9 Best CBD Oils for Pets and CBD Pet Treats Reviewed
How much do you love your pet?
We know, it’s an odd question. If you’re a pet owner, you’re likely throwing your arms open as wide as you can and screaming in a childlike voice, “This much!”
At which point, your dog or cat is tilting his or her head from side to side, wondering what the heck you’re doing. Just reach down and give them a big hug and kiss!
Now then, we ask this question because like the emotion of love, which comes in all shapes and sizes, so does your pet. And their needs vary greatly from both humans and from each other.
No two dogs or cats are the same. Which means, what works for one furry friend, may not work for the other fluffy pal.
Thankfully, through much research and scientific studies, we have a better understanding of what foods, medications, supplements, and herbs work best for all of our pet friends. We’re talking dogs, cats, hamsters, horses, pet rats, and more.
One of those supplements and herbs just so happens to be CBD.
You see, CBD holds tremendous therapeutic value for pets. In fact, there are several studies that have explored dog anxiety, cat anxiety, pain in dogs and cats, arthritis in horses, and so much more. It’s actually pretty mind blowing [¹,²,³].
But if you’re new to CBD for pets, there are a few things you should know…
CBD for dogs and cats: What you must know
Dogs, cats, pet rats, and even horses can benefit enormously from high quality pet CBD. But the CBD dosage varies greatly.
You can’t give the same amount of CBD to a cat as you would to a horse, and vice versa. It just doesn’t work.
Additionally, not all pets will respond the same way to CBD’s therapeutic properties. Some may be super sensitive to the pet CBD oil or CBD pet treats, while others might not experience any effects at all.
But what we know for sure is that all mammals have an Endocannabinoid System (ECS). This system is incredibly unique, as it’s responsible for maintaining and regulating how our pets’ bodies function. From their appetite, sleep cycles, and mood; to their perception of pain, immunity, and physiological functions, the ECS impacts it all [⁴].
Looks like you have more in common with your best pet friend than you thought!
But here’s the mind-blowing part… Our pet’s Endocannabinoid System actually responds to Phyto cannabinoids like CBD and CBG.
If you look at those two prefixes—endo and phyto—you’ll notice a difference. Endo means “from within”, as within our pet’s body [⁵].
Phyto, means “plant-derived”, as CBD is a plant-derived cannabinoid. So, it’s only natural that our pets would benefit greatly from high quality CBD [⁵].
But that’s just it… Finding high quality pet CBD oil and CBD pet treats can be a pain. Which is why we’re so excited that you clicked on this article.
Now, before we dive into the 10 best pet CBD oils and CBD pet treats, we need to address a frustrating question…
Pet CBD oil vs. CBD pet treats: which is better?
Release the pet CBD debaters… If you’re familiar with both CBD pet treats and pet CBD oil, then chances are you have a strong opinion on the subject.
But we’re not here to try to change your mind or convince you otherwise. We’re simply here to share our research on the matter.
CBD pet treats are an easy way to give CBD to your pet. They’re already pre-dosed, packed with flavor, and fun to give your dog, cat, horse, etc.
If the CBD pet treat does contain CBD, then it’s important to see how much CBD is actually in the soft chew or hard treat. You may find that CBD pet treats are nearly as potent as you need them to be. Which can be a bummer, because CBD pet treats aren’t always affordable.
Not to mention, our pets have a stronger sense of smell, so if there is CBD in the treat, depending on how potent or bitter the CBD is, your pet may respond with a stuck-up nose and a harsh talk-to-the-tail “you can’t fool me” remark.
For those reasons, CBD pet treats can be a pain.
Pet CBD oil, on the other hand, often has a higher concentration of CBD than treats. It may even contain other therapeutic cannabinoids, like CBG and CBD, along with medicinal terpenes. It has also been shown to be more effective than treats for our pet friends.
But CBD oil can be really hard to dose. And once you’ve determined how much CBD oil you want to give to your pet, administration then becomes the pain. Do you add the oil to your pet’s food, water, treats, or directly into their mouth?
Talk about stress… Have you ever tried squeezing a few drops into your cat’s mouth? Impossible!
As you can see, there are pros and cons to both pet CBD oil and CBD pet treats. In the end, it really depends on you, the owner, to determine which method is easier for you and your pet.
This means you may have to try a few different pet CBD brands.
Now, if there’s one thing you should take away from this article, it’s that your pet deserves high quality pet CBD products. Because the only way they’ll experience the amazing health benefits from pet CBD is if it’s 100% derived from high quality hemp and formulated by a reputable pet CBD brand.
But finding high quality pet CBD can be overwhelming. It’s enough to make you want to throw your laptop and smartphone out the window.
Well, stress no more, because we’re here to introduce you to…
Best CBD oil for pets and CBD pet treats
That’s right, we’ve constructed a list of the best CBD oils for pets and the best CBD pet treats.
Don’t worry, we’re pet owners too. So all the pet CBD brands listed below have been well researched, vetted, and reviewed by yours truly.
We would never recommend a pet CBD product we didn’t trust or believe in.
So, let’s get to it…
Brands of Pet CBD oil and CBD pet treats listed:
1. Leaf Remedys
Leaf Remedys has a CBD tincture for pets, but also some great peanut butter CBD treats for your furry friends. Tinctures represent perhaps the easiest way to give your pets some CBD, and the brand created an effective and easy-to-use tincture for your little buddy.
Their pet tincture comes in three flavors: salmon, bacon, and chicken. If your little pet prefers any of these flavors, you can certainly give them a nice surprise by bringing one of these products into your home.
The tincture has no THC, and the Sub-Zero Extraction method was used for the CBD to make sure it contains only the right products and no toxic compounds. It has 500mg of CBD.
The pet treats have 300mg, which translates into 10mg per treat. With peanut butter flavor, these contain Isolate CBD, MSM, Glucosamine, and Chondroitin, making them great for inflammation issues.
Pros
Delicious flavors
Lab-tested
Free of gluten
Affordable prices
Cons
No bundle or sample sizes are available right now
2. Fab CBD
When your dog is wagging his tail and being adorable, you cannot help but give him a nice treat. If you want to switch to something new, you should consider the CBD dog treats from Fab CBD.
The treats are delicious, ensuring that your furry friend can enjoy something yummy. What’s even better is that you can find the treats in a nice apple and peanut butter flavor, something that any puppy will enjoy.
The CBD in its composition can be very beneficial to a dog’s health. Give your dog these treats to help with issues related to mobility and joint health, immune system, and overall wellness.
The treats are free of THC too, making them safe for your pet. They’re crunchy, delicious, and healthy – what more could you want?
Pros
Delicious apples and peanut butter flavor
Can help with health issues
Contains no THC
Free of dairy, soy, wheat, and corn
Affordable
Cons
It may be difficult to find the right dose
3. CBD FX
If your pet could do online shopping for CBD products, the chances are that they would look at the product selection offered by CBD FX. The brand has both oils and pet treats with CBD, so you can choose one of them or both.
When it comes to tinctures, you could go for their bacon-flavored pet tincture that is available in 250mg, 500mg, 1,000mg, and 2,000 mg CBD. The brand also offers a dog tincture and a cat tincture with chicken flavor.
The oils used are vegan, organic, and non-GMO, but they can also help with joint relief and wellness, as well as provide calmness.
The CBD pet treats can help you combine the tasty benefit with the calmness and pain relief provided by the CBD. Their treats are vegan, soy-free, human-grade, and organic. Your pet’s mood will be boosted immediately.
The treats contain blueberry, parsley, spinach, and sweet potato.
Pros
Vegan
Great taste
Available for both smaller and larger pets
Can help relieve anxiety and pain
Cons
High concentration tinctures can be pricey
4. Diamond CBD
Diamond CBD offers some great CBD treats for dogs and cats. Besides providing something delicious for your pet, it also offers it a way to relax.
What is truly impressive about Diamond CBD is the number of flavors that pet owners can choose from. For the dog treats, you can pick from kabobs, but also beef, bacon, burger, chicken, and more. For cats, you can go for white meat, salmon, or a cat party mix. Your pet will surely devour the treats like they’ve been waiting for them all their life.
Both the cat and dog treats come with small amounts of CBD so you can adjust the dose as you see fit. Containers have 50 treats.
Their effects include pain relief, seizure control, anxiety relief, and sleep improvement.
Pros
Great for relieving pain, anxiety, and seizures
Can improve sleep
They come in a wide range of flavors
Lower strengths available
Low price
Cons
The effect may not be too long-lasting
5. The Anxious Pet
When you have a pet with anxiety problems, you must find a brand that offers you the best CBD oils and treats with anti-anxiety effects. Well, a brand like The Anxious Pet could surely do the job.
The Anxious Pet offers an organic hemp oil for dogs and one for cats. You can get them in different dosages. The dog one comes in 400mg and 800mg CBD per bottle, whereas the cat one only comes in a 400mg version.
Oils with CBD can be very useful in handling anxiety in dogs and cats. They can help promote calmness and make your pet happier.
Soft chews for dogs are also offered by the brand. The tasty treats can be purchased with either bacon or peanut butter flavor.
Pros
Affordable
Great for anxiety relief
Reduce inflammation
Third-party lab tested
Cons
If you get the oil on subscription, you may get a different flavor if the chosen one has run out
6. Joy Organics
Joy Organics is one of the top names in the industry, so of course, their CBD products for pets will be high-quality ones.
First of all, they have a great CBD oil for pets. It contains 3.75mg CBD per quarter dropper, and it has organic olive oil and organic broad-spectrum hemp extract in its composition. What’s great is that there is no THC in this oil, so you shouldn’t worry about potential unwanted effects.
If you have an anxious pet or a pet that is easily stressed, one drop of this oil will be enough to calm it down.
Secondly, CBD dog chews are a great way to relieve stress and anxiety in dogs. The treats are beef flavored and contain 2mg of CBD per chew.
Pros
Affordable products
Excellent flavors
Contain no THC
Amazing for stress and anxiety relief
Cons
You cannot choose from multiple flavors
7. The Verma Farms
Looking for some variety? The Verma Farms has several CBD oils and treats for your furry friends. A notable one is the CBD salmon oil, which can be found in both 150mg and 300mg strengths per bottle. The 150mg version is great for smaller breeds.
The oil can help relieve anxiety, especially in older dogs. Besides, it’s highly unlikely for the little one not to love the salmon taste. In case your pet is not fond of salmon, though, you can also get the oil in chicken flavor with 150mg CBD per bottle.
Several treats can also be found for pets. Steak Bites, Bacon Bites, Apple Smacks, Sweet Pet-Tato Bites, and Salmon are only a few options for these pet treats. You can even get bundles if you want your pet to enjoy the benefits to the fullest.
Pros
Various flavors available
Multiple CBD strengths
Bundles available
Low cost
Great for stress relief
Cons
It may take a while to notice benefits
8. Onyx + Rose
You can rely on Onyx + Rose to provide high-quality CBD pet oil and treats.
Their broad-spectrum CBD pet oil is called “Paws A Moment” and is enough to get your dog’s tail wagging. This formula is veterinarian-formulated and contains no THC. Besides, it is non-GMO and was created from 100% organically grown American hemp. It may help your pet with inflammation, pain, anxiety, and stress relief, but also age-related problems. It contains 250mg CBD.
The treats can be found in two strengths – 60mg CBD per container or 150mg per container. They’re ideal for comfort and relaxation, but also to give your pet something delicious to enjoy. Just like the oil, they have no THC, and they are vet formulated. They can be effective against seizures, pain, and arthritis.
Pros
Good against stress, anxiety, and age-related issues
Natural ingredients
No THC
Low CBD amounts
Cons
The dosage may be too small for some pets
9. Green Roads CBD
The last one on our list is Green Roads, which has a few bottles of dog CBD drops. These drops come in three different versions for large dogs, medium dogs, and small dogs. As such, larger breeds will get higher CBD strengths, whereas smaller ones will get lower strengths.
The drops contain no artificial colors or flavors, and they are free of gluten. Even better, they can help support relaxation in dogs, especially dogs that have anxiety issues or deal with stressful moments. Furthermore, the oils can be great at supporting active aging for older dogs.
In order to make them easy for a dog to digest, they have an MCT oil base. The pharmacist formulated oils can make your pet feel happier and calmer.
Pros
Multiple strengths available
Can support relaxation in dogs
Free of gluten, artificial colors, and flavors
Easy to digest
Cons
They don’t come in too many flavors
Pet CBD Buying Guide: How we chose the best CBD pet treats and CBD oil for pets
Now that you have several high-quality pet CBD oils and CBD pet treats to choose from, you might be wondering how exactly we determined which pet CBD products are truly the best and yield the most excellent results.
It wasn’t easy!
Like you, we were frustrated with finding a desirable type of product. But it’s our job to meticulously research and find reputable pet CBD brands. And in the sea of countless pet CBD brands, all vying for being the best, we only found 10 quality names worthy to make our list.
That said, we want to share with you our guide to determine which pet CBD brands were the best, and which were the best to avoid.
Let’s get to it…
Hemp Source
The first and most appropriate thing you want to look at before you even think about buying pet CBD oil or CBD pet treats is where the pet CBD brand sources their hemp.
We look for high quality sources of hemp that come from nutrient rich soils in America. We prefer to see organic farming practices!
Pet CBD Brand Transparency
We never want to see a pet CBD brand hide any information. That’s why we look for total transparency.
We want to see the pet CBD brand share their extraction methods, formulation processes, and all the ingredients they use in each of their pet products.
We steer clear from pet CBD brands that use harmful solvents or cutting agents during their extraction methods. We also avoid brands that utilize unnecessary fillers, additives, preservatives, and chemicals.
Pet CBD Third Party Testing
If the pet CBD brand doesn’t mention CBD third party testing, we run! And you should too.
But it’s not enough for the pet CBD brand to just mention “third party testing”. We want to see proof. So we look for Certificates of Analysis (COA) and lab results. If they’re not available on their website, we’ll reach out to them directly. If we don’t receive anything from them, we move on to the next pet CBD brand.
Pet CBD Brand Reputation and Customer Service
Lastly, we look at what other pet owners have to say about the pet CBD brand. We read the reviews and explore their customer service.
We want to see positive and legit 5-star reviews, effective and educational blog posts, and an active social media page.
Customer service is very important to us, so we look for contact information or live chat on the pet CBD brand’s website.
It takes a long time to vet pet CBD brands, and believe it or not, there are more shady brands than there are reputable ones. So, if you’re wondering how to find the best CBD oil for pets and the best CBD pet treats, we highly encourage you to use our advantageous pet CBD buying guide. Or you’d be well advised to save yourself the trouble and just revisit our list of the best pet CBD oils and CBD pet treats above.
Benefits of CBD for dogs and cats
There have been numerous studies regarding CBD for pain in dogs, as well as CBD for anxiety in rats. Some studies found that CBD increased the activity and mobility in Osteoarthritic dogs, while other studies found it reduced anxiety in rats [⁶,⁷].
There’s even a personal testimonial from the founder and director of Veterinary Cannabis Education and Consulting, Casara Andre, DVM, cVMA [⁸].
She owned a cat named Mattie, who was suffering from arthritis, kidney problems, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). She stated…
“When I began to incorporate a product with more even ratios of CBD to THC, I saw dramatic improvement. Mattie started eating better, playing, and no more IBD. It gave me my cat back, and gave Mattie 4 more amazing years.”
And as it turns out, Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer of the American Kennel Club, believes that CBD actually exhibits “anti-inflammatory properties, cardiac benefits, anti-nausea effects, appetite stimulation, anti-anxiety impact, and possible anti-cancer benefits [⁹].”
More studies are needed to confirm Dr Klein’s statement, especially the anti-cancer properties, but it’s encouraging to see veterinarians acknowledging CBD’s medicinal value.
Side effects of CBD oil in dogs and cats
Most of the studies regarding CBD for pets have found little to no side effects. But each pet is different, so we wanted to list out the following side effects of CBD for pets.
CBD oil side effects in dogs include [⁹]:
Dry mouth
Drowsiness
Small drop in blood pressure
The side effects of CBD oil in cats are a bit different [²]:
Drooling
Pacing
Uncooperativeness
Chewing
Now, it’s important to note that side effects of CBD oil in pets are rare and do fade quickly when CBD oil is discontinued.
There isn’t much info regarding CBD dog treats side effects and CBD cat treats side effects. So, we encourage you to use caution and monitor your pet closely when they’re taking CBD.
CBD for Pets FAQ: Pet questions about CBD oils and CBD pet treats
If you’re still on the fence about whether to give your pet CBD oil or CBD pet treats, then maybe a few of the pet questions and answers might clear the air a bit…
Can veterinarians recommend CBD oil?
According to the American Kennel Club and American Veterinary Medical Association, “under current federal and state law, veterinarians may not administer, dispense, prescribe or recommend cannabis or its products for animals [¹⁰].”
While this might be discouraging news, the laws surrounding hemp-derived CBD are rapidly changing, so we encourage you to check with your state laws often.
Can humans take pet CBD oil?
Yes! Humans can take CBD oil. But we warned, you might come across a pet CBD oil that has a beef flavor (which isn’t exactly tasty for us humans).
Can dogs get high on CBD oil?
No! As long as the CBD is hemp-derived and the pet CBD oil only contains less than 0.3% THC, then your dog will not get high [²].
How much CBD oil should I give my dog?
We encourage you to follow the dosing recommendations written on the pet CBD oil label.
That said, it’s recommended to start with 1-2mg of CBD oil for dogs who weigh 10 pounds (and adjust the dosage according to your dog’s weight).
Can dogs overdose on CBD?
Consuming too many CBD soft chews may cause harm. This is because soft chews should be viewed as a supplement instead of a treat.
According to the ASPCA, “large amounts of [hemp] chews are ingested and pull fluid from the body into the gastrointestinal tract. In mild cases, this can lead to diarrhea and dehydration. In severe cases, hypernatremia, hyperglycemia, hyperkalemia, azotemia, and acidosis can occur. Aggressive fluid therapy, while monitoring hydration status and electrolytes in these pets, is critical [¹¹].”
Remember to follow the dosing instructions written on the label of your CBD pet treats. And never exceed the recommended amount.
Can I give my dog human CBD oil?
Yes and no… It’s best to stick with CBD oil for pets, but if your CBD oil is free from THC or contains less than 0.3% THC, then it should be ok.
Just be sure that the CBD oil is free from other harmful ingredients that aren’t safe for your dog to consume.
Does CBD get cats high?
No! High quality, hemp-derived CBD that contains less than 0.3% THC is non-psychoactive for your cat [²].
How much CBD oil should I give my cat?
Following the dosing instructions on the label of your CBD oil for cats is best, but you can start with 1-4mg of CBD per 10 pounds for cats.
Can cats overdose on CBD?
CBD is relatively safe for cats as long as it contains less than 0.3% of THC. Still, we encourage you to keep an eye on your cat when they are taking CBD.
Where can I buy CBD for pets?
We highly encourage you to stick with reputable pet CBD brands that create high quality pet CBD products. We recommend you check out our list of the best pet CBD oils and CBD pet treats above.
CBD for Pets: Conclusion
Your pets are family, and you wouldn’t give them just any ol’ CBD product from off the street.
That’s why we’re so adamant about encouraging you to research the pet CBD brands before you give them to your furry best friend. We know, it takes a lot of time, but high quality pet CBD oils and CBD pet treats make all the difference in how your pet may feel in the long run.
If you choose to do your own research, we encourage you to use our pet CBD buying list above. Or you could save yourself and your pet the stress, and just head back up to our list of the best pet CBD oils and CBD pet treats above.
CBD for Pets: Conclusion
Your pets are family, and you wouldn’t give them just any ol’ CBD product from off the street.
That’s why we’re so adamant about encouraging you to research the pet CBD brands before you give them to your furry best friend. We know, it takes a lot of time, but high quality pet CBD oils and CBD pet treats make all the difference in how your pet may feel in the long run.
If you choose to do your own research, we encourage you to use our pet CBD buying list above. Or you could save yourself and your pet the stress, and just head back up to our list of the best pet CBD oils and CBD pet treats above.
Sources:
3.Oklahoma State University: CBD and Chronic Pain in Horses
4.NCBI: The Endocannabinoid System of Animals
5.The Answer Page: The Endocannabinoid System and Medical Marijuana in 15 minutes!
6.NCBI: Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders
8.Today’s Veterinary Nurse: CBD for dogs and cats
10.AKC: How to Talk to Your Veterinarian About CBD Oil for Dogs
