Is CBD Good for Dogs? Everything To Know About CBD for Dogs
Airi Macaluso
Medical Hemp Expert, Hemp Wellness Consultant, and Long-Time Cannabinoid Writer
As a proud pet parent, you always prioritize your dog’s comfort and happiness, even if it means compromising a few pieces of furniture along the way (love means sacrifice, after all).
When your doggo isn’t feeling their best, we know you aren’t feeling your best, either — and while you can just go ahead and ask them what they need, we can’t make any promises that they’ll be able to tell you. That’s where CBD ( cannabidiol) comes in.
CBD for dogs can work to promote both physical and emotional comfort. Yes, CBD — the same CBD your best friend uses to feel chilled out before bed, and the same CBD your sister swears by when she’s having a tense workday.
Believe it or not, CBD is safe for pets and it may benefit your furry friend. CBD may help your dog feel soothed during stressful situations, like travel, thunderstorms, separation, and fireworks. It can also support overall joint health and comfort.
Today, we’re diving into how CBD interacts with our doggy friends and how you can utilize pet CBD products best to support your pup’s happiness, health, and pep-in-their-step through the years.
How Does the Endocannabinoid System Work in Dogs?
At the root of CBD’s benefits is the endocannabinoid system — and if you’re thinking, the endo-what?, we understand.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex network of receptors and chemical signals present throughout the brain and body, and it regulates key processes like sleep cycles, immune function, nervous system function, stress response, and even learning and memory.
As researchers learn more about the ECS and how it works, they’ve discovered that nearly all mammals have a similar set of receptors and enzymes that constitute an ECS. However, four-legged mammals have more receptors than their two-legged counterparts (aka, us), which means your pup has far more receptors than you.
If it was a competition, let’s just say your dog is going home with the gold.
All of this to say, your dog has a more elaborate version of the endocannabinoid system you have. Many of the benefits of CBD for humans carry over to dogs, too — and the right CBD products can make a difference in your dog’s well-being and quality of life.
“Don’t get jealous, but your dog’s top-notch endocannabinoid system means that they need far less CBD than you do. They can experience the same benefits you do with far less CBD. That’s why it’s important to stick to lower dosage pet CBD products instead of giving your dog the same CBD oil you use,” says Airi Macaluso, cannabis expert and animal welfare advocate.
How Can CBD Help Your Dog?
So, what kind of goodness can your dog relish in when you give them pet CBD? Here are just a few of the benefits your furry best friend can expect.
Joint Mobility
Although only a handful of trials have investigated the use of CBD in dogs, results have been promising so far.
Macaluso notes that studies show noteworthy benefits and no significant side effects, even with long term daily CBD use.
One study showed support for joint mobility from a twice-daily dose of CBD over just one month.
In this trial, dog owners reported that the CBD seemed to provide their furry friends with additional support when it comes to physical activity and movement, especially in tackling stairs and getting on and off of furniture. In other words, there are plenty of zoomies in your pup’s future!
Calmness and Mood
Positive impacts on behavior have also been reported by owners who give CBD to their dogs, especially in nervous-nelly pets who tend to experience distress from certain triggers or environments, like fireworks on the 4th of July.
One study found that CBD helped dogs cope with stressful situations, like traveling or riding in a car, thunderstorms, or separation stress when they’re home alone. Researchers concluded that dogs exhibited a calm, soothed temperament after taking CBD, and showed fewer signs of scenario-caused nervousness.
In fact, research even shows that just one serving of CBD can help your dog feel at ease during separation and travel. Compared to the placebo group, dogs who received CBD were significantly less tense during car journeys and separation — so if you have a sweet doggo who worries about anything, any time, anywhere, the answer might be as simple as one serving of CBD.
Macaluso points out that it can take a little while for CBD to work — “If you anticipate that your dog might need a little help chilling out later on, you can give your dog CBD about 45 minutes before you think they’ll need it. If you give your dog their CBD when the rain clouds start rolling in, they should be good to go by the time the storm starts.”
Joint Support
Research shows that CBD can be beneficial for your dog’s joint health, working to minimize discomfort and support activity levels. If your dog could use some support on walks, at the park, or during playtime, CBD may be able to help them stay comfortable and happy.
Studies even show that long-term daily servings of CBD are safe and effective for healthy pups, meaning you can make CBD a regular part of your dog’s life.
Macaluso recommends combining CBD with a padded dog bed to support your dog’s joints, a high quality dog food, and adequate exercise to keep your dog’s weight at a healthy level.
Which CBD Products Are Best for Dogs?
There’s plenty of good news coming from the veterinary community regarding CBD for dog health, and we’re continuing to discover more useful information each year. Even still, you might have some lingering questions, like which types of CBD pet products you can give your dog, how to use them, and CBD dosage for dogs.
Let’s chat about general guidelines for CBD and pet health.
Consider Your Dog’s Needs
A great starting place is to list the top health concerns you have for your doggo. Maybe they’re starting to have a tougher time navigating stairs or running around the park with their doggy friends. Maybe they seem nervous during car rides, storms, or when you leave them behind for a few hours (and maybe sometimes you come home to a chewed-up couch, too).
Depending on the situation, you’ll want to look for high-quality CBD products that can help address those specific needs.
If your dog is a worrier and you’re looking to ease their nerves, for example, try a product aimed at easing situation-induced nervousness — like our CBD oil for dogs. Whether it’s noisy fireworks or ground-shaking thunderstorms that have your pup feeling on edge, CBD’s soothing properties have their back (and their tail).
It’s always best to consult your veterinarian before starting your dog with CBD, as your vet can work with you to identify any underlying issues and confirm the safety of this option.
Serving and Frequency
Serving size is a common question for CBD users from all backgrounds, whether you’re a human or dog! Many factors come into play to determine how much CBD is needed for the best effect, from age and metabolic health to general wellness and your dog’s unique endocannabinoid system.
When choosing a CBD product, rely on trusted manufacturers who include a detailed dosage guide for all products.
For our 250 mg CBD drops for dogs (which we recommend for small to medium-sized dogs), we suggest administering a serving of around 6 mg of oil for every 25 pounds of body weight your dog holds.
For our 500 mg drops (which we recommend for larger breeds), we recommend about 25 mg (1 ½ droppers) for dogs weighing between 51 to 75 lbs.
For our Calming Dog Chews containing 10 mg of CBD, we recommend half a chew for dogs under 25 pounds, one chew for dogs weighing 26 to 50 pounds, two chews for dogs between 51 and 75 pounds, and three to four chews for dogs 76 pounds or larger. Our chews also include spotlight-stealing ingredients like valerian root and passion flower, making them the perfect option for any pup in need of soothing vibes.
To play it safe, always start small and use the lowest recommended servings before leveling up to higher amounts. Keep an eye on your dog’s reactions and always make their well-being the top priority.
How Can Help Your Pup Enjoy Their CBD?
We’ve covered the basics, but what are the best ways to actually give your dog their CBD so that they look forward to it?
Here are some of the most common ways to give CBD to your pup, with a few of our top tips to make the experience comfortable for everyone.
Add CBD Oil to Your Dog’s Meal
One of the easiest ways to incorporate CBD into your dog’s routine is to simply add it to their meals.
With this method, all you need to do is add a serving of our CBD oil for dogs right on top of your dog’s food — not only is this easy for you, but it also gets your dog the wellness support they need without any hassle or doggy distress.
Airi advises that if you have multiple dogs in your household, it may be helpful to feed them separately. This can prevent one dog from accidentally gobbling up another dog’s CBD. Feeding your pups in separate locations can help you keep track of your dog’s CBD dosage.
Give CBD to Your Dog Topically
Got a particularly picky pup on your hands? You can also try giving your dog their CBD drops topically and letting them lick it off.
Place the CBD oil onto their paw, according to proper serving sizes, and let it work its magic — most dogs will feel inclined to lick it off as part of their self-grooming.
Feed Them CBD Chews
Whether you’re short on time or your pup is short on patience, our CBD-Infused Dog Chews are an easy, breezy way to get your dog their CBD with full spectrum hemp oil. We made these chews with picky pups in mind, and they include the power of CBD along with ingredients like valerian root and passion flower for mood support.
Plus, dogs love the taste!
Add CBD Oil to Peanut Butter
You can also consider infusing CBD oil into a dog treat or some peanut butter — though reaching for our chews can help you avoid the extra steps.
Mixing our CBD Dog Drops with a bit of peanut butter can be helpful in some cases, as most dogs are already big fans of peanut butter. This method may come in handy if you want to switch things up. Just be sure to use all natural peanut butter. Some “lighter” peanut butters contain artificial sweeteners like xylitol, which can be toxic to dogs.
You can also use the dropper to dispense the correct amount of CBD onto a treat and let your dog chomp it down. These CBD treats may be helpful for picky eaters who only like a certain type of food, and it’s a good backup plan when you don’t have other options on hand.
Pro Tip: While you may find recipes for bake-at-home CBD-infused dog biscuits, we generally don’t recommend this because the heat from baking can lessen the beneficial effects of CBD and other cannabinoids.
All the Tail-Wagging Benefits of CBD
If you’ve been debating whether CBD is good for dogs, the answer is a resounding yes. Whether your dog needs some relief from aching joints or just needs to chill out in high-stress situations, there’s a CBD product out there that can help meet those needs.
With Veritas Farms, you can find high-quality CBD products that bring together functional, Ayurvedic ingredients and highly effective, full spectrum CBD to help your dog chillax. In our Calming Chews, ingredients like chamomile, ginger, valerian root, and passion flower work hand in hand with CBD to bring all the good vibes.
Whether you’re on the hunt for drops or chews, we’ve got the doggy CBD solution that you and your pup have been looking for. Our products all include a certificate of analysis (COA), so you can rest assured that you’re getting top-quality products.
When you’re ready to give your dog the benefits of CBD, we’re here to point you in the right direction with quality products, safe application methods, and all the support you need.
And of course, always consult your veterinarian before starting your dog on CBD, especially if your dog is currently taking dietary supplements or prescription medications. Once you get the go-ahead, we have you covered with pet CBD for happy, relaxed pups.
Sources:
The Endocannabinoid System of Animals | NIH
Does CBD Work for Dogs? | American Kennel Club
New Study Shows CBD is Effective at Reducing Stress in Dogs | Waltham Petcare
The endocannabinoid system: Essential and mysterious | Harvard Health
Long-term daily feeding of cannabidiol is well-tolerated by healthy dogs | PMC
