What is CBD Oil for Dogs & Cats, and How Can It Benefit Your Pet’s Health?

Since cannabis legalization in Canada (2018), pet owners have seen a surge in interest in CBD oil for dogs and cats. CBD (cannabidiol) is a non-psychoactive compound derived from hemp or marijuana, distinct from THC (the compound that causes intoxication).

Common Uses & Benefits of CBD Oil for Pets

Emerging research and real-world reports suggest CBD may help improve quality of life for pets. For instance, a study conducted by Cornell University found that over 80% of dogs with osteoarthritis experienced decreased pain and improved mobility when treated with CBD oil. Additionally, CBD’s calming properties can be beneficial for dogs exhibiting anxiety-related behaviors, making it a valuable tool for training and behavior modification.

Many pet owners use pet CBD to support their animals in dealing with::​

• Anxiety and Stress Relief: Helping pets manage separation anxiety, noise phobias, and general stress.​
• Arthritis and Joint Pain Management: Alleviating discomfort associated with osteoarthritis and improving mobility.​
• Seizure Reduction: Reducing the frequency and severity of seizures in epileptic pets.
• Cancer Symptom Alleviation: Easing pain and improving appetite in pets undergoing cancer treatment.​
• Digestive Issues: Addressing nausea, vomiting, and promoting a healthy appetite.

With so many products on the market, it’s normal to ask: Which ones are safe? What dosage works? In this article, we’ll walk through how to evaluate CBD oil, understand risks and benefits, and integrate it responsibly — alongside any pet diet.

Does CBD Oil Make Your Dog or Cat High?

No — when properly formulated for pets, CBD should not make your cat or dog “high.” Pet-grade CBD is extracted from hemp, not marijuana, ensuring THC levels remain extremely low (“no more than 0.3 percent (by dry weight) of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).”¹). THC also known as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol is the psychoactive component of cannabis, which can be toxic to pets. High THC can result in pets in emergency clinic. Both THC and CBD can be extracted from cannabis. It is due to the THC toxicity that pet CBD should be made from hemp.

Trusted CBD pet products contain negligible THC (below regulatory thresholds). Always check the Certificate of Analysis (COA) to confirm THC levels, cannabinoid profiles, and absence of contaminants.

How is CBD Oil Extracted from Hemp?

In Canada, regulatory restrictions make it tricky to advertise full cannabinoid profiles i.e. phytocannabinoids such as cbd, cbg cannot be labelled as it would breach the Cannabis Act. Some producers use heat-press + chill + filter methods to remain within legal bounds.

Carrier Oils & Additives:
CBD oils often use ingredients like MCT (coconut) oil, hemp seed oil, or pumpkin seed oil to help absorption. Always check that your pet doesn’t have an allergy or sensitivity to the carrier.

Full-Spectrum CBD vs. CBD Isolate: Which is Better?

• Full-spectrum / “broad-spectrum” formulations include other plant compounds (terpenes, minor cannabinoids) that may enhance effect. Studies indicate that full-spectrum CBD offers greater benefits than CBD isolate due to the “entourage effect,” where plant compounds work together synergistically. A study conducted on this found “plant constituents improve the dose-response are supported by some recent reports showing that CBD in a standardized Cannabis sativa extract is more potent or efficacious than pure CBD.“ The higher efficiency of plant extract might be explained by additive or synergistic interactions between CBD and minor phytocannabinoids or non-cannabinoids presented in the extracts”² (the “entourage effect”).
• Isolates contain only pure CBD — no other cannabinoids.

Many practitioners prefer full-spectrum for more challenging cases (e.g. cancer, severe pain), whereas isolates can work for milder conditions. In Canada, full-spectrum CBD for pets may be labeled as “hemp terpenes” rather than explicitly stating cannabinoids due to regulations. Paw Plus is an approved Health Canada cannabis oil for dogs and cats. Prior to Paw Plus, Creating Brighter Days Spectrum was another with great reviews by customers. Just be sure the product is well-tested and transparent.

Is CBD Oil Legal in Canada? Do Vets Recommend It?

CBD is legal in Canada under the Cannabis Act. However, Canadian veterinarians cannot prescribe it due to regulatory restrictions. In 2025, updated Canadian guidance from Health Canada committed to exploring a pathway where CBD health products are non-prescription veterinary drugs.

In the USA, CBD derived from hemp is legal based on the 2018 Farm Bill. It is also illegal to market CBD in the USA. It has to be approved by the FDA. Cannabis is still illegal in the USA. However, despite CBD oil being legal, there are limited studies on the impact on companion animals as CBD was illegal. This is because hemp and cannabis had been illegal in the US and that stifled research into pet CBD oils.

Before you utilize CBD oil for your dog or cat, we’d recommend you have a discussion with your vet. Despite, the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) not favouring CBD oil for pets, most vets will have a candid conversation with you as they have your pet’s interest at heart.

How Does CBD Oil Affect Dogs & Cats?

CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, a network that affects inflammation, pain, mood, appetite, and immune function. In pets, it doesn’t directly bind like THC does, but influences the system to bring balance.

Absorption depends on whether the oil is given with food or not, fat content of meal, and the pet’s individual metabolism.

What are the Benefits or Risks of CBD Oil for Pets?

A 2019 study entitled “Canadian dog owners’ use and perceptions of cannabis products” collected data on what pet owners are using cannabinoids. They found that 79.8% of respondents had purchased CBD products for their dogs. “The most common use of canine products was for pain relief (72.3%). This was followed by reduction of inflammation (47.0%) and relief from anxiety (39.8%).”³

Reported Benefits (by owners / early trials):

• Pain relief, improved mobility
• Better seizure control (as adjunct)
• Decreased anxiety or reactivity
• Appetite stimulation, reduced nausea

For more info see “Perceived efficacy of hemp or marijuana products for pet health conditions, as compared to conventional medications.”

Scientific Research Summary on CBD Oil for Pets (So Far)

Recent trials provide more robust evidence:

• A double-blind crossover study in 51 dogs showed that at 9 mg/kg/day, CBD significantly reduced total seizures and seizure days compared to placebo.
• In a 2019 randomized controlled trial, dogs receiving 2.5 mg/kg twice daily had a median 33 % reduction in seizures compared to placebo.
• A 2023 pharmacokinetics and safety review affirmed CBD’s potential for epilepsy and pain, but emphasized limited sample sizes and need for standardization.

What the research supports: CBD as an adjunctive option, not a replacement therapy. What remains uncertain: ideal dosing, long-term safety, and response consistency.

CBD Oil for Dogs Cancer/ Cat Cancer. Does It Work?

Cancer in pets is common, but clinical research specifically on treating cancer with CBD in dogs or cats is still very limited. Most evidence comes from lab studies, cell cultures, or anecdotal reports, not large controlled trials. “Veterinarians know less about the specifics of cancer in animals because much less research has been done on malignancies in animals.”⁴

Some of the most relevant scientific findings include:

• Several studies show that CBD extracts can reduce viability of certain cancer cells (e.g. lymphoma, mammary carcinoma, osteosarcoma, glioma). That means in a dish, cancer cells die off or grow more slowly.
• CBD combined with chemotherapy and radiotherapy may enhance tumour cell death.
• A study that looked at neuroblastoma (NBL), which is a common solid cancer in children found that both THC “and cbd in particular—reduced the viability of NBL cells.”⁵ In addition, the study concluded that CBD impeded the growth of tumours and could be used to reduce the chemotherapy dose and minimize toxicity.

But here are important caveats:

• No large, well-controlled clinical trials in live dogs or cats have yet shown CBD oil reliably shrinks tumors or cures cancer.
• Evidence is much stronger for supportive care: managing pain, reducing nausea, improving appetite, and contributing to better quality of life in pets with cancer.

So, does it work? In short: Not as a standalone cure. But as part of a multimodal approach (traditional treatment + pet CBD) it may help with symptom relief and improving comfort.

CBD for Dog Arthritis & Joint Pain. Does It Work?

Yes — there is growing scientific support for CBD oil for dogs in reducing pain and improving mobility in cases of osteoarthritis (joint pain). Some highlights:

• A study on osteoarthritic dogs found that full-spectrum CBD oil sometimes reduced pain severity and improved activity levels. They found that “no significant difference was noted in BUN, creatinine, or phosphorus between dogs treated with the CBD oil vs. the placebo oil, while NSAID treatment resulted in a higher creatinine concentration.”⁷
• A Cornell University study found that “more than 80% of the dogs with oseteoarthritis experienced a decrease in pain, allowing them to be more comfortable and active.”
• A Harvard University study “demonstrated the mechanism by which CBD inhibits inflammatory and neuropathic pain, two of the most difficult types of chronic pain to treat.”

How about safety compared to NSAIDs?

Typically, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) tend to be the primary pain medications that vets prescribe. A common NSAID would be Meloxicam.

• There are quite a few risks to using NSAIDs. For example, “more than one dose of meloxicam in cats can cause kidney failure or death.”⁶ Note that NSAIDs side effects range from vomiting, diarrhea, to stomach and intestinal ulcers, “kidney failure, liver failure and death.” ⁶
• Side effects in the CBD studies were usually mild: vomiting, changes in appetite, some increases in liver enzyme markers like ALP in dogs.

CBD for Dog Seizures. Is It Effective?

Yes. There is stronger evidence here. Typically, for dogs with seizures, Gabapentin is used as a form of treatment. NSAIDs or opioids are sometimes prescribed with Gabapentin, which help with
pain management as well. Note that Gabapentin is not FDA approved for dogs but
has been used by vets in treatment of dog seizures and chronic pain. There are quite a few side effects related to Gabapentin, as the drug is eliminated through the kidneys. There is also a recent FDA warning about severe breathing difficulty in humans due to Gabapentin.

Scientific evidence for CBD for epilepsy include:

• A double-blind crossover study in 51 dogs showed that at 9 mg/kg/day, CBD significantly reduced total seizures and seizure days compared to placebo.
• In a 2019 randomized controlled trial, dogs receiving 2.5 mg/kg twice daily had a “median 33 % reduction in seizures compared to placebo.”⁸ Basically, the study found that dog seizures were reduced with CBD oil. Note that the Colorado State University study combined CBD oil with antiepileptic treatment and they stated that more research is required.

Yes, CBD oil for dogs appears to be an effective adjunct (not replacement) in many seizure cases.

Case Study: Piko — A 15-Year-Old Pomeranian Who Gained Years with CBD despite Seizures

At our store, we met an elderly dog named Piko, a 15-year-old Pomeranian mix who had generalized or mal seizures in late December 2020. Piko was already on phenobarbital for seizures but this particular episode was so bad that the the emergency vet suggested euthanasia. The owner asked to try CBD alongside his conventional medication as they were believed there was more that could be done and were not ready to say goodbye.

The owner spoke to their regular vet and purchased a full-spectrum, third-party tested CBD oil for dogs from us. Starting with a conservative dose while maintaining their phenobarbital doses, they gradually increased CBD while monitoring seizures and overall health.

Over the next 3 years, Piko’s seizure frequency dropped significantly and he enjoyed a remarkably better quality of life. The last conversation we had with his owner was when he was 18 years and it seemed his last blood work indicated cancer spread. This real case helps illustrate that while CBD is not a cure-all, used with care and veterinary oversight, it can offer meaningful extension and comfort in challenging cases.

CBD for Dog Anxiety, Fear Reactivity and Digestive Issues?

• A study in 2014 found that CBD oil could decrease cat or dog anxiety. Dogs on CBD had less anxiety and we’ve heard from owners about the positive impact on dogs with fear reactivity.
• There is still more research that needs to be done for CBD oil in pets.
• For information on pet owners’ perception on the impact of how CBD can also help manage other conditions, see here. 

Does CBD Oil Work for Dog Skin Issues and Itching?

A study out of Australia by a company called CannPal is “showing 65% of the CBD dogs having at least a 50% decrease in itching and chewing. Of those dogs, half recovered from all signs of itchiness while being treated.”

Choosing the Best CBD for Dogs/ Cats in Canada

Here are a few tips to consider when you are buying CBD oil for dogs and cats.

• Make sure CBD from the hemp plant not cannabis is your starting point.
• Opt for high-quality full spectrum CBD oil for pets over isolates.
• Ensure third-party lab testing for potency and purity by obtaining certificates of analysis from the CBD oil manufacturer. You want to make sure that for the full spectrum, you are seeing all the other cannabinoids and CBD is in the product. For the isolate, it checks so that you know there is CBD and no other cannabinoids.
• Purchase CBD for pets derived from organic hemp can be full of pesticides or toxins from the soil.
• Choose liquid CBD oil over treats as you can adjust the dosage easily.
• Also review the carrier oils used in the CBD dog or cat products. They use MCT oil and other oils so make sure your pet does not have any sensitivity to any of those oils.
• Check for side effects such as dry mouth / excessive drinking, vomiting, impaired mental function, dizziness, overactive appetite. And if you use long-term, check the liver enzymes by getting blood work done.

What is the Best CBD Oil for Dogs Online?

We tend to like Creating Brighter Days and Paw Plus CBD oil as they are transparent about their sourcing and testing information. Although they are classified as hemp oils, this is due to regulations on advertising CBD. Both brands have a Full spectrum hemp extract CBD oil.

Creating Brighter Days also has CBD dog treats as an alternative version.

How Much Does CBD Oil for Dogs/ Cats Cost in Canada?

CBD oil prices vary by potency:

• 250 mg isolate (30 ml) – $42 to $50
• 500 mg full-spectrum (30 ml) – $60 to $70

How Much CBD Oil Should You Give to a Dog or Cat?

Dosing for full spectrum CBD oil or isolates are typically based on weight and what issue you are dealing with. Based on information from Paw Plus, under official Canadian rules, processes like CO2 extraction are not encouraged. This is because phytocannabinoids such as cbd cbg should not be identified on bottles labels or they would breach the Cannabis Act. Thus, the dosages can be quite vague and depend on each company.

Despite that, see below for dosage common sense.

Determining the Appropriate Dosage of CBD for Your Pet

Dosage can vary based on your pet’s size, condition, and individual response. It’s essential to:​

• Start Low and Go Slow: Begin with a low dose and gradually increase while monitoring your pet’s response.​
• Consult with the CBD Manufacturer or a Veterinarian: Seek guidance from a vet experienced with CBD use in animals to determine the optimal dosage.

Giving CBD oil to your dog should be not forceful or you will defeat the purpose you are giving it for.

Is CBD Oil Safe for Dogs and Cats?

A lot has been said about CBD being natural and as such there is an assumption that it cannot hurt. That is not the case. Although, CBD is a derivative that is extracted, it is not in its natural form of hemp. You could overdo pet CBD Oil and as we said above, check for side effects.

Side effects of CBD oil for pets include dry mouth / excessive drinking, vomiting, impaired mental function, dizziness, overactive appetite. And if you use long-term, check the liver enzymes by getting blood work done. Make sure you talk to your vet about potential drug interactions if your pet is taking another medication.

Enhancements/ Alternatives to CBD Oil for Dogs/ Cats

Potential treatments to Dog / Cat Anxiety along with or without CBD:

1. For dogs, you could focus on training with a positive enhancement dog trainer or try a new sport such as “nose work”.
2. Also, ensure that you are giving your dog the appropriate amount of exercise based on its breed and temperament.
3. For both dogs and cats, you can try calming pheromone sprays or supplements such as Adaptil or Feliway. Examples of potential alternatives to CBD oil can include Naturpet Be Calm, which is a herbal formulation for pet anxiety or stress. 

Potential Aid to Dog Arthritis or joint pain along with or without CBD:

1. Work to help mobility issues by placing no slip surfaces on floors lacking traction, or else try dog socks for arthritic dogs
2. Help your pet stretch to prevent stiffness in joints. This can be done as preventive medicine. You could stretch the hip flexors and shoulder flexors gently and slowly.
3. Naturpet also makes a herbal formulation called NaturPet Joint Care, which is helpful for easing joint inflammation.
4. For long-term management, you might want to consider Fluid Recoverex-Plus aimed at arthritic dogs and with green lipped mussel.

Conclusion & References

CBD oil for dogs and cats in Canada will surely become even more popular as more studies get underway and Health Canada approves certain formulations. What is known now based on the research studies above looks promising. Always remember to do your research or consult a veterinarian when in doubt.

Please comment to let us know what you think about this guide? Is there something you would have liked us to include in this guide? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

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