Best CBD for Dogs: Discover our top 7 options

CBD isn’t just beneficial for people — it may also be helpful for dogs. Because dogs have an endocannabinoid system, they are receptive to the effects of cannabis. Dogs also live with many of the same health issues as humans, including anxiety and chronic pain. These are conditions that can be lessened and improved with CBD treatment.

Finding the right CBD product for your dog can be a challenge. The market is filled with thousands of options, including CBD oils, treats, balms, and more. Many products are of low quality or simply contain too little CBD.

We compared dozens of brands to find the best options. This guide includes our top picks for dog CBD products, with multiple options for different needs.

If you don’t have time to read the whole guide, check out our summary of recommendations below.

We considered multiple criteria to find the best CBD products for dogs, including: third-party testing, CBD type, ingredients, potency, hemp quality, brand reputation, and price.

Third-party testing

Completed by independent labs, third-party tests make sure that CBD products are free of contaminants and contain what they should. We recommend only buying products from brands that provide up-to-date third-party lab test results.

CBD type

CBD is available in full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate forms. Full-spectrum CBD is believed to provide greater benefits than CBD isolate because it contains numerous cannabinoids and terpenes, including less than 0.3% THC.

Ingredients

Many CBD products for dogs are formulated with additional active ingredients designed for specific benefits, such as turmeric for joint health or methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant supplement.

Potency

Potency is an important concern because dogs require smaller doses of CBD and are more sensitive to cannabinoids (especially THC) than humans are. We recommend products with multiple potency options, making it easy to choose the right one for your dog’s size.

Hemp quality

Ideally, you want to find CBD products sourced from organic hemp that’s cultivated directly by the company. The USDA-organic label and U.S. Hemp Authority certification are also good signs of hemp quality.

Brand reputation

Satisfied customer reviews are one of the best ways to identify trustworthy CBD companies. Reputable brands are also transparent and share helpful details about their production process, the people behind the company, and more.

Price

CBD products aren’t cheap, and you’ll find that many brands inflate the prices for dog products, even if they contain virtually the same ingredients as human ones. We recommend finding affordable options by comparing the price per mg of CBD and considering deals like free shipping, subscriptions, and more.

Compared to humans, research on CBD’s benefits for dogs is limited. But early findings are promising:

• A 2021 study of shelter dogs found that CBD reduced aggressive behavior towards humans, although the effect was not statistically significant.
• A 2021 study of dog immune cells found that CBD had anti-inflammatory and immuno-modulating effects.
• In a 2020 study, CBD led to improvements in quality of life in dogs with osteoarthritis, whereas placebo had no significant effect.
• In a similar 2020 study, adding CBD to anti-inflammatory drugs in dogs affected by osteoarthritis led to reductions in pain.
• A 2019 study of dogs with difficult-to-treat epilepsy found that CBD in combination with antiepileptic medicine significantly reduced seizure frequency.
• A 2018 study of dogs with osteoarthritis found that CBD reduced pain and improved activity levels, unlike placebo treatment.
• CBD showed anti-cancer effects against canine cancer in several studies.

Additionally, a 2019 survey of 2,130 American veterinarians reported that 82.2% approved or strongly approved the medical use of CBD/hemp products for dogs. CBD was most commonly discussed by vets or pet owners for helping with pain, anxiety, seizures, storm or fireworks-related phobias, and gastrointestinal conditions.

All in all, it’s clear that CBD has many of the same potential benefits for dogs as for humans. But research is still in its early stages and more evidence is needed.

Available research suggests that CBD is safe for dogs. Although it can cause sedation, a 12-week study where CBD was given orally twice a day did not report any side effects, with the researchers concluding that “CBD-rich hemp nutraceuticals appear to be safe in healthy adult dogs.”

A similar 2021 study using high dosages and placebo for comparison reported only mild side effects, like hypersalivation and increased liver enzymes. Having said that, dogs are more sensitive to the effects of THC because they have more cannabinoid receptors in the brain.

A 2020 study that tested the effects of CBD-rich extracts in dogs found that high doses (10mg CBD alongside 0.5mg THC/kg of body weight) caused side effects, such as hyperesthesia (increased sensitivity of the senses, like sight or touch), swaying, and abnormal movements. These effects were attributable to THC rather than CBD.

The results of this study suggest that dog owners using full-spectrum CBD products (which can contain up to 0.3% THC) should avoid large doses and pay attention to how their dogs respond.

There are three types of CBD:

1. Isolate (pure CBD)
2. Full-spectrum hemp extract (CBD plus all of the cannabinoids, terpenes, and other natural ingredients found in hemp, including THC)
3. Broad-spectrum hemp extract, which is the same as full-spectrum but without THC

Full-spectrum CBD products are believed to be the most effective for both people and dogs because of the entourage effect.

Editor’s choice and Best potency

Our editor’s choice goes to the CBD Oil for Dogs from Innovet. It’s one of the only pet CBD oils with the USDA organic badge, which means it contains 100% organic ingredients. And as a full-spectrum product, it provides the full benefits of hemp for your four-legged companion. It’s also our top pick for potency because it comes in six strength levels for dogs of different sizes, starting at 125mg CBD for dogs up to 25lb and going all the way up to 6000mg (200mg/dose) for dogs over 125lb.

We like the price too — as low as 3 cents per mg of CBD for the strongest tincture, which is quite cheap. Innovet also offers free shipping and a 15% discount for monthly subscriptions. The company was founded in 2005 by two pet owners who formulated products to meet the specific needs of their dogs.

Best formula

If your furry companion is suffering from a specific issue, such as fireworks anxiety or joint problems, they might be better suited for a specially formulated CBD oil. The CBD oils from Honest Paws come in three varieties:

• Well: Standard full-spectrum CBD oil
• Mobility: CBD oil with anti-inflammatory turmeric extract to support joint health
• Calm: CBD oil with the relaxing herb chamomile to promote calm and help with anxiety

All three oils are certified organic by the USDA, which is a sign of quality, and available in four strengths for dogs of different sizes: 125mg, 250mg, 500mg, and 1000mg.

Depending on the strength you choose, the products cost 10-32 cents per mg of CBD, which is a bit pricey for the weaker oils but reasonable for the stronger ones. Shipping is free on orders over $48, and you can subscribe to monthly deliveries for 15% off and free shipping.

Honest Paws was founded by a concerned dog owner who used CBD to help her pet recover from a debilitating condition.

Best dog treats

Dog treats are a popular alternative to CBD oil because they’re easy to use and contain other beneficial ingredients. We chose Innovet for best dog treats because they offer an impressive variety of innovative, multi-ingredient formulas for your pooch:

• Standard Hard Chews (25 pieces): 5mg CBD per piece in steak and cheese flavor
• Soft Hemp Dog Chews (50 pieces): Turkey and apple-flavored with 2mg CBD
• Mobility Support Chews (90 pieces): 2.5mg CBD and anti-inflammatory, joint-supportive ingredients, including glucosamine, MSM, green-lipped mussel, and Alaskan salmon oil
• Skin and Coat Soft Chews (90 pieces): 2mg CBD with lecithin, zinc, and Alaskan salmon oil
• Calming Soft Chews (180 pieces): 2.5mg CBD, thiamine, and natural calming botanicals ashwagandha, St. John’s Wort, and chamomile
• Probiotic Soft Chews (90 pieces): 1mg CBD, sweet potato, pumpkin, and a probiotic blend
• Multivitamin Soft Chews (90 pieces): 1mg CBD, vitamins, minerals, krill oil, glucosamine, coenzyme Q10, and lecithin

With so many options, you can find the right product for your dog’s specific needs. The treats cost anywhere from 7 to 33 cents per mg of CBD, depending on the formula you choose. That’s a below-average cost, especially when considering all the additional ingredients.

Best budget option

When it comes to getting the best bang for your buck, we recommend Lazarus Naturals. Its full-spectrum CBD pet tincture costs only 2.5-3 cents per mg of CBD, which is an exceptionally low price. You save even more with free shipping over $50, and Lazarus Naturals also has a 60% discount for veterans, low-income households, and people with disabilities.

The oil itself is of high quality. It’s full-spectrum, sourced from USDA-certified organic hemp, and has an appropriate potency for dogs (20mg/ml) with 30ml or 120ml bottles. You can choose the classic formula, which is fully certified organic, or the wild salmon flavor, which has wild salmon and wild pollock oil to support joint health.

The employee-owned Lazarus Naturals grows its USDA-certified organic hemp in Central Oregon. Thanks to its low prices, ethical practices, and high-quality products, it's a popular CBD company.

Best for senior dogs

Brady’s Senior Formula CBD Oil from Austin & Kat is designed to meet the needs of aging dogs. Aside from 450mg of broad-spectrum CBD, it contains multiple natural ingredients that support brain and eye health, immunity, and blood circulation, such as reishi mushroom, holy basil extract, Ginkgo biloba, bilberry, turmeric, and green-lipped mussel.

It costs 14 cents per mg of CBD, a reasonable price for the specialized formula, and you can get 15% off by subscribing to monthly deliveries. Austin & Kat also offers its senior formula in chew form.

Like many other pet CBD brands, Austin & Kat was founded by a dog owner who made her own CBD oils and treats to help her four-legged companions. The company continues to make its human-grade, third-party-tested products in small batches.

Best topical

Topical products might not be the first thing that comes to mind when using CBD for your dog. But they can be a good option for relieving localized inflammation at the paws, nose, skin, or joints.

We like the CBD pet balm from CBDfx, which provides 750mg of broad-spectrum CBD and other beneficial ingredients like Alaskan salmon oil and lavender, chamomile, and rosemary essential oils. At 12.5mg of CBD per ml, it’s one of the strongest pet topicals on the market.

The price also stands out, especially for a pet product — only 5 cents per mg of CBD. Spending over $75 also gets you free shipping.

California’s CBDfx is a top-tier CBD brand with various products for different needs. It provides detailed third-party lab test reports.

Best THC-free

Dogs are more sensitive to THC, so it’s understandable that some pet owners may want to avoid full-spectrum CBD products. If that’s the case, we recommend the broad-spectrum CBD oil for dogs from CBDfx.

It contains undetectable levels of THC and comes in four strengths: 250mg, 500mg, 1000mg, and 2000mg. We also like that it’s flavored with chicken, making it easier for dogs to take.

CBDfx’s tincture costs 5-12 cents per mg, which is cheaper than average, with a lower price when you buy higher strengths. You can qualify for free shipping by spending over $75.