Who doesn’t like dogs? They are fun and warm and bring unique joy to your life. They are the favorite and most sought-after pets in the US, with more than 65 million American households having them.
Just like humans, dogs are also prone to anxiety, stress, pain, and sleep issues, and most pet owners don’t like to rely on chemical-ridden medicines to treat these day-to-day conditions.
As a result, natural products like CBD oil for dogs or calming CBD-infused treats have become popular. Made from hemp plant extract, CBD products are clinically proven effective for humans and dogs. But which CBD product should you opt for? What’s the right type? Let’s find out!!!
CBD for Dogs – Different Types
While shopping for CBD for your dogs, you’ll come across three major types of products. So let’s take a look at each in detail and try to determine what’s the right one for your pup’s optimal wellness.
Full Spectrum CBD
This is the most popular category of CBD products for both dogs and humans. Full-spectrum CBD products have all the healing compounds of the hemp plant in them. This includes a full cannabinoid profile, terpenes, and flavonoids.
Having all the cannabinoids means there are traces of THC as well but no more than 0.3%. This is not enough to make your dog high or dizzy and helps in creating a strong body entourage effect.
Broad Spectrum CBD
The second most popular category or type is broad-spectrum CBD. All things are the same as the full spectrum, except for the trace amounts of THC. THC is completely removed through the extra filtration process.
Many brands offer only broad-spectrum CBD oil for dogs as there’s not enough data on how THC affects a dog’s body in the long term. Hence, most pet parents opt for a broad spectrum for their dog over the full spectrum.
CBD Isolate
The final type of CBD product is an isolate. As the name suggests, these products have just CBD in them, no terpenes, no other cannabinoids, no phytonutrients, no terpenes, nothing. It’s CBD in its purest form.
Only a few selected brands have CBD isolate products for dogs, and it’s not a highly selling or popular category. But yes, there can be some cases where isolates work better, especially if your dog is allergic to certain hemp compounds.
Which one’s right for your dog?
Well, there’s no straightforward answer to this. All three types have their unique use case, so choose the one that aligns best with your dog’s wellness goals. The way to approach it might be to discuss it with a vet first, as they have a better understanding of your dog’s health history. They can better guide you with potency, type, and the ways to incorporate CBD into your dog’s wellness routine.
If your dog does not show any discomfort or allergic reaction and needs a strong healing effect, then the full spectrum is the best choice. If your dog is allergic or sensitive to THC, but you don’t want to lose the combined healing power of all other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, then a broad spectrum can be a good choice.
Lastly, if none of this works well for your dog, and they have a certain negative reaction to certain cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, then isolate is the best option. It’s best to do a small test of all kinds, talk with your vet, and stick with the category or type that works for your dog.
Some pet parents report that their dogs are too lazy or sleepy when they use the full spectrum, so they go with the broad spectrum instead. So it depends on the use case and dog to others. In terms of effectiveness, all types will work great, just make sure to keep track of dosage, frequency, and potency per serving.
What about different types of products?
There are hundreds of varieties when it comes to CBD products for dogs. You can buy oils, tinctures, soft chews, rolling balms, and more. Each form has its unique and interesting use case, onset time, and overall impact.
Let’s say you opt for CBD oil, it works fastest and only takes 15-20 minutes. The overall impact might last for 4-6 hours. But, not all dogs are docile enough to let them open their mouth and drop it under their tongue.
In that case, you can opt for CBD-infused soft chews and treats. These often come with dog-friendly flavors like chicken masala, or peanut butter. The aroma, texture, and flavor make it easy for dogs to chew and enjoy the calming effects. The best part?
It also strengthens their teeth and improves overall oral health. But, do not forget that it’s a slow method, and effects may take anywhere between 40 minutes to two hours before kicking in.
Why? Because with tinctures or oils, CBD dissolves in the blood through blood capillaries present under the tongue, whereas treats pass through the whole digestive system first before getting metabolized. So choose wisely, and stick with what works best for your dog.
You can also check out CBD balms or creams for dogs under the topical section. These are for outer body use to improve your dog’s dry skin or to reduce inflammation in certain joints. Most people use these in combination, for example, CBD oil in the morning, then chewed in noon or evening after a long playful session or walk, and some balm, cream, or oil massage before bedtime.
Bringing It All Together
To conclude, the best type of CBD for dogs varies from one dog to another. For some, broad-spectrum CBD oil is good, while for others, full-spectrum chews or treats can be good. It all boils down to why you want to give your dog CBD, how quickly you want it to work, and how long you want the effects to stay on.
Plus, individual dogs’ body chemistry, tolerance levels, and potency of dosage also matter. Some may react better to oil, while others may feel more comfortable with treats. Try them all, and stick with what works best for your dog. Always make sure that you are buying CBD for your dog only from reputed and well-tested brands like Colorado Botanicals.