CBD oil may help your dog with certain health and behavior issues. While it won't make them high, there's some evidence it might help ease their pain, sleep problems, and anxiety,. But there's a lot to consider before giving your dog CBD or other supplements.
CBD, or cannabidiol, is found in marijuana or hemp plants. CBD oils you can buy for dogs come from hemp, which doesn't have THC. That's the ingredient that gives you a high.
When you're considering CBD for your dog, ask if it's safe and effective, says Michala de Linde Henriksen, DVM, who is an ophthalmologist at North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine in Raleigh, NC.
"If you do want to use CBD on your dog, you should talk to your vet about it," she says. You can buy CBD products for your dog at some pet stores or online, but that doesn't mean they work or they're the best treatment option.
CBD may come with risks for your dog, especially if they're taking other medication. Also, be aware some states don't allow veterinarians to even discuss CBD.
How to Give Your Dog CBD
Some CBD products for dogs are oils you can drop on their food. Others come in treat-like chews. They often contain a variety of other ingredients, too. They claim they relieve your dog's anxiety, stress, joint pain, and more.
When selecting a CBD product, choose one from a reputable company. Supplements aren't regulated in the same way prescription medications are. Not all CBD products are equally safe or effective.
"You just really don't know what you're buying," Henriksen says. "Do some research to find the products you can trust. It's so important that there's not any, or less than 0.3%, THC in these products because THC is toxic for dogs."
There are some things to look for in CBD products, says Joseph Wakshlag, DVM, an expert in clinical nutrition at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, NY.
"Look for the evidence that a company has a quality product. This will be in their third party certificate of analysis, which looks at cannabinoids in the product as well as toxins like heavy metals, pesticides, and mycotoxins, as well as for bad bugs like salmonella and pathogenic E. coli," Wakshlag says.
"That is the first step. Then ask if the company can share any pharmacokinetics related to the recommended dose. And lastly, any efficacy studies. What you'll find is there are only two to three companies that hit this mark."
Some questions to ask about any CBD product for your dog are:
- Was this grown organically?
- How was CBD taken out from the hemp?
- Does your company conduct research?
- Has your product been tested by an independent company?
What Are the Uses of CBD in Dogs?
There's growing interest in CBD supplements for various health conditions in dogs. But evidence of their effectiveness is limited.
CBD for dog anxiety
In people, there's some proof CBD might help with anxiety disorders such as:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Panic disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
It isn't clear if it's OK to take CBD long term.
Some pet owners think CBD helps their dogs with anxiety, too. One study showed dogs who took a CBD chew before a stressful event had fewer signs of anxiety or stress. Another study looked at CBD use in dogs for six months to see if it helped with stress. It found CBD lowered some signs of stress in dogs. More study is needed to understand how CBD affects anxiety and well-being in dogs.
CBD for dog epilepsy
There's some evidence that CBD may help with inflammation in your dog's nervous system. One study looked at the effects of CBD on inflammatory signals in dogs taking anti-seizure medicines for epilepsy and found some proof that CBD helped reduce inflammation by altering the dogs' immune responses. While more study is needed, it suggests CBD may have benefits for dogs with epilepsy. But CBD isn't a substitute for epilepsy medications.
CBD for dog arthritis
CBD's anti-inflammatory effects may help your dog's pain and joint inflammation that comes with arthritis. There's some suggestion it may help them with mobility. But CBD won't cure their arthritis or prevent joint damage.
One review of CBD treatment for osteoarthritis in dogs looked at five studies that lasted 4-12 weeks. Three showed CBD oil might ease their pain. But the certainty of the findings was low. The review concluded that CBD might help your dog with arthritis pain, but evidence on how well it works is uncertain. More study is needed to test CBD as a treatment for arthritis in dogs.
CBD for eye conditions in dogs
A recent review looked at CBD as a treatment for eye diseases in dogs. Studies looked at its potential for treating conditions such as:
- Glaucoma
- Cornea diseases
- Uveitis or other uveal diseases
- Retina diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy
CBD is of interest for eye conditions because of its anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. But there aren't many studies testing its effects on dogs' eyes or eye conditions. CBD gets excreted in tears, but it doesn't lower eye pressure. It's possible it could lower inflammation on your dog's eye surface.
More study is needed to understand CBD's effects on dogs' eyes and whether it can help with various eye conditions in dogs.
What's the Right Dosage of CBD for Dogs?
There's no standard dose of CBD to treat any condition in dogs. It's also unclear how much dogs should take, if any, and for how long.
Wakshlag says studies showed CBD is safe for dogs at doses up to 10 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg). But common dosing is 2-4 milligrams per kilogram. Studies looked at safety in dogs taking CBD for three to six months. The evidence available so far suggests CBD at safe doses may have benefits.
Doses of 2 milligrams per kilogram, every 12 hours, may help your dog's arthritis pain, and 2.5-4.5 milligrams per kilogram, every 12 hours, may help prevent seizures from epilepsy.
"As far as anxiety is concerned, the dosing usually needs to be in the 4 mg/kg [range] or maybe even higher, and there are some models where there's mild efficacy," Wakshlag says. "However, the evidence is sparse and higher doses are often needed, particularly for situational anxiety like a car ride, groomer visit, noise phobia, etcetera."
What Are the Potential Benefits of CBD for Dogs?
More study is needed to confirm any benefits of CBD for any health conditions in dogs. Some think it may work as an:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antioxidant
- Neuroprotective agent
- Anticancer agent
CBD oil may help:
- Ease inflammation
- Soothe nausea
- Stimulate appetite
- Ease pain
- Control seizures
- Boost heart health
- Lower anxiety
But there's no proof CBD helps your dog with anything. More research is needed.
What Are the Potential Risks of CBD for Dogs?
There's limited information on CBD's side effects and risks when used in dogs. It's not a good idea to replace proven medications for your dog with CBD supplements. Experts don't yet know proper dosages or what amounts can be toxic when taken in the long term. If your dog isn't taking any other medicine, the risk of CBD is probably low, according to Wakshlag.
"The biggest issue could be drug-drug interactions, but as a sole agent the risks seem very low," he says.
CBD can also increase liver enzymes in some dogs. Experts aren't sure what effect that may have on your dog's health, Henriksen says.
A report from the National Animal Supplement Council showed very bad effects in dogs in very rare cases. That's similar to other health supplements for dogs.
CBD may cause your dog to have diarrhea, drooling, vomiting, or decreased body weight. Other possible side effects, based on how CBD affects some people, may include:
Dry mouth or eye. It may temporarily limit the amount of saliva, or spit, your dog makes. They may be very thirsty. It also may dry out their eyes, which can be a problem, especially if they have dry eye disease.
Low blood pressure. CBD can cause a sudden temporary drop in blood pressure for people. While a drop of CBD may seem small, it may cause lightheadedness for your dog.
Drowsiness. Its calming effects may make your dog sleepy if you give them a lot.
Fertility problems. Some studies found this issue in male animals exposed to CBD. While this is a bigger concern in people taking CBD, it's less of an issue for dogs, as many are neutered and not used in breeding.
Is CBD Legal for Dogs?
Laws around cannabis and CBD can be confusing and vary depending on where you live. It's illegal in the U.S. to market CBD as a dietary supplement for people or add it to food meant for people. The FDA is cracking down on companies that do so.
In some states, veterinarians aren't allowed to recommend CBD for pets or give any dosing information. Check with your veterinarian and your state's laws before buying a CBD product for your dog.
Takeaways
Many CBD products are marketed for use in dogs and available in some pet stores and online. There's some evidence that CBD may help dogs with anxiety, pain, inflammation, or seizures. But studies of CBD in dogs are limited. It's important to check with your veterinarian or let them know if you're using, or thinking about using, CBD for your dog. It may have risks, especially if your dog takes other medicines. Check on laws about CBD use in your state.
CBD Oil for Dogs FAQs
Will CBD oil make my dog high?
No.
How long does it take for CBD oil to work in dogs?
It's not clear how effective CBD is for your dog or how long it takes to work.
Can I give my dog CBD oil for arthritis or joint pain?
Check with your veterinarian first, especially if your dog takes other medicines.
Can I use human CBD oil for my dog?
No. It's not a good idea to use a product meant for humans on your dog.
