Discover veterinarian-approved CBD for pets to ease anxiety and improve wellness.
CBD is generally considered safe for dogs when used responsibly, but there are important factors to keep in mind. Research and veterinary insights suggest that high-quality, veterinarian-approved CBD can help ease anxiety, reduce pain, and improve overall wellness in dogs. VetChoices CBD oil and capsules are often formulated specifically for pets, using hemp-derived CBD with low or no THC (the psychoactive compound in cannabis), which minimizes risks.
That said, safety depends on proper dosage—too much can lead to side effects like drowsiness, dry mouth, or mild digestive upset. Starting with a low dose (typically based on your dog’s weight, like 0.1-0.2 mg of CBD per pound) and consulting a vet is key. All of VetChoices CBD products have been tested in a third-party lab to ensure purity and potency, avoiding contaminants like pesticides or heavy metals.
Safety Studies Overview
Several studies have investigated the safety of CBD in dogs, with results applicable to tincture due to its oral delivery method. Below is a summary of key findings:
90-Day Repeat Dose Study: A study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science (Safety study of CBD products in healthy dogs) evaluated the tolerability of different cannabinoids, including CBD isolate and full-spectrum CBD, given orally to healthy beagles over 90 days, followed by a 14-day recovery period. The dose was 5 mg total cannabinoids/kg body weight/day, and findings indicated well-tolerated use with a low adverse event (AE) rate of 2.10 per million administrations, and only 0.01
serious AEs. This supports long-term safety at the tested dose.
Pharmacokinetics and Safety in Osteoarthritic Dogs: Another study, also from Frontiers (Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Clinical Efficacy of Cannabidiol Treatment in Osteoarthritic Dogs), assessed CBD-based oil at doses of 2 mg/kg and 8 mg/kg, administered orally every 12 hours for 4 weeks. Mild side effects, such as elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels, were noted, but no clinically significant adverse effects were observed, reinforcing safety for oral use.
Long-Term Tolerability: A study on long-term daily feeding of CBD, published in Frontiers (Long-term daily feeding of CBD is well-tolerated by healthy dogs), found CBD well-tolerated over 6 months, with elevated ALP being a common but reversible finding, correlating with bone-specific ALP in some cases, suggesting no significant liver damage.
Review of Current Knowledge: A comprehensive review (Pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of CBD in dogs: an update of current knowledge) summarized data, noting that CBD doses up to 62 mg/kg showed a favorable safety profile, with short- to medium-term studies (4–6 weeks) and two longterm studies (12 weeks and 6 months) supporting tolerability. Common side effects included gastrointestinal upset (nausea, vomiting, loose stools) and somnolence, generally self-limiting and dose-dependent.
Many pet owners report success using CBD for anxiety—think thunderstorms or separation stress—and vets increasingly support its use for conditions like arthritis or even seizures, though more studies are still needed. So yes, CBD can be safe and beneficial for dogs, especially with vet guidance and quality products tailored for pets.