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Cannabis for Cats and Dogs: The Best CBD Pet Treats

Keegan Williams

By Keegan Williams

November 30, 2022

We’re continuing to inch into a new era for the CBD market, the industry booming with wellness products catering to a variety of needs, of both

and nonhuman consumers. That’s right — we can all enjoy the potential benefits of CBD, and that includes our four-legged animal friends. With so many options out there, it’s hard to determine which brands offer the best CBD pet treats.

Overall, many conversations around pets and

can be a bit daunting to navigate. Just this year, California Governor Gavin Newsom passed legislation allowing veterinarians to recommend cannabis patients to their animal patients. State officials in Idaho conversely banned hemp and hemp-derived ingredients in animal food and supplements. 

While more research is needed on the topic as a whole, most professionals agree that

. Research also shows that CBD could also help to treat conditions in pets like seizure disorders, osteoarthritis, inflammatory problems, pain and anxiety.

If you think CBD could benefit your pet, CBD pet treats are a great place to start. Your little friend will appreciate the extra love, and you can safely gauge how your pet responds to a set dose of CBD, formulated especially for our animal friends and their bodies.

And just as the market is bustling with

for a variety of human needs, pets also have a wide array of options.

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A Couple Quick Notes on the Best CBD Pet Treats

Before we really dive in, we recommend chatting with your vet about introducing CBD to your pet. Bear in mind, depending on the region you live in, veterinarians may be more or less able to discuss this line of treatment, but they still have the most insight into your animal’s health and history. It’s especially pertinent if your pet is already on other medications or has a history of pre-existing health issues.

We also want to make a quick note about the language used in this article. The majority of products included here are made with broad spectrum CBD, though you’ll also see a mention of full spectrum CBD and CBD isolate. Full spectrum CBD contains all the compounds of the cannabis plant, including up to .03 percent THC. Broad spectrum CBD contains all of the compounds and cannabinoids, just without the THC.

Full and broad spectrum products are generally preferred over CBD isolate (which leaves out all of the other compounds except CBD), since the additional compounds help to enhance the effects of the CBD. For pets specifically, almost all brands use broad spectrum CBD, given the guarantee that it will not include THC. While CBD is generally safe for pets, we still have a lot to learn about how they respond to THC, and pet CBD brands largely avoid including it as an ingredient.

CBD dosage for animals is generally based on body weight — starting at 0.2mg per pound is a good bet to confirm a conservative daily limit for your animal. There are numerous dosage calculators available online, but your first line of defense should be the specific recommendations on each product’s label and consulting with your vet on dosing information. Starting small is always best.

Now that we’ve covered those details, let’s take a closer look at the world of pet CBD with High There’s list of best CBD pet treats!

Best CBD Dog Treats

Courtesy of CBDfx

Best CBD Dog Treats

CBDfx tackles two of the most common conditions affecting dogs with their treats: anxiety and mobility issues. The two options, for

and , contain 30 treats per bag at 15mg a piece, making them some of the most potent canine CBD products you can find — especially when you take stock of the entire array of ingredients.

The anxiety treats also include valerian root, chamomile and passion flower to target stress, along with L-tryptophan, L-theanine and GABA to maximize the stimulation of the cannabinoid and serotonin receptors. The mobility treats also contain glucosamine, chondroitin and turmeric root powder, which all effectively reduce inflammation and pain associated with arthritis.

The CBD treats are made with all-natural ingredients and CBDfx’s broad spectrum formulation. Even better, both products have been medically reviewed and include veterinary testimony directly on the website.

Courtesy of HolistaPet

Best Variety

Like CBDfx, HolistaPet offers CBD dog treats for anxiety and joint/mobility care. Where the brand really shines, though, is the number of options they offer. HolistaPet’s CBD

and are the brand’s hard chew options, though it also carries soft chew options ( and Chews) depending on what’s best for your pooch.

Whichever you choose, the options don’t stop there. HolistaPet’s CBD dog treats all contain 30 total pieces, available in 150mg, 300mg and 600mg varieties — meaning each range from 5mg, 10mg and 20mg of broad spectrum CBD per treat. This makes it even easier to cater to your dog’s size and specific needs.

HolistaPet also offers two- and three-pack bundles to help save a little cash, and its subscription program is also pretty stellar, offering 30 percent off all products.

Courtesy of CBDistillery

Best Low-Dose Option

If you’re looking for a lower dose option, CBDistillery is a great place to start. The brand offers two options: Zesty Paws CBD

and Soft Chews. Each chew is just 5mg of CBD, with 45 pieces in each bag, though they still pack quite the punch.

The mobility chews contain glucosamine chondroitin MSM and hyaluronic acid, which both work to promote health joints and connective tissue — great for canine wellness at any age. 

The cognitive formula combines CBD with phosphatidylserine, a natural phospholipid known to support cognitive function; Lion’s Mane, a medicinal mushroom known for its nootropic properties and support for memory and focus; Ashwagandha, which helps the body cope better with stress; and DHA from algae, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids that help with brain development and function.

Each formula is also enhanced with

to maximize absorption after digestion, along with the added benefits of medium-chain triglycerides. CBDistillery isn’t playing around with either of these treat options!

Best CBD Cat Treats

Courtesy of HolistaPet

HolistaPet makes its second appearance on our list as the best overall CBD cat treats! These treats are made with 100 percent natural ingredients, with each package containing 75 chews at 2mg a piece. 

Along with HolistaPet’s broad spectrum CBD, these treats also have superfood ingredients to really maximize the effects: tryptophan, which supports rest and relaxation by naturally promoting sleepiness, and valerian root, which promotes calmness to help alleviate

and stress. 

While the feline offering doesn’t have the same variety of doses (for the best, most cats are about the same size and don’t need the wide range of options), HolistaPet still offers deals for two- and three-packs. The brand also carries

and chew options to best suit your kitty’s needs. 

Courtesy of JustCBD

Best Healthy Cat Treats

JustCBD’s JustPets Cat Treats have an incredible combination of ingredients, making it one of the best to keep your cat in tip-top shape. These treats are made specifically for anxiety, though Just CBD affirms that these treats will help to generally support your cat’s mental and physical wellness. 

Along with the 100mg included in each package, JustCBD includes other essential vitamins and minerals, including folic acid, biotin, vitamin K and riboflavin, all which work to support the wellness of your precious feline. 

The brand also offers two flavor options: chicken or a mix of chicken, liver, turkey and fish — not an appetizing blend for us but surely a mouth-watering delicacy for your cat!

Courtesy of Koi CBD

Best Wellness Support Option

Many of the products we’ve included have a focus on anxiety or mobility, but if you’re looking to generally help your cat’s day-to-day wellness without a specific focus, Koi’s CBD Cat Treats are a great choice. The veterinarian-formulated, all-natural ingredients shine through in each 2mg treat (with 75 in each bag).

Additionally, these treats seem to be well liked by a wide variety of cat owners with an equally wide variety of cats. The site has a number of reviews from consumers new to cat CBD, unsure how their pets would respond and ultimately finding success. While this is a great product for general wellness, it also works well for a variety of specific purposes, like arthritis, mobility issues or anxiety.

The website indicates that these treats are made using full spectrum CBD, though the

show that THC and its cannabinoid were not detected.

Bonus: Petly CBD Food Topper

Best Food Topper (Dogs and Cats)

There are more CBD options for dogs and cats than our recommendations for the best CBD pet treats. For a different option to go with your pet’s meals, check out Petly’s CBD Cat and Dog Food Toppers!

Courtesy of Petly CBD

Each tub of

contains 30 scoops of 15mg of CBDper serving — easily the most potent cat option on this list, so we encourage cutting the dose in half or even in fourths, especially to start. It’s made with the company’s broad spectrum CBD and complete with a natural smoked salmon flavor. 

Courtesy of Petly CBD

Each tub of

contains 30 scoops of 20mg of CBD per serving. Similarly, you can definitely start with less (and should, especially with a smaller dog) and find the best balance for your canine. The natural bacon flavor is also easy to win over any pup!

Courtesy of Medterra

Best Option for Cats and Dogs

Great for owners of cats AND dogs, Medterra’s CBD Calming Pet Chews come in soft chew with 10mg of CBD in each piece, and 30 in each package, making it easy to customize the serving size for your pet. 

Medterra’s pet chews also have some solid ingredients to help felines and canines alike to wind down: The sedative effects of valerian root and the anti-anxiety effects of l-tryptophan really help to push these over the top. It’s worth mentioning that these treats are made with CBD isolate, but with this blend of ingredients, Medterra still comes through with a solid and versatile product for a variety of pets and their needs.

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Final Thoughts

Pet owners and their four-legged pals are already enjoying the benefits of CBD pet treats, or other CBD pet products, promoting a greater sense of ease and wellness for our little friends who might need a bit of a boost. CBD for pets is still a relatively new topic, so it can be intimidating to make the leap.

While most veterinarians and research has confirmed CBD is safe for pets, it’s important to be informed about any medications and supplements you give your pets. Doing a bit of your own research is a great way to start, but it’s always wise to loop in your vet. 

That said, if you’ve ever reaped the benefits of

yourself, you know the relief it can provide. It’s about time we extend the magic of CBD to our invaluable non-human family members.

Keegan Williams

About The Author

Keegan Williams

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