CBD Tinctures for Animals: Tips and Tricks
by Brianna Newton-Jackson
Green Revolution’s Bella & Max Salmon-flavored High CBD Tincture.
Quick Answer: CBD tinctures can support pets experiencing pain, anxiety, or age-related discomfort — as experienced by Hashtag staff with their own dogs. Start with 1 drop per 10 lbs of body weight twice daily, mixed into food. Always use CBD-only products with no THC for pets, keep a fresh water bowl nearby, and consult your vet before starting any new supplement routine!
I am sure by now you have seen quite a variety of CBD products available at your local pet shop--yet another piece of the recent CBD popularity boom… but how do we know if CBD actually could help our favorite furry companions?
Until last summer, my husband and I never really felt we had a reason to explore the world of CBD for our dogs. That was until our 8 year old pup, Lylia, took a rough tumble while playing her favorite game of catch. When she wouldn’t walk back to us, we knew it must be something serious.
After an emergency vet visit, we learned that Lylia had torn cruciate ligaments in both knees. For us, both financially and physically (due to her age), we could not opt in to surgery, and I knew we needed to look into alternative options to help her heal and relieve the pain. Coming from a world of studying and practicing natural medicine, I already knew I did not want to keep Lylia on pain medications and pharmaceutical anti-inflammatories long term.
Trying CBD for Pets
After researching natural remedies to manage pain and best promote her healing process, I stopped into Hashtag to purchase Green Revolution’s Bella & Max salmon-flavored high CBD tincture, perfect for both cats & dogs. This water based tincture is easy to mix into anything, and the salmon taste helps to hide the earthy cannabis flavor that your pet may normally avoid.
Neighborhood walks with Lylia before we introduced CBD tinctures to her wellness routine.
We started a routine of adding 1 drop of tincture for every 10 lbs. of her body weight (so for Lylia at 65 pounds, we used about 6-7 drops) to her morning and evening kibble, for a twice daily dosage. It is so important to remember to start very slow when incorporating cannabis-derived and/or hemp-derived CBD into your pet’s wellness routine. They are a lot more sensitive to cannabinoids, especially THC, than us humans.
“We started a routine of adding 1 drop of tincture for every 10 lbs. of her body weight to her morning and evening kibble, for a twice daily dosage.”
In the beginning, we accidently gave Lylia a few drops too many. Don’t worry though, it just makes your pet pretty sleepy and sensitive to sound & touch for a few hours at most. If it happens, don’t panic--let them cuddle you and just nap it off. I promise they will be okay.
Another huge tip: Even when you get the dose right, your fur baby is going to be VERY THIRSTY after they get their dose. Be a courteous stoner, and be sure to always have a fresh bowl of water for them!
It has now been about 8 months since we started our little bear on her CBD journey, and it has been a complete life saver for us all. Within the first few weeks, we went from having to wheelbarrow her everywhere to finally being able to go on short walks around the block.
Today, she is back to her energetic self, ready to play fetch for hours on end if she was allowed. Even though her injury has healed some, she will always deal with chronic pain, so we make sure to keep her dose consistent so she can continue to feel on top of the dog house.
Aging Pets and CBD
Griffin, one of our favorite Hashtag senior dogs, also enjoys the benefits of CBD.
Just like us, our pets start to feel more pain, and maybe even a little anxiety as they age. CBD, whether it is from a cannabis or hemp source, is a fantastic resource to help them just feel a little better. As they age, their quality of life matters most.
After our success in using CBD for Lylia, I wanted to check in with my coworkers to find out their experience using CBD for their pet companions.
Griffin getting his dose of Fairwinds Bacon Flavored Companion tincture on a tasty dog biscuit.
“When Griffin's hips are bothering him, I give him a dropper (~14 drops) of Fairwinds' CBD Companion in his crunchies. He's 90 lbs., so he can take a pretty big dose. After the drops, and getting a good night's sleep, I've noticed that he has more of a "spring in his step" on our morning walk ...
Pro tip: crunchies, drops, a dusting of parmesan--It's a dog parfait! … Oh, and be sure to fill the water bowl! He gets dry mouth!” — Kim Bevington
“A few years ago my best, furry friend, Kangaroo, was having difficulty getting around. He was a 10 lbs. miniature Dachshund who spent his whole life running, jumping and getting into all kinds of mischief. But as he grew older, our walks became shorter, his naps more frequent and I could tell he wasn’t feeling his best. One morning when I got up to take Kangaroo on his morning walk he couldn’t get out of bed. The disappointed look in his eyes spoke more than words possibly could. When I took him in to visit our trusted vet, she recommended we try a variety of anti-inflammatory and pain management medications.
Although her prescriptions did the trick for managing his discomfort, they left him groggy and disoriented, ultimately leading him back to his bed for days on end. So I decided to try a different approach. I gave him a few drops of Fairwinds Companion tincture instead of his usual cocktail of pills and injections. Not only did he love the taste of it but after a few days, he was up and back to his old antics again: chewing every shoe in the house and playing games with my younger Lab, Nessy. For years we fought back the pains of old age together, just Kangaroo, me and our Companion. And although Kangaroo has gone to a better place, I know the last few years we spent together were some of the best he ever had.” — Jeff Eckenrode
Curious about what CBD has to offer both you and your furry companion?
Shop our selection of tinctures below!
FAQ CBD Tinctures for Animals
Can CBD tinctures actually help pets with pain or mobility issues?
The firsthand accounts in this post are genuinely compelling — including a 65-pound dog named Lylia who went from needing to be wheelbarrowed everywhere after tearing cruciate ligaments in both knees to taking short walks within a few weeks of starting a CBD tincture routine, and eventually returning to playing fetch. CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, which mammals including dogs and cats share with humans, potentially supporting pain signaling, inflammation response, and mood regulation. While research is still emerging, the anecdotal evidence from pet owners and some preliminary veterinary studies is encouraging. Always consult your vet before starting any new supplement for your pet.
How do you dose CBD tinctures for dogs?
The practical guideline used in this post is 1 drop of tincture per 10 pounds of body weight, given twice daily — morning and evening mixed into food. For a 65-pound dog that's approximately 6–7 drops per dose; for a 90-pound dog, a full dropper (approximately 14 drops) is appropriate. It's critically important to start slowly and observe your pet's response over several days before adjusting. Pets are significantly more sensitive to cannabinoids than humans, and getting the dose right takes patience. If your pet becomes unusually sleepy or sensitive to sound and touch, you've given a little too much — reduce the dose next time.
Is it safe to give pets CBD products made for humans?
It depends heavily on the product. The most important rule is that any CBD product given to a pet must contain no THC — pets, especially dogs, are far more sensitive to THC than humans and can experience serious distress from even small amounts. Pet-specific CBD products like Green Revolution's Bella & Max tincture and Fairwinds' CBD Companion are specifically formulated without THC and with flavors (salmon, bacon) designed to appeal to animals. Always read labels carefully and look for products specifically designed for pets or verified to be THC-free.
Can CBD help older or senior pets?
This is where many pet owners find the most meaningful benefit. As dogs and cats age they often experience joint pain, reduced mobility, anxiety, and general discomfort that can significantly reduce their quality of life. The stories shared in this post — including a miniature Dachshund named Kangaroo who went from being unable to get out of bed to returning to his old playful self on Fairwinds' CBD Companion — reflect the kind of quality-of-life improvement that many pet owners report with consistent CBD use. For senior pets especially, the goal is supporting comfort and enjoyment of daily life, not curing underlying conditions.
What should I expect when I first give my pet CBD?
Most pets take the tincture without complaint, especially when mixed into food or onto a tasty treat. Effects typically take a few days of consistent dosing to become noticeable — CBD generally works through cumulative use rather than single-dose immediacy. You may notice your pet seems calmer, moves more freely, or shows more interest in activities they've been avoiding. Increased thirst is very common — always keep a fresh bowl of water available after dosing. If you give slightly too much, your pet may be sleepy and sound-sensitive for a few hours, which passes without lasting harm. Reduce the dose for next time.
Where can I find CBD pet tinctures at Hashtag?
Hashtag carries a selection of tinctures including pet-friendly CBD options. Fairwinds' CBD Companion — available in bacon flavor and well-regarded by our team's own pets — and Green Revolution's Bella & Max salmon-flavored tincture are two of the most popular options for cats and dogs. Both are water-based and easy to mix into food or apply to a treat. Check our online menus in Redmond or ask a budtender for current availability and specific product recommendations based on your pet's size and needs.
Want to learn more about CBD and cannabis wellness?
Then check out our collection of related posts here!