CBD for Pets Vs. Humans: What’s the Difference?
Written by
Michael Levin
Medically reviewed by
Erica Irish
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. Unsurprisingly, people want to know whether human CBD products can be given to pets.
What’s the Difference Between CBD for Pets and 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. The following is a review of the differences and information on the interchange 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 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.
- Unflavored
- Chicken
- Salmon
- Beef
- Bacon
- Green apple
- Peanut butter
- Cheddar
Many products include 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
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 flavoring added that appeals to dogs or cats but not necessarily humans.
Can I Give My Dog CBD For Humans?
The extraction process for CBD is the same as that used 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.
- CBD amounts in products are 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 full spectrum and broad spectrum CBD oils 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.»
FAQs
Is CBD Oil Safe For Your Pet?
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.
Can I Use Regular CBD Oil On My Dog?
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 irritationHow to Dose CBD Oil For Dogs?
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.
How Much CBD Should I Give My Dog?
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.Which is Best for Dogs: CBD isolate or Full Spectrum?
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 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
Brian A.
Nicely written informative article. I appreciate the appropriate warnings for pets regarding THC and other possible ingredients which may be considered toxic to pets. Thank you for including the information regarding COA, Certificate of Analysis, which looks at the manufacturing process and the consistency of the product. Reputable companies will have this information available. The products are as of yet still unregulated as a pet food supplement so an informed buyer has to proceed with due diligence.