Best CBD Oil for Dogs with Arthritis [Top Brands]

It is painful to watch your dog suffer from arthritis. Arthritis limits a dog’s movements since it subjects them to immense pain whenever they move their joints. As a pet parent, your instincts dictate that you look for safe ways to reduce your pup’s swelling, inflammation, and pain.

There are several arthritis treatment methods, but we will focus on one – CBD. In recent years, many dog owners have turned to broad-spectrum CBD for dogs with joint pain. Through their feedback, we’ve learned that CBD does ease the condition.

But what exactly is CBD? Does CBD help with arthritis? And, is it safe and legal to use on dogs? This guide provides detailed answers to these questions.

What Is CBD Oil?

CBD oil is basically CBD infused in carrier oil. CBD is one of the many naturally-occurring cannabinoids in cannabis plants and can be extracted from hemp or marijuana. We recommend hemp-derived CBD as it is legal and safe for your furry friend.

CBD is non-intoxicating and non-psychoactive. It does not alter the mind to generate a high feeling. Instead, it offers therapeutic effects though more research is underway about its medicinal properties.

When CBD is extracted from hemp, it is mixed with a base oil, preferably coconut oil, olive oil, hemp seed oil, or MCT oil, for a mild taste and scent. You can administer CBD oil directly into your dog’s mouth using a dropper or it into your dog’s food.

What Is Arthritis and How Does It Affect Dogs?

Arthritis is a progressive complex condition that inflames the joints. It damages the cartilage within a joint, causing the bones to rub together. This leads to inflammation, swelling, and pain when the dog tries to move.

Arthritis is prevalent in older dogs and large-breed dogs. Old age contributes to tear and wear in the cartilage, thus affecting the dog’s joints. The condition also affects younger dogs with developmental problems, obesity, or suffering from an injury.

Arthritis may develop as a result of ligament damage. Fractures, for instance, can result in joint instability and arthritis. Abnormal cartilage development also makes a dog prone to the condition. When a puppy grows too fast, immense pressure is applied to its developing joints and skeletal system. This develops into an orthopedic disease or arthritis with time.

Obesity also causes arthritis since it puts disproportionate weight on joints to cause localized inflammation. Managing your dog’s weight can reduce the excess pressure on the inflamed joints.

Most dogs suffer from osteoarthritis. This degenerative disease causes wear and tear on the cartilage, a protective cushion that prevents bones from rubbing during movement. Think of the cartilage as a shock absorber. Without it, friction from the rubbing bones restricts a dog’s movement due to discomfort and pain.

Another type of dog arthritis is Rheumatoid arthritis. It is an autoimmune condition that affects joints and any part of the dog’s body. The immune system attacks rather than protect the body tissues causing damage to the cartilage, joint tissues, and the joint. Rheumatoid arthritis is often found in small dog breeds.

The most common tell-tale signs of arthritis in dogs are: 

• Limping


• Slowed movement


• Whimpering sounds when getting up or lying down


• A stiff gait when waking up or after exercise


• Groaning when you touch the affected joint


• Licking the painful joints


• Muscle wasting


• No longer interested in climbing the stairs, playing, walking, or other activities


• Irritability

Arthritis affects your dog’s life and health negatively. The swelling and inflammation make it difficult for the pup to move around. And knowing how dogs love activity, the condition puts them under stress, not to mention the pain.  

Why CBD Might Help with Arthritis for Dogs

CBD interacts with your pup’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) to restore balance. To better understand this, dogs have an ECS that constitutes a network of cellular receptors and chemical signals.

The primary endocannabinoid receptors are CB1 receptors in the central nervous system and CB2 receptors in the peripheral nervous system. Most CB1 receptors are present in the brain, but you can also find them on the dog’s skin and salivary glands. CB2 receptors are part of the nervous system (without including the brain and spinal cord). They are found in organs like the liver and spleen.

These receptors relay chemical messages from the brain to other body parts. When messages are relayed effectively, your dog stays in optimal health. An imbalance results in pain, inflammation, and health-related conditions.

CBD also interacts with natural endocannabinoids. You see, all mammals produce endocannabinoids, including dogs. In fact, they have higher endocannabinoid receptors than humans. Meanwhile, plants make phytocannabinoids, and these are the compounds that interact with your dog’s endocannabinoids.

So how does CBD help? First, it promotes the production of natural endocannabinoids to help your dog’s body maintain homeostasis. When a canine suffers from arthritis, its internal environment is not stable. CBD stimulates the ECS to build more receptors, improving mobility and reducing pain with time.

Secondly, CBD is a natural analgesic and mitigates the pain associated with arthritis. Additionally, it produces anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Lastly, broad-spectrum CBD oil contains essential compounds from hemp, including terpenes and essential oils. The presence of these compounds creates an entourage effect. Your pet finds more relief compared to using CBD alone.

Several studies have supported the use of CBD for dogs with arthritis. For instance, this study on rats found that cannabinoids bind to receptors to reduce joint pain and inflammation.

The researchers injected kaolin and carrageenan into a rat’s joint to induce acute arthritis. When they offered CBD treatment, they discovered that some cannabinoids interacted with atypical receptors. One receptor inhibited the effects of induced arthritis and altered joint inflammation.   

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine students also conducted another study to determine the effectiveness and safety of CBD for dogs with arthritis. At first, they administered two doses of cannabidiol oil (2 and 8 mg/kg) to all dogs and found the elimination half-life of the doses to be 4.2 hours.

Next, they conducted a random test using a placebo and CBD treatment. They also did a double-blind crossover study where they switched treatment between CBD and placebo without the dog owners’ knowledge.

After four weeks, the collected found that 2mg/kg of CBD oil every 12 hours decreased pain and lameness. The dogs even enjoyed increased activity with no side effects. One thing, though, the tests also revealed that alkaline phosphatase levels (ALP) increased. High levels of ALP puts a dog at risk of developing liver disease.

CBD balms also help reduce inflammation caused by arthritis. This 2016 study opted for a topical application route to avoid metabolism, gastrointestinal administration, and high plasma levels.

The researchers applied 0.6 mg to 6.2 mg/day daily on a monoarthritis knee joint of a rat for four days. The findings were the topical application of CBD gels significantly reduced joint swelling and pain and promoted fast healing.

Although there is limited scientific evidence on how CBD works for dogs with arthritis, these studies are promising.

Do you know CBD offers more benefits than managing arthritis? For starters, it can manage anxiety. CBD interacts with CB1 receptors to maintain balance and boosts the production of GABA neurotransmitters to reduce brain stimulation.

CBD is also effective at reducing dog seizures. According to the findings of this study, CBD reduced seizure frequency by 33%. Interestingly, the study ran for 12 weeks with no reports of behavioral changes.

What Are the Side Effects of CBD Oil for Arthritis?

Concluded studies show no adverse side effects of cannabidiol oil for knee and joint pain. Some dogs significantly reduced arthritis pain and swelling and increased activity, while others had minor improvement. Regardless, neither group recorded any adverse reactions from using CBD treatment.

It is worth mentioning that CBD products with THC may cause side effects. As previously mentioned, a dog’s brain is concentrated with endocannabinoid receptors. THC binds to these receptors to alter the mind. A 0.3% THC concentration may seem minute to a human, but it can wreak havoc in a dog’s world.

Common side effects of ingesting THC include panic reactions, loss of coordination, vomiting, increased thirst, tremors, dilated pupils, drooling, lethargy, restlessness, and hyperactivity. THC can make your dog incredibly sick, with the effects lasting 18 to 36 hours.  

Is CBD Oil Legal and Safe for My Dog?

Hemp CBD oil is legal across 50 states, according to the 2018 Farm Bill. The law applies its chemical profile of less than 0.3% THC to differentiate it from marijuana. THC levels higher than 0.3% are considered illegal.

This means that CBD from marijuana is federally illegal, but this law may change depending on your state of residence. States like Alaska, Arizona, Illinois, Maine, California, Colorado, New York, and Michigan have legalized recreational marijuana. This may be great news for you, but marijuana is unsafe for your pup.

THC is highly toxic for canines. A small amount of THC is all it takes to alter the brain receptors. Small doses may not necessarily kill your dog, but the intoxication effects can last up to 36 hours, which is way too long.  

It is important to note that although hemp-derived CBD is legal, the FDA has not approved veterinary CBD oil for dogs joint pain. So, contact your vet to learn how much CBD oil for dog with arthritis is ideal.  

Now, is CBD oil safe for your dog? Yes, when you use CBD from organically grown hemp. CBD does not contain intoxicating or psychoactive properties. As a matter of fact, it helps restore homeostasis.

Moreover, clinical trial data do not report behavioral or chemical side effects during treatment. Although some dogs experienced diarrhea, the reaction was within acceptable ranges.

Besides, CBD treatment is safer than veterinary Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs control inflammation and pain from arthritis but not without notable side effects. Some dogs experience diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, decreased activity, and stomach ulcers.

The Best Place To Buy CBD Oil Near Me

There are a few crucial factors to remember when buying CBD oil for joint pain. First, only get CBD products specifically created for dogs. Doing so eliminates the risk of administering high levels of THC.  

Next, only get organically sourced hemp CBD from trustworthy vendors. These products are free of harmful herbicides, pesticides, and chemicals. Additionally, check that the product is third-party lab tested to verify that they contain the exact concentration advertised and meets purity standards.

For best results, opt for broad-spectrum CBD products. They contain the most vital cannabinoids to create an entourage effect. This, in turn, promotes faster healing. Besides, they are THC-free.

But where can you get a reliable vendor? At CBD Genesis. We use organically sourced hemp in all our CBD products for pets, including this broad-spectrum CBD tincture. It comes in chicken flavor and contains other cannabinoids like CBC, CBD, and CBG. It is free of THC, and you can add it to your dog’s food or drink.

We also have CBD dog treats in stock. They come in irresistible bacon and cheddar flavors. However, you will have to wait longer to see the effects as bioavailability is much slower with edibles.

Our pet CBD products are lab-tested for pathogens, pollutants, and pesticides and are safe for dogs. You can access our certificate of analysis online or request that we send it to you.  

Place your order with us and begin your dog’s treatment journey.

Final Thoughts

Pet owners seeking a safe treatment plan should get CBD for dogs joint pain. It is naturally safe due to the absence of intoxicating and psychoactive properties. Plus, it boasts pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory benefits to ease arthritic discomfort.

Choose pet CBD products over human ones since they are free of THC. Also, source your products from reliable vendors and consult your vet about the ideal dosage.