Is it Safe for Dogs to Eat CBD Gummies?

Wondering whether you can share your CBD gummies with your furry friend? Resist those puppy dog eyes, because human CBD products are often unsafe for dogs. We cover why that is and what products you can treat your pup to instead.

Key Takeaways

CBD gummies made for humans may contain ingredients that are harmful to dogs.
THC and xylitol are two common ingredients that can be toxic for dogs.
Therefore, it's best to only give your dog CBD products that were made specifically for dogs.
Research shows that CBD itself is safe for dogs and may provide a number of potential health benefits.
You can mix CBD oil meant for dogs in your pet's food or treat them to delicious CBD calming dog treats.

Can Dogs Eat CBD Gummies?

No! At least, not CBD gummies made for humans.

CBD itself is safe for dogs. Multiple studies have concluded exactly that.¹

However, that doesn't mean all CBD products are safe for dogs. To understand why, we need to look at how CBD affects our furry friends.

Understanding CBD

CBD stands for cannabidiol. It's one of the most important compounds produced by the cannabis plant. In the US, CBD products are often produced using CBD derived from hemp plants, which contain less than 0.3% THC.²

Unlike THC, CBD has no psychoactive effects. Neither does CBDa, a similar cannabinoid. However, it does have plenty of potential health benefits, which we'll discuss in more detail below.

These health benefits, like promoting relaxation, are why millions of people use CBD products.³ CBD pet products have also exploded in popularity recently.

The vast majority of these products don't only contain CBD. And therein lies the danger for our dogs.

Why Some Cannabis Products Are Dangerous for Dogs

When you give your dog CBD gummies, either on purpose or by mistake, you likely aren't just giving them CBD.

CBD products often contain other ingredients. These extra ingredients may be dangerous for dogs.

For example, many human CBD products contain THC. In some cases, that's because users want to experience the psychoactive effects of THC. THC can also boost the effectiveness of CBD through a process called the entourage effect.⁴

However, it can be very dangerous for dogs to ingest THC.⁵

Why? Well, THC works by binding to specific receptors called cannabis receptors, which make up the body's endocannabinoid system. Both humans and dogs have them.

Dogs happen to have many more cannabinoid receptors in their brains, though. That makes them far more sensitive to THC than we humans.⁶

In turn, even small amounts of THC can be dangerous for dogs. The specific effects may vary depending on how much a dog ate, the dog's weight, and even the dog's individual sensitivity to THC.

Another fairly common gummy ingredient that's dangerous for dogs is xylitol. It might be listed under a different name, including birch sugar and pentahydric alcohol.⁷

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol. It's produced by many different plants and is used as a substitute for sugar.⁸

It's a safe and healthy sugar alternative for humans. Unfortunately, it's extremely toxic for dogs.⁹ And it can be present in all kinds of products, from peanut butter to sugar-free gum to CBD gummies.

These are just two fairly common examples of ingredients in human cannabis products that might be unsafe for dogs. CBD products made for humans may contain all manner of potentially harmful ingredients that dogs shouldn't eat.

Bonus: How Many Times a Day Can I Give My Dog Hemp Oil?

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What CBD Products Are Safe For Dogs?

Ultimately, it's therefore best to only give your pet CBD products that are specifically designed for dogs.

CBD treats for dogs should be manufactured without any ingredients that may be harmful to dogs. That includes THC and xylitol.

However, pet owners shouldn't necessarily trust any old CBD brand selling CBD pet products. For example, one study found heavy metal contamination in four low-THC CBD products.¹⁰

So how can we pet parents be sure we're only getting the best? One of the best ways to test whether a manufacturer produces safe products is to ensure they test themselves.

For example, we test raw botanical extracts for potency, heavy metals, pesticides, mold, mildew, mycotoxins, and residual chemical solvents.

Reputable manufacturers should also submit to third-party testing. Third-party tests can be confirmed with certificates of analysis. We require such certificates from all of our suppliers of raw ingredients.

CBD Dog Treats

CBD treats are a great way to encourage your dog to eat CBD. They're tasty, so most dogs will love them. And they also contain a dose of CBD.

Our Blueberry Hemp Hearts are one great option. Each treat contains organic blueberries and whole plant hemp extract, for a total of 4mg CBD per treat.

If that amount of CBD isn't enough for your dog, we offer Extra Strength Hearts with double the dose in each treat. CBD's effect can vary depending on your dog's weight, breed, individual tolerance, and other factors.¹¹

(We'll cover how to calculate CBD dose below.)

CBD Chews

One particularly popular type of CBD treat is the CBD chew. You may hear these referred to as CBD bites or soft chews.

We've got a few delicious types of chew. Indulge your dog with Duck & Apple chews, with 5mg of CBD per treat. Or opt for Beef & Pumpkin, which packs 10mg of CBD per treat.

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CBD Oil

Treats are easy enough to incorporate into your dog's routine. But they aren't always ideal.

For one thing, if your dog consumes too many treats, they may start gaining too much weight. And sticking to a healthy weight is crucial for your dog's health, so we don't want that.

Additionally, some dogs might not love CBD treats. For example, senior dogs might have trouble chewing. And no matter how delicious a treat is, some pets are just plain picky!

If that sounds like your pooch, you don't have to give up on CBD and all its potential health benefits. Enter CBD oil.

CBD oil products can be made safe for pets. They might be called hemp oil, hemp extract, CBD tincture, or some other, similar name. The process for determining whether they are safe is the same as for other CBD pet products.

CBD oil offers dog owners a little more flexibility than treats. Some dogs love eating the oil straight from the dropper. But the oil can also be mixed in with dog's food.

In other words, you can give your pet CBD's benefits without them even realizing they're eating it. This is a great trick for feeding CBD to picky pets.

The droppers for our CBD Oil for Dogs are laser etched to help us pet owners measure the proper dosage for our four-legged friends.

Potential Health Benefits of CBD For Dogs

We've covered some delicious CBD products for dogs. But what about the potential benefits of CBD?

CBD has been studied more in humans than dogs. But there's still quite a lot of research suggesting that CBD may bring various potential benefits for pets.¹³

For example, one study found that CBD can help support immune system function in dogs.¹⁴ Others studies have concluded that CBD may help support healthy joints.¹⁵

In fact, we helped carry out a study in 2022 that proved just that. Pet owners who used our Mobility Hemp Extract reported a 60% improvement in their dog's enjoyment of life.

Multiple studies have also found that CBD can help promote relaxation in dogs. That includes helping them cope with external stresses, like car rides or vacuum cleaners.¹⁵

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How to Calculate CBD Dosage for Dogs

While CBD is generally well tolerated by dogs, every dog is an individual. That makes them great friends, of course, but makes it a little tricky to calculate the right dose of CBD to give them.

So, how much CBD to give a specific dog? In general, larger dogs will require a larger dose. Recommended doses are therefore often based on body weight.¹⁶

Always check your product's label for a recommended dose. For example, we recommend starting with 0.25ml of our CBD oil per 20lbs of (your dog's) body weight.

Remember, these are just recommendations. Other factors like breed, age, temperament, diet, and more can impact how your dog's system processes and responds to CBD.

Always start small. If you need to increase the dose to ensure the CBD works, do so gradually, while sticking within recommended limits.

Conclusion

CBD can be a great addition to your pet care regimen. Research confirms it's well-tolerated by dogs and may provide various potential health benefits.

However, it's important to stick with pet-safe CBD products. Products made for humans may contain ingredients that are dangerous for dogs.

Keep Reading: How Milk Thistle Can Benefit Your Dog

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Happens If My Dog Eats Human CBD Gummies?

First and foremost, stay calm. If you can, check the ingredients list of the gummies your dog ate. Is there THC? Xylitol? Other potentially harmful ingredients?

If you suspect your pet ate something potentially toxic, contact your vet or a pet poison helpline. An expert will be able to help guide you through the next steps to help your furry friend.

How Much of a CBD Gummy Can I Give My Dog?

While dogs can benefit from CBD, it's best to avoid giving your pets products that were made for humans. CBD gummies, for example, often contain ingredients like THC and xylitol that can be dangerous for dogs.

If you want to give your dog CBD — there are many reasons why you would! — we recommend sticking to treats made by a reputable manufacturer. Your dog will likely prefer a delicious Duck & Apple CBD soft chew to your gummy, too.

Is It Okay to Give CBD to My Dog?

Studies show CBD is safe to give to dogs in both the short- and long-term.¹⁷ CBD can also provide numerous potential health benefits for our furry friends.

However, make sure you only give your dog products that were specifically made for pets, like our CBD Oil for Cats & Dogs. Products made for humans may contain ingredients that are dangerous for dogs.

Sources

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Earth Buddy is an environmentally conscious and family-owned company dedicated to providing natural solutions for pets. From our CBD oils to our colostrum supplements, our products are designed to promote calmness and encourage relaxation for our furry friends. To learn more and stay connected, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Pinterest.

Is it Safe for Dogs to Eat CBD Gummies?

Key Takeaways