Cannabidiol, or CBD, in pet products has exploded in popularity over the last decade. Pet owners can purchase CBD treats, salves, serums and tinctures everywhere from mainstream big box stores to boutiques. 

The claims are far-reaching, from calming anxiety to easing arthritic pain—and in many cases, research does back them up. CBD can be a very effective adjunct therapy and many veterinarians do recommend it for their patients, says Holly Hommerding, ’08 DVM, a senior veterinary toxicologist at Pet Poison Helpline, a 24-hour animal poison control center.

CBD is one of more than 100 known compounds in the cannabis plant called cannabinoids. On its own, CBD does not produce the “high” that cannabinoids such as THC—tetrahydrocannabinol—produce. 

“CBD itself is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid, and it's extremely well tolerated in cats and dogs. It's the THC that can cause issues,” Hommerding says. 

In a recent report, Hommerding and her colleague, Ahna Brutlag, ’06 DVM, director of veterinary services and an adjunct assistant professor for the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, found that from January 2018 through February 2023, about 45 percent of calls to the Pet Poison Helpline that involved CBD did not result in a pet needing veterinary care. 

In about 30 percent of cases, the pet was lethargic. In 21 percent of cases, pets lacked balance and coordination. In about 7 percent, pets had more serious clinical signs of intoxication, including trembling, urinary incontinence, or neurological symptoms such as extreme sensitivity to touch, smell or light. Three percent had bradycardia, or an abnormally low heart rate. 

"In most cases, our dog and cat patients will get into a large number of their own CBD supplements, thinking they are simply treats. These may have been left out on the table or within easy access,” Hommerding says, adding that the health consequences are typically not serious, but sometimes do require medical attention.

Does CBD contain THC?

Legally, CBD products derived from hemp that are sold in the United States can contain 0.3 percent THC—equal to 3 milligrams of THC per gram. That is a relatively small amount, but it can add up if pets consume an entire package of CBD supplements. 

“Dogs and likely cats have a very, very increased number of cannabinoid receptors in their body compared to humans, and they are distributed quite differently,” Hommerding says. "This means dogs and cats are a lot more sensitive to THC than humans.”

Like humans, dogs and cats naturally produce molecules called endocannabinoids, which bind to receptors throughout the body. These receptors, which are found mainly in the nervous system, brain and immune system, act like switches that help keep the body in balance. While THC “turns on” some of these switches, causing a feeling of being high, CBD works in much more subtle ways. Rather than activating these switches, CBD interacts with other pathways involved in pain, inflammation, and anxiety, which is why CBD can be a good thing to use in tandem with other therapies for these conditions. 

Experts also believe that at least some of the more than 100 cannabinoids in the cannabis plant act together to produce positive effects on the body, meaning it may not be a bad thing for CBD products to contain other cannabinoids.

“I don't want to scare people away from using CBD if they have had a good conversation with their veterinarian and think it could be a good adjunct therapy,” Hommerding says. “There is plenty of evidence to suggest it may be of benefit in dogs that have conditions like arthritis or seizures.”

That said, due to a lack of regulatory oversight, pet owners should be aware that CBD supplements and treats can contain higher quantities of THC that can cause issues if pets consume large amounts of the treats.

When to get help

Once a cat or dog consumes about 2 to 3 milligrams of THC per kilogram of their weight, they may start to show moderate signs of intoxication, such as moving slowly or getting sleepy. If a pet has gastrointestinal issues, hyperactivity, head bobbing, sensitivity to lights, noise and movement, or more than mild lethargy, that would warrant a visit to the vet for supportive care such as intravenous (IV) fluids, or a call to the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661, Hommerding says. 

“THC exposures are generally not expected to lead to death, but dogs and cats can be very sensitive to it. A small dog, in particular, can reach that dose very quickly,” Hommerding says.