There’s a big demand for CBD products for dogs, and with that demand comes questions. One of the many is… what CBD products are better than others? Should you give your dog CBD treats or CBD tinctures? Both CBD oil tinctures and CBD treats contain cannabidiol and utilize the hemp plant.
So, which one should you offer your dog? The real answer is that each comes with its own set of pros and cons. Choosing the best CBD oils, and the best way to provide CBD oils can prove difficult at times. What it comes down to is your individual dog and how they react to each.
CBD tinctures absorb faster, allow precise dosing, and typically contain higher concentrations of cannabinoids. CBD treats for dogs are easier to give and work well for dogs that resist tinctures. The key difference: tinctures provide faster onset and more dosing flexibility, while treats offer convenience and palatability.
Earth Buddy's tinctures use subcritical CO2 extracted, full spectrum hemp extracts. Their Extra Strength Hemp Hearts contain 8mg of full-spectrum CBD Oil per treat with limited ingredients. Which is best depends on your dog's preferences and your lifestyle.
CBD Tincture for Dogs
CBD tinctures are a type of CBD oil that comes in liquid form. They are often taken orally, but they may also be used topically as well. The most common delivery method is through the mouth using a dropper or pipette to squirt directly into your dog’s mouth.
A CBD tincture for dogs allows the body to absorb CBD quickly, which can be beneficial. A full spectrum CBD oil for dogs contains less than 0.3% THC on a dry-weight basis, whereas broad spectrum CBD oils do not contain any THC which can diminish the effectiveness of the entourage effect. Broad spectrum CBD for dogs also requires additional processing methods involving chemical remediation of THC.
What Makes a High-Quality CBD Oil for Dogs?
To understand what high-quality CBD oil is, it's helpful to know how a company’s CBD products are made and why it matters. When making high-quality CBD oil for dogs, it's important that manufacturers use carefully sourced hemp plants that are grown without pesticides or herbicides. They should also extract the CBD oil using CO2 methods without the use of additional chemical solvents, which can affect its quality and purity.
Ensuring you’re purchasing organic CBD oil for dogs is also recommended. Earth Buddy offers organic Hemp Extracts grown in Colorado. Our Organic hemp is farmed without the use of harmful pesticides or other potentially toxic chemicals, and the full spectrum CBD oil extracted from the plant material is also organic. The hemp at Earth Buddy is also single-origin which means the product is never sourced as a commodity. If you're searching for a high-quality CBD oil for dogs, these are factors you should look for.
CBD Treats for Dogs
For some dogs, providing CBD treats for dogs are easier than giving the tincture. Most dogs love treats and will happily consume one when offered.
If your dog is a picky eater or just doesn’t enjoy the flavor of cbd oil, treats can come in handy. You will have to check to see if the treats utilize broad spectrum CBD oil or full-spectrum CBD for their treats. Earth Buddy’s Extra Strength Hemp Hearts provide your dog with 8mg of full-spectrum CBD oil per hemp heart. Earth Buddy’s hemp hearts also contain:
- Turmeric with black pepper that helps maintain a normal inflammatory response
- Organic apple cider vinegar to support gut health
- Organic coconut oil that contains essential fatty acids for a healthy coat; organic coconut oil also assists in the digestion and absorption of essential nutrients
CBD Tinctures vs CBD Treats for Dogs: Key Differences
The method of administration will also be different with each product. CBD tinctures are a liquid, while CBD treats are just as they sound; crunchy, full-spectrum CBD oil mixed in a baked chew. The main differences between a CBD tincture and CBD treats include:
- CBD oil is suspended in organic MCT Oil, whereas treats are a solid
- When provided as a tincture, full spectrum hemp extracts for dogs are quickly available to the body on an empty stomach
- The minor cannabinoids and terpenes in CBD treats for dogs may be degraded by the high heating process larger manufacturers typically use
- Earth Buddy oven-bakes all of their CBD chews for dogs at lower temperatures under 300 degrees.
Pros and Cons of CBD Tinctures and CBD Treats for Dogs
The pros of a CBD tincture include:
- You're able to measure the dosage with the dropper
- Extract can be administered directly into the dog’s mouth or added to their food
- Pet CBD oil often has higher levels of CBD and other minor cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids
- You're able to adjust the CBD dosage for pets and use trial and error to determine the best amount for your individual dog
- CBD Tinctures are usually more cost effective
- You're able to use the lowest effective dose
The cons of a CBD tincture include:
- Your dog may not like the taste of the CBD tincture
- Dog CBD oil isn't as simple as giving a treat
The pros of CBD treats for dogs include:
- They can be used as a reward during training
- CBD treats are fast and easy to provide
- There's a fixed concentration of CBD in each individual treat
The cons of CBD treats include:
- Depending on how they’re made, the compounds may not be effective due to high heating process
- Some treats are made using CBD isolate; CBD isolate may not be as effective due to the lack of key compounds that contribute to the entourage effect
- May contain lower quality ingredients that could cause digestive upset
- Lots of CBD pet treats contain high amounts of sugar additives and fillers that are not species appropriate
CBD Treats or CBD Tinctures: Which Should You Choose?
Since the CBD pet industry is continuously developing, it will only become more difficult to sort through all of the different pet CBD products as time goes on. You'll also notice that many of these CBD pet products are not veterinarian-approved and may not be manufactured in the United States or Canada. You can provide the exact dosage of CBD pet tinctures as needed; however, with CBD dog treats, you must wait for your furry best friend to take the CBD dog treat first and then digest it.
However, the treats are worth the wait if you can't get your dog to consume the tincture. Choose whichever works best for your dog and is convenient for your lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are CBD treats as effective as CBD oil for dogs?
CBD treats for dogs can be effective, but quality varies significantly between brands. The main concern is the heating process used during manufacturing - high heat can degrade cannabinoids, reducing potency. Earth Buddy's Pumpkin Hemp Hearts use a low-heat process to preserve the full-spectrum of cannabinoids. CBD tinctures generally offer faster absorption and more consistent potency since they bypass the heating process entirely.
How long do CBD treats take to work in dogs?
CBD dog treats typically take 30-45 minutes to take effect, as they must be digested before the cannabinoids are absorbed. CBD tinctures administered directly into the mouth absorb faster - often within 15-30 minutes - because they partially absorb through the mucous membranes before reaching the digestive system. For situational stress like grooming visits or fireworks, a tincture or Earth Buddy Quick Calm CBD is generally the better choice for faster onset.
How do I know how much CBD to give my dog in treats vs tinctures?
With tinctures, you can measure the exact dose using the dropper and adjust as needed. With CBD dog treats, the dose is fixed per treat - Earth Buddy's Calming Dog Treats contain different CBD levels and offer different flavors. For dogs under 20 lbs, one treat may be sufficient. For larger dogs, you may need multiple treats to reach an effective dose. Tinctures offer more flexibility for dialing in the precise dose for your dog's size and needs. Start low with either form and adjust based on your dog's response.
Can I give my dog both CBD treats and CBD oil?
Yes. Many pet owners use both - a daily tincture for consistent baseline support, and treats for situational use or as a training reward. Using both at the same time is safe, but be mindful of the combined dose. If your dog receives a full tincture dose daily, factor that into any additional treats given the same day. Earth Buddy offers both CBD Oil and CBD dog treats in our Buddy Pack for a special discounted price.
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