It's natural to want the best for our pets — after all, they’re family. CBD oil can be good for your dog’s health by helping him with a range of problems, like anxiety, mobility problems, and joint pain. It can even boost your pup’s immune system.

Since there are so many uses for pet CBD oil, there is a burgeoning market for hemp seed oil-based products for dogs.

Still, just as you wouldn't buy dog food without making sure it is up to the desired standard, you should do a bit of research before buying CBD oil for your dog, too.

That’s why we've done the legwork for you!

To find the best CBD oil for dogs, we rounded up our top five products and dug up a bunch of information about the benefits, risks, and anything else you might want to know about CBD oil for dogs.

5 Best CBD Oil for Dogs

1. Best Overall — Penelope's Bloom

2. Best Established Brand — CBDfx

3. Best Organic — Honest Paws

4. Best Formula — Green Roads

5. Best for Calming Effects — Anxious Pet

Best CBD Oil for Dogs — Reviews

1. Best Overall: Penelope's Bloom

Why We Liked Penelope’s Bloom

Penelope's Bloom has positioned itself as a leading player in the pet CBD oil market, providing a CBD tincture for dogs (and cats, too). That’s why we have it as our choice for the best CBD oil for dogs.

Positive physical and psychological effects

The company claims its CBD pet oil has a number of benefits that are good for your pup’s mind and body, like:

• Reducing stress and anxiety
• Calming hyperactivity
• Helping with mobility, flexibility, and joint health
• Reducing inflammation and stiffness
• Promotes an active lifestyle

High-quality CBD oil

Penelope’s Bloom full-spectrum CBD pet oil is vegan-friendly and uses only natural ingredients, like chamomile oil and MCT oil.

And on top of being all-natural, the ingredients in this CBD hemp oil are human-grade, a feat helped by its partnership with organic hemp farms in Kentucky. 

Transparent process

Unsurprisingly for a company that boasts vegan products, Penelope's Bloom is very transparent about its business practices.

Information about how and where its hemp is produced can be found easily on its website — even on some packaging.

The product goes through third-party lab testing at multiple stages of the production process. These tests help to ensure no unwanted chemicals, heavy metals, or other contaminants find their way from the hemp plant into the oil.

Convenient packaging

Penelope's Bloom products come in packaging that is far higher quality than you’d expect from the price point. They’re carefully packed away, so you don’t have to worry about anything being damaged in transit.

This pet CBD oil also comes with detailed guidelines the exact CBD oil dosage you should give your dog, down to the specific unit of measurement. (That’ll save you the confusion of trying to figure out any ambiguous "one drop" instructions.)

Easy to use

Penelope's Bloom CBD oil is sold in four different concentrations:

• 250 milligrams (dogs up to 30 pounds)
• 500 milligrams (dogs 30 to 90 pounds)
• 750 milligrams (dogs 90 to 120 pounds)
• 1000 milligrams (dogs over 120 pounds)

The CBD oil tinctures have built-in pipettes you can use to easily add it into your dog’s food or directly into his mouth.

Pros:

• Full-spectrum CBD oil
• Vegan and non-GMO
• All-natural ingredients
• Enhanced with chamomile oil

Cons:

• No flavored options

What Customers Love About Penelope's Bloom CBD Oil for Dogs

One of the biggest positives in the eyes of Penelope's Bloom's customers is that you definitely get your money’s worth out of this full-spectrum CBD pet oil.

The price holds up well against that of other brands, especially because it's so clear a lot of care and attention went into this product throughout the entire process.

Customers also loved that Penelope’s Bloom is open and honest about things like ingredients and testing.

It’s much easier for people to trust companies who are open about their business practices than those who aren't, which is people customers appreciate Penelope's Bloom's transparency.

Specs

• Full-spectrum CBD oil
• Four concentrations
• Organic
• Vegan
• Non-GMO 
• Third-party lab tested
• Made in the USA

Learn More About Penelope's Bloom

2. Best Established Brand: CBDfx

Why We Liked CBDfx

CBDfx stood out to us because we could tell through our research that this is a company you can trust, especially in a relatively new market.

Well-known company

CBDfx CBD Oil may sound familiar to you because it’s become a pretty big hemp authority in the pet world. The company’s been in the game since 2014, which makes it one of the more established names in the market.

The manufacturing process is handled by an in-house scientific advisory board that includes scientists, nutrition experts, and certified veterinarians to ensure that they produce the best CBD oils they can.

Can improve your dog’s health

This broad-spectrum CBD is designed to help your dog both physically and mentally. Some benefits include things like:

• Calming properties
• Improving joint health and pain relief
• Boosting overall wellness

Tasty flavor and quality ingredients

CBDfx CBD Oil For Dogs is bacon flavored (but still vegan) so your furry friend will actually want to take it, whether you’re putting it in your dog’s food or giving it to him straight. 

It’s made out of organic hemp and all-natural, non-GMO, human-grade ingredients. 

Something for every dog

CBDfx CBD Oil For Dogs comes in four different strengths, so you can find the perfect option no matter how big or small your pup is:

• 250 milligrams (small dogs)
• 500 milligrams (medium dogs)
• 1000 milligrams (large dogs)
• 2000 milligrams (extra strength)

Picking the right dosage will go a long way toward ensuring your dog benefits from using CBD oil.

Pros:

• Organic ingredients
• Broad-spectrum CBD oil 
• Natural and vegan bacon flavor
• Human-grade and non-GMO

Cons:

• Oil can stain surfaces

What Customers Love About CBDfx CBD Oil

One of the main things people love about CBDfx CBD Oil For Dogs is that the oil is bacon flavored.

Some dogs are picky eaters and will resist CBD oil being administered directly into their mouths. That’s why many customers have reported that the bacon flavoring helps the medicine go down.

Plus, the organic ingredients and vegan manufacturing are also a big hit with CBDfx’s customers.

Specs

• Broad-spectrum CBD oil
• Four concentrations
• Organic
• Vegan
• Cruelty-free
• Non-GMO
• Third-party lab tested
• Made in the USA
• 60-day guarantee

Learn More About CBDfx

3. Best Organic: Honest Paws

Why We Liked Honest Paws

Honest Paws’ Well CBD Oil Tincture is a full-spectrum hemp oil formulated to support your dog’s health.

Organic ingredients

We believe Honest Paws makes such high quality CBD oils because the ingredients are top-notch. Not only is this pet CBD oil made with organic hemp, it’s made with organic MCT oil, too. 

It’s non-GMO and doesn’t contain any artificial flavors, so you know you’re giving your pup something that’s super high quality.

Honest Paws’ full-spectrum hemp extract is also a good option for pups with certain sensitivities because it’s free of soy, sugar, and gluten.

Multiple health benefits

Honest Paws’ Well CBD Oil Tincture is designed to help older dogs with their immune system.

As a dog ages, its immune system starts to slow down and it becomes more prone to illnesses, allergies, and even anxiety. Though these signs may be mild individually, they can build up and make life generally unpleasant for your furry friend.

This organic CBD oil aims to reduce these effects by boosting the dog's immune system. This formula is specifically made for things like:

• Immune support
• Allergy relief
• Cognitive support

Reputable company

While Honest Paws is a relatively new company, the CBD oil for dogs market is itself quite young. But, in that time, Honest Paws made a name for itself by creating high-quality CBD oil products.

In fact, it’s become a beloved brand among dog owners.

Product variety

As you might expect given the name of the company, Honest Paws cares about your dog, which is why they also offer a range of other CBD products, such as CBD dog treats.

The Well CBD Oil Tincture also comes in four strengths:

• 125 milligrams (dogs up to 25 pounds)
• 250 milligrams (dogs 25 to 50 pounds)
• 500 milligrams (dogs 50 to 70 pounds)
• 1000 milligrams (dogs over 75 pounds)

Pros:

• Approved by the National Supplement Council
• High-quality and organic ingredients
• Designed to support physical and cognitive health
• Comes in a variety of concentrations for different-sized dogs

Cons:

• May contain allergens

What Customers Love About Honest Paws CBD Oil

While not the cheapest option on our list, we have seen recurring praise for Honest Paws CBD oil because customers feel like you’re getting the best bang for your buck.

Dog owners also love the fact that Honest Paws makes use of third-party testing to ensure their products are up to a suitably high standard.

Specs

• Full-spectrum CBD oil
• Four concentrations
• Organic
• Non-GMO
• Gluten-free
• Sugar-free
• Soy-free
• No added colors or artificial flavors
• Thirty-party lab tested
• Made in the USA
• 30-day guarantee

Learn More About Honest Paws

4. Best Formula: Green Roads

Why We Liked Green Roads

Green Roads made our list of best CBD oils for dogs because of the way it develops its formulas.

Formulated by pharmacists

What sets these CBD oil tinctures apart is that a team of three pharmacists creates the formulas and oversees production.

Green Roads’ pet CBD oils use MCT oil to make them easier on your pup’s digestion. The formula also contains both hemp seed oil and broad spectrum hemp extract to get the calming effect you want.

These CBD products are gluten-free and have no artificial colors or flavors. 

Various concentrations

They produce particularly potent CBD products, which is great for larger dogs that need stronger doses, but owners should be aware of this potency when buying for smaller pups. 

They’re available in three different concentrations:

• 60 milligrams (dogs up to 15 pounds)
• 210 milligrams (dogs 15 to 50 pounds)
• 600 milligrams (dogs over 50 pounds)

Transparent and locally sourced

Green Roads is a CBD oil company based in the USA that sources its ingredients from USA-based farms. The company is very transparent about its operation, which is always a good sign when deciding whether to trust an organization. 

It also uses third-party lab testing on its products in order to make the best CBD oil possible.

Quality packaging

The packaging of their CBD oils bears the phrase "crafted with care", and it seems to be true. The packaging itself is high-quality. It also contains tons of information about the company, its products, and the proper dosages to give your dog.

Pros:

• Three levels of potency
• All-natural ingredients with no artificial coloring or flavoring
• Independently tested in a third-party lab
• Easy to digest formula created by pharmacists

Cons:

• May be too potent for some dogs

What Customers Love About Green Roads CBD Oils

The main thing customers love about Green Roads is its transparency. This is a company that is based in the US and exclusively works with local farms to make their products. 

Green Roads wants people to know about its operation and pharmacist-created formulas, which allows customers to trust them.

Specs

• Broad-spectrum CBD oil
• Three concentrations
• Gluten-free
• No artificial colors flavors
• Thirty-party lab tested
• Made in the USA
• Formulated by pharmacists

Learn More About Green Roads

5. Best for Calming Effects: Anxious Pet

Why We Liked Anxious Pet

Anxious Pet teams up directly with actual veterinarians to create the best CBD oil for dogs with anxiety. 

Calming formula with other health benefits

Anxious Pet is a company that was founded by a pet industry expert who struggled with an overly-anxious dog.

Wanting to help his canine friend, Anxious Pet was born, and it created a range of CBD dog treats and tinctures to help other people with stressed pets.

Anxious Pet’s Relax & Roll Hemp Oil, is a full-spectrum CBD oil that does more than just calm your pup.

It also aims to improve your pet’s health by:

• Supporting his immune system
• Reducing inflammation and skin irritation
• Helping with seasonal allergies.

These Anxious Pet’s CBD products use pure, organic ingredients while keeping its prices competitive with other brands on the market.

Dosages depend on anxiety level

While most CBD products make different concentrations for different dog sizes, Anxious Pet takes an alternative approach.

It offers strengths based on your dog’s stress level — 400 milligrams for mild anxiety and 800 milligrams for moderate to severe anxiety.

Their website and packaging provide detailed information on how much CBD oil your dog should take based on weight, age, and dosage.

Pros:

• Calms anxious dogs
• Can help with the immune system and skin irritation, as well as seasonal allergies
• Formulated by veterinarians
• High-quality packaging with plenty of information

Cons:

• Only available in two strengths

What Customers Love About Anxious Pet CBD Oil

By far one of the things customers love most about Anxious Pet is the heartwarming story behind how the company was started. The CBD industry is quite young, and finding a business that seems to have its heart in the right place is a good thing. 

People also love the high quality of Anxious Pet’s Relax & Roll Hemp Oil is a particular highlight, since it was formulated by actual veterinary professionals.

Specs

• Broad-spectrum CBD oil
• Two concentrations
• Organic
• Thirty-party lab tested
• Formulated by veterinarians
• 60-day guarantee

Learn More About Anxious Pets

How We Picked The Best CBD Oil For Dogs

Giving your treasured pet a new substance is no small decision, so you’re probably wondering how we chose the best CBD oils for dogs. Here’s what we considered when choosing our favorites:

Pricing

While the quality of the product and its effectiveness are the main driving force behind which CBD oils made our list, factoring in the cost was still important. 

But we want to note that this doesn't mean we only included the most inexpensive CBD oils. Rather, we focused on the value of each product instead of the price point.

Ingredients

What goes into the best CBD oil for dogs is typically the same as what goes into human CBD oils.

But not all CBD oil options marketed for dogs are human-grade, so we still made sure our picks used high-quality ingredients. We looked for things like organic MCT oil and quality hemp seed oil during our search for the perfect CBD oil.  

It was also important that the companies we chose were following the best practices in their manufacturing processes, and prioritized picks that were non-GMO and didn’t include artificial additives.

Customer Reviews

Unfortunately, we can't ask dogs how they felt about their experience, or what they think the best CBD oils are, so customer feedback was a crucial part of our process. 

In fact, it may be one of the most important considerations, since a lot of the benefits of CBD oil for dogs are anecdotal in nature. 

We pored over as many reviews as we could find to ensure that dog owners are actually happy with the products they tried.

The Benefits of CBD Oil for Dogs

It's natural to want to know exactly what CBD oils can do for your dog. It's important to note that research on the benefits of CBD oils, in general, is still in its early stages. 

While some of the positive effects are documented in scientific studies, others are more anecdotal in nature. Here are some of the benefits of CBD oil for dogs:

Ease Pain From Joint Problems

CBD is a natural anti-inflammatory, and inflammation is what causes pain when dealing with joint problems. 

Dog owners have reported their dogs not only seem more comfortable after taking CBD oils, but also have improved mobility and joint health. 

However, it's important to note that CBD oils deal with the symptoms of joint pain, not necessarily the cause. So, improved mobility is likely a result of the dog not restricting its own movement to avoid pain rather than any underlying issues being cured.

Seizures and Epilepsy

Having a dog that suffers from seizures is a stressful and sometimes heartbreaking experience. 

Fortunately, researchers at Colorado State University looked into the benefits of CBD oils for dogs who are prone to seizures. They found that 89% of dogs saw a reduction in the number of seizures they experienced when taking CBD oils.

Anxiety

Perhaps the most common use of CBD oil for dogs is to help alleviate the symptoms of anxiety and stress.

Anecdotal evidence from pet owners suggests that the anxiety-reducing effect of CBD oils for dogs is greater when the animal is given repeated doses rather than a one-off dose.

What is the Right Dosage of CBD Oil for Dogs?

Choosing the right dosage of pet CBD oil is important. 

Going too high with the dosage can make your dog drowsy, while going too low may yield the benefits you want. 

So, with that in mind, how much CBD oil should you give your pup?

Most oils and CBD dog treats will have clear dosage instructions on the packaging or right on the bottle.

In fact, most of our picks state on the website the ideal concentration based on your pup’s size. 

But different companies have different formulas, so it's important to always check that information with the specific CBD dog oil you choose.

How Fast Does CBD Oil Kick in for Dogs?

It can take around 30 minutes for a dog to feel the full effects of CBD. 

This is loosely the same time it takes for humans to start feeling the effects, though it may be a little shorter due to the smaller bodies of dogs.

You should be able to tell when CBD has taken effect, because your pup dog may seem more visibly relaxed. Or, if the oil was given to the dog due to mobility issues, you might notice him starting to move more freely.

If you typically spend a ton of time with your dog, it will generally be easier for you to recognize whether or not the CBD has kicked in because you’ll be able to spot the differences in his behavior.

How Long do CBD Effects Last in Dogs?

How long your dog will feel the effects of CBD products will vary, but they typically range four to twelve hours.

This range is quite large because there are a lot of variables involved.

Likely the biggest factor is your dog’s size, closely followed by the dosage he was given. Other factors include his diet, activity level, and his metabolism. 

That’s why most CBD products are available in several strengths to suit different-sized dogs.

Potential Side Effects of CBD Oil for Dogs

As with any substance, there are potential side effects that can arise from giving your dog CBD oil.

Of course, it should be noted that potential side effects are just that: potential. But it would be irresponsible to not inform pet owners about possible reactions, even if they are unlikely. According to our research, some possible side effects include:

• Lower Blood Pressure: Higher doses of CBD can cause a drop in blood pressure. This is usually a temporary side effect, and will typically only be a small drop in blood pressure. This side effect can cause light-headedness, though the feelings should be brief.

• Dry Mouth: Research has found that CBD can lead to a decrease in the production of saliva. In dogs, they may lead to an increase in thirst, and drinking more regularly.

• Drowsiness: As CBD for dogs is often used as a treatment for anxiety, it shouldn't be surprising that it can lead to drowsiness. This side effect is often more prominent when dealing with higher doses of CBD.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does CBD oil make a dog feel?

While we can't know how a dog feels, observations by researchers and dog owners suggest that some dogs may feel calmer, or be in less pain after using CBD oil.

Your pup may experience a brief feeling of light-headedness shortly after a dose or, if the dose is on the stronger side, he may feel a little drowsy.

2. How long does CBD last in a dog?

How long CBD oil effects last will vary depending on a few factors. 

It’s usually determined by the strength of the dose and the size of the dog. But in general, you can typically expect the effects to last for around 24 hours.

It should be noted that, while the dog may feel the benefits of CBD oil for a full 24 hours, the full-strength effect will be much shorter — typically 4 to 12 hours.

The reason you are giving your dog CBD oil will also be a factor in. 

If you are treating seizures, for example, it can be hard to tell when he’s still feeling the effects of his CBD oil.

But if you are treating anxiety, the effect of CBD oil can be much more obvious, making it easier to determine when the dosage has run its course.

3. Does CBD put dogs to sleep?

In high enough doses — or in small enough dogs — CBD oils can cause drowsiness, but not actively put them to sleep. Your dog may choose to sleep if he starts feeling drowsy, but you will be able to wake them as you would from any other sleep.

As with any ingested substance, too high a dose of CBD oil can result in negative side effects, such as vomiting and diarrhea. 

So, you should not use CBD oils as a way to get your dog to go to sleep.

4. How much CBD will calm my dog?

The amount of CBD oil your dog (or cat!) needs will depend on his size and the desired effect. For example, larger dogs typically need larger doses.

You should always consult the packaging or instructions of the CBD oils you purchase. Always check the label and, if possible, consult your veterinarian.

5. Is it OK to give your dog CBD oil every day?

As long as you do not exceed the recommended dosages, you can administer CBD dog oil on a daily basis.

In some cases, you may be able to give your pup more than one dose per day, though this will depend on the size of the dog, the strength of the dose, and how your dog reacts to CBD oil.

Many pet owners find that their dog gets more benefit from CBD oils when they are given regular doses as opposed to a single dose. Most CBD oil manufacturers recommend at least an interval of 8 to 12 hours between doses.

6. What’s the difference between full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD, and CBD isolate?

• Full-spectrum CBD: If an oil is labeled “full spectrum hemp extract,” that means it contains several components found in hemp plants, including tiny amounts of THC. Full spectrum CBD oils could sometimes have more benefits than other CBD products because those different components are working together.

• Broad-spectrum CBD: If an oil is labeled “broad spectrum hemp extract,” then it shouldn’t contain any THC at all. But broad-spectrum CBD extract will still contain other parts of the cannabis plant, so it won’t be just CBD.

• CBD isolate: If an oil is labeled “CBD isolate,” that means it’s pure CBD. On the one hand, CBD isolate products won’t have the added benefit of different cannabis components working together because it’s just CBD oil. But these CBD products are a good choice if you don’t want a strong earthy taste — or if you just want to avoid THC altogether.

Conclusion

Even the very best CBD oil for dogs is not a miracle cure.

But it can be a valuable tool for keeping your dog happy and healthy. Whether your pup is prone to seizures, suffers from mobility issues and joint pain, or is just a particularly anxious creature, CBD may be able to help.

It is important to remember that research into the benefits of CBD is still in its early stages across the board — for both pets and humans — and some of the purported benefits are anecdotal in nature.

That being said, the risks associated with giving your dog CBD oil seem to be minimal. As long as you don't exceed the manufacturer's recommended dosage for your dog, it should be safe to try.