When your furry friend is feeling under the weather, what do you do? Extra cuddles, a special tin of soft food, and if the condition is serious enough a trip to the vet. Besides the extra love, what other options are there? It is not like you can find dog-friendly over-the-counter medicines to alleviate the symptoms … or can you? Pet owners today are quickly learning the value CBD dog treats as an at-home remedy. CBD infused treats fill the space between cuddles and an expensive vet.
As pet owners, we love our dogs more than we love some members of our own family. We want the best for them, especially when they aren’t feeling their best. It’s this powerful doggy-love that has fuelled us to find safe, delicious, and effective treatment options for our furry friends. Pet owners are increasingly turning to CBD for dogs because they’ve discovered CBD dog treats are just as beneficial for fluffy-friends as they are for humans
The best CBD dog treats are packed full of therapeutic potential. Dogs love them for their taste, and pet owners love them for the real change they see in their dog’s condition. It’s a perfect ‘over-the-counter’ solution for aches, pains, and other minor medical conditions that may not warrant an expensive trip to the vet.
How Does CBD for Dogs Work?
Believe it or not, we have a lot in common with our canine companions. We might not have the same affinity towards a ball or a need to chase sticks, but we both have an endocannabinoid system. This system, which we go into extensively in the article, What You Need to Know About CBD Oil & Dogs, manages many physiological systems. It regulates pain, sensation, and mood. It keeps our immune system in check and ensures the digestive system works smoothly. It also manages memory and reproductive mechanisms.
When working correctly, the endocannabinoid system keeps everything operating in a perfect state of homeostasis. Its main goal is to return the body to a state of balance, especially if we encounter an external threat. A threat may mean a microscopic invader (bacteria or virus), or a stressful situation which triggers the fight or flight response. If our endocannabinoid system senses a physical or emotional stressor, it jumps into action, sending the necessary communications throughout our body to mount a response. These communications are our natural endocannabinoids.
Endocannabinoids plug into receptors, like a plug into a wall socket. They direct an appropriate response and work hard to return the body to normal. That said, sometimes this system isn’t fully functional. It may over or under-react. It also may not have the resources to respond appropriately. It’s when our endocannabinoid system fails that CBD comes in so handy. Just like we benefit from a daily CBD supplement, so too can our dogs.
CBD — a Safe Option for Dogs
Naturally, cannabis and
contain molecules called cannabinoids. Miraculously they mimic the endocannabinoids we produce to interact with our endocannabinoid system. While there are over 100 different cannabinoids linked to the plant so far, there are two important ones you should know about as a dog owner: THC and CBD.
Cannabidiol (CBD) in particular is extremely valuable for dogs because it doesn’t cause intoxication (quick reminder – your dog does not like THC – no matter what you think). This compound can help our dog’s body regulate overstimulation, sensations of pain, and mood among many other health issues.
While we pet owners might love the intoxicating effects of THC, it’s toxic to most other mammals – like our dogs. Never give your dog anything containing large amounts of THC. At the very least, it is an unpleasant experience for them, and at worse can lead to their death. Stick with CBD dog treats and other infused products with lab results and sourced from hemp.
Will My Dog Get High from CBD?
Here is a quick refresher on the differences between THC and CBD. The only intoxicating compound in cannabis is THC. This compound fits perfectly into an endocannabinoid receptor called the CB1 receptor. Dogs (and humans) have high concentrations of these receptors in our brain and throughout our central nervous system. Because the THC molecule fits into the CB1 receptor like a hand into a glove, it triggers a strongly intoxicating experience. Dogs have far more CB1 receptors than we do, which means their system becomes quickly overwhelmed.
Other cannabinoids, like CBD, do not fit so perfectly into these receptors. Cannabidiol works in less direct ways to influence the function of the endocannabinoid system. One way it works is by turning off overactive receptors. For example, if there is chronic inflammation, CBD helps to reduce the inflammatory response by reducing the inflammatory activity.
But back to the question at hand. Will your dog get high from CBD? No. Because CBD doesn’t interact with the CB1 receptor, as we see with THC, there are no intoxicating effects. Both you and your dog can safely consume CBD, even in high doses, without any chance of getting high.
How Do You Find Good Quality CBD Dog Treats?
Once you start searching for the best CBD dog treats, you’ll see just how many options there are today. You might even be lucky enough to live in a region where the pet stores carry CBD dog treats on the shelves. Or, you may be doing a little online shopping for your next bag of CBD infused treats. Either way, keep an eye out for sketchy brands selling sketchy products.
Quality is essential when your dog’s wellbeing is at stake. The cheapest dog treats aren’t always the best. The best CBD dog treats contain more than just CBD, so you’ll want to do your research to find products with a high standard of natural ingredients. Do they meet your high standards? Have they been tested for contaminants?
Here are a few suggestions of what to keep an eye out for, but also check out What to Look for in CBD Dog Treats
Ingredients
As you reach for the bag of doggy CBD treats (or hover over the label online), look closely at the ingredient listing. As a pet owner, would you want your vitamins and supplements to be chock full of unhealthy ingredients? Likely not, so why settle for bad ones for your dogs? If you see any of the following on your CBD dog treats, you might want to skip that variety.
Ingredients you should avoid corn, wheat gluten, meat by-products, grain by-products, BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin, food dyes, propylene glycol, and rendered fat.
Type of Extract
Producers use a variety of techniques (often borrowed from the cannabis extraction industry) to pull CBD out of hemp. Some extraction techniques are better than others, as they are cleaner and protect the sensitive compounds from degradation. A quality CBD dog treats brand should highlight (either on the website or the label) what CBD extraction technique they use.
The best option for CBD extraction is CO2 cold extraction. Low heat protects the heat-sensitive cannabinoids and terpenes from damage during processing. It’s also one of the only techniques which do not rely on petrochemicals. Avoid brands that don’t describe their extraction technique in detail. If you see any mention of butane (BHO), you should avoid the product altogether. Butane is common in low-grade cannabis concentrates, but rare in hemp products.
Lab Testing
The best CBD dog treats will come with a full lab report about its contents. Lab reports, from a third-party organization, prove the caliber of dog treats you have in front of you. At the very minimum, a lab report will confirm the CBD and THC content. It should also measure for pesticide, petrochemical, or fertilizer contamination.
Lab testing is usually a critical step for human-grade cannabis products, but often not required for CBD dog treats. Many lesser pet-companies skip this step altogether. High-quality treats will always have a lab test handy for its customers.
People Behind the Product
As with any commercial good, passionate people care about the products they make. Does a dog-lover make your CBD dog treats? Or are the treats produced by a multinational conglomerate that makes cleaning products, household goods, and Cheetos among other goods? Use your gut instinct about the brand behind the product.
Look for brands with a research department or a team of experts behind their treats. Ask yourself if the brand which openly talks about the natural ingredients, or hides ingredients behind secret formulas. Passionate people care about your canine companion’s health just as much as you do. Because they care, they’ll invest in crafting a high-quality, safe, and natural dog treats. They will be willing to share information with you about how they make it and where they source the components from.
Full Spectrum Versus Isolate CBD
In the realm of CBD extractions, there is a world of difference between a full spectrum product and an isolate. A CBD isolate contains upwards of 99 percent pure CBD. A full spectrum product includes a myriad of different natural compounds, from terpenes to fatty acids and of course CBD.
There is a time and place for CBD isolate products, but when it comes to CBD dog treats, you’ll want a broader spectrum of medicinal benefits. Full-spectrum products don’t just contain CBD; they contain many other natural (and safe) compounds which could have additional healing powers for your furry friend. You’ll want to harness the full potential of the whole hemp plant and not just an isolate.
How to Dose CBD for Dogs – The Fundamentals
If you’ve followed the above guidelines, very likely you’ll end up with CBD dog treats that come with proper dosing guidelines. Typically, CBD is very safe for human and doggy consumption in low to high doses. That said, it is still best to follow any instructions provided. If no dosage guidelines were provided, you’d want to start with a low dose and increase slowly.
Check the label for any indications on how many milligrams of CBD each piece contains. Dosing CBD dog treats is based off two doses per day, and doggy body weight. Start with the following twice-daily dose based on how much your dog weighs, and increase every three days until you notice a change in your dog’s behavior. Look for better mobility, wagging tails, and increased appetite. If they have an adverse reaction, reduce the dose, or cease entirely.
- 10 lbs – 0.5 mg
- 20 lbs – 1.0 mg
- 30 lbs – 1.5 mg
- 40 lbs – 2.0 mg
- 50 lbs – 2.5 mg
- 60 lbs – 3.0 mg
- 70 lbs – 3.5 mg
- 80 lbs – 4.0 mg
- 90 lbs – 4.5 mg
- 100 lbs – 5.0 mg
Again, CBD is extremely safe for your best four-legged friends. Side effects are rare, and when they do happen, they are mild. Often, if there is an adverse reaction, it has more to do with the other ingredients than the CBD. So long as you start with a low dose, and increase slowly, you should expect only positive results.
Our Top Picks for the Best CBD Dog Treats
Keeping everything we’ve covered thus far in mind – what are the best CBD dog treats available today? We love our dog just as much as you do, and have done a lot of research on what makes the best CBD dog treat. Why not share the brands we already love and save you the effort of digging through the internet for information? These brands are passionate dog-lovers, who have invested in all-natural, quality ingredients. They care about dogs, and it shows.
1) Paw Treats
At the time of writing, Paw Treats was the only CBD dog treat company with a product developed by veterinarians and food technologists from the Life Science University in Prague. Paw Treats are also part of an ongoing study on 30 pups who receive CBD Paw Treats as daily therapy.
Paw Treats, under the Agility+ formula, is designed with the aging and sore pup in mind. The researchers at Paw Treats chose all ingredients for their ability to soothe aching muscles, inflamed joints, and more. The CBD is lab tested for purity, and from a cold-extraction process which protects its therapeutic integrity. Paw Treats ticks all the necessary boxes, including independent analysis, scientific formula, and full-spectrum cold extraction. The scientific experts backing this product is the number one reason why they top the list.
2) Canzon
The CBD dog treats of Canzon are developed according to scientific information and standards with a team of veterinarians, food technologists and pharmacologists. With this great team, they are able to ensure excellent functionality, maximum product safety and top quality.
At the moment, Canzo is selling two different snacks. One is called Hemp bites for agility and perfect for older dogs or dogs with joint problems and the other nack is called hemp bites for relaxation and helps your furry friend with your dog‘s overall well-being and supports balanced behavior.
At the moment you can only buy their treats in Europe.
3) Honest Paws
One of the first things you’ll appreciate with Honest Paws is the ingredient listing. All-natural, all healthy, and all recognizable. You won’t find any mystery chemicals and ingredients on their bags of treats. Their products have been highlighted on several national news networks, including ABC, CBS, FOX, and the Today Show. They have so much faith in their CBD dog treats one reason; they offer a full 30-day refund.
Honest Paws has a line of specialty CBD dog treats including CBD Infused Creamy Peanut-Butter, topical CBD infused coconut oil, and a range of focused CBD treats. The dog treats come in three formulas: Relief, Restore, and Calming. The ingredients of each variety were carefully curated to focus on that therapeutic target. For example, the Restore CBD dog treats contain turmeric, which is proven to target inflammation.
4) Innovet
With more than 240 positive reviews you can’t go wrong with the hemp dog treats from Innovet. Their treats are made from natural hemp extracts. The extract is entirely organic and has absolutely no intoxicating effects. Each bag contains over 100 mg of active PCR and Innovet has different flavors like Steak & Cheese, Maple Bacon & Berries and Salmon & Sweet.
5) FOMO Bones
Do you have an anxious pup who is afraid of loud noises, big crowds, other dogs, or being left alone? FOMO Bones are a powerful tool to have on hand if your dog has nervous tendencies. They are an all-natural and safe solution for you when you are your wit’s end wrangling your dog’s anxiety.
Named for the famous motto, “Fear of Missing Out” FOMO Bones help your dog relax when you are not around. The ingredients, including valerian root, chamomile, and passionflower, were all chosen for their soothing and calming effects. Combined with isolate CBD, FOMO Bones are the perfect natural dog treats to have on hand for super-nervous canines.
6) Treatibles
Treatibles knows exactly what we want to see in high-quality CBD dog treats organic, full-spectrum, and consistent. This company produces a range of products for a variety of animals, including cats, horses, and of course, dogs.
The folks behind Treatibles know a thing or two about medicinal cannabinoids, as Auntie D’s Apothecary has been working in medicinal cannabis for over a decade in California. Through their in-depth understanding of cannabis in medicine, they launched Treatibles as a way to bring natural options into pet care. They use only 100 percent organic hemp, grown by master cultivators.
Organic hemp is essential, because hemp naturally pulls toxins from the environment it grows in, in a process called bioaccumulation. While useful for industrial purposes, you’ll want to source products using only organic hemp to avoid any unwanted toxins reaching into your CBD products and your dog’s treats. They use only broad-spectrum CBD extracts, which they infuse into a healthy organic MCT oil before inclusion into their line of treats.
7) Canna-Pet
Canna-Pet is focused on pet health, through hemp and CBD nutrition. They carry liquids drops, supplements, and CBD infused dog treats (in an irresistible maple-bacon flavor!). In a customer survey, they also report Canna-Pet products are more effective than chondroitin, glucosamine, lysine, SAM-e, fish oil, milk thistle, Coenzyme Q10, Azodyl, calming products, or probiotics. An impressive list worth taking note of for your own dog’s health and wellbeing.
In the US, Canna-Pet has been working with the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association to demonstrate the safety profile and therapeutic applications of CBD for pets. They are a trusted brand, by consumers and vets alike. You might even be lucky enough to live where their products are lining the vet’s shelves.
8) Hemp Health
Hemp Health makes products suitable for both pets and their owners. Their bacon flavored CBD dog treats were formulated by a pet nutritionist. They come highly recommended by Leafly. Ingredients include real bacon, whole grains, and eggs – a delicious combination for any four-legged friend.
Each treat has approximately 4 mg of CBD, but also trace amounts of other cannabinoids because it’s a full-spectrum extraction. This includes CBD, CBG, CBN, and CBDA, which are all safe and non-intoxicating. Considering researchers believe cannabinoids work together for added benefit, these Hemp Health treats may be much more beneficial than the sum of its ingredients.
With the number of options out there, finding the best CBD dog treats for your pup is not a simple process. Because of this lack of oversight, as the pet owner, you are the one in charge of sourcing the best possible options. You care about your furry friend’s wellbeing, so you should also care about what goes into the CBD dog treats.
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