How to Choose the Right CBD Product for Your Dog

CBD is becoming more prevalent amongst the pet community, but it can be daunting to choose the perfect product to give your dog, especially because it’s something they put into their bodies!

So, here’s how to choose the right CBD product for your dog and you.

1. Understanding CBD Types

When looking at CBD, you will see that the product says broad or full spectrum on it. So what does this mean?

To put it simply (we’ll deep dive in another post!), full-spectrum CBD contains all hemp compounds, including trace amounts of THC (the right product should have negligible amounts or else it would be toxic for dogs; below 0.3% THC is generally safe).

Broad-spectrum CBD theoretically contains all hemp compounds except THC. However, with the process to remove the THC entirely (definitely check on the label that it truly has 0% THC), some argue that the non-CBD additional cannabinoids may become lost.

If you’re concerned about any trace THC, broad-spectrum CBD might be the better option for your dog, but if you’re looking for the full benefits of the entourage effect, full-spectrum CBD could be the way to go. EIther way, look at the label to confirm that THC level isn’t above 0.3%.

2. Seeing the Certificate

Whether you choose broad or full-spectrum CBD, you should definitely take a look at the certificate provided by the manufacturer to see how much CBD is truly in the product. Further, as mentioned above, take an extra close look at how much THC is in the product to be double sure that there’s not more than negligent amounts.

Since the use of CBD is not FDA regulated, I like to personally take extreme caution when shopping for CBD for my dog by doing my own research as well as reading reviews!

3. Quality 

Thirdly, when looking for the right CBD for your pup, you want to check out the sourcing and ingredients to ensure the quality is top notch.

For a general rule, look for organic; when a CBD is not organic, at the minimum it shouldnt contain pesticides, fungicides, or solvents. I personally stick to only organic.

Also, make sure there are no herbicides or heavy metals. In my experience, when getting these top quality CBD products, it tends to be in the higher price range relative to other products. To me, this is an easy premium I am willing to pay for better quality.

4. Formulations

Another very important factor to consider is the different product formats. There are many on the market from oil to treats to balms, but at the end of the day, the most effective and safe format is usually oil. The reason for this is because it’s in the most pure form, and therefore easiest to adjust dosage precisely.

Further, in my own experience, oil is the only format that had effectiveness for my dog. CBD oil is very easy to simply mix with a little bit of food and feed.

As any dog owner can agree, when we feed our dogs something new, we want to make sure it’s not only effective, but safe and high quality! So, it is essential that dog owners use these above tips for judging CBD products in combination with their own research to find the perfect one!