The Best CBD Oil for Dogs of 2023

All dog parents want their pets to be happy and healthy. But the reality is, dogs can suffer from anxiety, stress, pain, and other ailments, just like humans. As more people turn to CBD products to find relief from their own symptoms, the demand for CBD for pets continues to grow. In fact, the global CBD pet products market is forecast to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 12 percent during 2022-2027, a recent report shows.  

From separation anxiety and noise phobias to joint pain and stiffness due to arthritis, there are a number of potential reasons pet parents have tried CBD oil for dogs. But with so many different brands and types of products to choose from, finding the best CBD for dogs isn’t always easy. To help simplify the process, we’ve curated a list of the best CBD oils for dogs, plus tips on what to look for in a quality pet CBD product.

Our Winners

• Best Dog CBD Drops: FOCL Premium CBD Pet Drops
• Best Organic Dog CBD Oil: Batch Pet CBD Oil Tincture
• Best Veterinarian-Recommended CBD Drops for Dogs: The Anxious Pet Organic Hemp Oil
• Best Extra Strength Dog CBD Oil: HempMy Pet 1,000 mg

What Is CBD Oil for Dogs?

Cannabidiol, or CBD for short, is a non-psychoactive compound found in hemp and marijuana plants. In other words, CBD does not get users “high.” Hemp and marijuana are varieties of the same plant (cannabis sativa) but contain different amounts of THC, the psychoactive component. Hemp has less than 0.3 percent THC (on a dry weight basis), a low level that is not intoxicating when dosed appropriately. 

CBD oil for dogs is essentially hemp extract mixed with a carrier oil like MCT, coconut, or hemp seed. It may also have added flavors like bacon or peanut butter for palatability. You may see CBD oil for dogs labeled as tinctures or drops, but they are considered to be one in the same. 

Some brands also refer to CBD oil as hemp oil for dogs, even though this is a bit misleading. When shopping for CBD oil for dogs, read the label closely to confirm whether it contains CBD or is simply hemp seed oil. Hemp seed oil comes from the seeds of the cannabis sativa plant, as opposed to the stalks, leaves, and flowers like CBD oil, and does not contain CBD, terpenes,  or THC.

Is CBD Oil Good for Dogs?

Similar to the way it works in humans, CBD interacts with a dog’s endocannabinoid system—a communication network in the brain and body that influences emotion, behavior, and other functions.

While more scientific research is needed to demonstrate the therapeutic benefits of CBD for dogs, many pet parents have found cannabis products helpful for managing their pets’ pain, inflammation, anxiety, seizures, and other ailments (1). In fact, some studies suggest that CBD oil can help decrease pain and improve comfort and mobility in dogs with arthritis (2, 3). Even at higher doses, CBD appears to be well tolerated in dogs with no major adverse effects (4) and a study by Mars Petcare demonstrated safety of long-term administration in dogs (5).

Best CBD Oil for Dogs of 2023

All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the author. However, GreatPetCare may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Best Dog CBD Drops

Our pick: FOCL Premium CBD Pet Drops

Save 20% off your order with code GREATPET20

(Limited to one use per customer)

FOCL is well-known for producing CBD that’s safe, high-quality, and great for humans. So the company’s Premium CBD Pet Drops are definitely something to wag about!  Every single ingredient in a bottle of FOCL drops is organic, human-grade, and held to the highest purity standards. Their Premium Pet Drops are broad spectrum and contain no trace amount of THC, which is very important when considering what is appropriate and safe for your dog. You can safely dispense this product each day, multiple times a day, or as needed with your veterinarian’s direction. FOCL believes pets, like humans, should enjoy how CBD tastes, as much as how well it works. So the brand offers pups three delicious flavor options. Some dogs may prefer peanut butter while others gravitate toward wild salmon or chicken. Whatever your dog prefers, you can rest easy knowing every dose is safe and effective.

Highlights

• Certificate of analysis with breakdown of organic ingredients listed on the FOCL website
• May help calm a hyperactive dog
• Promotes healthy skin and coat
• Designed to fight off free radicals, which contribute to aging
• Available in 300 mg or 600 mg strength
• Free of GMOs and made in the United States

 Things to Consider

• Discuss CBD drops with your veterinarian before using them if your dog is on any medications
• You may need to titrate the dosing upward to achieve desired results
• Only available in a 1-ounce bottle

Sample buyer review: “My ‘Joy’ is a retired Greyhound. Before CBD Pet Drops, she was always in pain with a limp. She is beginning to jump and play and enjoy life.” 

Read more buyer reviews at focl.com/pages/reviews.

Best Organic Dog CBD Oil

Our pick: Batch Pet CBD Oil Tincture

Save 20% off your entire order with code GREATPETS

There are plenty of organic CBD products on the market. But what many pet parents may not know is that the quality and purity of the CBD derived from organically grown hemp can vary widely. That’s why we chose Batch CBD as a top pick for pet parents. Batch Pet CBD Oil starts with 100% organic hemp that’s locally grown on small family farms. But the company’s commitment to quality doesn’t stop there. They maintain the same high standards at every step along the way, extracting the CBD from hand-harvested hemp crops in small batches before blending and testing the finished product to make sure it’s up to snuff. The result is 750 mg of truly premium and potent CBD oil that’s chock full of relaxing, mood- and pain-regulating benefits for your furry friend.

• Quality and purity you can trust. Unlike most other CBD brands, Batch controls every step of the journey from the hemp farm to your doorstep. It’s not just “Made in the USA.” Batch is grown, harvested, processed, tested, and packaged all in one small Wisconsin town to ensure your pet gets the best of the best.
• Fast-acting tincture that tastes like a treat. Batch blends full-spectrum CBD oil with all-natural, great-tasting ingredients like wild Alaskan salmon oil and bacon oil to help every dose go down easy.
• Risk-free guarantee. Batch offers free shipping on orders over $25 and a 30-day guarantee. Start with the minimum dose for your pet’s weight and gradually increase as needed. If your pet doesn’t feel better, return the product within 30 days of your order for a full refund.

Sample buyer review… “Our dog is a rescue who was experiencing quite a lot of fear aggression. Hackles were always up and he was always barking. Batch has helped him to be much less reactive and he is now responsive to training. We’ve tried four other CBD brands but nothing was as effective as Batch.”

Read more buyer reviews at HelloBatch.com

Best Veterinarian-Recommended CBD Drops for Dogs

Our pick: The Anxious Pet Organic Hemp Oil 

CBD oils are an effective and easy way to help bring your dog to a state of peace and calm. All you have to do is add a few drops to their food or directly in their mouth. You’ll want to be sure to use the correct dosage based on your dog’s weight, as this stuff is powerful. We picked The Anxious Pet Organic Hemp Oil as the best veterinarian-recommended CBD drops for dogs. 400mg is the dosage you’ll want for smaller dogs, and 800mg for larger dogs.

• Full Spectrum Goodness. Full Spectrum means that this product is formulated with the whole hemp plant, so not only is your dog reaping the benefits of CBD, but they will also receive many other nutritional benefits that come from hemp. 
• Healthy Immune System. The ingredients in this formula promote a healthy and strong immune system. 
• Simple Ingredients. This oil only contains two ingredients: Full-spectrum cannabinoid oil, and organic fractionated coconut oil — making it as pure as possible for your pup. 
• Calms Nerves. The cannabinoid oil in this formula helps soothe your dog’s nervous system, allowing them to relax and hopefully not chew your favorite sandals up anymore.

Sample buyer review… “My two yorkies (alter ego: Yipyip & Yapyap) bark constantly, literally at anything that goes by our house. It has been a lot to manage for my husband and I who have been recently working from home taking calls, going on Zoom meetings, etc. So I just wanted to share that this product has worked miracles!! I gave them the recommended dosage and they have been perfect little couch potato angels. So sweet and quiet, but will still perk up if I offer treats/walks/etc. I am very pleased with this product!!”

Read more buyer reviews at TheAnxiousPet.com

Best Extra Strength Dog CBD Oil

Our pick: HempMy Pet 1,000 mg

Get 30% off your first order with code HMP30

If your dog is in need of a higher concentration of CBD, HempMy Pet offers a 1,000 mg full-spectrum, Colorado-grown hemp oil extract. It’s also infused with certified organic hemp seed oil, which is rich in omega fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Many happy customers have reported using HempMy Pet’s products to help ease their pet’s pain and inflammation, improve mobility, provide anxiety relief, for neurological support, and more. In fact, a clinical trial study supported by HempMy Pet, in collaboration with Colorado State University, found that hemp-derived CBD oil appears to decrease pain and improve mobility in dogs with chronic pain. Slowly add the oil to your dog’s food (or directly in the mouth) over the first week until he is acclimated to it. You should notice a difference within a few days! 

Highlights

• For use as therapeutic complement for pets in need of a higher concentration
• Full-spectrum hemp extract derived from organically grown Colorado hemp
• Also contains certified organic hemp seed oil
• Third-party tested; Certificate of Analysis is available
• Veterinarian recommended
• Made in Colorado 
• Autoship and save 5% at checkout

Things to Consider

• Best kept refrigerated
• The suggested therapeutic serving is listed on the side of the box and varies depending on your dog’s weight. However, these are general guidelines, so consult your veterinarian for dosing specific to your pet
• Can be taken orally (direct into mouth or adding to food) or applied topically to areas in need
• High price point, but there are 30-120 servings per container, depending on the size of your dog
• If you have a giant dog breed or more than one dog, HempMy Pet recommends trying their 5,000 mg Equine product, which offers the same full-spectrum CBD oil but at a lower price per CBD milligram
• Consult your vet before using if your dog is currently on other pet medications 

Sample buyer review: “My English Mastiff could barely walk because of arthritis. We started giving her 1 ml daily on a Tuesday and by Friday we were taking short walks. A week later we are up to 2 walks per for a total of 1 mile a day. Pretty good for a 170 lb 7 year old dog.”

CBD Oil for Dogs Buyer’s Guide

Not all CBD for dogs is created equal. In fact, an analysis of several over-the-counter veterinary CBD products found considerable variability among the products, and only 18 out of 29 were properly labeled (6). Here are some factors to consider when shopping for the best CBD oil for dogs:

Form: Some pet CBD products use full-spectrum hemp extract, which means they contain all of the compounds found naturally in the hemp plant, including CBD, beneficial terpenes, and less than 0.3 percent THC. Therapeutic synergies may exist between these active compounds to create what’s known as the “entourage effect.” Broad-spectrum CBD products contain all of the active compounds as well, except for THC, which is removed after extraction. A third option you may see is CBD isolate, which only features CBD and no other compounds. This is the purest form of CBD but does not provide the entourage effect. 

Strength: CBD oil for dogs typically comes in 1-ounce bottles that are available in a wide range of strengths. Some brands may offer multiple strengths to choose from. We’ve seen as low as 250 milligrams all the way up to 1,000 milligrams, and everything in between. The suggested dose will depend on your pet’s weight and the strength of oil you choose. This could range anywhere from a few drops for a small dog to two droppers full for a large dog. If you have a large dog or your pet requires a higher concentration to see therapeutic benefits, you might opt for a higher strength bottle.

Safety: Confirm that the product is third-party lab tested to assess its quality, potency, and purity. A certificate of analysis should be readily available so you can verify that that product contains less than 0.3 percent THC and is free of pesticides, microbials, heavy metals, residual solvents, and other toxic substances. 

Flavor: Your dog’s flavor preferences may also affect the brand of CBD oil you choose. We’ve seen a wide range of flavors available on the market, including bacon, peanut butter, chicken, and salmon. There are also unflavored options.

Research: Does the brand work directly with veterinary professionals to develop their formulas? Have their products been proven to work in clinical trials? The answers to these questions may also impact your buying decision. To learn more about specific brands, check out some of the Best CBD Brands to Know About. 

Where to Buy CBD Oil for Dogs

CBD oil for dogs is typically purchased directly from a brand’s website, as not all of the major online pet retailers sell it. Petco does appear to carry one brand of CBD oil for dogs online (labeled as hemp extract drops) and PetSmart stores in select areas carry hemp-based CBD pet products. You can look for CBD oil for dogs in local boutique pet stores, and some stores that carry CBD for humans may also carry pet CBD products. 

Hemp-derived CBD products are legal in the U.S., so long as they have less than 0.3 percent THC, says Dr. Trina Hazzah, a veterinary specialist of medical oncology and integrative oncology at VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital. The problem is there is little oversight or regulation over the sale of CBD products for both people and pets, which means label claims may be inaccurate and products could contain more THC than allowed. In a 2020 analysis, only 10 out of 27 CBD pet products came within 10 percent of the total CBD concentration claimed on the label (6). All products in the study did fall below the federal limit of 0.3 percent THC.

This murkiness is why Amazon and some major pet retailers choose not to sell CBD products—at least for now.

How to Give a Dog CBD Oil

CBD oil for dogs comes in a small bottle with a measured dropper. This gives you more control over how much CBD you are giving your dog and flexibility on how you administer it. For fast absorption, you can squeeze the CBD oil directly into your dog’s mouth—under the tongue or inside the cheek—if he is agreeable to it. Another option is to add the drops to your dog’s regular food. If you’ve tried various methods and your pet doesn’t seem into CBD oil for dogs, CBD dog treats are another option to consider.

Your pet’s weight, age, and overall health status can affect how much CBD oil to give a dog, so talk to your veterinarian about the appropriate dose. You can also use the dosage chart provided by the product manufacturer as a guideline. 

CBD Oil for Dogs FAQ

What does CBD oil do for dogs?

Many pet parents use CBD oil to help reduce their dogs’ stress and anxiety, control pain and inflammation, reduce seizures, or as a sleep aid, among other potential benefits. “I have had some clients give their dogs correct dosages of high-quality CBD oil that helped control seizures and reduce pain associated with osteoarthritis,” says Dr. Sarah Wooten, a Colorado-based small animal veterinarian. “In some instances, administration of CBD oil allowed owners to reduce the amount of prescription medication necessary to control pain or seizures.”

Can CBD oil cause diarrhea in dogs?

More research is required to determine a direct correlation between CBD use in dogs and diarrhea. In one study on the adverse side effects associated with CBD use in healthy dogs, all of the study dogs experienced mild diarrhea (4). However, the diarrhea couldn’t be tied directly to the formulation or dose of CBD given to the dog—other factors like stress from being housed in a new facility and variation in diet could have played a role. 

How much CBD oil can you give a dog?

Many products suggest starting with 1-2 milligrams of CBD per 10 pounds of body weight. Other brands also take age into account. How much oil you give will also depend on the strength of the product you choose. You can consult the dosage chart provided by the brand, but it’s best to work with your veterinarian to determine the optimal dose for your pet. For a deeper dive, check out our CBD Dosing 101 guide.

How often can I give my dog CBD oil?

Many brands recommend starting with a lower dose once a day and adjusting the amount as needed. Once a pet is acclimated to CBD oil, some pet parents may choose to give the desired amount up to twice daily. However, it depends on the individual dog. Your veterinarian is in the best position to help you determine the appropriate frequency and dosage.

Can you give human CBD oil to dogs?

No, you should not give a dog CBD oil intended for humans. Dogs should only consume CBD oil specifically designed for pets. 

How soon does CBD work on dogs?

How CBD will affect your dog is based on individual factors, and it is different in every dog, Dr. Wooten says. Oils tend to work more quickly than edible products because they are absorbed more quickly. “CBD’s therapeutic effects for anxiety usually kick in around 30-60 minutes after ingestion, but it may be sooner in small dogs,” she says. “For chronic conditions like osteoarthritis and epilepsy, it make take several weeks to see benefits, and in some cases you may see benefits sooner.”

Will CBD oil help dogs with allergies?

Possibly. Dr. Wooten points to a double blind placebo controlled study by CannPal Animal Therapeutics Limited that showed improved symptoms in dogs with atopic dermatitis (seasonal allergies) that were dosed twice daily with CBD oil (7). Peer reviewed studies are still needed.