Best CBD Oil For Dogs In Canada 2023

Since the legalization of CBD here in Canada, CBD has taken off and become a common supplement in the homes of many Canadians - not only for themselves, but their four legged friends as well.

While ever popular, it's just as important to make sure you're getting quality, safe CBD oil for them as it is for you. When looking for the best CBD oil for dogs in Canada there are many options, and it's not always wise to go with the cheapest.

Pet CBD comes in a few different forms, from CBD oils to pet CBD treats, and is available in high or low mg amounts. Depending on how big or small your animal is, you'll want to choose accordingly.

The Best CBD Oil For Dogs In Canada 2023

We've broken it up into two categories - best oils as well as the best treats. Just how it is when we are talking about CBD oils for people, we judge these products on:

• Third party testing
• Cost
• Effectiveness
• Customer service and support
• Reviews from users

Each one of these products has been thoroughly vetted for quality, and are highly rated across the board from dog owners in Canada.

Best CBD Oils For Dogs In Canada

The Endocannabinoid System In Dogs

Cannabidiol (CBD), is one of the many cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. These cannabinoids have a range of different health benefits for both humans and animals, from managing pain and inflammation, to easing anxiety, skin issues, and irritation. 

Cannabinoids work by entering the body and interacting with the Endocannabinoid System. The two most commonly studied cannabinoids are CBD and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). CBD doesn't have any psychoactive effects that come along with it, while THC does.

Much in the same way we have an Endocannabinoid System(ECS), so does almost every single other animal on the planet. This system runs all throughout their bodies and brains, and plays a key role in keeping our pets healthy and functioning at a high level.

When you give your dog CBD, it travels throughout the ECS and attaches to receptors found there, called CB1 and CB2.

The ECS is responsible for maintaining homeostasis, or balance, in the body. Phytocannabinoids (plant cannabinoids), can be used to supplement the ECS for a wide range of different health issues in dogs, such as anxiety, aggression, pain and inflammation, immune function, and skin problems.

These cannabinoid receptors basically inform the cells on what type of response to elicit, and keep everything in check.

The physical and psychological effects of the interaction between CBD and the ECS has been the core of much research from scientists, with new therapeutic applications being discovered and put to use as more and more research emerges.

CBD Uses For Dogs

Dogs suffer from many of the same ailments as we humans do, and it can be disheartening at times watching your pet struggle. Whether it's eczema, joint pain or arthritis in an aging dog, or nervous behaviour from being seperated from you, CBD can help.

Below are some of the most common ways that CBD can be used for your pup.

CBD For Behavioral Issues & Anxiety In Dogs

Anxiety, nervousness, and stress can be very difficult things to deal with in an animal, is highly subjective and will vary on a case to case basis. 

Some things that can induce anxiety and stress in dogs are:

• Being separated from you (separation anxiety)
• Loud noises like fireworks or thunder
• Environment changes (moving or introducing another animal or person into your household)
• Visits to the vet
• Travelling
• Being crated for long periods of time

Dogs will display certain tendencies if they are stressed out or anxious, such as pacing, hiding, barking or whining, chewing, or excessive licking.

CBD can help chill your dog out during these stressful occasions, though it is important to try and distinguish exactly what is triggering your dog beforehand. 

Certain stressors like separation anxiety or introducing another animal into the home are going to require more intervention than just CBD alone, for instance. In these cases extra attention and care, and behavioural therapy may be required alongside the CBD oil.

CBD For Aggression In Dogs

Aggression in dogs can be both frightening and dangerous, and have many different causes. Dogs react to external and internal stimuli, and to treat it you need to be aware of what is causing it in the first place.

Dogs will naturally respond to what they perceive as a threat, such as another animal passing by when they are in the yard. Generally, once the threat passes, ie. the other animal is out of sight, they go back to normal and resume what they were doing.

This is a normal, healthy response that is naturally ingrained in them, but it doesn't always manifest this way. The problem occurs when this response becomes chronic, or irrational.

Genetics, trauma, pain, and anxiety all play into your dog's stress levels, and will determine how well or not your pet responds on a daily basis. 

Your dog may be anxious and reacting to being left alone all day, nervous around unfamiliar people in the home, or he may be suffering from joint pain that is making him miserable and lash out.

This study in particular (though performed with mice), is very promising, and details how aggression was reduced when CBD was introduced to the system. 

In almost any case, CBD can help to manage your dogs behaviour, but getting to the root cause of the aggression is key.

CBD For Pain In Dogs

CBD has been well documented so far for its ability to manage hard to treat pain and arthritis in dogs, and has anti-inflammatory properties that can be very beneficial to your dog if they are in pain.

As they age, dogs can come down with a number of different ailments that cause them discomfort and pain, whether it happens naturally or due to an injury.

Arthritis and joint pain are very common in older dogs, and CBD can help them to manage this and feel better, while promoting more mobility.

While certain breeds are more disposed to suffer from these ailments, any dog can experience them. Your pet only has so many ways in which they can communicate their pain to you, so be sure to monitor changes in their behaviour that may clue you in, such as:

• Reluctance to get up and move around
• Limping
• Decreased activity and weight gain
• Having accidents in the house due to not wanting to walk to their usual spot
• Avoiding people or becoming aggressive
• Decreased excitement and enthusiasm for normal activities they like
• Restless sleep from not being able to get comfortable

Treating your dog's pain with CBD can provide a greater quality of life, both for them and you.

CBD For Skin Issues In Dogs

The ECS is located not only all throughout the interior of our dog's body, but the exterior as well.

CBD has anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties that can help with dry, itchy skin, eczema, rashes, bug bites, and hot spots.

Your dog's skin has a number of receptors that CBD interacts with, and applying CBD lotions and balms to the affected areas can help speed healing and relieve discomfort and itching through the healing process.

General Information About Using CBD Oil For Your Dog

CBD Dosage Guide For Dogs

Dogs come in all sizes, so it is important that you get the CBD dosage correct for them. You can give your dog CBD oil regardless of how big or small they are, it just needs to be adjusted accordingly.

Below is a general dosage guide, but keep in mind that just like people, each pet is an individual, and will have individual needs. Starting at a low dose and gradually increasing is always the best idea, especially when first starting out.

You can give your dog their CBD dose by administering it under their tongue (if they are agreeable to it), by adding it to their food, or by giving them CBD dog treats.

To figure out the CBD mg per ml, use the calculator found here.

Using Human Grade CBD Oil For Dogs

While some human grade CBD oil can be used on your dog, you need to be very mindful of the ingredients within.

Not all CBD oil made for humans is safe for animal consumption, and some can contain harmful additives such as flavourings or other ingredients that may be toxic to your pet. For example -  citrus, peppermint, and cinnamon are all toxic for dogs, and are common flavours for human CBD oil.

It is always recommended to buy CBD that has been specifically engineered with your pet in mind.

Giving Dogs CBD Oil With THC

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the compound in cannabis that is responsible for the high that you experience upon ingesting it.

Not only can this be extremely frightening for your pet, it can also induce seizures and/or coma. When in doubt, always purchase pet CBD oil that is THC free, or below the 0.3% threshold. 

This ensures that your dog isn't going to experience any unwanted psychoactive side effects.

Carrier Oils For Dogs

When purchasing CBD oil for your pet, there are a few different options in terms of carrier oils that you can choose.

CBD in its natural state isn't the ideal way to consume it, and it is generally mixed with an oil or other substance to make it more bio-available and easier to use.

Two of the best carrier oil choices in CBD oil for dogs are hemp seed oil and MCT oil.

MCT oil has a number of great health benefits for dogs, as does hemp seed oil. Many companies choose to use a blend of these two carrier oils for the maximum benefits possible.

Using CBD Oils VS CBD Treats For Dogs

While the choice is ultimately up to you, some dogs may not be too pleased with the addition of pet CBD oil to their food. In this case, giving them pet CBD treats may be the better option. 

Bio-availability rate (the rate the body absorbs and uses CBD) is higher when absorbed through the sublingual glands found underneath the tongue. This rate lowers if the oil is simply swallowed and has to pass through the digestive tract first, same goes for treats

While there may be a higher bio-availability rate that comes along with administering the CBD oil under your dog's tongue, if they are simply ingesting it with their food it isn't going to matter if it is in oil form or treat form.

Final Thoughts On CBD Oil For Dogs In Canada

Giving your dog CBD oil can be beneficial for them in many ways, but it is important to take the time to research and choose a safe, quality product for them.

While the research in this area is growing, it is still a relatively new area to explore, and there is much still to be learned about not only about our own Endocannabinoid Systems, but those of our pets as well.

Always make sure you're buying from a reputable company that has third party lab testing and reports done on their products, and choose organic wherever possible.

Have questions? Leave a comment below!