CBD for Pets: A Beginner’s Guide

• Updated August 9, 2024

• Published April 13, 2019

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CBD has a lot of benefits for humans, and you can also use CBD for a variety of your pet’s problems. Derived from the Cannabis plant.

Even though CBD is acquired from the Cannabis or marijuana plant, CBD products do not contain the psychoactive component known as THC. This means your pet will not feel sluggish or lethargic while taking CBD. Many pet owners like to utilize more holistic approaches to veterinary care, and CBD products fall into this category. With almost no side effects to worry about, these products are worth considering.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of eighty chemical compounds known as cannabinoids derived from the hemp plant, a strain of the Cannabis plant. The derivation processes for human-grade CBD and animal-grade CBD are very similar.

Since animals have many of the same health issues humans have, cannabinoids can be just as useful for pets. Remember, animals usually should not receive the same amount of product that is recommended for humans. If you want to use a human-marketed product for your pet, then make sure to talk to your veterinarian for more information and further recommendations.

CBD Benefits for Pets

Owners know that pets are important members of the family. It is vital to keep them happy and healthy, and thanks to high-quality CBD supplements, this can be much easier to achieve. 

Side Effects of CBD Products for Pets

So far, very few side effects are associated with the ongoing use of CBD in pets. Sometimes it is best to start with the lowest effective dose to see if your pet will have an adverse reaction. If you don’t notice any positive changes after a couple of weeks, you may need to increase the dosage for better results.

One of the most common changes is that CBD can make some pets drink more than usual. This can be helped by ensuring that your pet has a constant supply of clean water.

It is interesting to note that, in humans, the most common side effect of CBD use is dry mouth.

Other side effects are beneficial in certain situations. For example, CBD can increase the appetite of an older or sick pet who isn’t eating. CBD can also cause mild sedation, which is helpful for pets.

CBD Dosage Information for Pets

In order to determine the right dose of CBD for your pet, you must weigh your pet first.

In some cases, animals can metabolize medications and supplements faster than humans, so you might notice the effects of CBD very quickly. This might also explain why pets need more than one dose per day.

Ensure you administer the treatment with an accurately measured dropper or syringe. Alternatively, you can purchase a CBD product with pre-measured doses like CBD pet treats. CBD shouldn’t make pets too sleepy. If you’re using a full-spectrum product, your pet may become very relaxed. In this case, it may be best to give a dose right before bedtime so that your pet sleeps better and will be more alert during the daytime.

CBD Pet Dosage Chart

We recommend talking to your veterinarian for more information on CBD administration. You can also try this tool for a more accurate calculation of CBD for your pets.

What CBD Forms Are Available for Dogs and Cats?

There are a variety of CBD forms available for pets.

• CBD oils and drops for dogs
• CBD oils for cats
• CBD dog treats – jerky sticks, hard and soft chews, dog biscuits, beef wraps, etc.
• CBD cat treats
• CBD biscuits
• CBD cookies

CBD Pet Product Reviews

Below, you’ll find reviews of CBD pet products from leading manufacturers, offering insights into their effectiveness and palatability for your furry friends.

• Lazarus Naturals
• NuLeaf Naturals
• CBDfx
• Charlotte’s Web
• Hemp Bombs
• Koi CBD
• CBDistillery
• PlusCBD
• Joy Organics
• Medterra
• Bluebird Botanicals
• Cornbread Hemp
• Elixinol
• Green Roads
• Fab CBD
• Social CBD
• Myriam’s Hope Hemp
• Paw CBD
• Slumber
• Farmhouse Hemp

Lazarus Naturals Calming CBD Oil Pet Tincture

Pet CBD Oil is a product from Lazarus Naturals that provides 2 oz of CBD (2400 mg total) in a tincture form. This product promotes joint health and calms nerves. Each dose provides 40 mg of CBD. You can mix it into food or water, and it can also be given orally.

The dosage recommendations include the following:

• Less than 15lbs: 3 drops (1.5 mg CBD)
• 15-30 lbs: 6 drops (3 mg CBD)
• 30-60 lbs: 10 drops (5 mg CBD)
• Over 60 lbs: 20 drops (10 mg CBD)

Other options from Lazarus Naturals are also available in our store:

NuLeaf Naturals Pet CBD Oil

A full-spectrum CBD oil will provide your pet with CBD and other useful cannabinoid compounds. This product from NuLeaf Naturals delivers 5 mL of CBD oil (300 mg total) and has a very mild taste. It can be given orally or mixed in with food or water.

Dosing CBD for pets according to NuLeaf Naturals:

• Up to 25 lbs: 2 drops, 1 to 2 times daily (6 mg CBD)
• 25-50 lbs: 4 drops, 1 to 2 times daily (12 mg CBD)
• 50-75 lbs: 6 drops, 1 to 2 times daily (18 mg CBD)
• Over 75 lbs: 8 drops, 1 to 2 times daily (24 mg CBD)

CBDfx Calming CBD Hard Chews For Dogs

Made with a blend of broad spectrum CBD, magnesium sulfate, thiamine (vitamin B1), inositol, chamomile, ginger, valerian root, ashwagandha, tryptophan, and passion flower, these vegan treats are a great way to share the calming wellness benefits with your dog. Each chew contains 20 milligrams of CBD. Each bag contains 30 treats.

CBD Treats Dosage Chart

Size of Dog                       CBD Dog Treats Dosage

Dogs up to 25 lb.              ½ CBD treat daily*
Dogs 26–50 lb.                 1 CBD treat daily*
Dogs 51–100 lb.               2 CBD treats daily*
Dogs over 100 lb.             3 CBD treats daily*

*Or, as recommended by your veterinarian.

At our store, you can also purchase pet products by CBDfx:

Charlotte’s Web CBD Calming Chews

Charlotte’s Web calming chews for dogs come in a package containing 60 chews, with 2.5 mg of full-spectrum CBD per chew, providing a total of 150 mg of CBD. The chews are made with high-quality, full-spectrum CBD, which contains a range of beneficial cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids that work together to enhance the product’s effectiveness. Charlotte’s Web Calming Chews for Dogs is a safe and effective way to support your dog’s overall wellness and help them stay calm and relaxed.

Directions for Use:

• 0 – 25 lbs: 1/2 chew
• 26 – 50 lbs: 1 chew
• 51 – 75 lbs: 2 chews
• 76 – 100 lbs: 3 chews
• 100 lbs: 4 chews

Hemp Bombs Pet CBD Oil

Hemp Bombs Pet CBD Oil with a chicken flavor is a specially formulated product designed to help support your pet’s overall wellness. This high-quality CBD oil comes in a 30-mL bottle and contains 1000 mg of CBD per bottle. The chicken flavor is not only delicious to pets but also helps mask the natural taste of CBD oil, making it more palatable for your furry friend. This product is suitable for pets of all sizes and can be easily administered by adding it to their food or water.

Serving Sizes: 

• 0-25 lbs: 3 drops (5 mg CBD)
• 26-50 lbs: 6 drops (10 mg CBD)
• 51-75 lbs: 9 drops (15 mg CBD)
• 76+ lbs: 10 drops (16.6 mg CBD)

Koi Pets CBD Dog Treats

Designed for dogs of nearly all sizes, these CBD chews are infused with Koi’s proprietary full spectrum hemp extract. Each chew contains 5 milligrams of CBD. Pets of different weights can enjoy between one and three chews daily to maintain wellness. Each bag contains 30 chews in total.

Three different flavors are available, each designed to focus on specific needs:

• Calming Support (Green Apple & Peanut Butter)
• Immune Support (Blueberry & Sweet Potato)
• Joint Support (Pumpkin Spice & Cinnamon)

Suggested Use:

• 10 lbs: 1 treat
• 20 lbs: 2 treats
• 30 lbs: 3 treats

Do not give more than one serving per 6 – 8 hour period.

CBDistillery CBD Pet Tincture

This pet-friendly tincture product contains 2.5 milligrams of CBD per serving. If you want a more potent CBD tincture, try CBDistillery CBD Pet Tincture 600 mg. It contains 20 milligrams of CBD per serving (1 ml).

CBDistillery uses organic, all-natural, cold-pressed hemp seed oil to deliver wellness benefits to pets in an easily digestible form. This formula’s high-quality, GMO-free hemp is sourced in the United States.

The dosage of this product can be tailored for pet weight. Servings are intended to be served twice daily with your pet’s meals. Each 30-milliliter tincture bottle of CBDistillery’s liquid pet CBD contains 150 milligrams.

Suggested use serving by weight:

• Under 25 lbs: 10 drops = 0.5 mL (10 mg)
• 25-75 lbs: 10-20 drops = 0.5-1mL (10-20mg)
• Over 75 lbs: 20-40 drops = 1-2mL (20-40mg)

PlusCBD Pet CBD Oil

PlusCBD Pet CBD Oil is formulated for cats and dogs and comes in a 55-ml bottle containing 500 mg of full spectrum CBD per bottle. This product is made with the finest, non-GMO, and gluten-free ingredients and is free from harmful pesticides or additives, ensuring a clean and safe product for your pet. PlusCBD Pet CBD Oil can help maintain emotional balance, relieve occasional joint stiffness, and promote overall wellness in your pet. PlusCBD Pet CBD Oil is available in various flavors, including Beef, Chicken, Salmon, Peanut Butter, and Unflavored, making it easy to find the perfect fit for your furry friend.

Serving Sizes: 

Give your pet three pumps per 10 pounds of body weight.

Joy Organics CBD Pet Tincture

Joy Organics’ CBD tincture for pets is fast-acting and has a natural flavor. Pet tinctures are THC-free and contain other powerful terpenes and cannabinoids naturally found in the hemp plant. You can put it directly into your pet’s mouth or squirt the drops into your pet’s dish over some food. There are approximately 30 full droppers in each bottle.

Suggested Use: 1-2 mg of CBD tincture for pets per 10 pounds of body weight.

Here are Joy Organics CBD oil and treats available to purchase at the CBD.market store:

Medterra Calming CBD Chews for Dogs & Cats

Medterra’s pet chews combine CBD with healthy ingredients your pet will love. Each chew contains 10 mg CBD and Valerian root, L-tryptophan, and chamomile, working together to promote calming. Each bag contains 30 chews in total.

Directions for Use (per day):

• 0-25 lbs: 0.5 chew
• 26-50 lbs: 1 chew
• 51-75 lbs: 1.5 chews
• 76+ lbs: 2 chews

Bluebird Botanicals Companion CBD Oil for Pets

This product is made from a broad spectrum hemp oil and contains a variety of beneficial cannabinoids. This 2 oz bottle (1800 mg total) is perfect for pets using CBD for the first time. You can mix it with food or water, and it can be given to your pet orally if they tolerate it.

Serving Size: 

• 0.5 mL – 5 mg CBD (approximately five drops)
• 1 to 5 servings up to twice a day or as directed by a veterinarian. Do not exceed 5 ml (10 servings) per day.

Cornbread Hemp CBD Oil for Pets

Cornbread hemp’s CBD oil for pets, with its intriguing Corndog flavor, offers a unique twist that my pets seem to love. This full-spectrum oil comes in a 1oz bottle, providing a well-balanced formulation of 15 mg THC and 750 mg CBD. The oil is versatile enough to be mixed into food or administered directly, making it a hassle-free addition to your daily routine.

Serving Size: 

• 0-25 lbs: 1/4 dropper
• 26-40 lbs: 1/2 dropper
• 41-60 lbs: 3/4 dropper
• 61-80 lbs: a full dropper

Each dropper contains 17 mg of CBD, and 2 mg per 10lb of critter is the standard beginning dose. The dropper contains four equal markings to measure the dose you need accurately.

Elixinol CBD Drops

Made with quality USA-grown hemp, these drops contain 500 mg CBD carried by MCT coconut oil to help support relaxation for adult dogs. Additionally, Elixinol drops are made with broad-spectrum hemp extracts, which means they are THC-free.

Directions for Use:

• 0-25 lbs: 0.5 mL
• 25-50 lbs: 1 mL
• 50+ lbs: 1.5 mL

Green Roads Pet CBD Oil Drops

Designed for pet wellness, these GMO-free oil drops deliver 2 milligrams of broad-spectrum CBD per serving using hemp seed oil as a carrier. This CBD oil uses American-produced hemp in a formula designed specifically for easy digestion in your pet’s tummy. Small dogs and cats get an extra wellness boost via the MCT oil blended with the hemp carrier in this ultra-pure blend. Each 30-milliliter bottle of Green Roads cat CBD oil contains 60 milligrams.

Green Roads also manufactures CBD oil for dogs. CBD drops for medium and large dogs are made with hemp seed oil and hemp-derived cannabinoid extract grown on American farms. Each 1 ml of hemp oil for dogs delivers 7 mg and 20 mg of CBD.

The dosage recommendations based on the pet’s weight:

• Under 15 lbs: 2 mg CBD (1 ml)
• 15-50 lbs: 7 mg CBD (1 ml)
• Over 50 lbs: 20 mg CBD (1 ml)

Fab CBD Oil for Pets, Chicken Flavor

Fab CBD’s CBD oil for pets is a full spectrum formulation designed to enhance the well-being of your beloved animals. Packaged in a convenient 1oz bottle, this tincture delivers a total of 600 mg of CBD, aiming to support joint health and promote overall health in pets. Each serving is crafted to offer a palatable chicken flavor, ensuring ease of administration either mixed into food or water or given directly orally. Ideal for pet owners looking to provide their pets with the natural benefits of CBD in a flavor that pets love.

The dosage recommendations based on the pet’s weight:

• Up to 25 lbs – 0.25ml or two drops
• 25-50 lbs – 0.5ml – or 4 drops
• 50-75 lbs – 0.75ml or six drops
• Over 75 lbs – 1.0ml+ or 8 drops+

Social CBD Pet Drops, Unflavored

Social CBD pet drops offer an unflavored, broad spectrum CBD solution for pets, packaged in a 1oz bottle with a concentration of 500 mg CBD. This product is crafted to support the well-being of pets, focusing on promoting joint health and reducing nervousness without any added flavors, making it ideal for pets with sensitive palates. It can be easily mixed into your pet’s food or water or administered orally, providing a straightforward way to integrate CBD into your pet’s daily routine for a healthier, happier pet.

Directions for Use:

One size does not fit all with CBD oil drops and should be adjusted as needed until you find your desired effects. There is 16.7 mg of CBD per serving (1 mL).

Myriam’s Hope Hemp Pet CBD Oil

Myriam’s Hope Pet CBD blend contains 300+ mg CBD per fluid ounce and other beneficial and therapeutic phytocannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. Pet CBD oil is made with 100% organic premium hemp, and the brand uses only full spectrum oil in its products.

Suggested Use: 

• 5-20 lbs: start with two small drops twice a day with food and increase as needed
• 20+ lbs: start with four small drops twice a day with food and increase as needed

Paw CBD Calming Chews

Paw CBD calming soft chews offer a broad spectrum, THC-free solution to help soothe and relax your pet. Each container holds 30 chews, with a total of 600mg CBD, ensuring your large dog gets the right amount of support without any psychoactive effects. Designed specifically for larger breeds, these soft chews combine turkey’s palatability with CBD’s wellness benefits, making them an ideal choice for pet owners looking to support their dog’s calmness and overall well-being.

Serving Size & Dosage Recommendations:

Selecting the appropriate potency of CBD soft chews for your dog is essential, and beginning with a smaller quantity is advisable: typically, one chew daily is the starting point for many.

Slumber Pet CBN+CBD Oil for Pets

Slumber CBN+CBD oil contains 75 mg of CBN and 500 mg of CBD per bottle to help calm your pet. This oil combines the benefits of CBN and CBD without any psychoactive effects, making it a natural choice for supporting your pet’s overall well-being. The chicken flavor makes it easy for your pet to enjoy.

Suggested Use: 

Use 1 drop per every 10 lbs of weight. This product is designed for adult cats and dogs only.

• 20 lbs: 2 drops
• 40 lbs: 4 drops
• 60 lbs: 6 drops
• 80 lbs: 8 drops

Farmhouse Hemp Pet Drops CBD Oil

Farmhouse Hemp pet drops deliver 600 mg of CBD per bottle, offering a natural way to support your pet’s relaxation. Each 1 ml serving contains 10 mg of CBD, making it easy to adjust the dosage to your needs. Designed for both dogs and cats, these drops feature a tasty chicken flavor. The full-spectrum CBD oil is extracted using a solventless process, ensuring a chemical-free product.

Directions: 

The manufacturer recommends administering the product twice a day: one dose in the morning with breakfast and one at night with dinner. Apply drops directly onto food or give to pets orally (if giving orally, make sure the dropper does not come in contact with the pet’s mouth).

How to Use CBD Oil for Pets?

Here are the tips on how to use CBD oil.

CBD products can be used daily for your pet. There are several different products available. Some tincture products for humans can also be used for pets (check with the manufacturer). You can also choose to purchase a pet-based product that can be mixed with food or water. There are also dog and cat treats that can help with more precise dosing. CBD products can make a world of difference for your pet!

About the Author

Erica Irish

Dr. Erica Irish is a small animal veterinarian practicing in Central Florida. She has many interests, including cardiology, dentistry, dermatology, and integrative medicine.

• View all posts by Erica Irish