If boosting your pet’s health and wellness with CBD is your goal, are you better off reaching for a treat, oil, or neither? The answer can be complicated.
Many pet owners find that the flexibility and control of CBD oil makes it a better option for dogs, but others like the convenience and fun that come with CBD treats. Which is best for your dog depends on their needs, but also on your preferences as their owner.
It’s wise to really think about what to give your dog before you make any purchases, both for your pet’s sake and the sake of your wallet – CBD pet products can be pricey and challenging to find. But, with some experimentation and effort, it’s possible to come to a conclusion about which type of CBD product is ideal for your household.
Pros and Cons of CBD Oil For Dogs
When it’s time to decide whether or not CBD oil is a good choice for your furry friend, it’s a good idea to take a moment to consider what both your and your pet’s needs are, what you hope to gain from using CBD, and any limitations that might influence your product options.
To do this, you’ll need to have a good understanding of the main pros and cons associated with CBD oil for dogs.
Of course, no two pets are the same, nor are their reactions to the same product, so it’s always best to use your own judgment when testing things out.
You know your pet best, so if they seem to be responding poorly to the product you’re experimenting with, don’t be afraid to move on and try something new.
Checking in with your pet’s veterinarian before you try CBD is a great idea as well, especially if your pet has never been exposed to it before.
Pros
The most significant advantage of CBD oil is arguably the level of flexibility and control that comes with it.
It’s a widely accessible product that comes in all sorts of formulas, so it’s possible for just about anyone to find one that fits their furry friend’s needs.
Pros of using CBD oil over treats include:
- CBD oil is more cost effective. In most cases, purchasing a bottle of CBD oil gets you more product for your money than a package of treats. A bottle of CBD oil with 500 mg of CBD, for instance, has more active product in it than a 30-pack of 10 mg treats (300 mg total). The amount of precision that’s possible with CBD oil also makes it easier to use it longer and repurchase less frequently.
- Accurate control over dosage. The nature of CBD oil also lends itself well to dosing for pets. Most products specify how to measure an appropriate dose right on the packaging.
- Avoiding irritating or unnecessary ingredients. Not all types of CBD oil are created equal (more on this later), but if you’re concerned about exposing your pet to additional components that may be necessary to create a treat (food ingredients), something like oil might be a safer bet.
Cons
Aside from CBD oil side effects, which can come at any point and with any product, you’ll likely find that the cons of using this type of product are personal to your situation and pet.
The main thing to consider, in our experience, is:
- Taste and experience. The biggest drawback of CBD oil for pets is its potential lack of appeal. CBD oil may taste or smell unpleasant to picky pets, making it challenging to get them to consume the whole dose as intended.
Pros and Cons of CBD Dog Treats
Also significant and worth considering are CBD dog treats, which tend to closely mimic typical treats in terms of their look, smell, taste, and function.
Pros
If CBD oil sounds less than ideal for you or your circumstances, consider some of the things that make CBD dog treats great, like:
- More enjoyable experience. CBD dog treats are designed to function as, well, treats! That means that they look, smell, and taste much better than something like CBD oil might. If your furry friend tends to be particular about what they do and don’t eat, CBD treats may be the best way to get them to consistently take their supplement.
- Easier to use. There is far less mess and work associated with giving your pet a CBD treat versus a dose of oil. All a human owner needs to do is reach into the bag!
Cons
There are some potential drawbacks to keep in mind if you’re considering CBD dog treats, especially considering that many pets who have a need for CBD have other health concerns that may factor into your decision.
Some main cons that come along with CBD dog treats are:
- More calories. With treats come calories; while this isn’t necessarily a bad thing in general, if your dog is overweight or you’re otherwise monitoring their diet, relying on treats to give them CBD may pose a problem. The larger and more complex the treat, the more likely it is to be higher in calories.
- Presence of additional ingredients. CBD treats should always be formulated with ingredients that are safe for pets, but that doesn’t change the fact that some of our furry friends are simply more sensitive to certain ingredients than others. Those who tend to struggle with this challenge may find that CBD treats tend to be irritating to their pet’s system.
Trickier to use for specific, controlled doses. Though most pet CBD treats contain a specific dose in each individual treat, they aren’t as easy to manipulate as they may seem. If you need to deliver a dose that’s less or more than what’s in each treat, you may find it challenging to divide up what you have to get the specific amount you’re after.
What Kind of CBD Is Best For Dogs?
Most dogs benefit from either a broad- or full-spectrum CBD formula regardless of product type. That’s because the presence of other cannabinoids, terpenes, and other parts of the plant can enhance the effects of CBD itself and create a more well-rounded experience.
It’s important to be aware of the difference between CBD oil options, though, as some dogs may benefit from other product choices.
Full-Spectrum
Full-spectrum CBD oil for dogs contains far more than just CBD, though it is still formulated with levels of THC that are so insignificant that they won’t affect your pet or their health.
Broad-Spectrum
Featuring no THC whatsoever and a simpler formula, this type of CBD oil is ideal if you’d like to limit your pet’s exposure to things other than CBD without sacrificing the potential of the entourage effect.
Isolate
For those looking to use only CBD and nothing else, CBD isolate oil is the way to go. Other than the carrier oil itself, this type of product features only the CBD that you’re after.
Where To Buy CBD Oil For Dogs
When you’re browsing the market, it’s important to consider more than just the cost of pet CBD oil; you should also search for sellers and products that are committed to a high level of quality.
Our personal recommendation for CBD oil for dogs is the Petworx CBD Oil, which packs 600 mg of the cannabinoid into one tiny bottle.
This oil is created with only the highest standards in mind and features other cannabinoids, antioxidants, fatty acids, and other vital nutrients that will help boost your pet’s overall health and wellness.
Where To Buy CBD Treats For Dogs
It’s important to steer clear of cheaply-created and marketed CBD treats for dogs and instead opt for those that are formulated with great plant material and other ingredients.
We recommend:
Fab CBD Dog Treats
Choose from either peanut butter or apple formulations and deliver a therapeutic experience to your pet without exposing them to irritating ingredients like grain, soy, or dairy.
Medterra Joint Support CBD Chews
Featuring 10 mg of CBD a piece, these pet chews are a great option for regular and long-term management of pain, inflammation, and even anxiety.
Though the dose of each treat may be on the lower end, each package contains 300 mg of CBD total, making it a great bargain for the price.
Final Thoughts
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to deciding between CBD pet treats and CBD pet oil, but there is certainly a more logical course of action to take, at least in most cases.
To figure out whether CBD treats or oil is better for your dog, you’ll need to think about things like:
- Your dog’s personal needs and limitations, which may influence what sort of things you’ll want to avoid and which to seek out.
- The strength of the effects you’re after; if you need a more potent product, opt for those that have enough CBD in them to deliver a strong dose every time.
- Your routine, which determines what level of convenience you may need in a product.
- Your preferences for dosing; if you’d like to be as specific as you can be, CBD oil is likely your best bet. In terms of an easy-to-use, consistent dose, though, CBD treats take the cake.
No matter what you end up choosing, our directory is a wonderful resource to use. Whether you want to get a feel for what’s out there, compare products and brands, or view new recommendations entirely, we’ve got you (and your furry friend) covered.
