Phytocannabinoids for Dogs: Everything You Need to Know

Did you know that over six million dogs have had products with phytocannabinoids?¹ Read on for the science behind these important compounds and the potential health benefits they may provide our furry friends.

Key Takeaways

Phytocannabinoids are cannabinoids that are naturally produced by Cannabis sativa, commonly known as the cannabis plant or hemp plant.
They are distinct from endocannabinoids, which are produced by the body.
Cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system, an important collection of receptors and signals that influences many crucial bodily functions.
Some phytocannabinoids and terpenes can amplify the benefits of CBD, in what is known as the “entourage effect”.
Others, like CBD, have been found to provide plenty of potential health benefits, from promoting relaxation to supporting the immune system and beyond.

Understanding Phytocannabinoids

Phytocannabinoids are a group of similar chemical compounds. You've likely heard of some of them, like THC or CBD.

What makes phytocannabinoids unique is their origin. Phytocannabinoids are naturally produced by the cannabis plant and the hemp plant. ² Both of these plants have the same scientific name: Cannabis sativa.

Cannabis Sativa

The cannabis or hemp plant naturally produces dozens of cannabinoids. In fact, over 100 cannabinoids have been identified.³

They aren't the only chemical compounds produced by Cannabis sativa. A single cannabis plant will typically produce over 500 distinct chemical substances.⁴ These other substances include terpenes, of which over 100 have been identified.⁵

Types of Phytocannabinoids

We've already mentioned two of the most famous phytocannabinoids. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the main active ingredient in cannabis. Its psychoactive effects are responsible for the classic "high" associated with cannabis.⁶

CBD, or cannabidiol, is another popular phytocannabinoid. Unlike THC, CBD is not psychoactive. It does, however, provide many potential health benefits, making it a popular ingredient in supplements for both humans and animals.⁷

Another frequently discussed phytocannabinoid is CBDa, or Cannabidiolic Acid. Heat can convert CBDa into CBD.⁸

THC and CBD are the most abundant cannabinoids in Cannabis sativa. That makes other cannabinoids a little rarer, but they are still sometimes used.

For example, CBG, or cannabigerol, is sometimes used in supplements for humans and pets. According to research, it may have antioxidant effects and could help promote relaxation.⁹

CBG is sometimes called the "mother of all cannabinoids."¹⁰ That's because its acidic form, CBGa, is a common precursor for all phytocannabinoids.¹¹

Another rare phytocannabinoid sometimes used in supplements is CBN, or cannabinol. It's essentially a weaker form of THC, so in large doses can have mild psychoactive properties. Studies suggest it could help promote a calming effect.¹²

Bonus: Can Cats Have Colostrum? Benefits, Uses, & More

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The Endocannabinoid System

Phytocannabinoids are also called exogenous cannabinoids. That means cannabinoids that are not produced by the body.

Humans, dogs, and many other animals actually produce cannabinoids themselves. These cannabinoids are called endogenous cannabinoids, or endocannabinoids, and they are absolutely vital for all kinds of bodily functions.¹³

Endocannabinoids are part of the endocannabinoid system. Believe it or not, humans only discovered this system in the 1990s, thousands of years after the first people discovered the effects of phytocannabinoids like THC.¹⁴

Despite its recent discovery, plenty of research has been conducted into the endocannabinoid system. It quickly became clear that this system is linked to many important physiological processes, from memory to sleep to the immune response and beyond.¹⁵

Cannabinoid Receptors

In essence, the endocannabinoid system is formed of a massive, dense network of receptors. These cannabinoid receptors are spread throughout the body, but are particularly concentrated in the brain. They actually outnumber many other receptors in the brain.¹⁶

The stimulation or activation of these receptors influences various systems in the body, like the central nervous system, immune system, and even peripheral nerves. And what stimulates them? Cannabinoids! ¹⁷

That's why phytocannabinoids like THC and CBD have such significant effects. They can stimulate the same receptors as endocannabinoids, and can therefore influence the complex, important endocannabinoid system in different ways.

In some cases, the interaction of phytocannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system can produce powerful potential health benefits.

“Inside of us, we make cannabinoids, which are a molecule that bind to [endocannabinoid] receptors. And because we make them ourselves, we call them endocannabinoids,” explains Dr. Casara Andre during a discussion with Earth Buddy co-founder Sean Zyer. “If the plant is making the molecule that can bind to those receptors, then we call it a phytocannabinoid.

“What's lovely is that both these molecules, endocannabinoids and phytocannabinoids, still bind to the same receptors in our body, so we can help and benefit this system inside of ourselves from either side.”

Degradation Enzymes

Before we get to those potential benefits, it's important to note how the body gets rid of cannabinoids. Various enzymes are produced to help metabolize or break down different cannabinoids.¹⁸

That's important because you need to be able to increase and decrease the concentration of cannabinoids in order to keep the whole system functioning smoothly. It's also partially why phytocannabinoids like THC and CBD don't last forever in the body.

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Potential Benefits of Phytocannabinoids for Dogs and Cats

The endocannabinoid system isn't unique to humans. It's actually present in all kinds of animals, including worms, birds, fish, and mammals.¹⁹

That means phytocannabinoids can affect many different animals, including dogs and cats.²⁰ Some cannabinoids, especially CBD, have various potential health benefits.

For example, multiple studies have found that CBD can promote relaxation in dogs. In one 2024 study, dogs given CBD before a stressful car ride displayed noticeably fewer signs of stress compared to dogs not given CBD.²²

Research also suggests that CBD may help soothe skin-related issues associated with seasonal allergies.²³ And studies also suggest CBD could help support and even enhance the immune response.²⁴

The many potential benefits of CBD have made it an increasingly popular phytocannabinoid ingredient in supplements, both for humans and dogs. In the US alone, millions of dogs have already tried CBD, like Full-Spectrum CBD Oil for Pets.²⁵ In other countries, one-quarter to one-third of dog owners have reported giving their pups CBD.²⁶

CBD Oil

CBD supplements come in all shapes and sizes. One of the most popular is CBD oil.²⁷

CBD oil, often called hemp extract, is a great way to give a dog CBD. You can give them a dose straight from the dropper, mix it into their food, or even use it to make your own CBD pet treats.

Not all CBD oils are the same, however. Ideally, you'd want a full-spectrum oil, which contains all of the cannabinoids produced by the hemp plant. These other cannabinoids can boost the efficacy of CBD, making it more effective than it would be alone.²⁸

Try to also buy CBD oil from reputable manufacturers who submit their products to third-party labs for testing.

We offer full-spectrum, organic CBD Oil in three sizes: 250mg, perfect for cats and small to medium-sized dogs; 500mg; and 1,000mg, perfect for bigger pups who'll need higher doses of CBD.

Pet Food and Treats

Another popular form of CBD supplement is treats. As any pet parent knows, most dogs love a treat. Thanks to the rapid growth of the CBD supplement market, there are now plenty of options to choose from, such as Hemp Dog Chews for Calming.

Just make sure to follow the dosage guidelines on the packaging, no matter how much your dog begs for more.

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Conclusion

Phytocannabinoids are a group of powerful compounds with plenty of potential health benefits. These potential benefits are possible thanks to the endocannabinoid system, which uses cannabinoids to function.

Perhaps the most popular phytocannabinoid for dogs is CBD. Studies suggest it can help dogs stay calm and relaxed, soothe skin-related issues associated with seasonal allergies, support the immune system, and much more.

Keep Reading: Can Dogs Be Allergic to CBD or Hemp?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Okay to Give Dogs CBD Every Day?

Yes! In fact, many CBD products for dogs are designed to be taken every day. Our Blueberry Hemp Hearts are one example.

That said, you don't have to give your dog CBD every day. For example, you might be interested in CBD products to help your dog cope with external stresses. If no stresses are present, you might not need to give them any CBD.

Regardless of whether you give your dog CBD daily or as-needed, remember to always follow the dosage recommendations listed on your product.

What Do Cannabinoids Do For Dogs?

There are over 100 cannabinoids, and different ones do very different things to dogs.

Studies have shown that dogs can tolerate CBD, another highly popular cannabinoid.³⁰ Research has also found that CBD could provide various potential health benefits for dogs, from promoting relaxation to supporting the immune system and much more.³¹

Does CBD Actually Do Anything For Dogs?

Every dog is different, and each dog will react differently to CBD. It's entirely possible that an individual dog might not react to CBD in any noticeable way.

However, that would be extremely unusual. In healthy dogs, CBD can interact with the endocannabinoid system and would therefore cause various potential effects. Many of these potential effects are quite beneficial; for example, a massive study of almost 50,000 dogs found that CBD could have a calming effect on the nerves.³²

Sources

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.

Phytocannabinoids for Dogs: Everything You Need to Know

Key Takeaways