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Strongest CBD for Dogs

NuLeaf Naturals CBD Pet Oil
Best for Joint Pain

Spruce Dog CBD Oil
Best THC-Free

Medterra CBD Pet Tincture
Best for Pet Anxiety

Cornbread Hemp CBD Oil for Pets
Best Full-Spectrum

Charlotte's Web CBD for Dogs
Best for Small Breeds

CBDistillery CBD Pet Tincture

Top ranking CBD for dogs at a glance

Best CBD for Dogs With THC: NuLeaf Naturals, Spruce, CBDistillery
Best THC-Free CBD for Dogs: Medterra
Best Flavored CBD for Dogs: Cornbread Hemp, Charlotte's Web

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is an increasingly popular natural remedy. Many scientists are now studying CBD's potential in treating chronic pain, anxiety, and other ailments. And as more and more humans experience the merits of CBD, some are beginning to give it to their dogs as well.

Our picks for best CBD for dogs

Strongest CBD for Dogs: NuLeaf Naturals
Best for Joint Pain: Spruce
Best THC-Free: Medterra
Best for Pet Anxiety: Cornbread Hemp
Best Full-Spectrum: Charlotte's Web
Best for Small Breeds: CBDistillery

Through research and testing by editors at Remedy Review, an independent CBD site, here is a curated list of the best CBD oils for dogs—plus a CBD-infused dog treat. Each of these products have been thoroughly tested by third-party labs and reviewed based on the ingredients, hemp sourcing, price, lab test results, as well as customer experiences.

Complete reviews of our favorite CBD products for dogs

Strongest CBD for Dogs: NuLeaf Naturals

Buy It

Type of CBD: Full-spectrum
Potency: 60 milligrams of CBD per 1 milliliter dropper
COA: Available online
Price: $$
Customer review: "I love how NuLeaf Full Spectrum CBD pet oil helps my older arthritic and anxious dog relax and feel better. It made such a great difference with my dog [...] I highly recommend it!"

NuLeaf Naturals Pet CBD is a good option for pet owners because contains 60 milligrams of CBD per milliliter for the strongest formula on our list. This oil is made using a CO2 extraction method and organic hemp plants grown in Colorado. Customers report that it has helped pets manage anxiety, arthritis, and seizures in certain cases.

Best for Joint Pain: Spruce Dog CBD Oil

Buy It

Type of CBD: Full-spectrum
Potency: 25 milligrams of CBD per 1 milliliter dropper
COA: Available online
Price: $$$
Customer review: "My dog's appetite is restored and she is more comfortable on our walks. She is actually enjoying herself and is able to walk a faster pace. We are believers."

Spruce CBD oil for dogs provides the same lab-grade CBD found in the brand's other products, but it's made with coconut oil to be easier on your pet's digestive system. Users find that this CBD product can particularly benefit dogs with arthritis and mobility issues.

Best THC-Free: Medterra

Buy It

Type of CBD: CBD isolate
Potency: 10, 25, or 40 milligrams of CBD per 1 milliliter dropper
COA: Available online
Price: $$
Customer review: "This is a great product. My dog suffers from anxiety and this product helps with it."

Medterra CBD Pet Oil is completely THC free and comes in a few different pet-friendly flavors—including chicken, beef, or unflavored. These tinctures are available in three different strengths to suit the size of your pup and their needs. Many reviewers found that this product helped pets with anxiety and mobility issues.

Best for Pet Anxiety: Cornbread Hemp

Buy It

Type of CBD: Full-spectrum
Potency: 17 milligrams of CBD per 1 milliliter dropper
COA: Available online
Price: $$
Customer review: "Our dog has not torn anything up and has not needed to be crated when we leave! First time in months that he has been this calm when we leave him! Very happy with this product."

Cornbread Hemp makes a CBD oil for pets that uses USDA organic hemp extract and organic coconut oil and is free from additives and preservatives. This full-spectrum hemp extract is specifically formulated to leave out the earthy flavors some pets don't like. It actually comes in a unique vegan corndog flavoring to make it a tastier option for dogs. It's a great option to help provide your pet with relief from joint pain, discomfort, or anxiety.

Best Full-Spectrum: Charlotte's Web

Buy It

Type of CBD: Full-spectrum
Potency: 17 milligrams of CBD per 1 milliliter dropper
COA: Available online
Price: $$$
Customer review: "I use CBD for my 11 year old dog and she is much calmer. Before using CBD oil she startled at noises and was nervous all the time. She is a much happier dog now."

Charlotte's Web CBD oil for dogs uses high-quality Colorado grown hemp extract to provide a full spectrum of cannabinoids and other plant compounds for your pet. Made with MCT oil so it's easier to digest, it comes in two different strengths and a chicken-flavored or unflavored option. Best of all, Charlotte's Web is certified by the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) for rigorous testing and quality standards.

Best for Small Breeds: CBDistillery

Buy It

Type of CBD: Full-spectrum
Potency: 5 or 20 milligrams of CBD per 1 milliliter dropper
COA: Available online
Price: $$$
Customer review: "My cat is completely changed when he gets this stuff. He's calm and snuggly when normally he's hiding."

CBDistillery Pet Tincture is made with cold-pressed hemp seed oil, which makes it easier for pets to digest. The 150 milligram tincture is great for small to medium sized dogs, or cats, and the 600 milligram pet CBD oil is made for larger breeds. A number of owners say that this CBD oil helps keep pets calm and relaxed.

Methodology

Here are the factors we considered when selecting the top CBD brands for pets.

Type of hemp extract

Before purchasing CBD treats or supplements for your dog, consider the three basic types of hemp extract that exist: full spectrum, broad spectrum, and CBD isolate. This distinction can help you choose between all the different options on the market today.

Full spectrum: A full-spectrum hemp extract contains all phytochemicals found in the plant (even small traces of THC). THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the primary psychotropic chemical in marijuana, but this does not mean that full-spectrum CBD products will make your pet high. Instead, this kind of hemp extract offers a full range of cannabinoids and terpenes, all working in tandem.
Broad spectrum: Broad spectrum products are similar to full-spectrum since they contain other plant compounds in addition to CBD, but with one differentiating factor: The THC is completely removed.
CBD isolate: A CBD isolate product contains only CBD, with all other plant parts removed. It represents the purest possible concentration of CBD.

Lab testing

Another consideration as you shop for pet-friendly CBD products is third-party lab testing. Independent research helps show a brand's products are safe and potentially effective. Look for brands that provide these testing results (also known as Certificates of Analysis, or COA).

Quality ingredients

While shopping for a CBD product for your pet, look out for these factors: the source of the hemp, natural or organic hemp harvesting methods (which means there are no artificial ingredients), dog-friendly flavors (like chicken, bacon, or peanut butter), and overall concentration of CBD (which speaks to the potency of the products).

Price

In order to compare the value of each CBD pet product, we divided the total cost by the amount of CBD in each container or bottle to see the cost per milligram of CBD. Each product was then labeled according to the following price ranges:

$ = Under $0.05 per milligram of CBD
$$ = Between $0.06 and $0.09 per milligram of CBD
$$$ = Between $0.10 and $0.12 per milligram of CBD
$$$$ = Over $0.12 per milligram of CBD

Benefits of giving your dog CBD oil

In fact, products made from the hemp plant can provide a number of benefits to dogs of all breeds and all sizes. Here are just a few reasons why you might want your pets to use CBD.

CBD may provide pain relief for dogs dealing with arthritis. According to a 2020 article in Antioxidants, hemp CBD oils have the potential to offer anti-inflammatory effects. Although they haven't been tested much in dogs, this may make them useful in the treatment of arthritis and similar conditions that cause pain for your pup. (As many as 60% of dogs will exhibit arthritic symptoms over their lifetime.)
CBD may reduce a dog's anxiety. Cannabidiol is well-known for its calming effects, and it's one of the most popular reasons that people use CBD oil for anxiety. Dogs can also experience separation anxiety, fear of loud noises, or nervous feelings during travel, and some pet owners anecdotally report that CBD oil has improved their pet's anxiety symptoms.
CBD hemp oil may help lessen the frequency of seizures. The only FDA-approved CBD medication for humans is prescribed for the prevention of seizures, and according to a recent Colorado State University study, dogs may experience some of the same positive effects. However, these effects have only been seen in dogs that are also taking more traditional prescription medications for the treatment of seizures.

Is it safe to give your dog CBD oil?

After all this talk about the potential benefits of CBD, you may be wondering if there are any drawbacks or side effects. One thing to keep in mind is that CBD supplements and dog treats have not been evaluated by the FDA. And according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, there is not a lot of scientific research looking at CBD for pets, so it's always best to consult with a veterinarian first.

In addition, there are some potential side effects, although they are usually quite mild. According to Dr. Jerry Klein, the American Kennel Association's Chief Veterinary Officer, some specific side effects to watch out for include drowsiness, dry mouth, or lowered blood pressure. A study in Animals also noted diarrhea as a potential side effect. However, pet owners may find some assurances in a 2016 report from the Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (JAHVMA), which notes that there is anecdotal evidence to suggest that CBD may be helpful for dogs with chronic pain, anxiety, and other health issues.

How much CBD oil should you give your dog?

Many pet owners often wonder what CBD dosage is right for their pup. Unfortunately, there aren't any standard dosing guidelines for pets provided by veterinarians—and exact dosing recommendations can vary by the size of your pet. According ABSC Organics, a brand whose products have been used in multiple clinical trials performed by Colorado State University, here are some baseline dosing recommendations to start your dog off with CBD (based on weight):

10 pounds → 2 milligrams
20 pounds → 4 milligrams
30 pounds → 6 milligrams
40 pounds → 8 milligrams
50 pounds → 10 milligrams
60 pounds → 12 milligrams
70 pounds → 14 milligrams
80 pounds → 16 milligrams
100 pounds → 20 milligrams

The company has found that these baseline dosages are sufficient for 70% of pet owners that use its products, but in some instances, a dog may need more than the recommended starting dose. If this is the case, it's usually best to slowly increase the CBD dosage and carefully monitor your pet's reaction to find their perfect dose.

Regardless of what CBD products you purchase for your dog, please consult your veterinarian before starting a CBD regimen. And pay attention to the packaging of the CBD product to make sure you know exactly how many milligrams are contained in each drop of oil.

Is CBD oil right for your dog?

Although there is plenty of preliminary work and anecdotal evidence suggesting positive benefits of CBD oil for dogs, more high-quality research still needs to be done. If you have any questions or concerns, please consult a trusted veterinarian.

Josh Hurst is a journalist, critic, copywriter, and essayist. He lives in Knoxville, TN, with his wife and three sons. As a writer for Remedy Review, an independent CBD review site, Josh covers the relationship between cannabis-based products and the human body. The products featured in this article were tested at ProVerde Laboratories in Milford, MA and Avazyme, Inc. in Durham, NC.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice; it is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and before consuming or using any of the products mentioned on this site.