If your dog could speak, they'd tell you that delicious hemp treats work great! Fortunately, science agrees. We explore what the research says about hemp treats to help you determine which will be best for your furry friend.
Key Takeaways
- Hemp Treats contain CBD, which studies show can provide numerous potential health benefits for dogs.
- CBD can promote relaxation, support a healthy digestive tract, maintain a normal inflammatory response, and more.
- High-quality hemp treats may also contain other ingredients with their own potential health benefits.
- Research shows that hemp treats are generally safe in the short- and long-term, meaning you can use them as-needed or as part of your dog's daily routine.
See More: What Can I Give My Dog Orally for Itchy Skin?
Hemp and CBD for Dogs
Sean Zyer, founder of Earth Buddy, says:
"Hemp treats provide numerous potential health benefits for dogs. The CBD in these treats can help promote relaxation, maintain a normal inflammatory response, support digestive tract health, and more."
CBD for dogs has exploded in popularity. According to a 2025 study, over 7% of companion dogs in the US have tried a hemp product.¹ That's over six million dogs, and counting!²
Our furry friends might be delighted to receive any tasty treat. But hemp calming treats are unique. As well as being delicious (for dogs), they provide a number of potential health benefits.
Before we explore those potential benefits, we first need to explain how exactly these treats for dogs work.
How CBD Treats Work
Hemp products describe a wide range of products derived from hemp plants. These plants contain hundreds of natural compounds, including cannabinoids. One of those cannabinoids is CBD.
CBD works by interacting with the body's endocannabinoid system, or ECS.
Endocannabinoid System
Many different animals, including humans and dogs, have an ECS. It's a complex network of signals and receptors that helps control all kinds of bodily functions. The ECS is connected to the nervous system, immune system, digestive system, and more.³
CBD is "really important in keeping the body's own endocannabinoids around," explains veterinarian Dr. Casara Andre, in conversation with Earth Buddy founder Sean Zyer. "The molecules that I'm making right now, that your dog's making … that are essential for them balancing their lives — they can literally be used up.… The CBD molecule is really powerful at … slowing down the destruction of these endocannabinoids.… That's a really lovely way to support what the body's already trying to do."
Will CBD Make My Dog High?
CBD is also naturally found in cannabis plants. That leads some pet parents to wonder if CBD will make their dog high.
The answer is no. CBD does not have psychoactive effects. Marijuana's high is caused by THC, not CBD.
Can I Give My Dog Human Edibles?
High-quality pet treats for dogs won't contain any more than trace amounts of THC. That's because THC can be toxic to dogs.
On the other hand, many CBD products made for human consumption contain THC, which means they could be dangerous for pets. Human products may contain other ingredients, like xylitol, which are also toxic for dogs.
As such, it's best to stick with treats made specifically for pups.
Potential Benefits of Giving Your Dog CBD Chews
Hemp treats for dogs have plenty of potential health benefits. That's because CBD interacts with the ECS, which helps balance many different bodily systems within your dog.
Calm Dogs
One of the most important potential benefits of CBD is promoting relaxation. Research has shown that CBD can help dogs maintain a normal emotional balance.
For example, one 2024 study found that CBD helped reduce signs of stress, including whining and heart rate, in dogs exposed to car travel.⁴ Another study found that 83% of dogs given CBD chews before a stressful situation demonstrated fewer stress-related behaviors.⁵
CBD doesn't just help reduce the effects of normally induced environmental stress. It helps animals maintain a normal and relaxed disposition. For example, a 2025 study of over 47,000 dogs found that those given CBD "for extended periods were described as having lower-than-average aggression levels compared to dogs with no CBD use."⁶
Inflammatory Response
CBD has anti-inflammatory properties, and research suggests that CBD may help relieve inflammation associated with normal daily exercise and activity.
For example, one study found that CBD helped maintain a normal inflammatory response.⁷ Another study similarly found that CBD may help dogs maintain a normal inflammatory cytokine cascade.⁸
Immune System
Research also suggests that CBD has immunomodulating properties. It interacts with endocannabinoid system receptors that help balance the immune system, and it can therefore assist and even enhance a dog's immune response.⁹
Joint Health
CBD, and also CBDa for Joints, can also help enhance bone and joint health. This is particularly important in older dogs.
Just like humans, older dogs often experience issues with their joints.¹⁰ In fact, studies suggest that 80% of older dogs experience joint issues.¹¹
One study found that pet owners and veterinarians perceived improvements to the quality of life of dogs with joint issues given CBD.¹² A scientific review of multiple studies concluded that CBD helps dogs with occasional stiffness and soreness.¹³
In an Earth Buddy study, pet owners using hemp extract reported a 60% improvement in their dog's enjoyment of life in less than three weeks. They also reported a 50% improvement in their dogs' running ability in the same time frame.¹⁴
Support Digestion
One of the systems the ECS interacts with and helps regulate is the digestive system. CBD may therefore help support digestive tract health.
For example, you may have heard of the gut-brain axis. The composition of gut microbiota can play a significant role in moderating mood, and stress levels can negatively impact gut health.¹⁵ CBD's calming effects and ability to support relaxation may therefore help support digestive tract health.
Bonus: Valley Fever in Dogs: What to Look For
Where to Buy Hemp Calming Treats
There are plenty of hemp products from which you can choose. Hemp oil, hemp seed oil, or CBD Oil is One Popular Choice. You can use CBD oil to make your own hemp-infused treats, or simply get them ready-made.
How to Pick the Right CBD Products for Your Dog
When it comes to picking the perfect hemp treat, there are a few things dog owners should consider. Some dogs may prefer certain flavors over others. Certain hemp treats may blend hemp extract with other ingredients, with their own potential benefits.
Most important, however, is quality. Studies have revealed that many CBD products contain toxins, including heavy metals, which may be dangerous for your furry friend.
To avoid this, stick with manufacturers that have their products tested. All of Earth Buddy's CBD products are tested for safety and potency, and our hemp is organic and grown without pesticides. You can view the lab results for each product by scanning the QR code provided.
Another tip is to avoid artificial ingredients. Earth Buddy uses natural ingredients in our hemp chews.
CBD Dog Treats
We offer a few different types of hemp treats.
Our Pumpkin hemp hearts each contain 4mg of CBD. They also contain pumpkin, which is rich in fiber to help support proper digestion. Plus organic coconut oil, which is rich in essential fatty acids, which are vital to everyday health, strong muscles, and healthy joints.
If your dog prefers soft chews that are a little more fruity, consider our Blueberry hemp hearts. They're the same strength as the pumpkin ones, but with organic blueberries instead of pumpkin. Those blueberries are rich in antioxidants, which help protect the body from oxidative stress.
For something a little stronger, both in flavor and dosage, we offer Duck & Apple flavored calming chews. Each contains 5mg of CBD extract, plus tocopherols, which are a great source of vitamin E.
There's also our Beef & Pumpkin flavored calming chews. Each contains 10mg of CBD extract. These chews are also grain-free.
Conclusion
Hemp treats have many potential health benefits. They can promote relaxation, enhance the immune response, help with occasional stiffness, and maintain a normal inflammatory response.
These treats can be incorporated into your dog's routine or given as needed. For example, you might give your dog a treat if you expect them to have to deal with a stressful event, like loud noises, car rides, or separation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take for Hemp Dog Treats to Work?
That depends on what you are using hemp treats for. If you're hoping to promote relaxation, we generally recommend giving your dog their treat (or treats, depending on your dog's weight) about 30 to 45 minutes before a stressful event.
On the other hand, if you're aiming to support your pet's health overall, you can incorporate hemp treats into your dog's daily routine.
Do Hemp Chews for Dogs Really Work?
Yes! Studies show that CBD provides dogs with many potential health benefits. It has been shown to promote relaxation, help with occasional soreness, support the immune response, and more.
What's Better for Dogs, Hemp or CBD?
Both hemp and CBD have been shown to provide many potential health benefits for dogs. Hemp contains additional compounds, including cannabinoids and terpenes, which may have additional potential health benefits. For example, some terpenes can help combat oxidative stress and act as a digestive aid.
Keep Reading: Glutathione vs. NAC: A Comparison of These Antioxidants
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Sources
- Scientists studied 47,000 dogs on CBD and found a surprising behavior shift | ScienceDaily
- U.S. pet ownership statistics | American Veterinary Medical Association
- The Endocannabinoid System of Animals - PMC
- Daily dosing of cannabidiol (CBD) demonstrates a positive effect on measures of stress in dogs during repeated exposure to car travel | Journal of Animal Science | Oxford Academic
- CBD: What you need to know about its uses and efficacy | Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
- Scientists studied 47,000 dogs on CBD and found a surprising behavior shift | ScienceDaily
- In Vitro and In Vivo Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Cannabidiol Isolated from Novel Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Cultivar Pink Pepper - PMC
- Cytotoxicity and Immunomodulatory Effects of Cannabidiol on Canine PBMCs: A Study in LPS-Stimulated and Epileptic Dogs
- Understanding the Endocannabinoid System in Dogs | Earth Buddy Pet
- Osteoarthritis in Dogs: Symptoms and Treatments | LePar Animal Hospital
- Cannabis-based extract for managing pain in dogs with osteoarthritis: efficacy and safety assessment
- A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of daily cannabidiol for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis pain - PMC
- Efficacy and safety of cannabidiol for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of animal intervention studies - PMC
- Study Shows that CBDa and CBD Significantly Improve Mobility in Dogs with Joint Discomfort
- Gut-Brain Axis Impact on Canine Anxiety Disorders: New Challenges for Behavioral Veterinary Medicine - PMC , Impact of acute stress on the canine gut microbiota | Scientific Reports
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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.
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