Which CBD oil is the best for dogs who live with cancer and other chronic diseases?
2022 Review results:
🎉 Winner: Honest Paws Well Extra Strength
Best value: Simple Wag
Runner-up: Charlotte’s Web
Third-place: Receptra Naturals
We also like: NuLeaf Naturals
We also like: Innovet Pet CBD
Honest Paws has a stellar reputation for CBD quality, with a hemp extract that contains CBC and CBG – two of the most relevant hemp compounds for chronic disease. In this Extra Strength formula, dogs receive a significant dose of organic full-spectrum CBD, which should help reduce disease-related inflammation.
Where to buy:
Honest Paws Website
Is CBD safe for dogs?
Yes! CBD oils for dogs are natural supplements made from hemp – a legal and non-intoxicating type of cannabis that doesn’t cause a high. Thousands of dogs and humans benefit from CBD supplementation every day without side effects.
But pets should never consume cannabis products made for humans, as these may contain large amounts of THC.
How do we rate CBD oils?
We rate CBD oils for dogs with cancer by extract quality and online customer reviews.
CBD extract quality
Studies suggest that different cannabis compounds produce a range of different anti-inflammatory effects. As a result, full-spectrum CBD oils, which contain a whole-plant extract, are generally regarded as more beneficial.
Full-spectrum CBD oils contain secondary active compounds such as CBG and CBC, alongside CBD.
We analyze batch tests and check hemp farming standards to make sure all our recommended CBD oils contain healthy, full-spectrum extracts.
Customer reviews
The symptoms and side effects of cancer and cancer medications can differ for every dog. As a result, owners are usually the best people to say whether a CBD product has a beneficial effect on their pet.
We read reviews from sources like Google and Facebook to see what real dog owners say about CBD oils. We prefer to use sources of independent feedback to avoid the possibility of review-tampering.
2022 Full reviews
1. Best CBD oil for dogs with cancer
Honest Paws Well Extra-Strength Oil
Honest Paws Well Extra Strength Oil takes our top pick for this category thanks to its high concentration of premium CBD – made from completely organic hemp grown in Colorado that’s been carefully extracted to retain a wide range of supporting cannabinoids and terpenes.
When we compared independent lab tests of 38 different CBD brands, we found that none match Honest Paws when it comes to the variety and consistency of hemp compounds retained during extraction.
The presence of delicate cannabinoids and terpenes in Honest Paws’ Well Oil is a sign of quality production methods, as well as showing that they use premium-grade hemp.
Each full dropper from this extra-strength concentration contains 33mg of CBD – a high dose that we think is suitable to dogs with severe inflammation caused by cancer and other chronic issues.
Brand: Honest Paws
2022 score: 1st place
Made for: General inflammation
Active ingredients: CBD
Concentration: 1000 mg
Quality testing: Read the lab report
Brand: Honest Paws
2022 score: 1st place
Made for: General inflammation
Active ingredients: CBD, Turmeric
Concentration: 125 – 1000 mg
Quality testing: Read the lab report
2. Best value CBD oil for dogs with cancer
Simple Wag CBD Oil
New for our 2022 review, Simple Wag takes the doggy biscuit for best-value CBD brand. According to our experts, Simple Wag offers the best combination of CBD quality vs retail price, with an oil that costs as much as a low-grade CBD product, but contains a fully organic, full-spectrum hemp extract.
At three different concentrations (300 mg, 600 mg, and 900 mg) owners can select the appropriate concentration for their dog’s size and symptom intensity. Unlike Honest Paws above, however, there’s no extra-strength formula on offer.
Brand: Simple Wag
2022 score: 2nd
Made for: General inflammation
Active ingredients: CBD
Concentration: 300 – 900 mg
Quality testing: Read the lab report
Brand: Simple Wag
2022 score: 2nd
Made for: General inflammation
Active ingredients: CBD
Concentration: 300 – 900 mg
Quality testing: Read the lab report
3. Runner up CBD oil for dogs with cancer
Charlotte’s Web Hemp Extract
Charlotte’s Web CBD oil for dogs offers a true full-spectrum extraction, containing all seven of the main cannabinoids we look for. The brand earns a top-3 pick for CBD oils for cancer thanks to high amounts of CBG and CBC, as well as the usual pain and inflammation-busting benefits that come with any quality CBD extract.
This makes Charlotte’s Web a good option for owners looking to target symptoms of cancer as well as the underlying disease. Owners of senior dogs and those taking CBD as part of their end-of-life care should benefit from additional compounds like CBD-A, and CBN, which work with CBD to target inflamed tissues and joints.
4. Third-place CBD oil for dogs with cancer
Receptra Naturals Pet Tincture
We think this CBD oil for dogs from Receptra Naturals achieves an awesome balance of ingredient quality and value for money. That said, the extract contains about half the CBC and CBG of Charlotte’s Web, so there is a sacrifice in potency that comes with the reduced price tag.
Levels of CBD, CBC, and CBG are still impressive, however, for a cost per mg of CBD that’s about half the industry average.
If you’re looking for a budget CBD oil that has particular relevance for canine cancers, we think this is the best option out there.
5. We also like for cancer
NuLeaf Naturals Pet Tincture
NuLeaf Naturals is a CBD company dedicated to organic farming. They work from seed to shelf, which means they control all aspects of production to assure quality. NuLeaf offers a single, unflavored, full-spectrum CBD oil in three strengths: 300 mg, 900 mg, and 1800 mg.
Checking out the lab report, NuLeaf’s CBD extract includes a wide variety of active cannabis components. The secondary cannabinoids CBC and CBG both appear in the analysis, which researchers believe may make CBD products more relevant for tumor conditions.
5. We also like for cancer
Innovet PUR CBD Oil
One of the earliest pet CBD brands, Innovet remains popular with a loyal group of consumers who take advantage of the brand’s wide range of CBD oils, treats, and capsules – including a higher-dose oil similar to Honest Paws above. Organic full-spectrum CBD is used in all Innovet products, which is likely to be more beneficial for dogs with cancer and serious disease than isolate or broad-spectrum CBD.
So does CBD affect tumor progression?
No one should be promoting CBD oil for dogs as a cure for cancer, and recent discoveries about cannabis compounds don’t replace the need for traditional treatment options.
Instead, it’s best to think of CBD products as helpful supplements that support dogs with chronic diseases such as cancer.
Researchers believe that CBD may protect DNA inside cells from oxidative stress, a primary cause of age-related cancer and even a possible route to slowing cancer progression.
Treatment vs supplement
Just like cancer in humans, no two cases of canine cancer are the same. Dogs may need different combinations of treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy.
Likewise, dogs with cancer will use CBD in different ways – some may respond so well that it becomes part of their primary treatment, while others will use CBD as a supplement to reduce symptoms and medication side effects.
Owners and vets should work together to find the treatment plan that most benefits their dog.
CBD and other medications
Because CBD helps reduce pain and inflammation, it may be a viable alternative to some prescription medications that can cause side effects in some dogs.
NSAIDs and opioids are two classes of medication that are regularly prescribed to dogs with cancer to help deal with pain, swelling, and discomfort. However, they come with a risk of unwanted side effects:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may cause gastrointestinal distress and decreased activity levels in some dogs.
- Opioids offer strong pain relief but carry the risk of lethargy, fast tolerance formation, and potential overdose.
Unlike NSAIDs, CBD stimulates the ECS into a natural anti-inflammatory response without the risk of GI issues. And while CBD can’t compete with the pain-relieving power of opioid drugs, it can help reduce discomfort without creating dependency, even during long-term use.
CBD oil for dogs with cancer – FAQ
- What is CBD oil for dogs with cancer?
- How does CBD oil work with cancer?
- What size CBD oil should I buy?
- Should I buy CBD oils or CBD dog treats for dogs with cancer?
- How do I give my dog CBD oil for cancer?
- How much CBD should I give my dog for cancer? (dosages)
- How do I tell if my dog’s CBD oil is working?
- Can dogs overdose from CBD oil?
- Does CBD oil for dogs have any side effects?
- Do vets recommend CBD oil for dogs with cancer?
- Can dogs take CBD with other cancer medications?
What is CBD oil for dogs with cancer?
CBD oil for cancer in dogs is a natural hemp supplement made by extracting anti-inflammatory compounds from hemp plants and infusing them into a high-fat carrier oil (usually coconut oil or hempseed oil). Combining CBD with oil improves absorption during digestion.
CBD is one of over 100 active compounds found in hemp and other species of cannabis plants. Known as cannabinoids, these compounds stimulate receptors in the body connected to the control of inflammation, pain signals, and the broader immune system.
How does CBD oil work with cancer?
Cancer and other chronic diseases can cause stress and internal inflammation, which leads to discomfort, swelling, pain, and anxiety.
By acting on the inflammatory and immune systems, CBD can help return the body to homeostasis, the medical term for a state of internal balance.
Researchers believe that CBD and other cannabinoids may also directly affect the growth of tumors. However, studies on the anti-cancer properties of cannabis compounds are in their early stages and haven’t yet reached a firm conclusion.
What size CBD oil should I buy?
There are no strict rules about how much CBD dogs should take or how often they should be given CBD supplements. Most experts recommend thinking about your dog’s size, weight, and intensity of symptoms when shopping for CBD oil and determining dosages.
For dogs with cancer and other chronic diseases, we recommend a medium-to-large dose of CBD, given daily, as long as symptoms last. Because of this, higher volume and/or concentration CBD oils are likely to offer better value.
In general, bigger sizes of CBD oils retail for higher prices but offer a better cost per mg of CBD infused into the product.
Should I buy CBD oils or CBD dog treats for dogs with cancer?
When a CBD brand makes both oils and treats, there’s rarely a difference between the CBD extract used in each product. A company will usually produce batches of their CBD extract, then infuse it into their entire product line.
As a result, the choice between CBD oils and treats usually comes down to owner and dog preference. For example, if your dog is highly suspicious of medicines or things being added to their food, then a readymade CBD treat may work better.
On the other hand, if you’d prefer to measure out your own CBD dosages, then a tincture of CBD oil with a graded dropper offers more flexibility.
Here’s this year’s list of the best CBD dog treats, in which we’ve reviewed all the top brands and products.
How do I give my dog CBD oil for cancer?
CBD isn’t an alternative to cancer treatment drugs and shouldn’t be used as a replacement for any prescribed cancer treatment.
However, CBD can offer an alternative or supplement to medications used to treat the symptoms of cancer and cancer therapy, such as pain, swelling, nausea, and inflammation.
To give a dog CBD for these and other inflammatory symptoms, calculate an appropriate daily dosage based on their needs and body weight. The most popular ways to deliver CBD to dogs include mixing CBD oil into their food or dropping it onto treats.
CBD can also be dropped directly into dogs’ mouths or rubbed into their gums.
How much CBD should I give my dog for cancer? (dosages)
General recommendations for CBD dosages are 0.2 mg of CBD per pound of a dog’s body weight. This means, for example, that a dog weighing 20 pounds should begin with a daily dose of 4 mg of CBD.
Remember that CBD extracts are infused into carrier oils, so the total volume of a CBD oil isn’t the same as the total amount of CBD.
From that starting point, owners should observe their dog for any change in symptoms, and can slowly raise the dosage if necessary.
Daily routine or single dose?
If you read online reviews of CBD oils for dogs, you’ll find reports of owners giving their dogs a single dose of CBD to help calm them during a thunderstorm or fireworks. Some reviews even claim that one or two doses of CBD helped improve pets’ joint pain or mobility issues.
While it’s true that some dogs will experience positive effects from a single dose of CBD, most pets require consistent supplementation over weeks or months to feel any benefits from CBD oil.
This is particularly true for dogs with high levels of inflammation, such as those with cancer. In these cases, we recommend daily supplementation for best results.
How do I tell if my dog’s CBD oil is working?
Signs that CBD if having a positive effect on dogs include increased activity, mobility, or interactions. When inflammation is reduced, dogs should experience less discomfort and anxiety, making it easier for them to return to normal behavior.
In most cases, CBD won’t completely remove symptoms associated with cancer or invasive treatments like chemotherapy. However, the correct dose of CBD oil can reduce their negative effects.
The benefits of CBD may also build across the course of supplementation.
Can dogs overdose from CBD oil?
Experts believe that there are upper limits to CBD tolerance, where extreme dosages may have damaging effects on the liver, kidneys, and other organs. Practically speaking, however, dogs cannot overdose from CBD oil and would need to consume many times the recommended dose to approach the point where negative effects might occur.
As a natural supplement containing non-toxic ingredients, CBD doesn’t carry the same risks as pharmaceutical medications or recreational cannabis products made from marijuana. Beyond the risk of minor side effects in some dogs, CBD is completely safe.
However, dogs can easily overdose when given cannabis products designed for humans. Human CBD may contain higher amounts of THC, a psychoactive cannabinoid that is considered highly toxic for dogs. Never give a dog cannabis products made for humans.
Does CBD oil for dogs have any side effects?
Most dogs won’t experience any side effects when taking pet-friendly CBD oil.
However, a small number of owners have reported minor side effects when giving their dog CBD for the first time. The most commonly reported side effects are diarrhea and/or nausea and vomiting.
These side effects could be caused by a sensitivity to the high-fat carrier oils used in CBD products, or the CBD extract itself.
If a dog experiences side effects when taking CBD, discontinue use and contact a vet if side effects don’t quickly resolve themselves.
Do vets recommend CBD oil for dogs with cancer?
At the federal level, CBD is categorized as an unregulated health supplement, which means that vets aren’t able to prescribe CBD for dogs. State laws may differ, but most say similar things that result in CBD remaining non-regulated.
While vets may not be able to recommend CBD in an official capacity, however, most are more than happy to discuss the benefits of CBD supplementation with individual owners.
Can dogs take CBD with other cancer medications?
When combining supplements like CBD with pharmaceutical treatments for cancer and other canine health issues, consulting with a vet is essential. In most cases, however, CBD can be safely paired with existing treatment plans.
One of the main uses for CBD in dogs with cancer is as a supplement or alternative to common medications like NSAIDs or opioids, intended to reduce inflammation and pain. CBD can be taken alongside both of these medications.
Remember: Always talk with your vet whenever your dog starts a new treatment or supplement – or if you’re planning to adjust your dog’s treatment plan.
Disclaimer
CBDOilforDogs.com is an independently owned professional review site. When products are purchased through our site, we may receive a commission. Always check manufacturer websites for the most up-to-date information.
