Is your beloved pooch a tangled ball of nerves?
Then giving him some CBD just might help soothe him. But before diving into the myriad of products on the market, keep in mind that CBD dog treats still lack scientific evidence as to their effectiveness and safety. That being said, there are anecdotal reports from dog owners suggesting that CBD and hemp products can help with pain relief, seizures, and anxiety. Moreover, research in the field is promising.
Knowing this, is it worth buying CBD treats for your dog? Well, although it’s impossible to know how your pup will react, most owners notice positive effects on their pet. Take a look at our five reviews below to determine if you want to give CBD dog treats a try.
Important note: Always consult your veterinarian before giving your pets any supplements or medications.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites
Image | Product | Details | ||
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Best Overall |
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PetHonesty CalmingHemp |
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Best Value |
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Green Gruff Relax |
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Premium Choice |
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Zesty Paws Calming Bites |
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Charlotte’s Web Calming Chews |
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Check Price | |
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NaturVet Hemp Quiet Moments |
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The 5 Best CBD Dog Treats in 2023
1. PetHonesty CalmingHemp – Best Overall
Top ingredients: | Valerian root, organic chamomile, organic hemp seed powder |
NASC certified: | Yes |
Lifestage: | All |
PetHonesty chew treats contain organic hemp oil, which may help calm anxious dogs. They are indicated for dogs with nervousness, hyperactivity, or environmental stress. These treats are made with organic ingredients, but also contain other ingredients like oatmeal and brown rice syrup, which increase the caloric content. Still, it shouldn’t make your dog obese if you stick to the suggested doses (one treat per day for dogs under 25 pounds).
Keep in mind, however, that every dog reacts differently and yours may not have any change in behavior. This is also the case for all types of supplements sold over the counter.
2. Green Gruff Relax – Best Value
Top ingredients: | Organic hemp seed powder, organic chamomile, organic cricket flour |
NASC certified: | No |
Lifestage: | All |
Green Gruff Relax is safe and works well for small, anxious dogs, but appears to have no effect on large breeds. However, these soft chews are rich in protein, amino acids, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that can help support your dog’s overall nutritional health.
Their low price is also a plus, as it allows you to test their “relaxing power” on your dog without having to break the bank. However, only one flavor is offered (smoked coconut) which may not appeal to the palates of some more finicky dogs.
3. Zesty Paws Calming Bites – Premium Choice
Top ingredients: | Organic Hemp Powder, thiamine (Vitamin B1), organic chamomile |
NASC certified: | Yes |
Lifestage: | All |
Zesty Paws Calming Bites are other soft chews made with organic ingredients (hemp oil, chamomile, ginger root) that are meant to soothe your pup. What sets them apart from other brands are two clinically studied ingredients, Suntheanine and Sensoril Ashwagandha.
These ingredients are said to help stimulate calming brain waves in dogs and lessen anxiety behaviors. Several dog parents have noted significant differences in their pet’s level of anxiety, which is encouraging. However, this product is more expensive and may not work with your doggie. So, we advise trying with a smaller container first.
4. Charlotte’s Web Calming Chews
Top ingredients: | Valerian root, passionflower extract, broad-spectrum hemp extract |
NASC certified: | Yes |
Lifestage: | All |
Charlotte’s Web Calming Chews proves that you don’t have to spend a lot to get hemp-based treats for your dog. Designed to calm stressed or anxious dogs, these treats contain other calming ingredients, including valerian root and chamomile. Each piece contains broad-spectrum hemp oil.
These treats have a savory chicken flavor that most dogs seem to like and contain quality ingredients overall. They don’t contain the most common allergens, including grains and soy, but do contain coconut, which some dogs may not like.
5. NaturVet Hemp Quiet Moments
Top ingredients: | Hemp seed oil, hemp seed powder, chamomile |
NASC certified: | Yes |
Lifestage: | Adult |
NaturVet Hemp Quiet Moments contains hemp seed oil and powder, L-tryptophan, and soothing melatonin to help reduce stress and tension. The added ginger is an interesting ingredient that can calm an upset stomach.
These bites can help temporarily calm your pup during stressful situations (like long car trips, moving house, or the arrival of a new pet in the house). On the other hand, their flavor seems to leave some dogs indifferent, probably because of the addition of ginger.
Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best CBD Dog Treats
What Is the Difference Between Hemp Seed Oil and CBD Oil?
Hemp seed oil and CBD oil are very different products.
What Is THC?
THC is responsible for the psychoactive properties of marijuana. Under no circumstances should marijuana be fed to your dog (or any other pet) as it is highly toxic. Unfortunately, with the now easier access to marijuana for medicinal or recreational use, veterinarians are seeing an increase in cases of pets being poisoned with THC.
Why Use CBD Treats for Dogs?
CBD, in the form of oil or treats, is becoming increasingly popular with both humans and their canine companions. Its use would be helpful in improving several chronic conditions, such as pain management, arthritis, anxiety, seizures, and even cancer. Although research in humans has demonstrated the benefits of CBD for certain medical conditions, the scientific evidence for its beneficial effects in dogs is still lacking.
Besides, according to PetMD, perhaps the biggest misconception is that CBD is helpful in managing a dog’s anxiety. In theory, it’s possible that CBD, by reducing pain and inflammation, could indirectly reduce anxiety caused by pain or inflammation. But since CBD is not psychoactive, it is unlikely that CBD will have the ability to directly treat canine anxiety compared to certain medications prescribed by a veterinarian.
So, using CBD to treat anxiety in dogs still needs a lot of research to prove its true effectiveness. Nevertheless, many dog owners report a beneficial change in their pups after giving them CBD treats or hemp oil.
Are CBD Dog Treats Safe?
Although the actual effects of CBD in dogs have not yet been well demonstrated, it appears to be safe. This study reports that oral administration of CBD was well tolerated, and no gastrointestinal adverse events were observed.
However, other studies evaluating the safety of oral administration of CBD in dogs have reported the potential for adverse effects including lethargy, gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting or diarrhea, and hematological changes such as the increase in liver enzymes.
What to Look for in CBD Dog Treats
If you want to try CBD treats for your dog, be sure to do your research beforehand. Indeed, since the FDA does not regulate CBD and hemp oil products for pets, it can be difficult to make a good choice. Here are some tips that can help you find the perfect product for your pooch:
Certificate of Analysis
Companies that are able to provide a Certificate of Analysis (COA) to their customers should be preferred. This will give you a detailed description of all the ingredients and it shows you the transparency of the company. So, don’t buy dog treats from a company that is reluctant to show its customers its COA.
Organic Ingredients
Organic ingredients are a must. You’ll have peace of mind knowing that the treats your pup eats are GMO-free and haven’t been contaminated with pesticides or other toxins.
NASC Quality Seal
Look for the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) Quality Seal on bags of CBD treats for dogs. This assures you that you are buying from responsible suppliers who have successfully passed a full third-party audit and who maintain continued compliance with NASC’s rigorous quality requirements.
Can Veterinarians Prescribe CBD Products for Dogs?
According to PetMD, U.S. veterinarians are forbidden from prescribing and dispensing CBD, and cannot encourage or instruct clients to purchase CBD products.
However, they can (and should) tell you about the potential risks and benefits of this type of product. So, if you’re considering giving your dog CBD, talk to your vet.
Conclusion
So, what’s the final verdict? Should you buy CBD dog treats, even though research in the field is still in its infancy? Since the potential beneficial effects outweigh the adverse effects, it’s worth trying it out with your pup. PetHonesty CalmingHemp is an NASC-certified choice that contains organic ingredients and has been reported to have calming effects by many dog owners. We also recommend Green Gruff Relax if you have a smaller dog.
- You may also want to read: Relievet CBD Dog Treats Review 2022: Our Expert’s Opinion
Featured Image Credit: alexei_tm, Shutterstock