Dogs?
If you personally use CBD, then you already know that the beneficial effects it passes along are many. The same is true for our puppers.
What we’re doing today is looking at the primary areas where people who use CBD for themselves and their pets find soothing, therapeutic benefits.
There are four primary reasons why people use CBD for dogs:
- Stress. Just as we look to CBD when we need to chill, the same can work for our dogs.**
- Achy joints and muscles. Treats with CBD and other natural ingredients that address soreness are popular with dog lovers.**
- Dry and irritated skin. From noses to paw pads and everywhere in between, CBD topicals can soothe and nourish problem skin for your dog.**
- General wellness. Because CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system on such a broad scale, engaging receptors in multiple systems and organs, it is considered by many to be a great all-around wellness supplement.**
Now that we know how CBD works and how it can benefit our dogs, how do we know what to buy?
CBD for Dogs: How to Find the Best CBD for Your Dog
Quality is key to both the safety and efficacy of CBD. How do you know you’re purchasing the highest quality product?
- Always purchase organically grown CBD. Cannabis is such an incredibly absorbent plant that it’s sometimes used specifically to clean soil of its toxins and heavy metals. Hemp soaks up everything in the soil where it grows. So you want your CBD to come from pesticide-free, non-GMO farms.
- Make sure your CBD comes with a lab report from a third-party analysis. Not only will a lab report give you peace of mind in knowing your product is toxin-free, it will also tell you exactly what the concentration of CBD in the product is.
- Only purchase broad spectrum CBD for your dog. This ensures the product is THC-free, while still containing the valuable cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids that combine to create the Entourage Effect, giving your pooch the best results.
- Look for products geared toward your needs. Treats for dogs suffering from joint and muscle discomfort will include additional ingredients for joint health and antioxidant properties. Similarly, products for stress will include calming ingredients, like GABA and valerian. Balms will also include shea butter, salmon oil, and other soothing ingredients.
CBD Dog Product Recommendations
You were wondering when we were going to get to this. What CBD dog product should you buy? We’re going to recommend our own CBDfx products here, because A) you’re on our blog, and B) we know that these products are organic, pure, and safe. The same can’t be said for many other brands out there.
Tinctures are the go-to for many CBD aficionados, and for good reason. These take effect more quickly than edibles, which basically have to be digested before being metabolized.
However, tinctures can also be mysterious when it comes to dosage amounts. That’s why our CBD dog tinctures are designed for dogs of specific size ranges, making dosage a no-brainer. In addition, we use human-grade CBD, free of additives and made from purified, organic hemp oil.
To make tinctures more Fido-friendly, we formulate ours with a natural bacon flavor, sure to make that dropper a little more appealing.
These tinctures are ideal for all dogs, whether they’re battling separation anxiety, the aches and pains of aging, or they just need a nice, chill afternoon.
You know you can’t go wrong with a good treat. We make two formulas designed for common dog needs.
Calming CBD Pet Treats are made with broad spectrum CBD, chamomile, passion flower, valerian, GABA, and L-Tryptophan for an incredibly calming experience. On top of that, these little treats also include superfoods, like blueberry, sweet potato, parsley, and spinach, for antioxidant power and great flavor.
Joint & Mobility CBD Pet Treats also contain a potent blend of broad spectrum CBD and natural ingredients that promote joint and muscle health, including turmeric, glucosamine, chondroitin, and vitamin C. These treats come in a Mobility Bundle with CBD tincture.
We humans often rely on CBD topicals when we want to soothe sore muscles and joints. Now our dogs can benefit from them, too!
Calming & Moisturizing Pet CBD Balm is a newer kid on the CBDfx block, and we love it. Formulated with broad spectrum CBD, shea butter, odorless Alaskan salmon oil, and essential oils, this balm is perfect for dogs with irritated skin, noses, and paws. The addition of lavender, rosemary, and Roman chamomile essential oils also make this pet balm incredibly soothing.
The Final Word on CBD for Dogs
We love learning more about how CBD can help our furry friends, and we have a number of articles that can help you navigate the wild and woolly world of CBD for dogs. Check out our articles on helping dogs with joint issues, fear of fireworks and noise, and the longer-term benefits of regular CBD use for dogs.
You love your pup and want what’s best for them. We hope this guide helps you feel more confident about how CBD works for dogs, and what the best CBD products for your doggo might be.
Shop all our CBD products for dogs and let us know what works best for you!
