CBD
Backed by Dr. Trina Hazzah and Charles Lozow, Esq.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
- CBD (Cannabidiol): Non-intoxicating phytocannabinoid used to support calm, comfort, and neurologic health.
- CBDA: The raw (acid) form of CBD. May absorb differently.
- CBDv (Cannabidivarin): A minor cannabinoid with emerging evidence for neurologic support, including seizure modulation.
- THC (Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol): Intoxicating compound. Dogs are sensitive to it.
- Terpenes: Aromatic compounds that can contribute scent and potential effects.
- Carrier Oil: The base oil that dissolves CBD and improves absorption. Common options include MCT oil, high oleic safflower oil, and hemp seed oil, each with different absorption profiles.
INTRODUCTION
arrow_rightWhat CBD Is
CBD (cannabidiol) is one of over 150 compounds called phytocannabinoids found in cannabis plants. Other major cannabinoids include CBDa, THCa, THC, CBG, CBN, and CBDv. Nearly all species, including dogs and cats, have an endocannabinoid system, a network of receptors and signaling chemicals that regulates inflammation, immune function, pain perception, and mood throughout the body.
Your dog's endocannabinoid system is well-developed and responds to cannabinoids from plants. These compounds interact with receptors found in every tissue: white blood cells, bone marrow, organs, skin, brain, and nervous system. The endocannabinoid system is unique to each animal, which explains why two dogs of the same breed and weight can respond completely differently to identical doses.
arrow_rightHemp vs. Marijuana
Hemp plants are cultivated to contain very low THC (0.3% or less by federal law). Marijuana plants contain more than 0.3% THC. Hemp-derived products are broadly used in veterinary practice and are federally legal. Marijuana-derived products with higher THC concentrations are not available as consumer products in most states and must be administered under the guidance of a veterinary cannabinoid expert, where permitted.
The key difference is that THC is intoxicating and produces psychoactive effects, while CBD does not make dogs “high.” Dogs are far more sensitive to THC than humans because they have more endocannabinoid receptors, making large doses of THC dangerous without proper guidance.
arrow_rightUnderstanding Product Types
- Full-Spectrum products contain CBD plus other cannabinoids, terpenes, and trace amounts of THC (up to or equal 0.3% for hemp-derived products). The presence of multiple compounds creates the “entourage effect” where benefits are enhanced at lower doses.
- Broad-Spectrum products contain CBD plus other cannabinoids and terpenes, but no detectable THC. These work well for owners who want cannabinoid diversity without any THC exposure.
- Isolate products contain only CBD as a single molecule. These require significantly higher doses to achieve effects and don't provide the entourage effect benefits.
Studies comparing isolate products to full-spectrum or broad-spectrum products consistently show that full-spectrum formulations work better for pain, seizures, and various other conditions. They're also better tolerated, require lower doses, and reduce the risk of side effects. When you use an isolate, you need significantly higher doses to achieve the same effect, which increases the risk of drug interactions and side effects.
BENEFITS
CBD works over 65 different targets in your dog's body. Unlike THC, most of CBD's effects don't come from binding to cannabinoid receptors. Instead, CBD influences serotonin receptors, adenosine signaling, and multiple other pathways that affect inflammatory response, pain perception, and cellular function:
Over 100 publications examine the anti-cancer effects of CBD and THC. In dogs specifically, five studies have looked at cancer cells in lab settings. Early studies suggest CBD may enhance the effects of chemotherapy drugs.
When combined with standard chemotherapy protocols, CBD creates an additive or synergistic effect where the combination may kill more cancer cells than simply adding the individual effects together.
Research also shows that CBD, THC, and CBN can inhibit mechanisms that make cancer cells resistant to chemotherapy, potentially keeping dogs on chemotherapy longer before resistance develops.
CBD has natural pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties that make it effective for managing joint pain, arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and cancer-related pain. One survey found that when pet parents were asked why they used CBD, 56% thought it was the best treatment for pain.
An analysis of five studies investigating 117 dogs with osteoarthritis demonstrated that treatment with oral full-spectrum CBD oil led to observable improvements in pain scores and activity levels.
Clinical case tracking across thousands of custom veterinary cannabinoid formulations has demonstrated consistent improvement in pain scores and activity in dogs with osteoarthritis, with effects typically observed within 2–4 weeks of reaching therapeutic dose.
Studies in rodent models showed CBDA provided significant anti-nausea effects when animals were given substances that cause severe nausea. CBDA demonstrated 100x more potent anti-emetic effect vs CBD.
For dogs with inflammatory bowel disease, CBD can help decrease inflammation in the intestines, which may reduce clinical signs such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Cannabis also affects the gut microbiome. CBD and THC specifically upregulate cannabinoid receptors in the GI tract and influence the type of bacteria that is more prominent. THC increases beneficial bacteria and reduces harmful bacteria.
CBD can provide relief from anxiety and situational stress like vet visits or travel. THC can enhance calming effects, but dosing matters significantly.
THC is biphasic, meaning it produces different effects at different doses. Low doses of THC help anxiety by changing perception of stressful situations. Too much THC creates the opposite effect. If your dog shows signs of paranoia or heightened anxiety, you've given too much THC.
THC must be administered under the guidance of a veterinary cannabinoid expert.
CBD has been shown in multiple studies to help reduce the seizure frequency in epileptic dogs.
A study in dogs with drug-resistant epilepsy found that adding CBD (9 mg/kg/day) to their existing seizure medications significantly reduced how often they had seizures compared to dogs given a placebo. Dogs receiving CBD had 24% fewer seizure days, while dogs on placebo actually had 6% more seizure days.
CBD serves as an important tool in quality of life care, helping manage symptoms when families choose to focus on quality of life rather than aggressive treatment.
Studies in humans with stage four cancers showed 90% of patients who survived six months felt better and experienced substantially improved quality of life.
Dogs show similar benefits with increased appetite, improved mood, more playful behavior, and reduced pain without the heavy sedation from many conventional pain medications.
Evaluation
The CBD industry for pets is saturated with products that don't deliver what they promise. In a randomized analysis of 55 popular over-the-counter pet CBD products, only 44% contained the advertised amount of CBD. The remaining 56% of products were off by 10% to 98% of the label claim. One study examining 29 different veterinary CBD products found that four contained elevated levels of contaminants, with three of those four showing dangerous lead levels.
The Certificate of Analysis (COA) tells you exactly what's in the product and whether it's safe. Every legitimate CBD product must have a COA available for each batch produced. You should find it on the company website or as a QR code on the packaging. If you can't locate it easily, contact the company directly before purchasing. If they don't provide it, don't use the product.
After reviewing the COA, check for these quality markers:
This means samples were sent to an independent, accredited laboratory with no connection to the company. Third-party testing maintains objectivity and verifies both the safety and potency of CBD and other compounds in the product. The COA should list which credentialed laboratory performed the testing.
The COA must match the specific batch number on your product bottle. Formulations can vary between batches, so testing must be batch-specific, not just one test for all products the company makes.
Veterinary-specific products in dispensaries don't yet exist as a separate category, which means pet products follow the same testing thresholds as human products. These thresholds are too high for dogs and cats.
When purchasing a CBD product for your dog, check to make sure the company has:
- A professional website that exists and functions. When purchasing CBD products on Amazon, you risk purchasing a potentially counterfeit or mislabeled product.
- Been in business for more than a brief period.
- A veterinarian involved in product formulation or a veterinarian who endorses the product.
- Citations to, or published research on clinical trials demonstrating the safety and efficacy of their specific products or expertise in cannabinoid formulation for dogs.
- Telephone or email access to veterinary expertise for questions or emergencies.
THC dosing needs to be under the guidance of a veterinarian. It needs to be considered as a dose limiting cannabinoid. So when dosing, start low and titrate slowly until you find the dose that works best for your dog.
Dogs have more endocannabinoid receptors than humans and are more sensitive to THC, which can be harmful, especially if improperly consumed in the form of human recreational THC edibles.
SAFETY
Always consult your veterinarian before starting CBD, especially if your dog has serious health conditions. Dogs with underlying cardiac disease require extra caution when using cannabis products as high doses of THC or CBD can cause tachycardia (rapid heart rate) and arrhythmias. Never supplement blindly if your dog has existing liver disease. CBD is metabolized in the liver and can cause increases in liver enzymes in some dogs.
IMPORTANT
Drug interactions exist. CBD is metabolized in the liver and can interact with other medications your dog takes, changing how those drugs work.
Never use products containing xylitol. Xylitol is toxic to dogs.
CBD and other cannabinoids can have side effects, especially when dosing is too high or titration happens too quickly:
- Sedation or lethargy
- Dry mouth (increased thirst)
- Changes in appetite
- Diarrhea or digestive upset
- Urinary incontinence (more common with THC)
- Ataxia (wobbliness)
There is no known lethal dose of THC. Dogs given 3,000 mg per kg of THC in research studies did not die from THC directly. However, intoxication can be dangerous if dogs aspirate due to extreme sedation or enter a comatose state. The goal is appropriate dosing to avoid intoxication while maximizing therapeutic benefits.
DOSING
CBD dosing for dogs isn't one-size-fits-all. Every dog has different needs based on body weight, the condition being treated, symptom severity, and individual response. The way your dog responds and tolerates certain cannabis doses is unique to them. Finding the right dose takes time and observation, and should be done under the guidance of a veterinarian or professional cannabis consultant.
Start low, go slow. Begin with the lowest recommended dose on the product label and gradually increase over time until you see the desired effect.
Always give CBD with or immediately after food. Giving cannabinoids with food increases bioavailability significantly.
CBD can be administered multiple times throughout the day. Consistent timing helps maintain steady levels in your dog's system.
Tinctures (liquid drops) taken orally are most precise for dosing. Treats and food toppers are less accurate because you can't control exact cannabinoid amounts, but may be easier to administer.
State regulations vary dramatically. Some states don't allow veterinarians to discuss cannabis at all. Others allow discussion and recommendation, but many veterinarians are still learning about CBD and may not feel comfortable discussing it yet. If your vet can't provide guidance, veterinary cannabis consultation services are available to help you make informed decisions about product selection and dosing for your individual dog.
arrow_rightReferences
Wallace, J.E., Kogan, L.R., Carr, E.C.J. et al. Motivations and expectations for using cannabis products to treat pain in humans and dogs: a mixed methods study. J Cannabis Res 2, 36 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-020-00045-x
Patikorn, C., Nerapusee, O., Soontornvipart, K., Lawonyawut, K., Musikpodok, K., Waleethanaphan, K., & Anantachoti, P. (2023). Efficacy and safety of cannabidiol for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of animal intervention studies. Frontiers in veterinary science, 10, 1248417. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1248417
Bolognini, D., Rock, E. M., Cluny, N. L., Cascio, M. G., Limebeer, C. L., Duncan, M., Stott, C. G., Javid, F. A., Parker, L. A., & Pertwee, R. G. (2013). Cannabidiolic acid prevents vomiting in Suncus murinus and nausea-induced behaviour in rats by enhancing 5-HT1A receptor activation. British journal of pharmacology, 168(6), 1456–1470. https://doi.org/10.1111/bph.12043
Rozental, A. J., Weisbeck, B. G., Corsato Alvarenga, I., Gustafson, D. L., Kusick, B. R., Rao, S., Bartner, L. R., & McGrath, S. (2023). The efficacy and safety of cannabidiol as adjunct treatment for drug-resistant idiopathic epilepsy in 51 dogs: A double-blinded crossover study. Journal of veterinary internal medicine, 37(6), 2291–2300. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16912
Baral, A., Diggs, B. A., Marrakchi El Fellah, R., McCarley, C., Penedo, F., Martinez, C., & Vidot, D. C. (2024). Cannabis Use Among Cancer Patients During Active Treatment: Findings From a Study at an NCI-Designated Cancer Center. Cancer medicine, 13(21), e70384. https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.70384
Oleinik, G. (2022, October 16). Leafreport releases findings from pet CBD report showing 56% of products have inaccurate label claims. Leafreport. https://www.leafreport.com/education/leafreport-releases-findings-from-pet-cbd-report-showing-56-of-products-have-inaccurate-label-claims-10676
Dubrow, G. A., Pawar, R. S., Srigley, C., Fong Sam, J., Talavera, C., Parker, C. H., & Noonan, G. O. (2021). A survey of cannabinoids and toxic elements in hemp-derived products from the United States marketplace. Journal of food composition and analysis : an official publication of the United Nations University, International Network of Food Data Systems, 97, 103800. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2020.103800
Veterinary Cannabis Society. (n.d.). Veterinary Cannabis Society. https://veterinarycannabissociety.org/