CBD Oil for Dogs – A Beginner’s Guide

Is CBD oil safe and effective for dogs? Not proven. Small trials in dogs with osteoarthritis and epilepsy found some benefit, along with raised liver enzymes, vomiting and decreased appetite, and the FDA has approved no cannabis product for animals, so the product and any dose should come from your veterinarian.

Pet owners often ask whether medical cannabis laws cover animals; Florida’s law covers only the certified patient. In California, AB 2215 (2018), as amended by AB 1885 (2022), bars the state’s veterinary board from disciplining a veterinarian solely for discussing or recommending cannabis for an animal. That protection does not apply in cases of negligence or incompetence, or when the veterinarian works for or has an agreement with a licensed cannabis business. Veterinarians there still may not dispense or administer cannabis to an animal patient. The FDA, which approves animal drugs, cautions pet owners against cannabis products marketed for pets and recommends talking with a veterinarian about treatment options.

State rules on what veterinarians may say about cannabis differ, so what your vet can discuss depends on where you live. Our CBD for dogs post covers federal hemp rules and Florida’s treatment centers; this guide covers the dog studies, side effects and what to check in a product.

Can Pets Benefit from CBD Oil?

All mammals have an endocannabinoid system, but that alone does not mean cannabinoids are good for pets. Unfortunately, there have been few clinical studies that focus on the benefits of cannabinoids for dogs. However, we do know that THC can be toxic to dogs.

That is one reason pet CBD products are usually made from hemp, which under current federal law can have no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC on a dry-weight basis.

Research on the benefits and effects of CBD in pets is still limited. But there have been a few studies.

For example, one 2018 study took a look at the efficacy of cannabidiol in dogs with osteoarthritis pain. In that small randomized crossover trial, owners and vets rated less pain and more activity during CBD treatment. Owners reported no side effects, but blood tests showed a rise in the liver enzyme alkaline phosphatase.

A 2019 randomized blinded trial in 26 dogs with hard-to-control epilepsy found a median 33% drop in seizures with CBD added to their usual drugs, but no more dogs responded than with placebo.

What Has CBD Been Studied for in Dogs?

Owners and researchers have looked at CBD for a range of problems, but the FDA has not approved it for any use in animals. Areas studied or reported include:

• Anxiety and stress: Owners often try CBD for noise or separation anxiety; this use rests on owner reports rather than trial results.
• Joint pain: The small 2018 trial described above found lower pain scores in dogs with osteoarthritis
• Digestive problems: Evidence is limited to early animal research, and vomiting and decreased appetite were more common on CBD in a 2023 trial in 51 dogs.
• Seizures: In that 2023 crossover trial in dogs with drug-resistant epilepsy, CBD cut seizure days by 24.1% versus a 5.8% rise on placebo, with no more responders, and liver enzymes rose.
• Arthritis: Apart from the small 2018 dog trial, evidence in dogs and cats is limited
• Chronic inflammation: Anti-inflammatory effects come mainly from lab and animal research, not trials in pets
• Moderate to severe pain: The dog trials described here did not study severe pain; ask your vet about approved pain medicines.

Results in people do not automatically carry over to dogs, so each use needs its own veterinary research.

Dosage

There is no FDA-approved CBD dose for dogs. Doses in the trials above were set by veterinarians and differed by study, so any dose should come from your veterinarian, who can also check liver enzymes.

Side Effects

Dog trials have reported side effects, though more study is needed to learn the full range. Those reported in the trials above include:

• Higher liver enzyme levels on blood tests
• Vomiting and decreased appetite
• Drowsiness or wobbly walking (ataxia)

What to Look for in a CBD Oil?

Be wary of big promises on pet supplements. The FDA warns that CBD products may be contaminated with THC or other substances, and it has not approved CBD products for pets, so their labels are not checked the way drug labels are.

Other Tips for Purchasing & Giving CBD to Your Dog:

A few practical points for choosing a CBD oil for your dog:

• Check for contaminants: Look for lab results that test for pesticides and solvents; an organic label alone does not prove a product is clean.
• Look past the price: A higher price does not prove quality. Make sure that the oil you choose is free of additives and has the advertised amount of CBD.
• Get an Analysis: In Florida, hemp extract may be sold only with an independent lab certificate of analysis, linked from a QR code or barcode on the container. You can go even further and ask where it was sourced and the extraction process. If your supplier can’t answer these questions, go elsewhere.
• Ask about the form: CBD comes in treats and tinctures; whatever the form, the amount should come from your veterinarian, not from trial and error.

If you buy CBD-infused treats for your dog, keep them separate from your other treats. That way a child or visitor is less likely to give your dog extra CBD by mistake, which matters because a January 2025 FDA notice in the Federal Register says no FDA-approved, conditionally approved or indexed animal drug contains CBD and that significant data gaps remain on CBD in animals.

The Takeaway

We all want our pets to live long, happy lives. CBD is easy to find in pet products, but the evidence in dogs comes from a few small trials, so treat it as unproven. Even for a healthy dog, the FDA says it cannot ensure the safety of cannabis products for pets. However, if your dog has any medical condition for which it is receiving medication or treatment from a vet, speak to the veterinarian before adding CBD as a supplement.