Shopping for CBD for dogs and Pets can sometimes become a bit confusing. There are a lot of products in the market to choose from and prices are just not that convincing. Yes, CBD based veterinarian products can be a bit pricey. That is why we put up this guide to help you discover the best types of CBD based products out there and make an educated decision for your pet.

Why Should I Buy Cbd Products for My Dog and/or Cat?

CBD has medicinal benefits for pets, which reason enough for some pet owners. It can be used to treat certain acute diseases and chronic conditions of pets. For instance, it can be used for the treatment of arthritis in dogs. Note that arthritis is a serious condition that affects many pets.

CBD is also a great treatment for pets that have compromised immunities. It can also help dogs improve their stress response. There are other chronic conditions that can also be addressed by using CBD, which includes a variety of digestive issues as well as overall aggression.

CBD also has anti-inflammatory effects. It can also help stimulate your dog’s or your cat’s appetite. It can also help with muscle spasms.

How to Choose the Right CBD Product for Your Pet

It is obvious that not all CBD products were manufactured alike. Some will be better suited for your pet than others. So here are some of the things to consider when you’re out comparison shopping. The following are some of the factors that you should keep in mind:

1. Check the Source of Your CBD Product – the plant source or originating product is one of the most important things to consider. It basically determines the quality of the end product.

Your final CBD product may come from an industrial hemp plant or it may have been sourced from an actual cannabis plant. Remember that cannabis has been bred to produce many different products an only now have they been produced for their CBD content.

Simply put, some companies are sourcing their CBD from byproducts of hemp. They are just doing that to tap a secondary market. Their production was not originally meant for CBD production.

Notice in the packaging that their product will contain a kind of carrier oil (of course) and they will also contain certain flavor enhancing additives. Make sure to get your CBD that was produced in countries where agricultural standards are regulated (e.g. US, Canada, etc.). Remember that hemp tends to accumulate toxins from the soil so growing them requires strict standards.

2. Determine the Extraction Method – the type of extraction is another matter that you should pay attention to. Note that the currently the most popular type of extraction method is using supercritical carbon dioxide.

Using carbon dioxide for the extraction method is the safest by far. The reason behind that is it doesn’t leave any solvent residues. The only downside to this process is that this is a more difficult method for extracting the essential oils from the source plant.

An alternative to supercritical carbon dioxide extraction is using food grade ethanol solutions. Both methods are safe. The most advanced extraction method is by column chromatography, which is more expensive – which can translate to a pricier end product.

3. Check Label Claims – as always pay attention to the fine print on the label. Check the recommended dosage, manufacturing date, and also the batch number. Check the ratio as well as the THC and CBD ratio. Compare that information with the lab report coming from the manufacturer.

Note that some companies aren’t clear about dosage information. There should also be no food coloring, thinning agents, artificial additives, GMOs, transfats, and corn syrup on the label.

4. Check for Third Party Independent Lab Testing

You can request for third-party lab testing information. Sometimes the manufacturer will post this on their website. The lab that will be doing the tests should be independent and not a company or affiliated lab.

The report will report the consistency of the product. It will also show any contaminants that have been found such as residual solvents, bacteria, pesticides, etc.

5. Check for the Bioavailable Amount

Bioavailability refers to the amount of an ingredient that can be absorbed by the body. In the case of CBD, it doesn’t mean that if a bottle contains more CBD that it is better. Again, the lab analysis will reflect the bioavailable amount of in one product.

6. Check for Delivery Method

Have you noticed that some CBD products are edible, some come in oil form, and others are sold as syrups? These are the different delivery methods available.

The best delivery method is a sublingual application. A lot of pet owners are discovering the wonders of this delivery method. When using this method, you will be administering your CBD (i.e. putting CBD drops) underneath your pet’s tongue.

So, why is this better? This is because your CBD product comes in contact with the blood-rich bodily tissues in your pet’s mouth. It then gets absorbed much faster and goes quickly into your pet’s bloodstream. This is a better option compared to topicals (i.e. products applied to the skin) or edible products (i.e. CBD that is ingested as food).

What is the Absorption Rate of Edible CBD in Pets?

You may have seen some CBD based products that look like and are packaged as something akin to dog food or kibble. Some of them may even be cheaper. But consider this fact: the absorption rate of CBD is very low in this form.

Even if it was administered not as food but as an oral medication, the bioabsorption rate of this compound is still pretty low. The rate is actually due to stomach acids and other enzymes that act on the things that go through the digestive tract.

In fact, you should expect anywhere from 20% to 90% of the actually stated dose on the label will be lost. That means there is a reduction of active cannabinoids that are bioavailable. What you should be monitoring is the actual effective dose (i.e. the actual amount that tends to get absorbed by your pet’s body) and not just the usual dosage.

What are the Types of CBD Products For Pets Are Available?

CBD products for your pets come in different forms. There are pet isolates, capsules, doggie or cat treats, and topical treatments. We’ll look into each of these in the details below.

·      CBD Pet Tinctures

CBD tinctures are sold in small bottles that are made of glass. These products also come with a small dropper that you will use for the administration of this oil. In this tincture form, you can add a drop of CBD oil to your pet’s food. Alternatively, you can add a drop to your pet’s drinking water.

Please follow the recommended dosage on the label. To make it more effective, you can administer the oil directly into your dog’s or cat’s mouth. This will take some practice and effort though.

So what are CBD pet tinctures good for? In its tincture form, CBD is good for reducing the mild symptoms of certain conditions. Examples of which include nausea and muscle pains. This is also a good introductory application for pet owners who are just getting started with administering CBD to their pets. If you’re new at it, then start with CBD in tincture form.

• CBD Pet Capsules

CBD in capsule form is another good option. In case your pet doesn’t like the taste of the oil, you can opt for this type. The capsules themselves usually don’t have any taste so you can put them in your dog’s or cat’s kibble and they won’t notice it until they finally have eaten it.

You can also break the capsules open so that you can add its contents to your pet’s drinking water or other food. The natural molecules that comprise the capsule help improve the absorption rate. It also makes the nutrient absorption in your dog’s digestive system go faster.

• Pet CBD Treats

CBD products also come in the form of pet treats. If your dog doesn’t like tincture drops or if your pet has learned that fancy trick of eating the food and spitting out the capsule (yes, your cat or dog is that smart) then pet treats might do the trick.

These treats are infused with CBD which masks the taste of the oil. You won’t have to bother with mixing the oil well with water or food. Obviously, they won’t be able to spit the CBD out since it’s already blended into the treats.

These treats taste great and pets love them, which helps to encourage them to take some more. Just remember to get them in your pet’s favorite flavor. As an added bonus, you should also get the CBD infused treats that contain other beneficial ingredients such as hemp seed powder, turmeric, flaxseeds, and others.

CBD for Your Dog & Cats – A Buyer’s Guide

The following are some of our recommended CBD products. Note that they are not arranged in any particular order.

1. Canna Biscuits for Dogs Review

This CBD comes in biscuit form, which is a great option if it is a bit difficult to administer tinctures and capsules to your dog or cat. They are baked with quality food ingredients that are non-GMO. The treats are bite-sized, which makes them easy to feed to any size of pet.

Recommended serving sizes are as follows:

·      Really large dogs (those above 95 pounds) – 8 biscuits a day

·      Large dogs (45 to 95 pounds) – 6 biscuits a day

·      Mid-size dogs (21 to 44 pounds) – 4 biscuits a day

·      Small dogs (less than 20 pounds) – 2 biscuits a day

2. PurCBD+ For Pets Review

PurCBD+ is a phytocannabinoid hemp-based Review. If your dog is suffering from conditions related to inflammation such as aches, pains, and arthritis among others, then this might be the option for you. It is easy to administer and the product comes with a 30 day money back guarantee.

The other good thing about this product is the fact that there are actual lab test reports that the manufacturer has published. Note that this product is formulated for cats, dogs, and even horses. Make sure to follow the dosing guide posted on the manufacturer’s website.

PurCBD is certified to be free from pesticide residues, preservatives, additives, and 0% THC (which means it is non-psychoactive). The hemp oil used for manufacturing this product comes from the UK, Germany, and the USA.

3. Organic Hemp CBD Oil Tincture by NuLeaf Natural

This CBD tincture is derived from organic sources. They are sold in 240 mg bottles. Note that they also have 1,450 mg bottles as well. The manufacturer boasts that their products are free of additives, pesticides, herbicides, and preservatives.

4. RxCBD Review

RxCBD is another option if you’re looking for CBD in doggie treat form. Why do these doggie biscuits appeal so much to a lot of pets? Well, they smell and taste like chicken. If you check the ingredients list, you’ll find that the RxCBD 1 inch crunchy biscuits contain only healthy ingredients. There is no corn, soy, wheat, gluten, and dairy included in the ingredients.

5. Fit Aroma Organic Hemp Oil Tinctures Review

The manufacturers used carbon dioxide hemp extraction when they sourced the oil during the production process. Note that there are different Fit Aroma CBD tincture formulations. Some are designed for cats, some for dogs, and others for horses.

Make sure to pick the formula that is specially made for your pet. The packages are sold as anywhere from 300 mg to 900 mg bottles. You should also note that the tinctures for dogs and cats contain medium-chain triglycerides that were derived from coconut oil. This is a healthy option for your pet but some dogs or cats may not appreciate the flavor or smell of coconuts.