CBD Oil For Dogs

More and more pet parents are turning to CBD oil, but how do you choose the best when faced with so much information and so many options? Here are the following things you need to know to ensure your dog has the best experience with CBD oil.

Full Spectrum, Broad-Spectrum, or Isolate(s)?

CBD is just one of the cannabinoids in the hemp plant. CBD on its own is called CBD isolate. The difference between that and full or broad spectrum is what other cannabinoids they contain. Full spectrum is the most complete plant profile, meaning it has all of the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids present in the original plant, including psychoactive components like THC.

Broad spectrum is similar to full spectrum but with one important exception: broad spectrum has the THC reduced to non-detectable levels. When you purchase CBD oil, knowing the difference between these is essential because you are purchasing a product that contains different cannabinoids that do different things.

Studies, surveys, and many pet parents have indicated that some dogs can be extra sensitive to THC, even in the very low levels found in a full-spectrum CBD oil. The exact amount that causes a visible reaction is different for every dog, even if they are the same weight.

Broad-spectrum CBD products (like the ones we make at Relievet) are often the first choice amongst pet parents as they know dogs cant tell you if they want to feel the effects of even a little THC.

Extraction Method

Even though full spectrum products contain the most complete plant profile, they still have many parts removed, like the waxy lipids and chlorophyll that make up a large part of the hemp plant. This process is called extraction, and several different methods can be used. The ones you'll want to avoid involve unnatural solvents like butane and hexane.

These methods are less expensive for the producer but can leave undesirable chemicals in the final product. Our preferred method is CO2 extraction. After separating the plant parts and returning to normal room temperature and pressure, the CO2 turns into a gas, leaving behind a clean final product. Cannabinoids and terpenes can all be extracted from the hemp plant using CO2 in varying forms.

To get to the desired broad-spectrum extract, the full-spectrum oil must undergo another process to reduce the THC. Make sure to purchase a broad spectrum product that achieves this organically, ensuring the best for your pet family.

Which Carrier Oil Is Best?

The next most important ingredient in any CBD oil for dogs is the carrier oil. The most common carrier oils are hemp seed oil and coconut MCT oil.

Hemp seed oil is obtained from the seeds of the hemp plant yet does not contain the beneficial levels of cannabinoids found in the flowers and leaves, like CBD.

Coconut MCT oil is similar to coconut oil but does not solidify at room temperature. Studies on MCT (medium-chain triglyceride) oil have shown that it can have neuroprotective properties and help maintain a healthy metabolism. MCT oil is an excellent carrier oil because it's processed quickly by the body as energy rather than being stored as fat, which helps CBD be absorbed more effectively.

While hemp seed oil is green and has a strong nutty, herbal aroma, coconut MCT oil is clear and has a mild taste which dogs love. Another significant difference between the two is that hemp seed oil has a shorter shelf life (about a year), whereas MCT oil stays fresh for longer (about two years).

We're proud to say that we only use the highest quality USDA organic coconut MCT oil in our CBD oil for dogs.

Terpenes

Both full and broad-spectrum CBD oils contain terpenes. Terpenes are the natural flavors found in everything from lemons to lavender. They are believed to have many benefits, including anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anti-microbial. They also play an essential role in the entourage effect, which is the theory that all the combined plant parts have a more significant impact than the sum of their isolated components. A quality product should always contain Terpenes.

Other Ingredients

Always check the label on a CBD oil for dogs as you'll want to be aware of any added ingredients or flavors. Even essential oils can have a very profound effect on dogs. And it's generally recommended to take them separately as they will very likely not align with the dosage of CBD.

Many CBD oils that use hemp seed oil as a carrier will contain added flavors to mask the strong herby taste. Meanwhile, dogs generally love the taste of coconut oil, so a product that uses MCT oil as a carrier oil will be palatable to most dogs with only two ingredients.

Both natural and artificial flavors in pet foods are always made up of many ingredients but are typically listed as only one on the label. The reality is when added flavors are used, even if they're natural, it's impossible to know what the final product contains.

USDA Organic

Unfortunately, supplements made for animals are not regulated. This means that quality can vary wildly, primarily based on whether the company prioritizes profit or pets. One way to tell if a product is high quality is to look for the USDA Organic logo.

Having just gone through the arduous process of obtaining USDA organic certification for Relievet CBD oils, I can speak to the quality and safety this certification ensures, from the seed to the final product. We have a 20-page organic system plan ensuring that everything in our facility is 100% organic.

Always check the organic integrity database to see that the final seller of the product, or in our case, the manufacturer, is listed. Because of the lack of regulation, many companies make organic claims but are not actually listed, meaning they do not have an organic system plan and have not been inspected by a third party.

Where Is It Made?

I can share all this information because I developed our CBD oil for my dog Biscuit from the ground up, with the help of chemists, pharmacists, and veterinarians along the way. That meant finding out which extracts are safest for dogs and sourcing the most beneficial carrier oils. Since then, we've built our lab and clean room and produced hundreds of batches of CBD oil for dogs. We've obtained manufacturing certifications and are even registered with the FDA, meaning we are subject to inspections at any time.

We hold ourselves to these high standards, but be aware that they are voluntary, so most CBD products for pets are not made to our exacting standards.

Lab Testing

Every CBD product for dogs should be tested at multiple stages before it reaches your doorstep. The extract should be tested for everything possible, even if it's organically grown. Such testing ensures there are no microbial bacteria, industrial solvents, heavy metals, or toxins, and that the product contains legal levels of cannabinoids.

The final CBD oils should be tested for potency to show that they contain what's listed on the label. This should be done for every batch. Always check that lab tests are recent so you don't end up with a product that's been sitting for a long time. Relievet lab results from a 3rd party lab are posted here and updated frequently for full transparency.

Droppers

Always look for plastic pet-safe droppers with no ink printed on them. The ink printed on plastic will run off in the oil and leave contaminants that could have an unknown effect on your dog.