Best CBD Dog Treats 2023 – Organic CBD For Dogs

Dogs have a reputation for being highly food-motivated – they’ll do anything for a treat. However, according to the Cummings Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts University, treats should only account for about 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake. There’s no harm in giving your dog the occasional treat, but you want to make sure those treats are limited and that they’re good for him. 

If you’re looking for a way to reward your dog and throw a little extra love their way but are also concerned about supporting their health, consider CBD dog treats. Cannabidiol or CBD is a compound derived from the hemp plant that offers a wide variety of health benefits. When added to dog treats, cannabidiol can help relieve pain and anxiety, reduce inflammation, soothe sore joints, and even support general wellness. 

All dog treats are not created equal and it’s your job as a dog owner to research to find the best CBD dog treats out there. Read on to see our top 7 picks and to learn more about how to incorporate CBD treats for dogs into your pup’s daily diet.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about CBD treats for dogs. You’ll learn the basics about safety, side effects, and dosage. You’ll also see our top 7 picks for the best CBD dog treats on the market to help you make your choice.

Best CBD Dog Treats 2023

How Can CBD Help My Dog?

Cannabidiol or CBD^[1] is one of over 100 active compounds found in cannabis. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol, CBD doesn’t produce a high. Because it is all-natural and non-toxic, it may be a safer alternative to traditional treatments for common ailments like anxiety, arthritis, chronic pain, and even seizures in dogs. Cannabidiol can be administered as CBD oil or infused into treats for easy dosage. 

Here are some of the potential benefits of CBD dog treats:

• It may relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression
• CBD can reduce the severity and frequency of seizures in dogs^[2]
• It has been shown to reduce inflammation 
• CBD may reduce pain related to cancer and cancer treatment
• It can relieve pain related to osteoarthritis^[3] in dogs
• It may stimulate appetite and help with digestive issues

The legal market for both recreational and medical cannabis for human consumption is rapidly expanding. The health benefits of cannabidiol for humans have been widely studied, though there is still comparatively little research regarding its use in veterinary medicine.^[4] This begs the question on many pet owners’ minds – is CBD safe for dogs?

Is CBD Safe For Dogs?

When considering the safety of cannabidiol products for dogs, it’s important to remember the difference between CBD and THC. CBD works on the endocannabinoid system which calms both the central and peripheral nervous systems. Because CBD doesn’t produce the same psychoactive effects, there is virtually no abuse potential, according to the World Health Organization. That being said, the effects of CBD on dogs are being researched and tested.

This lack of research makes it difficult to know the short-term and long-term effects of CBD on pets, but several small studies and a large amount of anecdotal evidence suggest that CBD products can be both safe and effective for dogs. 

When shopping for CBD products, pet owners need to use their best judgment. The FDA has limited regulatory power over hemp, and hemp-derived products may not be required to list levels of THC. It’s important to look for CBD products made from high-quality, full-spectrum CBD oil with no toxic ingredients or chemical additives. The product should be lab-tested, ideally by a third party, to ensure safety as well. You should also be sure to check the concentration (measured in mg of cannabidiol per ml or treat) so you know how much to give your dog.

CBD Treats Vs. Oils For Dogs

For many pet owners, the biggest concern with CBD oil is figuring out the dosage. Liquid CBD can be difficult to administer even when you use the dropper that comes in the bottle. Treats, on the other hand, are quick and easy – you just feed your dog the number of treats recommended on the package according to his body weight. This will depend on the concentration of CBD in the treats, so make sure you read the label carefully.

The other question about CBD treats vs oils is whether they are equally effective. Unlike CBD oil, CBD pet treats are cooked since they are still technically a pet food product. Like kibble, treats start to lose some of their nutritional value when cooked at high temperatures and the same may be true for cannabidiol. It starts to break down around 200 degrees and may be completely broken down by 350 degrees. 

In other words, cooking CBD treats at high temperatures could degrade the bioavailability of the oil and decrease its benefits for your dog. The best CBD treats are usually cooked slowly at low temperatures to preserve both the CBD and the nutritional value of the other ingredients. 

Speaking of other ingredients, treats are more likely to contain additional ingredients than CBD oil. Avoid products made with fillers like corn, wheat, and soy as well as artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. Stick to all-natural ingredients that will be good for your dog.

Side Effects Of CBD On Dogs

Though scientific data on the side effects of CBD usage for dogs is limited, we can make some inferences based on the side effects in humans. Dogs may experience dry mouth, manifesting in the form of increased thirst, or a temporary drop in blood pressure. Some dogs also exhibit drowsiness when taking cannabidiol, especially at higher dosages. 

In addition to considering the side effects of CBD itself, pet owners should be aware of the potential for drug interactions. If your pet is already taking medication for a health condition, talk to your veterinarian before using CBD products. With your veterinarian’s help, you can also figure out the best dosage to administer daily.

Dr. John Buchweitz, section chief of Toxicology and Nutrition at the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, says that “CBD has very strong effects on a variety of metabolic enzymes and could potentially have adverse side effects if interacting with other drugs of a similar nature”.

CBD Treats For Dogs Dosage

Whether it’s a prescription medication or an over-the-counter treatment, it can be difficult to determine the right dosage for a pet. The most important factor to consider is your dog’s weight, though factors like age and underlying health issues may come into play as well. 

Unfortunately, there are no standard guidelines regarding CBD oil products for dogs, and every dog reacts differently. It’s usually best to start with a lower dose and work your way up until you see the desired effect. There may be a difference in dosage recommendations as well for general wellness and treatment of serious conditions like seizures or cancer. 

The tricky part about dosing CBD oil products is that they come in different concentrations. A 75mg formula contains about 2.5 mg of CBD per ml of oil while a 300mg formula contains closer to 10mg per ml. It’s important to consult the dosage recommendations for the specific product you’re using to make sure you get the dosage right. 

Fortunately, the dosage is generally fairly straightforward with CBD treats – you simply feed your dog one, two, or three treats according to the recommendations for his body weight.

Frequently Asked Questions

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