If you’ve got a pup, you’re probably wondering: what’s the best CBD for dogs?
Chances are, providing a stable, loving home for your dog brings you joy—especially if you’ve been spending more time at home lately.
Who doesn’t want the best for their pup?
Since your pup is just as much a part of the family, you find the best food, the best treats, the best dog sweaters (if you’re into that).
You’re always trying to do right by your dog, so when you find out about pet CBD, of course, you want to find the best product.
Making the decision is the easy part.
But next, where do you start?
How do you decide?
The CBD industry, even the small segment of the pet CBD industry, is huge. New vendors come and go every day.
Not to mention how confusing all the vocabulary on the labels can be.
To equip you to make the best decision, we’re going to review the basics of CBD 101: what qualities do the best CBD products for dogs have in common?
What Effect Does CBD Oil Have on Pets?
Before we dive into the product specifics, let’s make sure we’re on the same page about why you might be wanting to give CBD oil to your pooch.
All mammals have an endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS has receptors throughout the body, signaling and regulating core body functions like sleep, mood, and stress.
The body naturally produces endocannabinoids, but additional cannabinoids like CBD also interact with the ECS and create beneficial effects.
Like humans, dogs are also mammals, so they have an endocannabinoid system to experience the benefits of CBD products.
Many people use hemp-derived CBD products to help with minor aches and pain and for calming effects—and this is true for pets as well.
For example, if your dog gets stressed from something like fireworks or an airplane, additional cannabinoids from CBD oil interact with the ECS and encourage calm feelings.
Now that you understand how CBD affects dogs, how do you figure out whether a CBD product will help facilitate these beneficial effects?
The CBD market for pets, in particular, has a wide range of products, from dirt-cheap, questionable treats to top-tier options.
So, how do you decide what is best?
Think about these four areas.
Reputable, High-Quality CBD
If you want to find the right vendor for pet CBD products, start looking for high-quality ingredients.
Just like for humans, the CBD found in a pet product comes from hemp. CBD is only as good as the hemp it comes from, so make sure to pay attention to the CBD product source.
To ensure you’re giving your pet the best, look for American-grown, 100% organic hemp cultivated without chemical additives or toxic inputs.
Next, take a look at the other ingredients used in the pet product. There are plenty of low-quality pet products on the market because some companies think you won’t look too closely at what you’re feeding your dog.
However, these low-quality products may contain unnecessary fillers, additives, and chemicals. Particularly for pet products and treats, look for all-natural ingredients that you can recognize.
If you have any questions about the sourcing of ingredients, make sure to research the CBD company’s lab results. Reputable CBD companies pay for third-party lab testing of all of their products. This way, customers see the specific ingredients and product strength.
If you can’t find test results like these, you may want to consider finding a different vendor.
You wouldn’t let your dog eat any ol’ thing on the street while you’re on a walk, so naturally, you don’t want to give your dog a CBD product with unknown ingredients!
Finally, it’s worth checking a company’s reviews before purchasing any CBD product. Dog owners are a careful bunch with research—even more careful with all the needed information laid out.
Proper Custom Dosage Options
If you take CBD, you know that the “right” serving amount varies for each individual or even for the same person over time.
Our furry friends have reactions just like ours, varying due to size, metabolism, and other genetic factors.
So how do you know how much CBD to give your pet?
As always with CBD, start with a small amount and adjust over time. It may take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour for your pet to feel the effects, so make sure to allow the necessary amount of time.
The right amount also depends on the situation. Helping your dog stay calm on a plane ride may require a different amount of CBD than reducing minor aches in pains in older dogs.
Assess your dog’s reaction to the serving amount and adjust as needed until you reach the desired effect.
Any company offering CBD pet products understands this process of finding the best serving amount. Search for companies with specific, pet-friendly concentrations that allow you to manage this process efficiently.
CBD pet tinctures come in various strengths, suited to your dog’s size and tolerance, along with a reliable dropper to measure out the serving amount.
However, CBD Pet Treats for Joint & Mobility already come pre-measured in lower concentrations, creating easy-to-manage servings.
CBD Without THC
CBD is safe for dogs, especially since most formulations are human-grade. Still, many veterinarians have voiced concerns about pet products containing THC.
THC can cause psychoactive effects in mammals (which is why marijuana, heavy on the THC concentration, is associated with a “high”).
CBD companies are well-aware of this fact and create pet products with broad spectrum CBD oil that contains 0% THC.
No “Red Light” From Your Veterinarian
Finally, if you’re looking for the best CBD oil for your dog, make sure to discuss it with your veterinarian.
Some veterinarians have differing opinions on the efficacy and safety of CBD for dogs.
Ultimately, you are the only one who can decide on what’s best for your dog. However, a veterinarian can give you some helpful advice, especially if your dog is on any medications.
Once you have all the necessary information in hand, you can make the best decision possible for your pup.
Looking to find the best CBD products you can find for your dog?
Check out CBDfx’s collection of CBD products for pets!