CBD Gummies for Pets: Dosing and Safety Guide

Do CBD gummies work for pets?

CBD is cannabidiol, a compound from hemp. It does not cause intoxication. THC does. The FDA has not approved CBD for any animal, and no standard dose exists. Two controlled studies in dogs found effects on arthritis pain and seizures at set doses. Most gummies sold in stores are made for people. They can hold THC, xylitol, chocolate, and raisins. Xylitol and THC both harm dogs. Read the label before you give a gummy to a pet.

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What the studies found

• Cornell University, published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2018: 16 dogs with osteoarthritis received 2 mg CBD per kg of body weight two times a day for 4 weeks. Pain scores dropped and activity rose.
• Colorado State University, 2019: dogs with epilepsy received 2.5 mg CBD per kg two times a day. Seizure count fell in most dogs. Some dogs showed higher alkaline phosphatase levels in blood work.

Dosing math

1 kg equals 2.2 lb. A 10 lb dog is 4.5 kg. At 0.2 mg per kg, that dog gets 0.9 mg. At 2 mg per kg, the same dog gets 9 mg. A gummy with 10 mg CBD gives a 10 lb dog about 2.2 mg per kg.

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Labels list mg per piece, not mg per kg. Splitting a gummy does not split the CBD in equal parts unless the label states the mix is even. Few gummies carry a score line.

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Risks

• THC. Dogs have a high count of CB1 receptors in the brain. Signs of THC toxicosis include wobbly walking, tremors, dilated pupils, urine leaking, and slow heart rate. Severe cases reach coma.
• Xylitol. 0.1 g per kg causes low blood sugar in dogs. 0.5 g per kg can cause liver failure. One sugar-free gummy can hold 1 g of xylitol.
• Chocolate. Signs start near 20 mg theobromine per kg of body weight. Dark chocolate holds more theobromine than milk chocolate.
• Grapes and raisins cause kidney injury in dogs. Some fruit gummies contain raisin paste.
• Macadamia nuts cause weakness and tremors.

Legal status in the US

Hemp-derived CBD with less than 0.3% THC is legal at the federal level under the 2018 Farm Bill. State rules differ. Some states let a veterinarian discuss CBD with a client. Others do not. The FDA has sent warning letters to firms that sell CBD for pets with claims to treat disease.

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Label checklist

1. CBD mg per gummy.
2. THC result. Look for ND (not detected) or a value below 0.3%.
3. Xylitol, chocolate, raisins, grapes, macadamia nuts, onions.
4. Third-party lab report tied to the batch number on the package.
5. Species on the label. A product for dogs may hold theobromine-free carob, which is fine, but a product for people may not.

Call a veterinarian or a pet poison hotline before the first dose. Bring the package.