In the U.S., 44 states have already legalized purchase and use of CBD products for both humans and animals. With recent studies proving how CBD and dogs is a great pairing, it’s no surprise that more pet owners are pushing the government to allow companies manufacture CBD dog treats, liquids, pills, gel pens and other CBD oil for dogs products.
Stephen Valentino, MSc, has previously written about CBD for dogs and in his evidence-based article went through over 100 studies that have seen the efficacy, safety and positive effects of using CBD products for a variety of health conditions. The below infographic demonstrates exactly how CBD oil for dogs can improve our pets’ health as well as amounts and safe dosage of CBD dog treats, liquids and pills, and more.
CBD and Dogs
What Is CBD?
CBD stands for Cannabidiol (a cannabis compound). CBD oil is derived from the marijuana plant. This plant and its oil has been studied for decades, and there’s a lot of research showing its health benefits, with more promising studies currently on the way.
Most CBD research is independent and sponsored by the U.S. government, which means we are likely to get the most accurate and unbiased results about the safety, efficacy and benefits of CBD oil for dogs, cats, other animals and people.
CBD and dogs go together well, according to a lot of studies and veterinarians. CBD can be given to dogs in the form of CBD pill, liquid CBD oil for dogs, or CBD dog treats. There is no difference between these three and it mostly depends on convenience and your dog’s preference; however, it’s possible that CBD oil for dogs may have better absorption rates.
CBD Business in the U.S.
Both medical marijuana and CBD products are quickly growing in popularity.
A distinction between medicinal marijuana products and CBD oil products need to be made. What is often classified as “medical marijuana” is likely to contain a psychoactive compound THC (what gets people “high”), and these products are dangerous to dogs. CBD oil, on the other hand, is not psychoactive and provides many health benefits, and is also completely safe for the dogs.
Below are the numbers of past and predicted future growth of CBD oil business in the United States. CBD and dogs is one of the quicker growing subsets of this business model, with CBD dog treats being the most popular product bought by pet owners.
Past Annual CBD Sales Growth in the U.S.
- 2014 – $108,100,000
- 2015 – $172,900,000
- 2016 – $262,200,000
- 2017 – $358,400,000
Predicted U.S. CBD Market Growth (Annual)
- 2018 – $512,700,000
- 2019 – $813,200,000
- 2020 – $1,153,000,000
- 2021 – $1,546,000,000
A Few Facts About CBD
- CBD oil is not psychoactive and will not get you or your pet “high”
- All CBD products (CBD dog treats, liquid, pills) contains no THC
- CBD has been proven to have antibiotic and medicinal properties
- CBD and dogs is currently a very actively studied subset
- CBD dog treats, liquids and pills are used and recommended by vets
- CBD and dogs go well together, and side effects are rare and mild
- CBD has been proven to have powerful antioxidant properties
- CBD dog treats, oils, pills are safe to use for extended periods
- CBD oil for dogs is very effective and even works in drug-resistant dogs
- CBD dog treats, liquids, pills are legal to purchase in 44 U.S. states
How to Choose CBD Dog Products
CBD and dogs are a great pair, particularly for pets with specific health conditions. Because of this, more companies are developing new types of CBD dog treats, liquids, pills, gel pens and other products to take advantage of CBD oil’s health benefits.
Make sure to pick only quality CBD products:
- Always check CBD dog treats ingredient analysis label
- Avoid additives and fillers; the less ingredients the better
- Generally, organic CBD dog treats or oils are better (contain no pesticides)
- Pick high quality and well-known brand of CBD dog treats
- Ensure the CBD products actually has a large amount of CBD to have any effect
15 Ways How CBD Can Help Your Dog
Below is a list of 15 reasons why CBD and dogs go well together, and how CBD dog treats, liquids and pills can help pets with a variety of health problems. All of these conditions have been studied in canines, mice and humans to some extent. You can find a list of studies and references at the end of this article, and also read a more well referenced science-based article on 25 Health Benefits of CBD for Dogs.
1. Epilepsy
Studies show that CBD can help dogs with epileptic seizures.
2. Nausea
CBD oil helps to stop vomiting and recovers dog’s appetite.
3. Anxiety
New research demonstrated that CBD helps dogs with severe anxiety.
4. GI Problems
CBD provides relief from gas, bloating and diarrhea in dogs.
5. Stress
Regular use of CBD in dogs relieves stress and prevents destructive behavior.
6. Neurodegenerative Diseases
CBD helps with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
7. Pain
Clinical trials show that CBD is very effective at relieving pain in dogs.
8. Inflammation
Using CBD oil was shown to reduce inflammation and associated pain.
9. Heart Disease
CBD is effective for controlling hypertension and related heart problems in dogs.
10. Mobility
Cannabis oil can be used to alleviate joint and back pain and restore mobility.
11. Tumors
Research shows that CBD can stop cancer cells from growing.
12. IBD
CBD is proven to help with inflammatory bowel disease in animals.
13. Autoimmune Diseases
Cannabinoids suppress TH17 dominance responsible for autoimmune diseases.
14. Cancer Symptoms
CBD can be used to alleviate many symptoms of cancer in dogs.
15. Cardiovascular Health
Studies observed CBD’s positive effects on blood vessels, arteries, heart rate and blood pressure.
How to Give CBD to Dogs
As can be seen above, CBD and dogs are a good pair, thus there are more and more products being created using CBD oil for pets. The three most popular types are CBD dog treats, CBD oil for dogs (liquid additive), and CBD pills for dogs (supplement). Here’s how to give CBD to dogs and the safe dosage for each product type.
CBD Dog Pills Dosage
| 1st week | 2nd week | 3rd week+ |
| ¼ pill Once a day |
½ pill Once a day |
1 pill Once a day |
CBD Oil for Dogs Dosage
| 1st week | 2nd week+ |
| 1 drop CBD oil per 10 lbs of dog’s bodyweight Once a day |
1 drop CBD oil per 10 lbs of dog’s bodyweight Twice a day |
CBD Dog Treats Dosage
| 1st week | 2nd week | 3rd week+ |
| ¼ treat/cookie Once a day |
½ treat/cookie Once a day |
1 treat/cookie Once a day |
Potential Side Effects of CBD
Studies show and veterinarians confirm that pairing CBD and dogs is safe and even recommended for many pets with specific health conditions. Research demonstrated how side effects from giving CBD oil for dogs are extremely rare, and even when they do show up, they’re usually very mild and will disappear after a few hours up to 2-3 days.
Signs of CBD side effects in dogs:
- Disorientation
- Hyperactivity
- Vomiting
- Drowsiness
- Excessive Itching
The most common cause of side effects form giving CBD to dogs is too high dosage. Therefore, make sure to follow either the above mentioned guidelines on CBD and dogs products, or better yet, always read the product’s suggested dosage label.
What to do
Whenever you give your Fido any CBD dog treats, liquid or pills, always observe your dog very closely, particularly after you’ve just started the CBD treatment. Increase or decrease dosage as needed to see positive results while avoiding side effects.
When you notice any side effects from CBD dog treats or other products, stop the treatment for a week and let your pooch go back to normal. After they go away, restart the treatment at a lower dosage. If side effects appear again, your pet may not be able to tolerate the CBD oil well.
Always consult with your vet before, during and after the CBD treatments.