Do you know the difference between CBD oil for dogs and humans? Giving human CBD oil to your pup could have negative side effects. Learn more in this guide. The CBD boom has extended beyond humans, but what’s the difference between the CBD oils and tinctures we’re taking and similar CBD products made for animals? CBD products for pets are not required to have human-grade ingredients. It is important to always research product content before sharing CBD oil and other products between humans and pets.
Is CBD Oil Different for Dogs and Humans?
Lolahemp makes CBD oil just for pets. Unlike a lot of products on the market for pets, our products are made from organic, hand-harvested hemp and are made with full-spectrum hemp oil.
Many of our customers ask us a common question: Can I give my dog human CBD oil? This article will answer that question as well as a few more questions we receive frequently.
Pet CBD Oil: Ingredients Matter!
Word of mouth about the success people have had with CBD oil, relaxed laws on hemp products, and scientific research on the benefits of CBD have made CBD a rapidly-growing market. People are seeing it pop up everywhere in products made for people. Just a few of these include:
- Hemp oil tinctures in various flavors
- CBD candies and other edibles made for people
- Soft drinks and other beverages infused with CBD
- CBD topicals including creams, balms, and lotions
One of the things that pet owners need to be very aware of before giving their dogs anything made for people is that just because a product is safe for people DOES NOT make it safe for dogs! There is a big difference between CBD for humans and dogs.
For example, the artificial sweetener Xylitol™ is extremely toxic to dogs , even in very small doses. Since many human-grade CBD products contain this artificial sweetener, it is critical to avoid giving them to your pet. If you suspect that your pet has ingested a product containing Xylitol, please contact your local veterinarian or the ASPCA Pet Poison Control Hotline at (888) 426-4435.
Flavorings commonly used in human-grade CBD products can also present a problem for pets. For example, essential oils used to flavor CBD products for people such as wintergreen or citrus oils can be a problem for cats, according to the Pet Poison Helpline .
Another problem with some human-grade products is that they may contain high amounts of THC, the psychoactive chemical found in cannabis plants. THC could be unsafe for dogs and cats even though it might not pose a risk for humans. While trace amounts of THC found in full-spectrum oils made just for dogs do not pose a risk, the added amounts of this compound in some human-grade hemp products can pose a risk for dogs, cats, and other domesticated animals.
These are not the only ingredients to watch out for. Rather than taking a risk, pet owners should use THC free hemp oil made just for pets (such as Lolahemp ) and formulated with the help of veterinarians to be sure the product is safe for their furry friends.
CBD: Proper Dosage for Dogs
So, what is the difference between CBD for dogs and humans, and why does it matter?
The concentration of CBD in human products is calibrated to human bodies. Some people think they can save money by buying higher concentration products made for people. When it comes to making sure your dog gets the right amount of CBD, however, it’s important to buy a product with a much lower concentration.
A single drop or edible made for human consumption may be too much CBD for a toy or even a medium-sized dog breed, for example. In order to be sure that you can provide your pet with a consistent dose calibrated to their body weight and sensitive endocannabinoid system, choose a product made with pets in mind.
There’s no issue when humans take pet CBD because our bodies are more resilient and pet CBD oil is weaker. Flip that equation and give human grade CBD oil to your dog and you could see negative side effects. This is part of the reason that it’s so important to understand the proper dosage for your pet.
Never buy a product that does not include dosing instructions. This is simply a recipe for disaster. Here at Lolahemp, we provide accurate dosing information right on our product pages.
Consistent and accurate CBD dosing for your dog’s body weight is a must for the safe use of CBD products in pets.
Third-Party Batch Lab Testing
As a general rule of thumb, you should always look to buy from a company that offers reliable lab testing for every batch of their product. Do this whenever buying any CBD product (for people or pets).
The CBD market is flooded with companies that may be offering products containing pesticides, herbicides, and other contaminants. In fact, some companies have been caught selling products with no CBD in them at all!
At Lolahemp, every one of our tinctures has a QR code so that customers can scan the codes with their phone to immediately bring up the batch lab testing for their bottle. Lab tests are always available on the website so customers can verify quality before they even buy.
To make sure you’re getting a consistent and high-quality product for your dog, go with a company such as Lolahemp who provides batch lab tests for our full spectrum organic CBD oil.
Full-Spectrum Hemp Oil for Dogs
Finally, a great reason to choose a hemp oil made for pets is that you can take advantage of full-spectrum oil, such as Lolahemp.
There are many different compounds in hemp, and researchers speculate that the cannabinoids found in hemp (CBG, CBN, CBC, and others) may have beneficial properties that enhance the healing properties of CBD. This is widely known as The Entourage Effect .
The problem with many full-spectrum products made for humans is they could have too much of the compound THC in them, which our pets are sensitive to. While trace amounts of THC are safe for pets, it is important for pet owners to understand that some human-made products can have way too much of this psychoactive compound to be safe for dogs, cats, and other pets.
On the other hand, most brands of CBD made for dogs go too far the other way and make CBD oil with pure CBD which has been chemically isolated. Thus, dogs that use these brands may not be fully benefiting from The Entourage Effect of a full-spectrum oil.
Many of our loyal customers have tried isolated CBD products before they found Lolahemp, and report that our full-spectrum organic hemp oil with a broad and robust terpenoid profile has been more effective for their dogs.
In fact, that is why our founder, Joey DiFrancesco started this brand after only a full-spectrum hemp oil helped his rescue dog, Lola .
Lolahemp: Hemp Oil Made for Dogs
Is there a difference between CBD for dogs and humans? Yes. A very big difference.
We recommend against giving CBD made for humans to your dog. If you are thinking about CBD oil for dogs, we would love for you to give Lolahemp a try. Here are a few more ways we make it easy for you to choose Lolahemp for your beloved pet’s needs:
Ask a Stoner: What’s Different Between My CBD Oil and My Dog’s?
Dear Pepo: That’s something I’ve often wondered myself as I see new CBD pet products debuting every other day. I understand the desire for CBD dog treats or pet shampoo with hemp oil, but if we’re only talking oils and tinctures, what’s the need for differentiation?
Bluebird Botanicals founder Brandon Beatty says his company makes CBD oils for both humans and dogs, adding that “usually, there is no difference in the way the oils are manufactured.” However, standards imposed by the Food and Drug Administration usually require different labeling for human drugs, food or dietary supplements than for products intended for animals. Beyond that, though, the variations are things like flavoring or small doses of cod liver oil extract for pets, which humans can take, too.
“I believe the oils are typically identical. With Bluebird, that’s the case,” Beatty explains. “Some companies might add special flavoring for animals, like bacon for dogs, and maybe something like cod liver oil for extra effect, but more often than not, I’d guess they’re identical.”
So can you give Fido your CBD oil, or vice versa? Probably, but read the fine print first.
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CBD for Pets Vs. Humans: What’s the Difference?
One of the fastest-growing CBD industry market segments is CBD for pets. Grand View Research tracks the CBD pet market and forecasts a 58.9 percent annual growth rate in the CBD for pets market from 2021 to 2028. At the same time, a SingleCare survey found that a third of Americans have consumed CBD. Put the two pieces of information together, and it is no surprise that people want to know whether human CBD products can be given to pets.
What’s the Difference Between CBD for Pets vs. Humans?
Can humans take pet CBD oil, and can pets take human CBD oil? There is no difference between CBD as a substance used by humans and for pets. CBD occurs naturally in cannabis plants. CBD is extracted from the Cannabis sativa plant to produce CBD full spectrum, broad spectrum or CBD isolate. The CBD extracts are used in both human and pet CBD products.
There are differences in product characteristics to accommodate the significant difference in size between humans and pets. Following is a review of the differences and information on the interchanging of human CBD vs pet CBD products.
1. CBD Potency
Similar to CBD products for humans, CBD products for dogs, cats and other animals have a range of potencies. The CBD per serving may be 2 mg, 5 mg, 8.33 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg or 20 mg, for example. Some CBD products for pets recommend 30 mg per serving, but the serving size may be two treats with 15 mg of CBD per treat and the frequency of dosage is usually lower.
The different potencies enable pet owners to select an amount of CBD per serving that best fits pet size and needs. Larger pets may need a high-potency product compared to smaller animals.
Current veterinary researchers are focused on determining information like the following.
- How CBD works in different animals.
- The type of pet medical conditions and ailments that might respond to CBD products.
- The ideal CBD potency for activating the endocannabinoid (RCS) system in animals which is similar to the ECS in humans.
When first giving pets CBD, it’s always advised to start with a low potency CBD product in order to assess any impacts on the animal.
2. CBD Forms
There are different CBD forms available for pets, just like there are for humans. They include but are not limited to the following.
- CBD oil
- CBD tincture
- CBD dog chews
- CBD pet spray
- CBD dog treats
- CBD oil capsules
- CBD cookies
- CBD beef wraps
3. Flavor
CBD products are flavored to appeal to pets, especially dogs and cats. Some of the common flavors include the following.
- Natural
- Chicken
- Salmon
- Beef
- Bacon
- Green apple
- Peanut butter
- Cheddar
Many products include a mixture of flavors, like green apple and peanut butter.
4. THC Content
When purchasing CBD products, carefully read the label and the Certificate of Analysis (COA). A reliable brand is transparent about the product’s content. The COA will inform you as to the amount of THC, CBD and other cannabinoids the product contains. A COA also indicates the number of toxic substances found, like pesticides and heavy metals.
Full spectrum CBD contains some THC, but it must be less than .3 percent per federal law. Broad spectrum CBD is THC-free. Even if some THC makes it through the manufacturing process, it is just a trace and will have no psychoactive effect on your pet. CBD isolate is pure CBD and has zero THC.
5. Dosage
Most mammals have a similar endocannabinoid system. The ECS is where the cannabinoid receptors are located. Research to date has found that more CB1 receptors are located in the hindbrain structures of dogs compared to humans. However, both humans and dogs have CB1 and CB2 receptors in their layers of the skin. CB1 is a psychoactive neuromodulator, while CB2 plays an important role in the immune system.
The size and weight of an animal are major determinants of the ideal dosage of CBD for pets. A small dog or cat might need 2 mg of CBD per one ml dosage of CBD. A larger animal might need 15 mg of CBD per one treat or chew or 20 mg per one ml serving size of CBD oil or CBD tincture. One of the advantages of using CBD oil or CBD tincture for pets is that you can control the dosage drop-by-drop.
CBD for Pets: A Beginner’s Guide
The CBD product will indicate the serving size, CBD per serving and the CBD per one ml or one chew/treat. The best way to introduce CBD to your pet is to start with a very low dose of CBD per serving to determine the effects. You can increase the amount of CBD in small increments over time to find the dosage that best fits your needs.
Can Humans Take Pet CBD Oil or Not?
Humans can take CBD oil made for pets. However, there are several points to keep in mind.
- The recommended dosage amounts for pets will be much lower than what humans typically take.
- Some CBD products for pets may contain other ingredients that may be pet-friendly but not necessarily human-grade; humans should use human-grade CBD oil for their pets, if planning on using the same CBD.
- CBD oil for pets and CBD tinctures for pets may have a natural flavoring added that appeals to dogs or cats but not necessarily human.
Can I Give My Dog CBD For Humans?
The extraction process for CBD is the same when making products for humans and pets. This means you can give your dog CBD that was made for humans. There are some caveats though.
- The CBD amount in CBD products is higher for humans, so the dosage must be reduced for pets.
- There is not enough research yet to determine the toxic CBD dosage amount for pets.
- Some terpenes in CBD full spectrum oil and CBD broad spectrum oil are harmful to animals, like tea tree oil and peppermint.
- Talk to your veterinarian first if your pet has any medical issues.
- Many CBD products have additional ingredients, so always make sure you research the product contents on the label and review the COA.
«The American Veterinary Medical Association reports there are cases of animals getting sick from consuming THC. Only give your dog CBD that has less than .3 percent THC or a product that is THC-free.»
- Is CBD Oil Safe For Your Pet?
Yes, CBD oil for dogs vs humans is safe for your pet because it is a natural product. A recent survey found that half of the pet owners responding use CBD for their dog or cat, and many people are doing so based on a recommendation from their veterinarian. Most mammals have a similar metabolic system compared to humans. However, you would not want to give your pet too much CBD in a single serving. This is true for humans and pets.
You can use human CBD oil for dogs. CBD oil can be used in several ways.
• Added to dog food
• Administered sublingually
• Rubbed on joints, paws and gums
• Massaged into the skin to relieve dryness or irritation
If giving your dog CBD treats for pets, follow the recommended dosage amounts on the package. CBD oils and CBD tinctures can be added to dog food or administered orally.
You can add CBD oil or CBD tincture to the dog food or give it orally to your dog. The right dosage is usually figured based on the dog’s weight. For example, assume a product contains 20 mg of CBD per one ml serving. A retailer may suggest:
• Weighs less than 15 pounds – 3 drops or 1.5 mg
• Weighs 15-30 pounds – 6 drops or 3 mg
• Weighs 30-60 pounds – 10 drops or 5 mg
• Weighs more than 60 pounds – 20 drops or 10 mg
Make sure you know the serving size and amount of CBD per serving, whether using CBD for pets or CBD for humans.
The goal is to differentially activate the CB1 and CB2 receptors in a way that delivers the desired benefits. As mentioned, CBD full spectrum contains less than .3 percent THC per federal law. There is not enough THC in CBD products for pets to produce a psychoactive effect. If the combination of the low amount of THC and CBD provides the desired benefits, full spectrum CBD is recommended.
One of the benefits of full spectrum CBD is that it contains all the cannabinoids and terpenes and flavonoids. These substances can work together to offer more effectiveness.
If you want to make sure your pet is not getting any THC, then CBD isolate is the best choice. CBD isolate is pure CBD.
Summary
There is no difference between CBD for dogs and humans or between CBD for other animals and humans. There may be differences in the type of ingredients added to human vs pet CBD products. CBD products for pets are not required to have human-grade ingredients. It is important to always research product content before sharing CBD oil and other products between humans and pets. A lot more research is needed on the effects of CBD on animals, but millions of people have already found CBD brings their pets many benefits.
Sources
- https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/cannabidiol-pet-market
- https://www.singlecare.com/blog/news/cbd-statistics/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6770351/
- https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/cannabis-use-and-pets
- https://www.leafreport.com/education/cbd-for-pets-survey-what-do-pet-owners-really-think-about-pet-cbd-products-12531
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About the Author
Michael Levin is a CBD enthusiast, a researcher, writer and editor in the cannabis space, experienced CBD user and educator. He believes CBD can help improve our overall health and wellbeing.