CBD oil is popularly bought by humans who experience symptoms of stress, anxiety, insomnia, fatigue, and pain. Thing is, it’s not just humans who experience these symptoms.
Pets such as dogs and cats are prone to having anxiety and a range of pain-inducing illnesses, including arthritis and hip dysplasia. Luckily, there are CBD oils specifically designed for pet use!
If you’re new to the world of CBD products, you’re probably wondering what the best brand of CBD oil for pets is. You don’t want to buy CBD oil from any old website, because the oil might not be fit for pet use.
It might be suitable for human use only, the potency might be too strong, the method of extraction might seem dodgy, and the levels of THC within the oil might render the product illegal.
If you’re looking for CBD oil to treat your pet’s anxiety, stress, or pain, we’ve got you covered. Here are the best brands of CBD oil for pets, complete with a handy buyer’s guide so you know what to look out for in a reputable brand!
Honest Paws
Honest Paws started off with a passionate dog mom, Chelsea, who was caring for her dog who was undergoing some painful health conditions.
After feeling untrusting about the medication the veterinarian recommended, she tried using CBD oil – and it worked miraculously. With this background, Chelsea founded Honest Paws with the aims of creating organic, healthy, and truly beneficial CBD oil for pets.
Every product offered by Honest Paws is made from organic ingredients that are free from soy, non-GMO, and tested in labs by a third party.
The brand’s transparency about what goes into their products is what makes them so reliable, because lack of transparency is a huge sign of a dodgy brand.
Honest Paws’ CBD oil is designed specifically for dogs. While they currently don’t have a CBD oil for cats, the brand offers an array of other CBD products for cats.
As for the CBD oil for dogs, there are three versions of the oil – one for calming, one for wellness, and one for mobility. The calming oil is possibly the most popular product, plus it is only made of two natural ingredients – full-spectrum hemp oils and chamomile.
Each oil has its own potency to treat whatever your dog needs. Every oil also has a 30-day money-back guarantee as well as a description of the ingredients and manufacturing processes.
Pros:
- Healthy ingredients – All products are non-GMO, soy-free, organic, and lab-tested by a third party to ensure the best quality
- Three oils for dogs – Specific oils for calming, wellness, and mobility
- Trustworthy brand – Completely transparent with ingredients and manufacturing processes
Cons:
- No oil for cats – While there are some cat-specific CBD products, there is no CBD oil for cats
Royal CBD Oil for Pets
Royal CBD is one of the most reputable brands of CBD products for human use, but little do some people know, they also have their own brand of dog-specific CBD oil!
The manufacturing processes for both human and dog CBD products are virtually identical, just with a difference in potencies to suit both species.
As the name suggests, Royal CBD is all about making CBD products of the highest quality, made with all organic ingredients, lab-tested by a third party, and manufactured with the best extraction method – solventless CO2.
Royal CBD’s oil for pets comes in two concentrations (250 mg and 500 mg) and is one of the best CBD oils for fussy dogs.
It’s rare for CBD oils for dogs to come with flavorings due to the risk of introducing xylitol in the ingredients (which is extremely toxic to dogs), but this product is formulated to taste and smell like bacon.
This is ideal for dogs who dislike having things put into their mouth, because the theory is that they will want to consume the bacon-flavored oil.
While this CBD oil for dogs is slightly more expensive than other brands, this is purely to reflect its quality. All the ingredients are natural and sourced in the USA, with particular care to not include gluten ingredients in the products, as gluten can be bad for some dogs.
Pros:
- Reputable brand – Trusted CBD brand amongst humans as well as dogs for the high-quality manufacturing processes
- Transparent – Brand is honest about its ingredients and how each product is made
- Dog-friendly flavor – Bacon flavor helps dogs to enjoy the product
Cons:
- Price – Quite expensive compared to other CBD oil brands
Holistapet
Holistapet is a CBD brand specifically designed for aiding mental and physical problems in dogs, cats, and horses. That’s right – they offer CBD products for horses! With the aim of encouraging the use of natural cannabinoids for medicinal purposes,
Holistapet ensures to make high-grade CBD products from organic, plant-based ingredients. Each product’s formula is non-GMO, gluten-free, cruelty-free, dairy-free, and free from colorings and preservatives.
Holistapet’s CBD oil is suitable for all pets as long as you pick the right size depending on the weight of your pet. This is a full-spectrum hemp-derived CBD oil that comes with a handy dropper bottle to ensure the right dosage and easy access to the mouth.
It features 0% of THC, which not only means there is no chance of your pet getting high, but it’s well within the legal limits of buying hemp CBD oils.
Transparency is a huge part of Holistapet’s philosophy, which is why every single product comes with a detailed description of the ingredients, third-party testing, and the manufacturing processes. Plus, Holistapet’s products are fairly affordable compared to other CBD products.
Pros:
- Affordable – Not as expensive as other brands without compromising quality
- Organic ingredients – Cruelty-free, plant-based, dairy-free, non-GMO, gluten-free, and preservative-free products for an all natural product
- Suitable for all pets – CBD oil can be bought for pets under 20 lbs and over 160 lbs
Cons:
- No flavor – Oil doesn’t come with a flavor, which some fussy dogs might not like
Joy Organics
Joy Organics is first and foremost a CBD brand for humans, but they also offer some CBD products designed specifically for pets, too!
One of the first brands to design a line of tinctures and solves that are USDA Certified Organic, Joy Organics is committed to using state-of-the-art technology to create healthy and truly beneficial CBD products.
The manufacturing processes for CBD for humans are the same as for animals, allowing for the true organic elements of the hemp cannabinoid to shine through.
Joy Organics’ CBD oil for pets is suitable for both dogs and cats thanks to the low THC levels (0%) and two concentrations available (450 mg and 900 mg).
This CBD oil is about as simple and as natural as it gets, as it is made with only two ingredients – organic full-spectrum hemp extract and organic olive oil.
Sure, it’s not flavored with your pet’s favorite flavors, but it’s easy enough to consume. If you have a fussy pet, it’s recommended to mix the appropriate dosage over their favorite food.
Joy Organics is transparent about every one of their products, from the ingredients list to the extraction process. As a USDA Certified Organic brand, customers can have complete reassurance that whatever they’re putting into their pet’s body is entirely safe and natural.
Pros:
- Oil for all pets – CBD oil is suitable for both cats and dogs as well as other pets
- USDA Certified Organic – Certified as one of the leading organic hemp brands in the USA
- Transparent – Brand is honest about how and where they source their ingredients, the extraction process, and the manufacturing processes
Cons:
- Price – A bit more expensive than other CBD brands
Charlotte’s Web
If you’re concerned about CBD products and sustainability, Charlotte’s Web is the brand for you. Charlotte’s Web is a certified B Corp brand, whose pet products have been certified by the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC).
With such rigorous testing to ensure these certifications, Charlotte’s Web is clear about their core values – producing high-quality hemp-derived CBD products without damaging the environment or those who consume the products.
Charlotte’s Web’s CBD oil for dogs comes with the option of being flavored or not. The one flavoring on offer is chicken, which is wildly popular amongst fussy dogs.
If your dog isn’t fussy, there is an unflavored version available. All the CBD pet products are quality tested over 20 times, don’t include harsh chemicals or pesticides, and are made in the same way as their human-specific CBD counterparts.
While this CBD oil is only suitable for dogs, Charlotte’s Web is currently in the process of making CBD products for other mammals including cats.
Pros:
- Flavored and unflavored options – Suitable for fussy dogs and dogs who are unbothered by flavorings
- Reputable brand – Popular CBD brand amongst humans
- Eco-friendly – Certified B Corp brand means Charlotte’s Web’s products don’t impact the environment
Cons:
- Just for dogs – CBD oil isn’t suitable for cats
Buyer’s Guide
Things to look for in a CBD brand for pets
The main priority of pet owners is to provide their furry friends with the appropriate products that won’t provide any harm. It is vital that pet owners understand what to look for when choosing a CBD brand for their pet, so here are the main things to consider!
Species-specific
In the same way that human CBD oil is not suitable for dogs to consume, cats shouldn’t consume CBD oils that aren’t marketed towards the species.
Each CBD oil comes with its own potency and dosage requirements depending on the size of the mammal, so unless the product specifically states that it is suitable for cats or small dogs, then don’t give it to your pet. Some products can be used by a range of mammals, but it’s always worth keeping this in mind.
Organic ingredients
The best CBD products will be derived from hemp extracts and include very few but organic ingredients.
These ingredients can range from olive oil to peanut butter to barley, each coming with their own particular benefits.
It is vital that you only purchase CBD products made from organic ingredients to prevent harming your pet with chemicals, preservatives, and additives.
Supercritical CO2 extraction
Supercritical CO2 extraction is certainly the most expensive method of extraction, but it provides the most high-quality products.
This is because the potency of the CBD is still preserved through this extraction process, providing the user with the purest hemp-derived CBD possible.
Keep an eye out for this extraction process, because if a brand doesn’t commit to this extraction process, then they are using cheaper and less ethical methods such as extractions with hydrocarbons (which is unsafe for dogs).
Follows Legal Requirements
In the United States, there are two main rules that CBD products must abide by to be considered legal. The CBD product must be derived from a hemp plant, and it should only have a THC level of 0.3% or under. I
f you notice a suspicious CBD oil that has a slightly higher THC content, or perhaps a CBD oil derived from a marijuana plant, keep in mind that these products are illegal for a reason – especially for animals who have a lower potency tolerance than humans.
Reviews
If you’re ever in doubt about the reputation of a particular brand or product, look at the customer reviews! Marketing and advertisements are all well and good, but you’ll get a better understanding of the product or the brand from reading customer reviews.
How To Give your Pet CBD Oil?
If you don’t have an overly fussy pet, you can give them CBD oil in the same way that humans take the oil – orally. Simply provide them with the correct dosage and drop the oil into their mouths with the dropper. As soon as the CBD oil is consumed, it should start to provide its benefits within 30 minutes to an hour.
Unfortunately, it’s not always as easy as this. Most pets who take CBD oil need it for anxiety reasons, and trying to wrestle oil droplets down their throat isn’t exactly anxiety-relieving for the animal.
If you have a particularly fussy pet when it comes to flavors, we recommend finding a flavored CBD oil (such as bacon, beef, or chicken) to get them excited about taking the product.
If that doesn’t work, you should try mixing the appropriate dosage into their food or drizzle it over their favorite toy. It doesn’t matter too much how you manage to get your pet to consume the CBD oil, because once it’s in their system, it’ll still work.
Dosing CBD Oil for Pets
There’s no universal guidelines to follow when it comes to giving your pet the right CBD oil dosage. Each product will have its own potency, and therefore its own dosage requirements.
Likewise, each product will be designed for a specific species or size of mammal, which is why it’s vital to only buy a CBD oil that is compatible with your animal. For example, if you buy CBD oil intended for large dogs for your cat, it might do more harm than good.
It’s always best to start with the smallest dosage amounts to see what happens. Your pet might react really well to a small amount of CBD oil, or they might need some more. Keep in mind that CBD increases its strength with another dose, so make sure to wait 5-6 hours before you try again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CBD Oil Safe for Dogs?
Yes, CBD oil is safe for dogs! As long as you buy dog-specific CBD oil for your canine friend instead of human CBD oil, you might find that CBD oil is the answer to treating your dog’s anxiety or pain.
CBD oil contains the smallest amount of THC (with levels of or under 0.3%), meaning it’s impossible for your dog to get high. Instead, the oil will cooperate with their endocannabinoid system to relax their body and mind.
As with any medication product, there are some potential side effects in CBD oils for dogs. These side effects are very rare and haven’t actually been proven by scientists, but keep an eye out for extreme drowsiness, vomiting, dry mouth, increased appetite, and thinning blood.
Not to cause concern, but CBD oil is yet to be proven safe for humans, let alone dogs. However, as the side effects of CBD oil for dogs are so rare, it’s safe to assume that CBD oil is safe for dogs.
Is CBD Oil Good for Dogs with Anxiety?
CBD oil is one of the most effective ways of aiding a dog with anxiety. It works by cooperating with the serotonin in the body after going through the endocannabinoid system, which then works to provide some anxiety relief.
The oil’s anti-inflammatory benefits also work to relax tense muscles. CBD oil doesn’t contain any properties strong enough to make your dog “high” – instead, it will just provide your dog with a sense of calm.
This is why dog owners will often give their dog a few drops of CBD oil during fireworks, thunderstorms, or if their dog has separation anxiety.
