The 11 Best CBD for Dogs With Arthritis According to a Veterinarian

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Below is our best CBD for dogs with arthritis summary with top picks and reviews.

Yes, CBD for dogs with arthritis is good! CBD is a therapeutic and all-around holistic option for dogs struggling with joint pain and inflammation caused by arthritis. Treatments that use NSAIDs to manage pain are effective, but scientific research and anecdotal reports have shown an inadequate ability to reduce arthritic pain caused by canine arthritis. Instead, NSAIDs triggered side effects in senior dogs (55%) with other diseases, mainly GI tract issues.

CBD for dogs with arthritis offers a natural alternative. A recent study by Frontiers, “Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Clinical Efficacy of Cannabidiol Treatment in Osteoarthritic Dogs” found that CBD causes a “significant decrease and increase in activity” as concluded based on baseline CBPI and Hudson score change. And the great thing is that CBD promotes overall health with minimal negative side effects.

According to another “Pharmacokinetic Study and Clinical Trial on the Use of Cannabinoids to Treat dogs with Osteoarthritis and Multi-Joint Pain” by the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, CBD is “efficacious for pain in dogs with osteoarthritis, chronic joint pain, and geriatric pain and soreness; with dramatic beneficial effects in our more geriatric patients.” Over 80% of the patients that used CBD for dogs with arthritis showed improvement. 

CBD for dogs with arthritis works by managing joint inflammation and chronic pain. Cannabidiol or CBD does this through its interaction with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). As a regulatory system, ECS supports the dog’s body by maintaining a state of health and balance (homeostasis). All health benefits of CBD stem from its ability to interact with the body’s ECS.

Both clinical trials and anecdotal evidence suggest that CBD for dogs with arthritis is good. Plus, in its report on Cannabidiol, the World Health Organization (WHO) says that “CBD is generally well-tolerated, with a good safety profile.” Yet, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve the use of CBD products for pets.

Therefore, to ensure the safe use of CBD oil or treats in arthritic dogs, talking to a trusted veterinarian is a good starting point. The American Veterinary Medical Association points out that vets cannot recommend CBD products. However, they can explain to dog owners everything they need to know about CBD and answer their questions including the medical treatment plan, types of CBD products, dosage, and frequency of dosing.

The health benefits of CBD for dogs with arthritis are pain relief and inflammation management. These effects are proven by numerous studies, and early research on the use of CBD products in arthritic dogs shows promising results. 

Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of CBD for dogs with arthritis: 

Plus, as a natural remedy, CBD for dogs with arthritis does not cause adverse side effects. A clinical study from the Colorado State University showed that “CBD is a well-tolerated supplement.” The dogs in the study population did not experience side effects due to CBD oil use.

Dr. Walker, DVM, says, “Yes, despite the fact that there is not enough research on the use of CBD in dogs for pain management, I have used it and seen benefits with my own patients and family pets. My mother’s dog Luna underwent surgery on her knee to repair her cruciate ligament. Post-op, she continued lame due to chronic pain. I gave her Honest Paws Mobility CBD Oil and noticed a drastic improvement. 

I often see the benefits of using CBD in combination with other products to achieve chronic pain/arthritis in patients, particularly seniors or pets that had any orthopedic surgery. Usually, I recommend CBD in the oil form, preferably to control weight gain in combination with oral supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin. In the more serious cases, I may add anti-inflammatory medications, but those I try to avoid since they are metabolized in the liver or kidneys, and long-term usage is not recommended. CBD is natural arthritic therapy that could be used long-term with no reported damage to any organ.” 

Navigating the different CBD brands and finding the right supplement for your dog is challenging. To make things easier, we have selected and reviewed the best CBD for dogs with arthritis products.

Get it on Honest Paws

Price: From $39.95

Item Form: Oil

Lifestage: Dogs of all ages

Flavor: Turmeric

Recommended Uses:

Summary: Honest Paws checks all the boxes for quality, efficacy, and safety. The Honest Paws products are human-grade, organic, and vegan. They are full-spectrum and rich in health-boosting cannabinoids. Plus, as a condition-specific CBD for dogs with arthritis, the Honest Paws Mobility oil is enriched with organic turmeric and safe for puppies, adult dogs, and seniors.

Pros

Cons

Hemp Source: USA-grown organic hemp 

Extraction Method: CO2 extraction

Potency Options: 125 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg, 1000 mg 

Subscription Program: Yes, with discount. 

Ingredient List: CBD from Organic Full-Spectrum, Hemp Oil, Organic Turmeric Extract (95% curcuminoids), Organic MCT Oil

Customer Review: Pet owners say the Honest Paws CBD oil “works wonders”, and “makes a big difference” and their dogs “honestly love the product”. Overall, Honest Paws is the best CBD for dogs with arthritis.

Veterinarians.org Review: Our team at veterinarians.org is giving Honest Paws Mobility CBD Oil an overall 10/10 star rating. A breakdown of our rating is listed below:

Get it on Honest Paws

Price: $39.95

Item Form: Soft Chews

Lifestage: Dogs of all ages

Flavor: Poultry

Recommended Uses:

Summary: In addition to premium quality CBD oils, Honest Paws makes condition-specific CBD treats. The Honest Paws Mobility Soft Chews are made with full-spectrum oil and natural ingredients specifically to help arthritis including chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine, hyaluronic acid, and Boswellia serrata. Each soft chew features 5 mg of CBD and is poultry flavored for easy use. The texture makes the chews ideal for older dogs with painful joints.

Pros

Cons

Hemp Source: USA-grown organic hemp  

Extraction Method: CO2 extraction 

Potency Options: 5 mg per chew 

Subscription Program: Yes, with discount 

Ingredient List: Glucosamine HCI (shrimp & crap), Chondroitin Sulfate (avian), Organic Full-Spectrum Hemp Oil (contains 5mg of naturally occurring CBD), Boswellia Serrata Powder, Hyaluronic Acid, Arabic Gum, Brewers Dried Yeast, Citric Acid, Green Tea Extract, Guar Gum, Hemp Powder, Hemp Seed Oil, Maltodextrin, Natural Mixed Tocopherols, Natural Poultry Flavor, Rosemary Extract, Silicon Dioxide, Spearmint, Sunflower Lecithin, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, Vegetable Glycerin, Vegetable Oil, White Vinegar.

Customer Review: Pet owners say their dogs are “less stiff” and have “no trouble with the steps and are going for longer walks” after starting to use the Honest Paws Mobility treats. Overall, Honest Paws has the best CBD treats for dogs with arthritis.

Veterinarians.org Review: Our team at veterinarians.org is giving Honest Paws Mobility CBD Treats an overall 10/10 star rating. A breakdown of our rating is listed below:

Get it on Penelope’s Bloom

Price: $39.99

Item Form: Treats

Lifestage: Dogs of all ages

Flavor: Plant-Based

Recommended Uses:

Summary: Penelope’s Bloom is a CBD brand that cares and it works with sustainable ingredients, uses recycled packaging materials, and donates to animal shelters. The Penelope’s Bloom CBD Treats are made specifically for joint issues. With 20 mg of CBD per treat, they are ideal for large and giant dogs with arthritic joints.

Pros

Cons

Hemp Source: Non-GMO hemp 

Extraction Method: CO2 extraction 

Potency Options: 10 mg per chew, 20 mg per chew 

Subscription Program: Yes, with discount 

Ingredient List: Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulfate, MSM, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C, Organic Turmeric, Cannabidiol (CBD),  Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Blueberry, Organic Spinach, Organic Sweet Potato, Organic Brown Rice Flour, Organic Oats, Organic Flaxseeds, Organic Olive Oil, Organic Cinnamon, Organic Molasses.

Customer Review: Pet owners say they “highly recommend” the Penelope’s Bloom CBD treats. They mention their dogs have” a little more pep to step” after using. Overall, Penelope’s Bloom is the best potency CBD treats for dogs with arthritis.

Veterinarians.org Review: Our team at veterinarians.org is giving Penelope’s Bloom CBD Treats an overall 10/10 star rating. A breakdown of our rating is listed below:

Get it on The Natural Dog Store

Price: $34.99

Item Form: Oil

Lifestage: Dogs of all ages

Flavor: Natural Flavor

Recommended Uses:

Summary: Made by Dogs Naturally, the Four Leaf Rover line of CBD products is of supreme quality and efficacy. The Four Leaf Rover’s CBD Oil is made of US-grown organic hemp. As a full-spectrum option, it contains an array of cannabinoids including CBC, CBN, CBD, CBG, and CBA. The oil is easy to use and available in different potencies.

Pros

Cons

Hemp Source: Organic hemp  

Extraction Method: CO2 extraction 

Potency Options: 125 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg, 1000 mg 

Subscription Program: Yes, with discount 

Ingredient List: Organic Full Spectrum Hemp Oil, Human Grade MCT Oil

Customer Review: Pet owners say the Four Leaf Rover CBD oil is a “good product to have on hand” and that it “works in less than two minutes”. Overall, Four Leaf Rover features the best ingredients in CBD for dogs with arthritis. 

Veterinarians.org Review: Our team at veterinarians.org is giving Four Leaf Rover CBD Oil an overall 9/10 star rating. A breakdown of our rating is listed below:

Get it on CBDfx

Price:$79.99

Item Form: Oil

Lifestage: Dogs of all ages

Flavor: Bacon

Recommended Uses:

Summary: CBDfx is a less-known CBD brand but with outstanding features. The brand uses high-quality broad-spectrum CBD oil in its formulations and coconut oil as a carrier. The CBDfx CBD oil is vegan and gluten-free. Plus, featuring smoked bacon flavor, the oil is straightforward to give to dogs.

Pros

Cons

Hemp Source: Human-grade hemp 

Extraction Method: CO2 extraction

Potency Options: 250 mg, 500 mg, 1000 mg, 2000 mg 

Subscription Program: No

Ingredient List: CBD-rich hemp oil, MCT oil

Customer Review: Pet owners say the CBDfx CBD Oil is “wonderful” and they have “noticed a big difference after starting to use the oil”. Overall, CBDfx is the best broad-spectrum CBD for dogs with arthritis.

Veterinarians.org Review: Our team at veterinarians.org is giving CBDfx CBD Oil an overall 9/10 star rating. A breakdown of our rating is listed below:

Get it on Joy Organics

Price: $44.95

Item Form: Oil

Lifestage: Dogs of all ages

Flavor: Natural Flavor

Recommended Uses:

Summary: Joy Organics is a CBD brand that focuses on compassion, integrity, and excellence. The Joy Organics line of CBD pet products offers treats and oils. Both are made with organic broad-spectrum hemp. The Joy Organics CBD oil is available in two different potencies and is simple to dose and use.

Pros

Cons

Hemp Source: Organic hemp

Extraction Method: CO2 extraction 

Potency Options: 450 mg, 900 mg 

Subscription Program: Yes, with discount 

Ingredient List: Organic Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, Organic Phytocannabinoid-Rich Hemp Extract

Customer Review: Pet owners say the Joy Organics CBD oil is a “great product” with “excellent taste and effects”. They are also happy with the customer service. Overall, Joy Organics has the best organic ingredients in CBD for dogs with arthritis.

Veterinarians.org Review: Our team at veterinarians.org is giving Joy Organics CBD Oil an overall 10/10 star rating. A breakdown of our rating is listed below:

Get it on Petly CBD

Price: $59.99

Item Form: Powder 

Lifestage: Dogs of all ages

Flavor: Bacon

Recommended Uses:

Summary: Petly CBD is relatively new to the CBD pet market but it has already proven its reputation. Petly CBD offers a large selection of CBD pet products. The Petly CBD Food Topper features high-grade, broad-spectrum CBD oil and comes in the form of powder with 20 mg of CBD per scoop. All you need to do is scoop and pour over the dog food.

Pros

Cons

Hemp Source: Organic hemp 

Extraction Method: CO2 extraction 

Potency Options: 600 mg 

Subscription Program: Yes, with discount

Ingredient List: Hemp Extract, Flaxseed, Fishmeal

Customer Review: Pet owners say the Petly CBD Food Topper “really helps” and that “dogs love the bacon flavor”. Overall, Petly CBD is the best CBD food topper for dogs with arthritis.

Veterinarians.org Review: Our team at veterinarians.org is giving Petly CBD Food Topper an overall 9/10 star rating. A breakdown of our rating is listed below:

Get it on 4 Corners Cannabis

Price: $69.99

Item Form: Oil

Lifestage: Dogs of all ages

Flavor: Peanut Butter

Recommended Uses:

Summary: This CBD tincture by 4Corners Cannabis is made with organic, full-spectrum hemp and high-quality, food-grade ingredients. As a bonus, it features hemp seed oil as a carrier that is loaded with anti-inflammatory omega fatty acids. The oil has a dog-friendly peanut butter flavor and is available in different potencies.

Pros

Cons

Hemp Source: Organic hemp

Extraction Method: Solvent-base extraction

Potency Options: 1000 mg, 2000 mg

Subscription Program: Yes, with discount.

Ingredient List: Organic Golden Hemp Seed Oil, Organic Peanut Butter Flavor, Animal Grade Hemp Extract

Customer Review: Pet owners are raving about this CBD product. They say they “love the company” and are pleased with the customer support team and fast shipping.

Veterinarians.org Review: Our team at veterinarians.org is giving 4 Corners Cannabis Peanut Butter CBD Tincture for Dogs an overall x/10 star rating. A breakdown of our rating is listed below:

Get it on cbdMD

Price: $29.99 

Item Form: Chews 

Lifestage: Dogs of all ages 

Flavor: Bacon 

Recommended Uses:

Summary: The cbdMD Hip & Joint Chews are an excellent product for arthritic dogs. They are made with broad-spectrum CBD oil and enriched with ingredients that support joint health, such as glucosamine and omega fatty acids. The chews come in three different potencies and are bacon-flavored. Plus, they are soft and suitable for puppies and older dogs.

Pros

Cons

Hemp Source: USA-grown hemp

Extraction Method: N/A

Potency Options: 5 mg per chew, 10 mg per chew, 20 mg per chew

Subscription Program: Yes, with discount

Ingredient List: Glucosamine HCL (from shellfish), Methylsulfonylmethane, Chondroitin Sulfate (Porcine), Omega-3 fatty acids (from fish oil), Cannabidiol (CBD), Manganese (from proteinate), Coconut Glycerin, Flaxseed, MCT oil (from coconut), Mixed Tocopherols, Natural Bacon Flavor, Oat Flour, Palm Fruit Oil, Powdered Cellulose (coating only), Rice Bran, Rice Flour, Rosemary Extract, Sorbic Acid (as preservative), Sunflower Lecithin.

Customer Review: Customers say their dogs are “more comfortable” after using the chews and their “dogs love them.” They give them an overall score of 4.4 out of 5 stars.

Veterinarians.org Review: Our team at veterinarians.org is giving cbdMD Hip & Joint Soft Chews for Dogs an overall 10/10 star rating. A breakdown of our rating is listed below:

Get it on Lazarus Naturals

Price: $20.00

Item Form: Chews

Lifestage: Dogs of all ages

Flavor: Salmon 

Recommended Uses:

Summary: Priced at $0.07 per mg of CBD oil, the salmon-flavored Lazarus Naturals Joint Support CBD Dog Chews are both affordable and efficient. They are made with ethanol-extracted, full-spectrum CBD oil and organic ingredients like pumpkin, garbanzo beans, and salmon oil. They also feature science-backed joint-friendly ingredients like collagen, glucosamine, and essential fatty acids. 

Pros

Cons

Hemp Source: Organic hemp

Extraction Method: Ethanol-based process

Potency Options: 10 mg per chew

Subscription Program: No

Ingredient List: Organic Pumpkin Powder, Garbanzo Bean Flour, Glycerin, Water, Salmon Oil, Fish Oil (EPA, DHA), Molasses, Organic Virgin Coconut Oil, Phosphoric Acid, Hydrolyzed Fish Collagen, Glucosamine HCL, Natural Flavors, Curcumin Powder, Full Spectrum Hemp Extract, Sodium Bicarbonate. Contains Tree Nuts (Coconut), Fish. Manufactured in a facility that processes peanuts.

Customer Review: Dog parents are delighted with these CBD treats and describe them as a “game changer.” They are also pleased with the potency options and the strength of the chews.

Veterinarians.org Review: Our team at veterinarians.org is giving Lazarus Naturals Joint Support CBD Dog Chews an overall 9/10 star rating. A breakdown of our rating is listed below:

There is a variety of CBD pet products from oils to treats to food toppers. A recent survey showed that 60 percent of pet parents prefer using CBD treats over CBD oils. 

CBD oils ensure a more effective oral dosing with quicker results and are cost-effective for larger dogs. However, many dogs have a hard time swallowing bitter CBD oils. On the other hand, CBD treats are easy to use, as they usually feature dog-friendly flavors. Basically, the benefits of CBD oil are the fast results while the treats are easier to use.

Before using CBD talk to your vet. CBD affects liver enzymes (alkaline phosphatase) which may alter the metabolism of other drugs due to the induction of cytochrome p450. This usually refers to meds for seizures and there is little evidence it affects meds for canine arthritis. Anyway, it is worth checking before starting to give your dog CBD pet oils or CBD dog treats.

A general CBD dosage guideline is to fall within the range of 1-5 mg of CBD per 10lbs of body weight. 

Many brands also offer different potency levels of CBD oil. The strength of CBD oil you choose will also impact the dosage you give your dog. Here is a breakdown of the amount of CBD in each of our oils here at Honest Paws:

There can be mild adverse side effects of CBD oil in dogs after the first dosage, such as diarrhea, lethargy, dry mouth, and lowered blood pressure. The good news is a dog cannot overdose on CBD oil. So, if you give your dog too much CBD you may see some adverse effects, but hemp-derived CBD cannot kill your dog.

As a rule of thumb, it is always best to start with a lower dose of CBD and work your way up to the recommended amount which will reduce the risk of potential side effects. Once you have found the perfect dose for your pet, administer it daily to see an improvement in your dog’s quality of life and arthritis symptoms. 

Usually, it takes between 2 and 4 weeks for CBD for dogs with arthritis to start working. While the exact timeframe depends on the dog’s arthritis severity and the CBD’s quality, in most cases, dogs begin to experience inflammation and pain relief within 2 to 4 weeks. 

The best CBD for dogs with arthritis is the Honest Paws mobility CBD oil. The CBD is full-spectrum and extracted using the CO2 method. Plus, it is made from USA-grown organic hemp, vegan, and human-grade. But, let’s take at some additional factors you need to consider when choosing CBD for dog arthritis: 

As you can see, the Honest Paws Mobility CBD Oil and the Mobility CBD Soft Chews check these boxes. Plus, the brand is trustworthy and reliable. The 5-star ratings and over 113K satisfied customers are excellent proof of the brand’s reputation. 

CBD is a natural holistic medication meaning it is completely safe. CBD for dogs with arthritis rarely causes any side effects. Even if there are side effects, they are benign and transient. 

On the other hand, long-term use of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which are the golden standard for managing canine arthritis can have serious side effects. Dogs on NSAIDs require regular checkups at the vet and continuous monitoring. 

Yes, you can give your dog CBD with other arthritis medications. In fact, a multimodal approach is best for arthritic dogs. You can give your dog traditional arthritis medications until the CBD’s effects kick in. 

However, before mixing CBD for dogs with arthritis with other medications, consult with your trusted veterinarian.