Best CBD Dog Treats For 2022 (Top 5)

What is CBD?

CBD stands for cannabidiol — it’s the active ingredient in the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa). There are over 67 closely related compounds (called cannabinoids) that offer similar benefits, such as CBC, CBG, CBN, or THCV.

Most dog treats are made with pure CBD, which is completely non-psychoactive (it won’t make you high) and safe for dogs of all sizes.

CBD has many benefits. It targets a neuroregulatory pathway in the central nervous system that affects all major organs in the body. As a result, CBD has a long list of benefits to offer — some of which may seem unrelated.

The most common reasons for using CBD, in general, are for fighting symptoms associated with pain, inflammation, anxiety, autoimmunity, allergies, arthritis, or sleeping difficulties.

There are dozens of other applications for CBD — all backed by high-level research.

How Does CBD Work?

CBD works by interacting with a critical regulatory system called the endocannabinoid system. This system is found in all mammals on earth (including your dog). It’s tasked with maintaining homeostasis (balance) within the body.

Basically, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a communication channel in the body. It’s designed to make it easier for the internal organs to talk to each other.

You can think of the endocannabinoid system as a “read receipt” for the body. When a message is sent to a particular organ from the brain, the endocannabinoid system relays that the information was received back to the sender.

This may seem unnecessary, but this process is essential for maintaining balance within the body.

Through a process called homeostasis (balance), the endocannabinoid system regulates the health of every organ in the body. This is why CBD and other cannabis derivatives have so many seemingly unrelated benefits.

Homeostasis Involves Keeping the Following Metrics In Balance:

• Internal body temperature
• Blood pH
• Oxygenation status
• Inflammatory status
• Pain perception
• Blood cell count
• Digestive function
• Neurological activity
• Cellular regeneration
• Metabolic balance

If any of these factors fall out of balance, your dog will begin to feel ill. 

CBD is used to buffer the endocannabinoid system to help your animal reach optimal balance once again. This may involve boosting immune cell counts, cutting back on the production of inflammatory cytokines, or reducing the transmission of pain sent to the brain.

Related: 55 Evidence-Based Benefits of CBD Oil.

What is CBD Used for in Dogs?

There are many different reasons you may choose to give your dog CBD. The most common are for supporting chronic joint or hip pain, treating anxiety, or alleviating digestive inflammation or discomfort.

Other’s use CBD dog treats as a daily health supplement to promote general health and wellbeing or to prevent or slow the impending progression of age-related disease in aging dogs.

Let’s discuss each in more detail.

1. CBD Dog Treats For General Health

As mentioned, CBD works by supporting a key regulatory system in your pet’s body. When the endocannabinoid system is in good shape, your dog is much better equipped to maintain optimal health in many different aspects.

Many dog-owners are giving their animals a daily dose of CBD as a way to prevent illness before it happens. This is especially useful for conditions involving inflammation, neurological decline, and anxiety — all of which are especially common in older dogs.

Best CBD Dog Treats for General Health Promotion

The best CBD dog treats for general health promotion should be made from high-quality ingredients without added fillers or preservatives.

I recommend brands like Neurogan or Nordic Oil (Europe only) — both of which are known for their use of pure, simple, and clean formulas.

2. CBD Treats For Dogs With Arthritis

CBD is a powerful pain-killer and anti-inflammatory — both of which are key components of arthritis.

Arthritis is very common in older dogs — usually appearing around years 7 – 9 of life.

Unlike humans, dogs rely on mobility in all four limbs, so arthritis in even just one of their joints can dramatically alter their quality of life.

This condition tends to worsen over time. It starts out so small you probably won’t even notice, but as the joint continues to deteriorate, you may find your dog limping around, unwilling to jump up onto the couch, or simply refuse to move around any more than they need to. You may also notice your dog feeling unusually apathetic.

By this time, the arthritis is pretty severe and isn’t likely to go away completely.

CBD is useful for slowing the progression of arthritis in your dog and may alleviate feelings of pain and stiffness to regain some of the lost mobility. However, you should know that if your dog has anything more than mild arthritis, you’ll likely need to continue using CBD or other joint support supplements for the long haul.

The best course of action is to combine a daily CBD dog treat with other joint-supportive supplements.

Here are five more supplements to consider using with your dog to manage joint pain:

• Chondroitin sulfate
• Glucosamine
• Green Lipped Mussel
• Magnesium
• Turmeric

Best CBD Dog Treats for Arthritis

The best CBD dog treats for arthritis are made with some of these other joint-supportive ingredients already. CBD works best in combination with ingredients such as boswellia or turmeric — like the dog treats offered by Pet Hemp Company.

Alternatively, you can use a CBD pet oil for arthritis instead.

3. CBD Dog Treats For Anxiety

Dogs suffer anxiety just as much as humans — especially younger or smaller dogs.

You can usually spot anxiety in dogs if you find them shaking, hiding in their kennel, or expressing overly “needy” tendencies when you try to leave for work. Some dogs will try to hide their anxiety by isolating themselves in a kennel, bedroom, or underneath furniture.

CBD is one of the best supplements you can give your pet for anxiety. It’s considered a neurorelaxant — which means it has the ability to slow down electrical activity in the brain — forcing a state of relaxation. 

Panic or anxiety attacks are characterized by hyperactive electrical activity in the brain. Neurons are firing on all cylinders. Your dog feels panicked, stressed out, and hypervigilant.

CBD dog treats are one of the most reliable ways to relieve anxiety in your dog. You know your dog best, and what stresses them out, so you can keep some CBD dog treats nearby to give them whenever stress levels are high.

For my dogs, this means car rides, fireworks, and nearby construction projects.

Best CBD Dog Treats for Anxiety

The best CBD dog treats for anxiety are made with simple ingredients, offer full-spectrum hemp extract, and provide additional anti-anxiety ingredients.

My favorite is the Stress & Anxiety treats by Pet Hemp Company – because they provide additional stress-relieving compounds like L-theanine and chamomile.

4. CBD Dog Treats For Digestive Disorders

Many animals will experience digestive problems throughout their life. This could be the result of the food they’re eating, infection, or stress.

One of the main causes of long-term digestive problems is inflammation.

Inflammation can arise from allergies to foods, long-term stress, or exposure to pesticides or sprays while your dog mucks around in the grass. 

This inflammation makes it harder to digest food and can even cause bleeding in the digestive tract (colitis). It can lead to side effects such as:

• Fatigue
• Constipation/diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Blood or mucous in the stool
• A general sense of malaise or apathy

CBD has a lot to offer digestive disorders of all different kinds. Its powerful anti-inflammatory effects help restore optimal bowel function, while the immune-boosting effects can help eliminate infectious bacteria, viruses, or parasites — all of which are common in dogs.

If your dog is having digestive issues, it helps to take other measures on top of the CBD dog treats.

This may include steps such as:

• Changing their diet (try home-cooked chicken or beef with sweet potatoes)
• Take measures to manage your dog’s stress levels
• Avoid using harsh cleaning products on the ground or furniture where your dog hangs out
• Have your dog tested for parasites at your local vet

Best CBD Dog Treats for Digestion

The best CBD dog treats for digestion use organic ingredients, and high-potency CBD.

Avoid treats with harmful additives that can cause further irritation of your dogs’ digestive tract.

My favorite at the moment are the Skin & Coat CBD pet treats from Fab CBD because of the included salmon oil (high in omega-3 fatty acids) and clean, simple formula.

These treats work just as well for the digestive tract as the skin because both tissues are made from epithelial tissue. Omega-3 fatty acids work exceptionally well for irritated skin and digestive epithelial cells.

5. CBD Dog Treats For Nausea

CBD has direct anti-nausea activity. It activates a region in the brainstem tasked with controlling the urge to vomit. Dogs who seem to randomly puke before or after a meal (more common than you might think) have a lot to gain from a consistent dose of CBD.

My dog always pukes in car rides, so no matter where I’m going. I give my dog a couple of CBD treats before we hit the road. So far, it’s worked like a charm.

Keep in mind, if your dog is throwing up a lot, you should have them checked out by a vet to make sure it’s nothing more serious.

Best CBD Dog Treats for Nausea

The best CBD dog treats for nausea are made from organic ingredients and contain full-spectrum hemp extract. My favorite are the Ginger CBD treats from Mitchell’s Medicinals. Ginger is an incredible anti-nausea agent on its own, which provides exceptional anti-nausea effects to the CBD itself.

6. CBD Dog Treats For Allergies

Dogs get allergies too. They can be allergic to particles in the air, the food they eat, or stuff they pick up while rooting around in the park.

Your dog may cough or sneeze, have a runny nose, or break out in rashes or hives. All of these symptoms indicate your dog may be allergic to something.

An allergic reaction is a side effect of an overactive immune response. The immune system is constantly monitoring the blood for danger and can occasionally mistake a harmless particle as a serious threat.

For example, your dog may inhale some pollen — which on its own, is completely harmless. But the immune system sees this pollen as a threat and goes into red alert. It calls in all the heavy hitters to seek and destroy the pollen. The problem is that this often results in some friendly fire in the process — damaging nearby healthy cells and triggering inflammation (leading to rashes, or hives).

CBD works by regulating this immune response. If the body overreacts to harmless allergens like pollen, CBD will help tone down the immune response to more reasonable levels.

Best CBD Dog Treats for Allergies

The best CBD dog treats for allergic reactions contain simple formulas. Complex additives to the dog treat could further aggravate allergies, so you’ll want to find a product with as few ingredients as possible. I recommend the CBD treats from Pet Hemp Company for this because they contain very few ingredients, none of which are synthetic or known to be common causes of allergies.

The Problem With CBD Dog Treats

CBD-infused dog treats are great. They’re the best way to give your dog CBD, by far.

Unfortunately, the vast majority of CBD dog treats we’ve tried aren’t worth the money. Most of these products are selling poor-quality pet products. They’re made without any expert oversight and often employ ingredients that can be harmful to your dogs’ health.

What’s even worse, dog treats come with a heavy markup compared to other products with the same amount of CBD.

Don’t waste your money — understanding what the major issues are with CBD dog treats can help you spot bad products before you spend your hard-earned money.

Let’s cover the main issues with CBD dog treats these days:

1. They’re Sometimes Overpriced

Anything specifically made for pets is instantly marked up. This is true across the board. Even pet CBD oils cost anywhere from 10 – 25% more than the exact same oil marketed for humans. We’ve seen this from dozens of CBD brands — including the reputable ones.

2. They’re Often Underpowered

Most pet treats we’ve reviewed offer very little CBD per treat. While it’s true that your dog needs a lower dose of CBD than you might, they still need an effective dose to do what’s advertised.

One of the biggest problems we’ve found here is that a company will advertise something like “10 mg per treat” on the package. But when you take a closer look, it becomes apparent that the treats don’t have 10 mg of CBD per piece, they have 10 mg of hemp extract per piece — which means the true CBD content is much lower.

Additionally, many commercial pet treats are baked under extreme heat during the manufacturing process. The high heat damages the cannabinoids in the treat. The company may add 10 mg of CBD to every piece, but by the time it comes out of the oven, the true concentration may be closer to 1 mg.

The best dog treats are baked for long periods of time on low heat — or are made with a process that avoids baking altogether.

3. They’re Often Full of Synthetic Additives & Fillers

This is a problem for pet treats overall — not just CBD-infused treats.

In order to cut costs, companies are adding synthetic preservatives and additives to prolong the shelf life, improve the texture, or simply add bulk to the dog biscuit to make them look bigger.

The problem is that these additives aren’t very healthy for your pet. They can irritate the digestive tract, harm the kidneys or liver, or worse.

If you look at the ingredients list and find you can’t pronounce most of them, you should probably look for another product. Pet treats don’t need to contain all these synthetic ingredients. There are plenty of high-quality products made from real, natural ingredients that work perfectly fine.

How to Find High-Quality CBD Dog Treats

It’s important you look for high-quality CBD dog treats for your beloved pet. It’s very easy to mistakenly order low-grade CBD dog treats that won’t offer any of the benefits you’re expecting — or worse. Some products are abundant in harmful additives, preservatives, or contaminants — none of which are going to do your dog any favors.

Here are 4 characteristics to look for when shopping for high-quality CBD dog treats:

1. Seek Value Over Price

You can find CBD dog treats for $5, and others for $50. While the fifty-dollar treats are obviously more expensive, the actual value can be deceiving.

The best way to compare the value of a dog treat is to determine the cost for every milligram of CBD. This will allow you to look at the true cost of a CBD dog treat. We call this the “cost to potency ratio.”

For example, a $5 dog treat that contains 25 milligrams of CBD works out to around 20 cents per milligram ($5 / 25 = $0.20).

The $50 option may come with 750 mg per container — which would instead work out to just six cents per milligram ($50 / 750 = $0.06). This product clearly has a much higher value.

Once you know the cost per milligram, you can compare the value to others of similar quality to see if it’s worth the money, or if the company is gouging you.

Here’s a quick reference for CBD dog treat costs according to quality:

2. Look at the Ingredients List

The best CBD dog treats will incorporate other ingredients into the formula as well. If you’re using CBD dog treats for arthritis or joint pain, you should find a product that includes other joint-supportive ingredients. If you’re using dog treats for digestion, look for a formula that caters best to digestive health.

You’ll also want to look at the ingredients list to spot any potential red flags. Here are a few to watch out for:

• Food dyes
• Ethoxyquin
• BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)
• BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)
• PG (Propylene Glycol)
• Rendered fat

3. Look at the Texture of the Treats

There are two main types of dog treats — hard and soft. Choosing the best one depends on your dog.

Smaller dogs usually prefer soft-chews, while larger dogs have a better time with hard treats. Hard treats are usually cheaper to make and store for longer periods of time but may be difficult for dogs with small teeth or gum disease.

Best Hard Dog Treats:

$29.95

Pet Hemp Company CBD Dog Treats + Stress & Anxiety Relief

5 / 5

Total CBD:	150 mg
Potency:	5 mg per Treat
Cost per mg CBD:	$0.20
Extract Type:	Full-Spectrum
Flavor:	Green Apple & Peanut Butter

Expert Review

Best Soft-Chew Dog Treats:

$24.99

Koi CBD

Koi CBD Soft Chews 25 Chews

4.17 / 5

Total CBD:	50 mg
Potency :	2 mg/chew
Cost per mg CBD:	$1.00

Expert Review Get a Deal

4. Look for Evidence of Third-Party Testing

This is a point we make for CBD products in all categories. Third-party lab testing is a process where a CBD company sends a sample from every batch produced to an independent lab for verification. There are dozens of third-party labs in the United States and elsewhere in the world that will conduct their own analysis of the cannabinoid ratios, terpene levels, and search for the presence of contaminants.

Third-party testing is the only surefire way to prove the quality of a CBD product. Companies can claim whatever they want on the labels, but you can’t lie on a certified independent lab report.

As a result, most unethical companies selling low-quality CBD products won’t even list independent reports because they know they will likely fail.

Always look for evidence of these tests before you buy so you know you can trust what the manufacturer is claiming.

The Pros & Cons of CBD Dog Treats vs. CBD Oil for Dogs

CBD dog treats are by far the most popular option for dogs, but there are many people using simple CBD oils with their animals as well.

While both work perfectly fine, there are some advantages and disadvantages to each.

How to Make Home-Made CBD Dog Treats

For those of you who are feeling crafty, you can also make your own CBD dog treats using some simple ingredients at home.

You will need to find a source of CBD to use in the recipe. This can be CBD oil, raw hemp flower, or CBD isolates.

Here’s a simple recipe to make your own CBD dog treats using a simple CBD oil as the base:

Ingredients:

• All-purpose flour (3 cups)
• Eggs (2)
• Water (⅓ cup)
• CBD Oil (600 mg/mL)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F
2. Mix ingredients in a bowl
3. Add CBD Oil (add 10 mL of oil) and mix thoroughly
4. Dust the surface with flour and spread the dough evenly
5. Roll the dough to be about ¼ inch thick
6. Cut the dough into squares about 2 inches by 1 inch (you should get about 40)
7. Bake for 15 – 20 minutes and allow them to cool

You should end up with about 40 pet treats, each with around 5 mg of CBD. You can always play around with the dose of CBD by doubling the amount of oil you use, or using higher-potency CBD oil (recommended).

For example, if you use a 1200 mg CBD oil instead, you’ll end up with about 10 mg per piece without adding too much oil to the formula.

Is it Safe to Give CBD to Dogs?

Yes, CBD is safe for dogs.

Dogs have an endocannabinoid system, just like humans. You can use any CBD product with your dog so long as it’s guaranteed to contain less than the legal limit of 0.3% THC by weight. Anything with THC levels lower than this is entirely non-psychoactive and safe to use with your dog.

The main difference you need to consider when giving CBD products to dogs is the dose. Dogs are smaller than humans (usually) and tend to be more sensitive to CBD than humans — meaning that they need a smaller dose.

Dog treats are a great way to get started using CBD with your pet safely because they come pre-measured in doses appropriate for dogs.

How Much CBD Should I Give My Dog?

The amount of CBD you should give your dog depends on a few factors:

• Your dogs’ weight and size
• The reason for giving your dog CBD
• The age of your dog

Every dog will respond a little differently to CBD. So you may need to spend some time to dial-in the dose of CBD for your animal.

CBD Dosages for Dogs Based on Weight:

Dog Size	Dose	Notes & Dosage Instructions
Small Dogs (2-15 lbs)	0.5 mg – 5 mg	You may need to give small dogs 3–4 doses per day as they have fast metabolisms
Medium/Small Dogs (15-30 lbs)	5 mg – 10 mg	You may need to give medium-small dogs 2–3 doses per day
Medium/Large Dogs (30-60 lbs)	10 mg – 25 mg	Medium dogs usually need about 2–3 doses per day
Large Dogs (60-150 lbs)	20 mg – 50 mg	Large dogs can take higher doses of CBD and will likely need about two doses per day

Final Thoughts: How to Spot the Best CBD Dog Treats in 2022

Dog treats are one of the best ways to use CBD with your pet. They’re well tolerated by your dog thanks to flavors like chicken, beef, fish, or bacon. Name one dog that doesn’t like the taste of bacon.

Pet treats deliver precise doses of CBD in every piece, and can easily be taken with you out the door on walks or visits to the dog park.

Unfortunately, not all dog treats are worth the money, and many of them don’t work at all. The pet products industry is notorious for low-quality products that make large and convincing claims on the label. None of which can be backed up.

We recommend you look for dog treats from reputable companies that prove their products with independent testing. Look for products that use natural ingredients, and don’t gouge you on the price.

Our number one favorite dog treats in 2022 are the organic dog treats from Pet Hemp Company. They tick all the boxes for what makes a quality CBD dog treat.

Summary: Best CBD Dog Treats

Number	Product	Total CBD	Potency	Cost per mg CBD	Link
1	Pet Hemp Company CBD Dog Treats + Stress & Anxiety Relief	150 mg	5 mg per Treat	$0.20	Get a Deal
2	Fab CBD Pet Treats — Skin & Coat	120 mg	3 mg per Treat	$0.28	Get a Deal
3	Canna-Pet Canna-Biscuits for Dogs	90 – 320 mg	2.4 – 8.4 mg/treat	$0.12 – $0.19	Get a Deal
4	Koi CBD Soft Chews	50 mg	2 mg per Treat	$0.60	Get a Deal
5	Nordic Oil CBD Feed Supplement Tablets For Dogs	176 mg	3.2 mg/Tablet	€0.17	Get a Deal