Dog curled up on the sofa next to their owner

CBD for dogs

With the introduction of CBD oil around the UK, and it quickly becoming the latest trend, more people are looking into potential benefits this may have for their pets. But, is it safe for dogs?

Is CBD oil safe for dogs?

There has been no evidence that CBD is toxic to dogs, but there is currently a lack of knowledge surrounding the correct dose and how CBD interacts with other medications.

There are no current CBD products that have been authorised for use in animals in the UK. CBD oil has not been approved by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate or Food Standards Agency. 

If you are seriously considering trying CBD oil with your pets, you will need to talk to a vet first. Legally, only your vet can prescribe a legal human CBD product for your pet.

Is CBD oil beneficial for dogs?

There is currently no scientific evidence that CBD oil is beneficial to dogs. 

Some studies have shown that CBD may help dogs with arthritis, as they seem to show increased activity and less pain after taking it.

However, when looking into whether this helps dogs with epilepsy, it’s been found that CBD has no effect. And it’s important to note that no studies have been carried out for CBD use in cats.

What is CBD oil?

CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is taken from cannabis. Unlike marijuana though, CBD oil doesn’t contain THC, which is toxic to animals. THC is the active chemical in marijuana that makes it psychoactive. 

In fact, CBD oil products in the UK come from hemp and not marijuana – CBD derived from marijuana is illegal in this country.

— Page last updated 26/05/2023