The CBD industry is exploding for both people and pets, so you may be wondering, is human-grade CBD safe for dogs? The short answer is: it depends.
In most cases, it’s safe to give your dogs human grade CBD. Factors that can make it dangerous to give your dog human CBD include other added ingredients toxic to your dog, other medications they’re also taking, & potency. Always talk to your vet before adding CBD to your dog’s routine.
Let’s take a look below to see what other factors can help you optimize the safety in giving your dog human grade CBD.
We will look at the difference between human and pet CBD and what veterinarians say about this super-natural cannabis compound.
Is Human Grade CBD Safe For Dogs?
At the end of the day, you should talk to a veterinarian and do what is best for your dog.
Without knowing your pet’s underlying condition, their current medications (if any), and the brand of CBD oil you are using, there is no concrete answer.
Learn More: Can I Give My Dog CBD Oil And Phenobarbital?
While there are very few fact-based studies on CBD for dogs and other pets, pet owners are happy to try CBD products to reduce physical and psychological issues.
It’s understandable that pet owners want to know if human-grade CBD oil is safe for dogs.
Let’s look at two different pilot studies in the US, one based in Colorado, and the other one completed at Cornell University.
Both studies focus on OA (osteoarthritis) in dogs. The Cornell study focuses on CBD safety and efficacy, while the Colorado study focuses on CBD to treat pain.
Both studies used hemp. The Colorado study used locally grown certified organic hemp seed oil combined with 1,000mg of a full-spectrum hemp extract in their oil.
The Cornell study used a full-spectrum industrial extract with an olive oil base.
Both contained minute traces of other essential cannabinoids like CBC, CBG, and trace amounts of THC.
The ingredients used to create the CBD compound are nearly identical to that of a CBD oil for human consumption.
Is Dog CBD The Same As Human CBD?
Most of the ingredients are similar to the ingredient label for both human and pet CBD products.
They will either be CBD-isolate or a full-spectrum product that contains minimal amounts of other beneficial cannabinoids along with a carrier oil.
When you take a look at the published studies, they too have a similar ingredient list.
Why wouldn’t human CBD be safe for your dog?
There are a few reasons why.
For one, you may like the refreshing taste of peppermint, but I bet your ole’ pal Rex would prefer beef or bacon flavor.
Learn More: Can I Give My Dog Peppermint CBD Oil? A Detailed Guide
What’s The Difference Between Pet CBD And Human CBD?
Because there is no standardization or regulation of the US and the FDA has not approved any CBD products for dogs, the CBD market is quite volatile and unpredictable.
It’s not so much the difference between a pet and human CBD that should concern you. It’s more about the product itself.
Where the CBD oil is made and dosage guidelines are essential factors to consider.
Here are five things about any brand that you should consider before you purchase a CBD oil product for your dog.
- Proper labelling and dosing guidelines on the product
- The Company’s background
- Third-party lab testing and analysis
- Claims on the label. Product’s with label claims can be a red-flag
- A straightforward ingredients list on the product.
How Much Human CBD Oil Do I Give My Dog?
The dosage guidelines for a 5kg dog will be different for a 50 kg dog, depending on required potency and if they’re taking any other medications.
The Cornell study gave both 2mg/kg and 8mg/kg doses to dogs, and the half-life elimination median or the time it takes for half the CBD oil to reach half its original dosage was 4.2 hours in both doses.
They also noted that both the 2mg/kg and 8mg/kg dose revealed no psychoactive properties in a 24 hour dosing period. So, in their clinical trials, they used 2mg/kg every 12 hours.
Can CBD Oil Kill A Dog?
While no science can guarantee 100% safety, no research shows CBD oil can kill a dog. The most common unwanted side effect is lethargy or sleepiness.
When it comes to veterinary science, cannabinoids derived from cannabis like CBD are a relatively new therapeutic remedy.
The study linked above shows that a 2mg/kg dose of CBD oil given orally every 12 hours had no adverse effects on the healthy dogs that participated in the 12-week study.
Do Vets Recommend CBD Oil For Dogs?
In 2018, the US passed the Agricultural Improvement Act, which took hemp off the Schedule 1 Controlled Substances Act drug list.
Finally, the doors are open for scientists and doctors to research the therapeutically beneficial properties of cannabinoids like CBD.
However, to this day, the FDA has not approved any CBD products for dogs. They also haven’t approved any hemp-based pet foods.
The few studies we have to rely on say that CBD oil can reduce physical, neurological, and psychological pain.
Unfortunately, not many studies focus on the safety and efficacy of human-grade CBD for dogs. However, a Colorado study on 30 dogs suffering from arthritis shows that CBD can improve physical joint pain.
Because the FDA has only approved three cannabis-related products for humans and none for pets, veterinarians can’t legally recommend CBD.
That doesn’t mean that they don’t see how therapeutically beneficial this cannabinoid can be.
Before you purchase a CBD product for your dog, speak to your veterinarian.
While they cannot legally recommend CBD for dogs, they may have advice and guidelines you can follow.
A study published in July 2020 talks about hemp in veterinary medicine and how CBD and other cannabinoids show promise in treating both neurological and physiological ailments like OA.
Again, research is at the beginning stage, but more studies are being conducted thanks to the Farm Bill of 2018.
What’s The Best CBD Oil For Dogs?
A high-quality CBD oil made from organic hemp with third-party lab testing results is the best CBD oil for dogs and humans.
Looking at the five criteria listed above, you want a CBD oil made by a company with a quality reputation for producing safe cannabinoid-based products.
Two quality CBD companies we recommend.
- Medterra (check pricing)
- Joy Organics (check pricing)
Low quality CBD companies may produce toxic products that can have harmful herbicides, pesticides, and/or trace metals.
The best CBD oil for your dog will be made with organic hemp or cannabis and from a reputable company.
Since Idaho has strict CBD law, we recommend you always double check the lab results to verify there’s not even trace amounts of THC in the oil you’re about to purchase.
A quality lab test will also test for the harmful toxins.
Make sure the CBD company you’re purchasing from has tested your batch for heavy metals, pesticides, etc.
