The Best 3 CBD Dog Treats

• CBD dog treats may provide health and wellness benefits for your favorite canine companions. 
• Here’s everything you need to know before you give your pup CBD. 
• For brands you can trust, check out our 3  favorite CBD dog treats. 

8-minute read

Why should I give my dog CBD?

Just like us humans, pets often need some extra TLC for optimal health. We already know that CBD has loads of potential benefits for human health and wellness. But did you know CBD dog treats can also help your furry friends? Just as CBD is increasingly recognized as helpful to humans for a variety of ills, dogs might also benefit from it. CBD could help them with issues as wide-ranging as pain, anxiety, itchiness, seizures, and cancer. While research on the use of CBD for pets is still in its infancy, many pet owners report positive effects from giving CBD for their dogs.

Is it safe to give my dog CBD?

Generally speaking, it’s safe to give your pets CBD. But THC, another common cannabinoid, is a completely different story. For humans, THC can enhance the effects of CBD. But THC can be toxic for dogs. So, when you’re looking for CBD for the animal members of your family, make sure that they only contain trace amounts of THC. That means the CBD you give your pets should contain less than .3% THC. That’s the legal limit of THC that can be in industrial hemp. So look for hemp-derived CBD dog treats.

Are CBD dog treats legal?

Yes! CBD is federally legal for humans. So, it’s perfectly legal for pets, too. You can buy CBD dog treats without any worries about legality. And, regardless of what outdated info you might read elsewhere, while the FDA hasn’t approved any specific cannabis-derived products for animals yet, they have paved the way for its use by not prohibiting veterinarians from prescribing it. 

Why could CBD be good for your dog?

“All mammals have an endocannabinoid system (ECS). Just like the human endocannabinoid system, your dog’s ECS regulates major physiological functions including pain, anxiety, mood, immune function, and more,” explains Brittany Carbone, the maker of Zen Dog CBD treats. “A well-conditioned, balanced endocannabinoid system keeps immune function strong, staves off infection, keeps anxiety low and feelings of wellbeing high. It also keeps sleep on track and even regulates blood sugar and strengthens bones!”

Do veterinarians recommend CBD for dogs?

It depends. Your veterinarian might not be that well-versed in CBD yet. That’s because CBD was just federally legalized in the US in 2018. Prior to that change, vets couldn’t prescribe or even advise their clients about CBD without the risk of losing their licenses. So many still haven’t caught up with the latest science. Also, since research on the effectiveness of CBD for pets is still in early stages, some vets are still hesitant to recommend CBD dog treats. But the research done on the effectiveness of CBD in humans for many conditions is promising because it may have similar benefits for dogs.

What illnesses do CBD dog treats have the most potential to help with?

Some pet owners turn to CBD to calm their anxious dogs. Others use it to help with pain relief. Here’s a trick we use when we’re unsure about how CBD might make our dogs feel. We give them a low dose of the hemp-derived CBD oil that we use ourselves to treat specific symptoms. For instance, does your dog need to rest after an injury? We all know how hard it is to convince our energetic pups to take it easy. But the same hemp-derived CBD oil you use to get a good night’s sleep can help your dog get the rest they need, too.

Have any studies shown that CBD can help dogs?

Existing canine CBD studies have also looked at how CBD may help with arthritis, itchiness, cancer, anxiety, and seizures. Brittany explains why CBD might be especially helpful for seizures. “Epilepsy is a major reason pet owners turn to CBD. Seizures are fairly common in dogs and CBD provides a natural, nontoxic way to manage the convulsions.”

How should I dose My DOG with CBD?

Start low and go slow. That’s the standard recommendation for humans, too, as we start consuming any cannabis or hemp-derived products. And it’s the same for dogs. Rianna Young of Happy Hounds CBD explains the formula they’ve developed, “When it comes to dosing—we always say 1 mg per 10 lbs. This is technically a low dose. But all dogs respond differently. That’s why starting low and slow is the name of the game.” This approach also helps prevent giving your pup too much. 

Not all CBD dog treats dose the same

CBD strength can differ widely. So always read the label to make sure you’re giving your dog the right amount. Our faves range from 2.5-5mg. Nicola Stephenson, from oHHo, the maker of Moe’s Biscuits suggests, “Every dog responds to CBD differently. So monitor your dog’s results and adjust your dosing from there.” We can attest that it can take several tries to find your pup’s dosing sweet spot.

Can I overdose my dog with CBD?

What happens if your hungry hole accidentally scarfs down a whole bag of CBD dog treats? Luckily, a CBD overdose is mild. Since CBD doesn’t affect the brain stem, your pup is highly unlikely to experience adverse effects. Rianna counsels, “Giving your dog or cat too much CBD is not life threatening. But it can cause an increase in drowsiness and dry mouth. So ensure their water bowl is full and that they initially have your undivided attention.”

Other things to consider ABOUT Dosage

Us humans turn to CBD for a myriad of reasons, including general health and wellness. With dogs, it’s not much different. The most common reasons for giving CBD to dogs is to calm them, manage physical ailments, and maintain overall wellness. How you should dose your dog depends on the outcome you’re looking for. For example, dosing to ease anxiety can be completely different—and likely much lower—than dosing to alleviate arthritis pain. Dosing is also dependent on other factors like age, size, and breed.

Is there a difference between CBD for dogs and for humans?

Not really. The most critical difference is dosing. That’s why we like the 1mg for every 10lbs rule. A second, less important difference is the flavor. Many CBD and cannabis products have added flavoring. So any high quality CBD product that’s made specifically for dogs is likely to contain dog-safe flavors and ones that are more appealing to a dog’s palate. While most of us humans might prefer a fruity edible to a beef-flavored one, we know our dogs are going to go for the beef every time.

Should you talk to your vet before giving your dog CBD?

Yes, absolutely. While CBD is typically safe to give dogs, you should always consult your veterinarian. If your dog is already on other medications, you’ll want to make sure that CBD won’t counteract their effectiveness.

What’s the best way to GIVE CBD to your furry friend?

Humans have a wide variety of CBD products to choose from. We’ve got tinctures, edibles, oils, flower, and more. There aren’t quite as many options for our 4-legged friends yet. But there are a few. CBD dog treats are the most popular. But you can also use human-grade hemp-derived CBD oil. If your dog has a sensitive stomach and doesn’t tolerate much other than their standard diet, you can squirt CBD oil on your dog’s usual treats or food. Just let it soak in before you give it to them to make sure they actually ingest it. You can also use CBD oil topically to soothe their skin or inflammation. But if your fur baby isn’t wearing the cone of shame, just know that they’ll likely lick it. So make sure you’re not giving them too much if they do.

CBD dog treats 101

CBD dog treats are like edibles for humans—yummy and pre-dosed. Before you buy treats, we suggest doing your research to find the right fit for your best friend. Nicola recommends, “When purchasing, always ensure the best quality organic CBD and check that they have full lab tests or certificates of analysis (COA’s) that have analyzed their potency as well as any possible contamination.”

Our 3 fave CBD dog treats

The pet CBD market is growing fast. Unfortunately, the efficacy of CBD products is all over the place. We’ve all tried products that don’t do a thing for us and others that are just what the doctor ordered. So we’ve done some research for you. Here are 3 of our current favorite CBD dog treats from oHHo, Tonic, and Happy Hounds CBD.

oHHo’s CBD Dog Biscuits 

We love oHHo CBD, and that includes their brand new dog treats, Moe’s Biscuits. What makes them special is that they use the highest quality ingredients and they have full lab test COA’s. They test every batch’s potency and to ensure accurate dosing. Moe’s Biscuits are 5mg per treat in a box of 30. Nicola gave us the inside story on what makes them such a great overall treat for your dog. “Each ingredient has a purpose. Oat flour for protein and fiber. Brown rice flour for fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Organic peanut butter for protein and healthy fats. Organic egg replacement to keep the treats vegan. Most importantly, full-spectrum CBD. To make you love them even more, proceeds go to local animal causes in America.”

Tonic Zen Dog 

Zen Dog CBD treats are vegan, gluten free, and made with all certified organic ingredients. Brittany told us what makes them special. “They contain 4mg of full-spectrum CBD per treat. That’s a high enough dose to see results in most dogs, but low enough that you don’t have to worry about giving your dog more than one treat per day. They are so clean and simple that they even make great snacks for humans! Seriously, we eat them all the time!” A bag of 20 treats costs $20, and they’re best for calming anxiety or relieving joint pain.

Happy Hounds CBD Dog Chews 

Happy Hounds CBD offers their Mobility CBD Dog Chews in a smoky bacon flavor your dog will absolutely love. Rianna explains, “They’re made to help your dog thrive. They’re not just CBD dog chews and tinctures. They’re packed with superfoods to help dogs be healthier and live longer.” Each treat has 2.5mg of CBD, and they’re made for dogs of all ages and sizes. Happy Hounds’ treats were developed to increase mobility, lower anxiety, calm inflammation and joint pain, and improve your pet’s life. Plus, they also make tinctures you can sprinkle on your pet’s normal feed.