There’s several different CBD oil and hemp products for dogs on the market.
In this guide, we’ve aimed to provide some introductory level information on these types of products.
You should see a vet for their opinion (on Hemp and CBD) before making any decisions on giving your dog CBD or hemp products though.
(NOTE: this is a general information guide only, and is not professional advice, or a substitute for professional advice. A qualified vet or animal expert is the only person qualified to give you expert advice in regards to your pet/s)
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CBD Oil & Hemp Products For Dogs
Summary – Hemp & CBD Oil For Dogs
Different toxicologists and vets unofficially say similar things about Hemp and CBD oil from the information we read
They say generally that Hemp and CBD Oil might anecdotally help with some symptoms of some issues like anxiety and stress, but there are some potential risks to consider such as Hemp and CBD oil not being regulated or approved yet by the FDA, manufacturers being able to put different ingredients in their products, and there being no long term studies done on whether there are long term risks for pets or not
The use of Hemp and CBD oil products for pets at this stage are mainly based on limited research, anecdotal evidence, manufacturer recommendations, and veterinarians’ personal experiences.
Some owners report that Hemp and CBD Oil products have helped their pets with various issues and ailments, whilst some have seen no difference after giving their pets the product
What About Cannabis Oil?
Cannabis oil has a higher THC concentration than Hemp and CBD oil, so there could be even more risk using Cannabis oil than Hemp or CBD oil from Hemp.
Also note there is a difference between cannabis oil intended medically for human use, and other types of cannabis oil.
Hemp vs CBD Oil vs Cannabis – What Are They, & What’s The Difference?
There are far better and more detailed explanations on the internet, but a short summary of what each is might be:
Cannabis
This is the plant that hemp and Marijuana comes from. It’s called the Cannabis Sativa plant
Hemp
Hemp plants are defined as any cannabis plant that has 0.3 percent or less THC (analyticalcannabis.com). [The hemp plant can use hemp seeds, hemp oil, and hemp fiber for making a number of different products like food, supplements, fabrics, and more] (medicaljane.com)
Marijuana
In the United States, marijuana is defined as any Cannabis sativa plant that has greater than 0.3 percent THC (analyticalcannabis.com)
CBD Oil
Unless you go to a marijuana dispensary to purchase CBD oil, the CBD oil that you find is made exclusively from the hemp plant. This product is often referred as hemp oil, CBD oil, or CBD hemp oil (analyticalcannabis.com)
Cannabis Oil
Cannabis oil, on the other hand, is oil extracted from marijuana varieties of the cannabis plant (analyticalcannabis.com)
THC
THC, short for tetrahydrocannabinol, is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. The more THC you consume, the more changes you will notice in your cognition and how you feel. In essence, THC gets you “high.” (analyticalcannabis.com). Only THC contains psychoactive substances, meaning that Hemp and CBD will not get [someone] “high” (cannabiscompany.com.au)
Are Hemp & CBD Oil Products Safe For Dogs?
From petcircle.com.au:
Studies performed on dogs in the 1970s demonstrated that they have more THC receptor brains than humans and any other animal studied, making them extremely sensitive to cannabis products containing THC. This means that dogs are at a greater risk of adverse effects caused by cannabis including neurological depression and even death.
Hemp is very low in both CBD and THC compared to Cannabis. Hemp oil is low in CBD both THC, making adverse (or positive) effects from these unlikely. Quality of hemp oil is unregulated so there could be any number of contaminants or other harmful byproducts of extraction present.
While pet owners in areas where cannabis oil is legal and accessible may report positive responses, currently there is not sufficient evidence to support the use of cannabis oil for use as a first line therapy.
Before cannabis oil can be considered as a treatment option for pets safety trials and additional research to prove its efficacy is required. Currently the TGA actively discourages pet owners from using human cannabis oil products in their pets.
From theconversation.com:
THC is known to be toxic to dogs
Hemp differs from marijuana in that it has a significantly lower THC content with predominantly more CBD. In a sense, this lessens the chances that an individual or pet will experience the negative side effects of THC, as CBD doesn’t exert the same psychoactive potential. However, there are no regulations on the chemical makeup of hemp products and therefore no way of really knowing, apart from relying on manufacturers’ labels for batch-to-batch variability in THC content. Additionally, very little is known regarding the long-term health effects of chronic exposure to these products, or about their use in conjunction with other medications.
CBD oil … products are not regulated and therefore may still exhibit variability in chemical makeup. Additionally, many of the claims about cannabinoids’ effectiveness are anecdotal and have not yet been scientifically proven
[A toxicologist is skeptical at best that Hemp and CBD oil products are safe for pets]
From Huffpost.com, about CBD oil:
According to the American Kennel Club, there have been no formal studies in how [CBD oil] affects dogs, and our expert backed that up.
It’s unknown if CBD oil helps with pain, but pets seem to be less reactive to low level pain stimuli, for example arthritis and things like that, when they take the product
[It’s unknown if there is risks as] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved CBD for use in dogs (or humans) and has not issued dosing recommendations, and any medication or supplement carries the potential risk of reaction, so it’s important to try a small dose first and monitor how your dog reacts to it
CBD products for dogs – whether oil or in a treat – have been shown to anecdotally help with some issues like pain and anxiety, but too few studies are available to conclusively say they will help. It’s best to talk with your vet about your dog’s specific issues and heed the doctor’s recommendations
What Are The Different Types Of CBD Oil & Hemp Dog Products Available, & What Are They Made For?
Some of the most popular products on the market right now might be:
Made to help reduce stress, hyperactivity and anxiety. Made in an FDA-registered, GMP-certified facility in the USA.
Made to help reduce joint pain and inflammation. Made in an FDA-registered, GMP-certified facility in the USA
Made to help dogs feel more calm and comfortable. Made in the USA in a cGMP facility.
Made to help relieve stress, aggression and hyperactivity
- Zesty Paws Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil with Refined Virgin Hemp Seed Oil Dog & Cat Supplement (on Chewy)
May may help to support coat health, joint mobility, heart health, stress levels and immunity. Manufactured in the USA, inside FDA-registered facilities that are NSF and GMP-certified.
dogsnaturallymagazine.com also lists some additional uses for Hemp and CBD Oil products.
They also provide some tips on products such as:
Making sure the product is organic
Not buying cheap products, and paying higher for quality and pure products
Getting a lab analysis from the manufacturer
Buying a tincture
(NOTE: all products should be used per the manufacturer’s instructions, and make sure only to buy products approved for use by official regulators like the FDA)
Do Hemp & CBD Oil Products Actually Work?
Reading the reviews of the different products above:
It appears some customers saw some positive effects such as relaxation and claiming, whilst some saw no improvements on things like anxiety and stress at all.
It appears some customers saw improvement in mobility or their dog’s activity level, whilst others didn’t.
It appears some customers saw improvement in things like coat health, whilst others didn’t.
So, it appears there’s mixed reviews on whether the products are doing anything or not.
Sources
1. https://www.analyticalcannabis.com/articles/hemp-vs-marijuana-is-there-a-difference-311880
2. https://cannabiscompany.com.au/pages/the-difference-between-hemp-and-marijuana
3. https://www.medicaljane.com/2015/01/14/the-differences-between-hemp-and-cannabis/
4. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/cbd-oil-dogs-pros-cons_l_5d77b7e6e4b0645135754d14
5. https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/5-reasons-to-use-hemp-oil-for-dogs/
6. https://theconversation.com/your-pet-on-pot-or-even-cbd-not-a-good-thing-a-vet-toxicologist-explains-113421
7. https://www.petcircle.com.au/discover/hemp-and-cannabis-oil-for-pets
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