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Have you heard about the latest all-natural remedy to help your dog with anxiety, chronic pain, and other health issues? An increasing number of pet parents turn to cannabidiol (better known as CBD oil) to improve their dogs’ lives.
However, some dogs turn their snouts up if you try to apply CBD oil on their tongue or mix it in with their food. CBD dog treats and other edibles can be a good alternative — as long as you find high-quality products.
*Always consult your veterinarian before you give your pets any supplements or medications.
Article Overview
- What Is CBD?
- Benefits For Dogs
- CBD Treats vs Oils
- About Dosages
- Best CBD Dog Treats
- What Are My Other Options?
- Safe Meds & Supplements For Dogs
What Is CBD?
CBD is extracted from the flowers and buds of cannabis (marijuana or hemp plants). CBD, however, doesn’t produce the “high” associated with marijuana because it doesn’t contain the chemical tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (or only contains trace amounts).
For further clarification, hemp and marijuana both come from the cannabis plant but contain different THC levels. Marijuana can contain as much as 30% THC, while hemp has a max of only 0.3% THC. So, while marijuana-derived CBD oil is still illegal in most states, hemp-derived oil is legal in all 50 states.
Human use of CBD oil is growing in popularity, but are CBD oil, treats, and other edibles safe for dogs?
Many vets recommend CBD products for dogs, even as veterinary scientific research into this new remedy is in its infancy. However, studies in humans show that cannabinoids have anti-inflammatory effects and can help with anxiety, aggression, pain, seizures, muscle spasms, and neurological disorders.
If you’re wondering about the safety of cannabis for dogs, be sure to read our in-depth article that discusses 8 things you need to know about marijuana and dogs.
Note: CBD products for pets and humans are not currently regulated by the FDA.
How Can CBD Help My Dog?
Like humans, dogs and cats have an endocannabinoid system that allows them to benefit from CBD oil. This system allows the active ingredients in hemp to help relieve many symptoms.
CBD dog treats and oils can ease several conditions your pup may suffer from either occasionally or chronically, including:
- Anxiety and stress
- Moderate to severe pain
- Chronic inflammation
- Arthritis
- Joint pain
- Digestion problems
Some dog owners report it also can help treat seizures but scientific studies are still underway to confirm this benefit. We recommend talking to your vet before starting treatment for this or any other of the claimed benefits to make sure CBD is safe for your pup.
Learn More About The Benefits Of CBD Oil For Dogs
CBD Oils vs CBD Treats: Is There A Difference?
So, you’re probably wondering if treats or oils are more effective for your dog. In general, CBD oil is a better delivery system. In humans, research has shown that the most effective way for the body to absorb CBD oil is by placing it under your tongue. This hasn’t yet been proven in dogs, but some experts assume it’s similar for dogs.
For dogs who aren’t fans of oils, CBD treats (the canine alternative to CBD gummies) can be a great alternative. They come in a variety of flavors (bacon, heck yeah!) that dogs will love, and dosing guidelines can be easier to follow than with CBD oils.
Some people believe that the baking process can potentially decrease the CBD’s efficacy in the treats, but based on our research, we’ve found many customers who use CBD dog treats and swear by the benefits they’ve seen in their dogs.
Ultimately, it’s important to go with a company that produces only the highest quality of CBD and ingredients that they include in their treats. Learn more about how to find high-quality CBD oils and companies. We’ve found these companies for you to help you choose the best CBD treats for dogs.
About CBD Dosages
There are no regulated dosage recommendations for CBD for dogs — or even humans — at this point. What’s more, there aren’t even any generally accepted guidelines about how much CBD for dogs is effective for certain conditions, even taking weight into consideration. So you’ll notice that each company can differ significantly in the amount of CBD in each treat and the number of treats they recommended.
Expert’s Take On CBD Dosage For Dogs
Dr. Erin Chu, a veterinary geneticist at Embark Veterinary, studied veterinary medicine and weighs in on how much CBD you should give your dog.
Not all CBD treats are created equal. Like many over-the-counter supplements, the actual quantity, and quality, of the active ingredient may vary widely not just across brands but also across batches. As of now, regulation of CBD pet treats is not clear-cut. Do your own research as well before you choose a brand–try to find one that states its quality control and assurance measures. Even better, find one that veterinarians recommend!
However, the consensus is to play it safe and start with a very low dosage (2mg or lower). Stick with this regimen for a week or longer to see if you notice a difference in your dog. If he’s not showing improvements, then you can up the dosage — as long as your vet gives it a nod. Remember that your dog’s weight is a major factor in how much of any supplement you should give. Learn more in our CBD Dosage Guide.
Best CBD Treats
All of the companies we review here extract their CBD from hemp plants using the gold-standard CO2 extraction process, ensuring there are no pesticides or solvents in their CBD.
HolistaPet Review
#1
HolistaPet is a well-known manufacturer of full-spectrum CBD products for dogs, cats, and horses. Their products contain only organic vegan ingredients and are cruelty-free, non-GMO, gluten-free, and dairy-free. They also carry treats in three different CBD strengths: 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg per treat.
Unlike many companies, HolistaPet offers treats with additional active ingredients geared toward helping specific health concerns. Here’s a breakdown of the active ingredients in each type of treat:
- Stress & Anxiety: CBD, L-Theanine, chamomile & hemp seeds (peanut butter & apple flavor)
- Joint & Mobility: CBD, turmeric root, boswellia & hemp seeds (pumpkin spice & cinnamon flavor)
- Heart & Immune: CBD, blueberries, flax seeds & hemp seeds (blueberry & sweet potato flavor)
Recommended servings (the number of treats depends on the strength you choose – see our pricing section below for your options):
- Regular dose: 5mg for every 20 lbs of body weight
- Strong dose: 10mg for every 20 lbs of body weight
- For smaller dogs, you can just break the lowest dose treat in half or even into quarters for tiny dogs
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Price
All bags contain 30 treats. They have bundle-and-save options. And you can also save 25% if you subscribe for monthly auto shipments on all products. See more CBD subscription options for dogs.
- $26.95 for 150mg bag (5mg per treat)
- $34.95 for 300mg bag (10mg per treat)
- $64.95 for 600mg bag (20mg per treat)
- View all options
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Read Our In-Depth HolistaPet Review
HempMy Pet Organic Dog Biscuits Review
#2
HempMy Pet’s organic biscuits are another great choice if you want all-natural ingredients. And if you’re just starting out with CBD for dogs (or you have a small dog), HempMy Pet’s 2mg-strength dog biscuits could be a great way to introduce CBD into your dog’s system. They also offer a 5mg-strength biscuit for larger dogs.
It’s clear that HempMy Pet is committed to quality. They make their biscuits with human-grade and organic ingredients in small batches to maintain quality standards. They’re also gluten-free, GMO-free, and cruelty-free. All of their products include their full-spectrum CBD extract, which contains less than 0.3% THC. And the company also contributes to animal rescues and sanctuaries.
Recommended servings (they don’t specify how many to give each day):
- 1 biscuit (2mg) per 10 lbs of body weight
- 1 biscuit (5mg) per 50 lbs of body weight
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Price
You can subscribe for monthly deliveries and save 10%. See more CBD subscription options for dogs.
- $25/bag for 2mg, 25-ct. Pumpkin Harvest Biscuits
- $32/bag for 5mg, 15-ct. Pumpkin Harvest Biscuits
- Free shipping
- View all products
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Read Our In-Depth HempMy Pet Review
King Kalm Crunch CBD Treats Review
#3
King Kanine is a top manufacturer of CBD products exclusively made for pets. In addition to oils, they offer three flavors of King Kalm Crunch CBD treats. These cookies are formulated with naturally-derived cannabidiol and other organic ingredients, like honey, apples, and turmeric.
If the baking process concerns you, this company bakes their cookies slowly at a low temperature and then dehydrates them to maintain the nutritional value. They’re also gluten-free and rich in vitamins and Omega-3s. Each cookie contains 0% THC and 3-4mg of King Kalm broad-spectrum CBD.
Per the treat bag, King Kanine says that one cookie is equivalent to 3ml of 150mg CBD oil. According to its dosage chart, King Kanine recommends a 75 lb dog be given one treat per day for health and immunity support and mild anxiety, nausea or vomiting, and pain from injury, surgery, hip dysplasia, etc.
The same weight dog can have up to two treats per day for severe pain, cancers, and epilepsy. Your dog’s dosage will depend on his size and the severity of the condition being treated or managed (dosage info is included on the back of the treat bag and it’s per day).
Personal Experience
We tried the Blueberry version of this product (3-4mg each) and the 150 mg CBD oil for free in exchange for an unbiased review. Our dog has advanced hip and back arthritis. While she loved the fish oil mixed with the CBD oil, she is an even bigger fan of the treats! It’s also not as messy (my fingers smelled of fish oil after each dose of the oil) and a lot more fun to give a treat than to try to squirt a vial of oil into my dog’s mouth!
We would recommend this product to anyone who wants to ease their dog’s arthritis pain or anxiety and have an easy, and obviously tasty, way to deliver the “medicine!” With 40+ treats in a bag and each treat containing about 3mg of CBD, a bag of treats is comparable to nearly 100mg of oil. This makes a $35 bag of treats a good option for your dog and your wallet compared to a bottle of 75mg CBD for $40 or 100mg for $60! – Michelle S., Canine Journal
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Price
- $34.99/bag for ~40 treats
- Free shipping over $100
- Organic Apple Cinnamon, Blueberry, or Honey Oats
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Read Our In-Depth King Kanine Review
What Are My Other Options?
cbdMD paw cbd | Hempure | Honest Paws | LolaHemp | MediPets
cbdMD paw cbd Review
cbdMD is a well-respected company that produces broad-spectrum CBD products for humans and pets (including dogs, cats, and horses). While they don’t specialize in pet CBD products, they carry pet treats that come in three dosage levels (5mg, 10mg, and 20mg) and two flavors, peanut butter and baked cheese. So their offerings could be ideal if you have a larger dog.
The recommended serving is one treat per day based on your pet’s weight (see below in the pricing section).
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You can save up to 30% if you sign up for auto-shipping. Each bag contains 30 hard-chew treats.
- $24.99/bag (5mg CBD per treat) for dogs under 25 lbs
- $34.99/bag (10mg CBD per treat) for dogs 25-50 lbs
- $64.99/bag (20mg CBD per treat) for dogs over 50 lbs
- Free shipping on orders over $79.95
- View all options
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Hempure CBD Pet Chews Review
Unlike our top three picks, Hempure doesn’t solely focus on CBD products for pets. They only offer one CBD oil and one CBD treat for pets in the form of 2mg-strength pet chews. They’re a good option for introducing CBD to your pets or if you have a small dog but not ideal for larger dogs.
Their pet chews are good for dogs or cats, and they guarantee that their formulas contain 0% THC. While the CBD they use in their treats is derived from organic, non-GMO hemp, their grain-free, beef-flavored pet chews aren’t all-natural and many ingredients aren’t organic.
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Price & Ingredients
Hempure only offers 2mg-strength, beef-flavored chews.
- $26/bag for 24 chews
- $45/bag for 48 chews
- Free shipping over $25
- View all options
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Honest Paws CBD Treats Review
Honest Paws has several dog CBD treats that include full-spectrum CBD oil, organic ingredients, and less than 0.3% TCH. Their reasonably priced treats only come in a 5mg potency, which could be a good option if you’ve been giving your dog lower potency treats without seeing much effect (so, they could be a better bang for your buck).
They maintain strict formulation practices for the highest quality with all of their products, so we think they’re trustworthy. And you can see their testing results for every batch on their website.
Like HolistaPet, Honest Paws offers treats with additional active ingredients geared toward helping specific health concerns. While their Calm, Wellness, and Relief Bites only contain CBD as the active ingredient, the following treats have other active ingredients:
- Calm Soft Chews for anxiety (CBD, L-Theanine, L-Tryptophan)
- Mobility Soft Chews for joint stiffness (CBD, Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Boswellia Serrata Powder)
Recommended serving for all treats:
- Under 25 lbs: 1 treat daily
- 26-50 lbs: 2 treats daily
- Over 50 lbs: 3 treats daily
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Price
You can subscribe for monthly deliveries and save 15%. See more CBD subscription options for dogs.
- $24.95/bag for Bites (approx. 30 per bag)
- $39.95/bag for Soft Chews (approx. 30 per bag)
- Free shipping over $49.95
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Read Our In-Depth Honest Paws Review
LolaHemp Review
LolaHemp carries veterinarian-formulated, bacon-flavored CBD soft chews that contain full-spectrum hemp extract along with omega fatty acids (3, 6, and 9) for added health benefits. These all-natural treats are grain and soy-free, so they’re great for dogs with sensitive stomachs. However, they only come in 3mg CBD strength, so they may not be the best value for larger dogs.
Recommended servings (use twice daily):
- ½ chew for less than 20 pounds
- 1 chew for 20-50 pounds
- 2 chews for 50-75 pounds
- 3-4 chews for 75+ pounds
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Price
You can save 10% if you subscribe for monthly auto shipments of their treats. See more CBD subscription options for dogs.
- $49.99 for 60 soft chews
- $39.99 for 30 soft chews
- $9.99 for 5 soft chews
- Free shipping over $75
- View all options
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MediPets CBD Treats Review
MediPets by Diamond CBD has a large variety of dog and cat full-spectrum CBD treats compared to other companies. You can find your dog’s favorite flavors (bacon, yum), and their treats also vary in CBD strength, ranging from 3mg to 5.5mg.
Your purchase from MediPets also contributes to their partner, Saving Sage Animal Rescue Foundation, a nonprofit and volunteer-run animal rescue organization in South Florida. Saving Sage dedicates time to the most urgent, abused, and neglected animals to keep them out of shelters.
So why isn’t MediPets in our top three? Their parent company, Diamond CBD, has had a lot of turnover, continually changing its team and brand look. We’ve tried contacting them directly, and they’ve gone radio silent. This causes concern in our minds: if this is how they conduct business, how do they treat their customers?
Recommended servings:
- 1 to 3 treats every 12 hours
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MediPets sells six varieties of dog treats and one for cats. Quantities vary by bottle, but most contain an average of 25 treats.
- $39.99 each
- Free shipping over $100
- View all options
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What Meds & Supplements Are Safe For My Dog?
If you haven’t tried CBD oils yet, we encourage you to check out our reviews of the best CBD oil for dogs (many of the companies are the same that we review here).
Not sold on hemp products to relieve your dog’s pain or other health concerns? Some other natural options include coconut oil, melatonin, essential oil therapy, acupuncture, and massage. We also have an article devoted to the 8 best vitamins and supplements to enhance your dog’s health.
If you are seeking a more pharmaceutical route, read our companion articles to learn which pain meds are best for dogs and which OTC medications are safe for dogs.
Have you already tried giving your dog CBD oil? Did you notice any results?