CBD For Pets. Is It Safe
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CBD FOR PETS. IS IT 
SAFE?
When we talk about CBD-based derivatives it’s often in relation to treating an 
array of chronic conditions. Now that the distinction between cannabidiol 
(CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has entered common understanding, 
CBD is at the fore of a vibrant new kind of health and wellness. Many of 
these conditions — chronic pain, anxiety disorder, acne, even severe 
epilepsy – whose sufferers relied on pharmaceuticals to treat, have in recent 
years received gotten considerable attention for being compatible with CBD 
treatments. So, should we use CBD for pets?
I recently visited my cousin, whose husband Jacob owns a large property in 
eastern Ontario. For more than ten years he and his father have bred 
champion Doberman Pinschers. It goes without saying that a Doberman is 
one of the most athletic breeds in the world, and the sought after dogs bred 
by Jacob’s family certainly turns heads on the street. 
Like many breeds, Dobermans can 
suffer from canine hip dysplasia, which 
leads to painful arthritis and can 
inhibit movement. What shocked me 
was that a dog typically might grow up 
with dysphagia conditions and learn to 
tolerate the pain as it gets older. After 
mentioning this to Jacob it wasn’t long 
before we started discussing whether 
to use CBD to treat this and other 
conditions for animals. 
Veterinary cannabis products can come in a lot of the same formats as they do for humans: 
there are chewables, tinctures and topicals just for pets available. And just like the products 
we use pet CBD products can have a wide range of effects on an animal’s body depending on 
how they’re used. A study released in 2018 found CBD lead to increased activity in dogs with 
osteodegenerative conditions. Another study released the following year concluded CBD may 
potentially reduce the number of seizures in epileptic dogs. For breeders like Jacob, this all 
sounds promising, but studies like these are still preliminary — both were relatively small 
despite having an optimistic outlook. 
There’s plenty for pet owners to beware of. In general, CBD products for pets are safe 
because they contain little to none of the THC that’s known to be highly toxic to animals. 
Dogs are at a high risk of marijuana poisoning that can be caused by eating accidentally left 
out joints or edibles. Cats, who are pickier eaters by far, wouldn’t likely be interested in your 
bud but can still be vulnerable to secondhand smoke in closed environments (and you should 
never be blowing smoke in yours or anyone else’s pet’s face). Still, CBD-only products for 
animals can produce favourable results, from calming hyperactive behaviours to chronic pain 
relief, and in this way do not differ too much from products made for human consumption. 
The wide availability of legal marijuana products 
for humans is helping drive the conversation 
about the risks involved for their pets. In the 
United States, for example, the rapid expansion 
of legalized cannabis throughout multiple states 
has contributed to a huge surge in calls to the 
ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Centre (APCC). 
Over the first few months of 2019 alone the 
APCC reported a 765% increase in calls about 
marijuana toxicosis from owners whose pets 
ingested their stash. Prior to legalization the 
Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) 
issued a statement about this potential issue 
exactly, listing several signs pet owners should 
watch for if they fear that their pet is currently 
experiencing toxic shock from accidentally 
ingesting marijuana:
Excessive sleepiness or lethargy in your pet
Depression, which can sometimes manifest as disinterest in activity, or 
low mood
Wobbling, pacing or uncoordinated movement
Sound or light sensitivity
Incontinence
Excessive salivation and or vomiting
Fast or slow heart rates
Low body temperature
Unusual vocalization
Naturally, if you notice any of these symptoms — make a call to your 
nearest animal hospital right away.  
An animal that’s essentially a family member suffering, in the same way, 
would be the deciding factor for Jacob in choosing whether or not to use 
CBD to help relieve their pain. Not all remedies are created equal, 
however. Jacob’s dogs have seen it all and only a small fraction of his 
Doberman’s problems can be treated with CBD; the rest are all treated 
by costly prescriptions. But just because it may be more affordable 
might not make it worth it. So, is CBD right for your pet? Here are a few 
things to consider:
• Many CBD products aren’t classified as medication, which means they 
aren’t subjected to the same rigorous tests for the purity of 
ingredients. If the THC content in a CBD product is too high, you may 
be unnecessarily putting your pet at risk.
• Any reputable CBD for pets company should be able to provide you 
with a breakdown of what’s in their product from a third party, either 
retrievable online or by a direct call to the company. 
• Since no current register exists for dosages by different breeds, ages, 
or weight, you should consider asking your veterinarian for advice.
• Your veterinarian should also be able to give you directions on how 
CBD products may interact with your pet’s other medications if they’re 
currently taking any.
The bottom line? The majority of information 
surrounding CBD for pets and animals hasn’t yielded 
any alarming information. These are still early days, 
however, as we ultimately know very little. When you’re 
prepared to do anything for your pet, the very best 
thing you can do is stay informed about how CBD may 
impact your pet.
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