What is CBD?

CBD (cannabidiol) is a naturally occurring cannabinoid in the hemp plant. Hemp is a cannabis variant that contains less than 0.3% THC.

Research suggests CBD may render a variety of therapeutic benefits for both humans and animals by interacting with the endocannabinoid system.

Why Shop CBD for Dogs at Natural Ways CBD?

At Natural Ways CBD, we only carry products that contain less than 0.3% THC and have been tested by a 3rd-party lab to verify their safety and potency. 

But legal, safe, and effective products are table stakes for any CBD brand — what truly sets us apart is our:

• Selection: We pride ourselves on offering a wide selection of American-made, lab-tested CBD products for dogs and cats. Our selection includes oils, crunchy treats, soft chew treats, and CBD dog bones.
• Shipping & returns: We offer free next-day shipping on all orders over $49 dollars so you can get your pet’s essential items for less. All of our products come with a 14-day return guarantee if unopened. If your product(s) arrive and you discover they’re not what you need, you can return them with no hassle.
• Values: We put people and people over profit. Our company was started after the owners experienced a medical scare with a family member and witnessed how CBD products helped. We’re dedicated to making natural wellness available to all; we do that by offering the highest-quality products at fair prices.

What Are the Benefits of CBD for Dogs?

Research and anecdotal suggest CBD has many potential therapeutic benefits for dogs:

Physical discomfort

Research suggests CBD may have analgesic (pain-reducing) and anti-inflammatory properties in dogs.

In a 2018 study, dogs were given either CBD oil or placebo oil every 12 hours for 4 weeks. The researchers found that, across two tests, the dogs who were given CBD oil showed a significant decrease in pain and increase in activity.

Additionally, a 2023 research review identified five different studies in which CBD “significantly reduced pain and increased activity in dogs”, thereby improving their quality of life.

Another study found that CBD had anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating properties in dogs.

Anxiety

Research suggests CBD may have anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) properties in dogs.

In a 2023 study, researchers tested the effects of CBD for dogs with separation anxiety and travel anxiety.

The dogs underwent two tests: being left alone in a familiar room, or going on a short car journey. The researchers gave some of the dogs CBD, while they gave others a placebo.

Dogs who received a 4 mg/kg dose of CBD showed fewer signs of stress than those who didn’t, with the researchers noting that in some tests, the dogs who were given CBD experienced “a significant reduction in canine stress compared to the placebo group.”

Aggression

Many pet parents have turned to CBD for dog aggression because they find that CBD’s calming properties also apply to aggression in dogs.

Anecdotal evidence suggests CBD has therapeutic potential for aggression toward other dogs as well as toward humans.

CBD isn’t a treatment for aggression in dogs, however, many people have observed that it’s a helpful supplement for helping dogs stay calm in stressful situations.

Fear of loud noises

Anecdotal evidence suggests that CBD’s calming effects may help dogs stay calm in the presence of loud noises, especially fireworks. 

Many pet parents use CBD on the 4th of July, New Year’s Eve, and other occasions to help their dog stay calm as people set off fireworks. 

Sleep

Research has found that CBD promotes better sleep in rats, and anecdotal evidence suggests many of these same benefits also apply to dogs. 

In a 2013 study, the total percentage of sleep significantly increased in the rats that were given doses of 10 or 40mg/kg of CBD, as compared to the placebo group.

Given CBD’s other benefits for dogs – and how the issues it may address often tie into sleep – it’s clear that CBD may positively influence your dog’s sleep in a variety of ways.

Skin health & itching

Several studies suggest CBD may help with itching and skin discomfort in dogs. 

One study looked at the impact of CBD on the daily activity of adult dogs. While the study found that CBD did not impact activity levels, it did find that CBD may exert an antipruritic, or anti-itching, effect.

Another study, which examined 8 dogs with canine atopic dermatitis (CAD), found that CBD “decreased the occurrence of [itching] in dogs with CAD when ingested twice a day.”

Immunosuppression and allergy reduction

Research suggests CBD may have some immunosuppressant properties in dogs – in other words, it may suppress the immune response.

A 2020 study found that CBD’s “mechanisms involve direct suppression of activation of various immune cell types, induction of apoptosis, and promotion of regulatory cells, which, in turn, control other immune cell targets.”

While immunosuppression isn’t always necessarily a good thing, it’s beneficial for dogs with allergies. Their immune systems often overreact, creating uncomfortable allergy symptoms. 

CBD’s immunosuppressant properties mean it may be a beneficial supplement for dogs with allergies.

Appetite

While more research on CBD’s direct impact on appetite is needed, anecdotal evidence suggests that CBD may help stabilize dogs’ appetites because of its wide range of therapeutic benefits. 

By addressing things that make your dog not want to eat, CBD may promote a healthy appetite for your dog. 

CBD for Dogs: Side Effects & Safety

CBD is generally considered safe and well-tolerated in dogs. Therefore, CBD products are completely safe to give your dog. However, CBD has the potential to cause some adverse effects in dogs:

• Dry mouth
• Lowered blood pressure
• Drowsiness

Types of CBD Products for Dogs

There are several types of CBD products for dogs available. Here’s a bit about each:

• CBD Oil: CBD oil for dogs typically consists of carrier oil, hemp extract, and added terpenes (hemp compounds with additional benefits). Our oils also include flavoring, such as bacon or peanut butter, so that they’re more appealing to your dog. The benefit of choosing oil-based CBD delivery for your dog is that you can measure very precise doses. Therapeutic use often requires that you give your dog a very specific dose of CBD, and that you slowly increase it over time. CBD oil enables you to do this. 
• CBD Treats: Since your dog is probably already used to treats, they won’t think anything is amiss when you hand them a CBD-infused pet treat. Treats are also a convenient CBD delivery method if you’re going to be traveling with your dog. CBD treats offer a fixed-dose delivery method, making it easy to deliver the same dose of CBD to your dog each time. The downside is that it’s harder to dose treats precisely. 
• CBD Bones: If your dog loves bones, a CBD dog bone is a great way for them to engage in an activity they enjoy while also soaking up the benefits of CBD. However, if you’re using CBD therapeutically with your dog for specific reasons, bones aren’t as reliable a delivery method. This is because most bones don’t contain enough CBD to render strong therapeutic benefits from a single chewing session.

CBD Dosage for Dogs: How Much CBD Should You Give Your Dog?

We recommend you use a weight-based formula to calculate your dog’s CBD dosage. This will ensure your dog’s dosage is effective, no matter how small or large they are.

While different situations call for different doses, a good rule of thumb is to give your dog 2mg of CBD for every 10 lbs of body weight, or 0.2mg per pound.

You can calculate your dog’s dose using the formula below:

(0.2) x (your dog’s body weight in lbs.) = your dog’s daily dose of CBD in mg. 

This dosage formula also works for cats. This dose can either be given all at once, or it can be broken up into multiple doses. 

Do Veterinarians Recommend CBD for Dogs?

The American Veterinary Medical Association urges people to exercise caution when using CBD for dogs, given that these products are not FDA-approved. Some veterinarians suggest CBD as a supplement; others advise against using it — the opinions of vets on CBD are mixed.