Supplements and alternative treatment options for our pets have come a long way in recent years, with CBD becoming one of the most talked-about options among pet owners. But with its close association to THC – a compound found in marijuana – many pet owners are understandably cautious. What's safe? What's not? And how do these compounds actually affect our dogs and cats?
What Is the Difference Between THC and CBD?
While CBD (Cannabidiol) and THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) are both chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant, the ways they affect an animal's bodily systems are incredibly different. The compounds are just two of the over 100 cannabinoids that can be produced by the cannabis plant, and knowing exactly how they affect our pets is incredibly important.
- CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning it doesn't create a "high." It's known for its calming, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving properties. CBD can be a safe, natural supplement for some pets when used properly and under the guidance of a veterinarian.
- THC, on the other hand, is the psychoactive component responsible for the "high" feeling many people associate with marijuana use. Despite being ingestible for humans, THC can have dangerous, toxic effects in pets – even in small doses – and shouldn't be intentionally given to pets.
While CBD is generally considered safe for dogs and cats when used appropriately, THC should be avoided, as dogs and cats have a high sensitivity to THC, and even very small doses can cause severe central nervous system signs. In veterinary medicine, CBD use is primarily seen in dogs, cats, and horses, with some use in pocket pets as well.
How Do THC and CBD Affect Cats and Dogs?
Pets process cannabinoids differently from humans. Both dogs and cats have an endocannabinoid system (ECS), which plays a role in regulating pain, mood, appetite, and more. CBD interacts with this system in a gentle way, while THC overstimulates it – especially in dogs, who are particularly sensitive due to a high number of cannabinoid receptors in their brains.
What Does CBD Help With in Dogs and Cats?
At Angel Animal Hospital, I use CBD regularly with my dog and cat patients to help manage stress and anxiety without sedation, as well as decrease inflammation and improve comfort. According to current veterinary medical research, the list of symptoms and conditions CBD can often help pets with includes:
- Anxiety and noise phobias
- Arthritis or chronic pain
- Seizures
- Inflammation
- Appetite stimulation
Due to these benefits and the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD, many pet owners have turned to it to help address a variety of dog and cat health concerns, from behavior to arthritis. While studies are still ongoing and our understanding of CBD's applications is ever-evolving, early evidence and anecdotal reports suggest it may be helpful as part of a treatment plan for:
- Dogs with separation anxiety or thunderstorm phobia
- Senior pets with arthritis or hip dysplasia
- Cats with chronic pain or anxiety
- Dogs with epilepsy (as an adjunct to other seizure medications)
Other ongoing research is evaluating the efficacy of CBD for use in addressing dermatology issues, like itching, and other prominent illnesses, like cancer.
However, it's crucial for owners to remember that CBD is not a cure-all. It works best as part of a broader treatment plan tailored to your pet's needs. Neither I nor my team recommends CBD as a lone treatment option; it is always recommended as one aspect of a larger and more comprehensive care or treatment plan.
Is CBD Safe for Pets?
When used under the guidance of a veterinarian, CBD can be a very safe option for pain relief and anxiety reduction. Both clinical studies and owner accounts have shared stories of CBD having a positive impact on their pet's health and improving their quality of life, while resulting in few, if any, side effects.
However, as with any medication or supplement for pets, following appropriate dosage guidelines is incredibly important. While the risk of toxicity is low, owners should be aware that an overdose can cause some GI upset with vomiting, diarrhea, maybe some lethargy, and rarely mild sedation.
When using CBD in the clinic, I dose my patients by body weight and typically use a low to moderate dose, then adjust frequency of dose more often than amount given unless the dose causes unnecessary lethargy and sedation. Based on this protocol, I then use it to affect the condition I am treating in the pet.
Recent studies on the absorption and bioavailability of CBD in both cats and dogs have indicated a need for species-specific CBD dosages. A 2024 study determined that despite receiving equivalent dosages of a THC:CBD herbal extract, cats had an overall lower CBD bioavailability compared to dogs.
If you're ever in doubt about the correct CBD dosage for your pet, get in touch with your veterinarian. They'll be able to help determine a safe and effective dosage for your cat or dog's specific needs and body composition.
What Pet Owners Often Get Wrong About CBD
There is a wide spectrum of understanding among pet owners about THC and CBD. While many understand the difference between the two, some owners may mistakenly write off CBD as a valid option for supplemental treatment because they don't have all of the facts.
Even among those who do choose to try CBD for their pets, there are still some common misunderstandings that can limit its effectiveness or lead to disappointment. These misconceptions often come up in conversations I have with clients who are trying to support their pet's comfort and quality of life:
- Believing they can reduce the frequency and get the same benefits after seeing some improvement in the pet's condition. In my experience with chronic problems, the pet's clinical signs will tend to recur if the frequency of administration is reduced.
- Believing that CBD is all they need to help with a wide array of chronic conditions that are causing significant clinical signs. Again, in my experience, CBD helps, but isn't the only input needed in most cases. Therefore, I recommend it as one of many inputs I provide concurrently to address significant chronic conditions in my patients.
What to Look for In Pet-Safe CBD Products
As is true with all pet care products, finding a safe and effective CBD product is important for getting the best results and keeping your pet in good health. When it comes to commercially available pet CBD products, I prefer to see truth in labeling of the product, so I tell my clients to look for the contents of the product to be labeled as a concentration (i.e., mg per volume). This would be more consistent with standardized labeling for medications. I recommend avoiding products that use deceptive practices of labeling the total amount on the front of the bottle because the big number tends to make an owner think it is a better product, which isn't always the case.
Next, pet owners should look at the listed dosing recommendations. If the label instructs them to give a dose by the dropper rather than the drop, then it is likely that the product is very dilute, and they are probably going to pay much more than what the product is actually worth.
When assessing CBD products for pets that are purchased from a source other than a veterinarian, it is a good rule of thumb to compare the cost per mg of a product they are considering with what your veterinarian recommends to get the most value from their purchase. Finally, I also recommend owners only use veterinary-formulated CBD products with third-party certificates of analysis (COAs) confirming contents, toxins, and <0.3% THC in the bottle. This way, owners know exactly what they're giving to their pets, and a veterinarian will know exactly what was given in case of an adverse reaction.
Can I Give My Dog or Cat Human Edibles or Marijuana Instead of CBD?
No! While the CBD is the same whether it is for a human or an animal, the difference can be in how it is formulated for consumption. Human edibles and strains of marijuana can contain ingredients that are harmful or even deadly to pets, so it's never worth the risk to stray from pet-safe CBD products.
THC also cannot be substituted for CBD in pets. Anything that contains THC, like edibles, vape pens, and oils, should be kept away from pets at all times. These products can often contain high levels of THC – often formulated for human adults – and are extremely dangerous for pets, who are often only a fraction of the size of a human and cannot handle a dose meant for a person. Even a small nibble can lead to THC toxicity, which often requires emergency veterinary care.
If your pet has ingested any human cannabis product, especially if it contains other harmful or toxic ingredients like chocolate or xylitol, call your vet immediately to initiate medical care. Care outcomes are typically better when medical attention is given promptly, so if you know your dog or cat has gotten into any products that they shouldn't have, your first course of action should always be to get in touch with your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital.
What Are the Signs of THC Toxicity in Pets?
THC toxicity in dogs and cats occurs when pets ingest even small amounts of THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana. Exposure can happen through cannabis plants, edibles, or marijuana-derived products such as oils, tinctures, vapes, or joints.
Once ingested, THC is rapidly metabolized in the liver, but its active metabolites can linger in the body and continue to affect the pet for hours to days. When toxic levels are present, neurological symptoms often appear, reflecting altered perception and behavior.
THC consumption by dogs or cats may cause:
- Disorientation or hallucinations
- Tremors or seizures
- Vomiting
- Muscle tremors or ataxia
- Difficulty standing
- Hypersalivation
- Dribbling urine or loss of bladder control
- Coma or even death in extreme cases
- Hypersensitivity to sound or touch
Even small amounts of THC can be harmful, so it's never worth the risk. Depending on the dose ingested, the symptoms outlined above will be very noticeable. In most cases, the prognosis for recovery is good with supportive care, unless the THC was part of an edible containing additional toxins such as chocolate or xylitol, which can significantly worsen the outcome.
What to Do If Your Pet Has Ingested THC
If a pet ingested THC less than 60 minutes ago, inducing vomiting followed by administering activated charcoal can help limit absorption. After that, especially if ingestion was more than an hour ago, the pet will need supportive care including IV fluids, thermoregulation, and monitoring of neurologic and cardiac signs. Severe cases could even require anticonvulsants and hospitalization until fully recovered (24-72 hours).
Because time is of the essence when a pet has ingested THC, get in touch with your veterinarian as soon as possible, and do not try to administer at-home care.
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