Is CBD Good for My Dog? What the FDA and Research Say

Is CBD good for dogs? Nobody can say that with confidence yet. The FDA has not approved cannabis for any use in animals, and it says it cannot ensure the safety or effectiveness of these products. Dog owners still see CBD everywhere, from store shelves to social media, so it helps to know what is actually established. This guide separates what the FDA says, what controlled studies in dogs found, what those studies cannot tell you, and which warning signs mean you should call a veterinarian.

CBD is not an approved treatment for dogs. The research is limited to a few small studies, and the best-known ones found the same change in a liver enzyme that your veterinarian may want to monitor. That is not proof that CBD is harmful, and it is not an endorsement either. It means the decision belongs with your veterinarian, who knows your dog’s age, weight, health history and medications.

What the FDA says about CBD for dogs

The FDA states that it has not approved cannabis for any use in animals, and it cautions pet owners against using such products. It also says it cannot ensure the safety or effectiveness of these products. Approval normally means the agency reviewed evidence on safety, effectiveness and dosing for a specific product. Without it, no cannabis product has an FDA-reviewed dose, label or safety standard for dogs, however it is marketed.

The agency lists lethargy, depression, heavy drooling, vomiting, agitation, tremors and convulsions as signs of toxicity in animals given cannabis products. It recommends talking with your veterinarian about treatment options. That is why this guide does not say CBD will treat, cure or prevent a condition in a dog. If you want a plain-language primer first, start with what CBD is.

What studies in dogs have found so far

Research exists, but it is small and early. Two controlled studies are cited most often.

• Cornell University, 2018. Researchers gave 22 client-owned dogs with osteoarthritis either a CBD oil at 2 mg/kg or a placebo oil every 12 hours, each for four weeks, in a blinded crossover design. Sixteen dogs completed the trial. Owner and veterinary assessments showed less pain and more activity during CBD treatment, although veterinary lameness and weight-bearing scores did not change significantly. Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), a liver enzyme, rose significantly, with increases in nine of the 16 dogs. In a separate test, four beagles cleared CBD with a half-life of about 4.2 hours and showed no observable side effects. The authors noted a possible owner placebo effect, and the product maker funded the study.
• Healthy dogs, 2022. In a six-month placebo-controlled study, 40 healthy adult dogs received either a THC-free hemp product at about 4 mg/kg once daily or a placebo. Daily wellbeing checks, regular veterinary exams and quality-of-life surveys found no adverse effects. But ALP rose above the reference range in 11 of the 20 CBD dogs and none of the placebo dogs, and every dog returned to baseline after a four-week washout. The authors did not read the rise as a sign of impaired liver health and suggested some of it came from bone-derived ALP, though they did not confirm that directly. Mars Petcare funded the study, and several authors work for the company.

What these studies cannot tell you

A small trial is a starting point, not a safety guarantee. Keep these limits in mind.

• One product at a time. Each study tested a specific product. The 2022 authors caution against applying their results to other CBD products, and a bottle on a shelf may differ in ingredients, concentration and quality.
• Short and narrow. The longest study ran 26 weeks in healthy adult dogs in a controlled setting. It says little about older dogs, dogs with other conditions or years of daily use.
• Medication interactions. The 2022 authors say more research is needed on how CBD interacts with commonly prescribed veterinary medications.
• Industry funding. Both studies were funded by companies with a commercial interest. That does not make them wrong, but it is worth knowing.
• The ALP signal. Both studies saw ALP change. Whether it reflects the liver, bone or something else is not settled, which is a good reason for your veterinarian to decide whether blood work makes sense.

How to judge a claim about CBD for dogs

Be cautious with any page, label or social post that says a CBD product treats, cures or prevents a disease in dogs, calls itself “vet-approved,” says it is “clinically proven” without naming a study of that exact product, or promises it is “safe for all dogs.” The FDA has approved no cannabis product for animals, and the studies above tested particular products in particular groups of dogs. A claim that rests on research should name the study so you can read it yourself.

Warning signs after a dog gets any hemp or cannabis product

Call your veterinarian, a local animal emergency hospital or an animal poison control center right away if you see lethargy, depression, heavy drooling, vomiting, agitation, tremors or convulsions. You can also report a pet product problem to the FDA. Keep every hemp and cannabis product out of your dog’s reach, including treats and products made for people.

Talk to your veterinarian first

Your veterinarian can say whether a hemp product makes sense for your dog at all, and whether anything your dog already takes could be affected. Tell them about every supplement, even ones you think of as harmless. Our guide to natural wellness options for Naples pets lists questions to bring to that visit, and our guide to reading a CBD label explains what a batch certificate of analysis shows.

FAQ

Is CBD safe for dogs?

The FDA has not approved cannabis for any use in animals and cannot ensure the safety or effectiveness of these products. In the two studies above, dogs tolerated the products they were given, but ALP rose in a large share of the CBD groups. Ask your veterinarian whether monitoring makes sense for your dog.

Why hasn’t the FDA approved CBD for dogs?

The FDA says it has not approved cannabis for any use in animals and that it cannot ensure the safety or effectiveness of these products. Approval requires evidence for a specific product, use and dose, and the dog research so far is small.

Will CBD get my dog high?

CBD is not the compound that causes a high in people, but dogs can still react badly to cannabis products. Call your veterinarian if you see drooling, vomiting, tremors, agitation or unusual sleepiness.

Can I give my dog my own CBD product?

Not automatically. Products made for people can contain additives that are not appropriate for animals. Check with your veterinarian before giving your dog anything made for people.

Does the research show CBD is safe long term?

No. The longest study we cite lasted 26 weeks in healthy adult dogs. There is no comparable evidence here for longer use, older dogs or dogs on medication, so long-term use is a question for your veterinarian.

Questions about hemp products for pets? Visit Growing In Health Florida at 7211 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 3, Naples, FL 34119, call (239) 331-4807, or contact us online. See our page on CBD for pets in Naples for what we carry.