Is Human CBD Safe for Dogs? A Pet Owner’s Guide

Pet CBD is known to make a positive impact on your pet's health, whether they’re a small gerbil or a large mastiff. CBD may help pets stay happy, healthy, and even support those with health concerns. But what happens when you've used up your pet’s bottle of CBD oil or you’re looking to try CBD with your pet, and all you have is your personal bottle of CBD oil?

Is it safe to give your pet human CBD oil? Let’s break it down.

Can I Give My Pet Human CBD Oil?

The short answer? Maybe, but there are important factors to consider when it comes to your pet's health and safety. There are significant differences between pet CBD and human CBD oil that you’ll need to be aware of before sharing your CBD with your pet. The difference between human and pet CBD goes beyond concentration—it also involves formulation and safety considerations.

If you’re asking, "can I give my dog human CBD?" it’s essential to understand the potential risks before doing so. Pet CBD products are specifically formulated for animals, while human CBD products are designed for people. This means you could accidentally give your pet too much CBD or expose them to harmful ingredients.

As with any supplement, it’s always best to consult with your veterinarian before introducing something new to your pet’s routine. This applies to everything from CBD to a multivitamin. Your vet will likely be supportive of using CBD oil on your pet and may even carry a trusted brand, like Pet Releaf’s Sentesa.

What is the Difference Between Pet CBD Oil and Human CBD Oil?

Pet CBD differs from regular CBD oil in several ways. The primary difference between pet CBD oil and human CBD oil is the concentration of CBD. Since pets are generally much smaller than humans, they require lower amounts of CBD. However, concentration is just one of the risks of giving dogs human CBD. You also need to watch out for potentially harmful ingredients, THC levels, and the overall quality of the CBD product. Human CBD vs. pet CBD is a critical distinction, and using a human CBD product may expose your pet to additives or CBD oil ingredients to avoid for dogs and cats.

When it comes to pet CBD, quality is key. High-quality pet CBD products are made with safe and effective manufacturing practices, ensuring they are both safe and bioavailable for your pet. Pet-safe CBD products will usually highlight their manufacturing process and ingredient transparency. 

Poor-quality CBD, on the other hand, may contain toxic chemicals or solvents, and could be less effective due to improper manufacturing. Always choose pet-specific CBD oils to ensure safety and effectiveness.

1. Is There Anything Else in Your CBD?

Many ingredients in human CBD products can be harmful to pets, and it's important to check what’s in the CBD oil before giving it to your furry friend.

Xylitol
This common sweetener is found in many human CBD products, but it is highly toxic to pets, especially dogs. Even small amounts can lead to a dangerous drop in blood sugar, causing hypoglycemia, seizures, and potentially death. If you suspect your pet has ingested xylitol, contact your vet or a 24-hour animal hospital immediately.

Essential Oils
While essential oils like citrus, peppermint, and cinnamon are often added for scent and flavor in human CBD, they can be dangerous—especially for cats. Ingesting these oils can cause toxicity in pets, leading to digestive distress, drooling, or worse.

Fillers and Additives
Some CBD products—both human and low-quality pet CBD—may contain unnecessary fillers or additives. If you're choosing CBD for pets based on flavorings, avoid oils that contain artificial sweeteners or flavor enhancers. These ingredients could be harmful to pets, making it even more important to choose high-quality, pet-specific CBD. Always follow CBD oil pet safety guidelines when selecting a supplement for your pet.

THC Levels
The most critical aspect of pet CBD oil is ensuring that THC levels are below 0.03%, which is the legal limit in hemp. Cannabis, Marijuana, and THC is toxic to pets, especially dogs, as they have more cannabinoid receptors in their brains, causing them to absorb THC faster than humans. This can result in symptoms like unsteadiness, hyperactivity, or vocalization. Although rare, THC toxicity can require veterinary care. For safety, choose pet CBD products made from domestically grown hemp, where THC levels are strictly regulated.

Choosing CBD products made from American-grown hemp ensures they are compliant with the law, containing only trace amounts of THC (0.03%)—a level that is generally safe for pets.

2. Is Your CBD Organic?

While not always essential, choosing organic CBD is a good rule of thumb for ensuring a higher-quality product. Organic CBD means that the hemp is grown without harmful chemicals like herbicides or pesticides. Since pets have smaller bodies, they can be more sensitive to these chemicals, which could affect their health over time. Opting for organic CBD for pets helps minimize this risk, giving you peace of mind that your pet’s supplement is as safe and natural as possible.

3. Was Your CBD Cheap?

The cost of CBD can be a strong indicator of its quality. Higher-priced products are often made with better-quality hemp and more careful manufacturing processes, ensuring that the CBD is both effective and safe for your pet. On the other hand, cheaper CBD options may cut corners in production, potentially leading to contaminants, lower-quality hemp, or less bioactive CBD. When it comes to your pet’s health, it’s worth investing in a higher-quality product that prioritizes both safety and effectiveness.

A safe CBD oil for dogs or cats should always come from a trusted source, be free from contaminants, and meet pet-specific safety standards. Cheap CBD oil products may use low-quality hemp or questionable extraction methods, increasing risks for pets. When in doubt, always opt for safe CBD options for dogs and cats with clear sourcing and third-party lab results.

4. Is Your CBD Third-Party Tested for Contaminants?

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a CBD product for your pet is whether it's third-party tested for contaminants. Independent lab testing ensures that the product meets quality standards, confirming the correct THC levels and checking for industrial pollutants or harmful substances. This provides assurance that your pet is receiving a safe, clean product with nothing harmful mixed in.

5. How Was Your CBD Oil Made?

The way that CBD is manufactured directly impacts the quality of the finished product. If your CBD oil was made with heat, the delicate plant compounds of hemp could be damaged or destroyed. Many of hemp’s chemical constituents, like the volatile and highly scented terpenes, will break down in the presence of heat. This means a less active, or powerful, CBD product for you or your pet.

If your CBD product was made with chemicals or solvents, then they may leave behind trace amounts in the CBD product. This could be harmful to both you and your pet. If a CBD product is made without heat, chemicals, or solvents, companies will likely put that information on their label, because it is a way to set themselves apart from competitors. Or, if the information isn’t on the label, it’s likely on the company website. If there’s no information on the packaging or the company website, that’s a good sign that cheaper manufacturing methods that involve heat, chemicals, and solvents are being used.

You must take all of these factors into consideration so you can keep your pet safe. While CBD is good for pets, it may be wiser to simply wait until you can buy some CBD designed for your precious pet, than try and give them a product that wasn’t made for them.

Keep Your Pet Happy and Safe With Pet CBD

So, now that we’ve answered the question, “is human CBD safe for dogs?” you know that human CBD is actually not the best option for your furry friend and can contain ingredients harmful to pets. Instead, you should choose pet CBD treats that are specially formulated for pets' needs, ensuring safety and effectiveness.

Additionally, choosing CBD made from American-grown hemp guarantees safer THC levels, as U.S. regulations keep them within safe limits. Hemp grown outside the U.S. could have higher THC levels, which is unsafe for pets.

Pet Releaf starts with sustainably grown hemp right here in the United States, using Terpex technology for the cleanest, most effective extraction without heat, chemicals, or solvents. It’s also the most eco-friendly method available. With Pet Releaf, you can trust that your pet’s CBD is top-quality.

Pet Releaf offers a range of products, including CBD products for pets of all sizes—from small pets to extra-large dogs. Whether you’re using chews, oils, or capsules, our dog CBD and CBD pet product options are now widely available and tailored to meet your pet’s needs. Check out our pet-safe CBD Oils or our CBD chews today.

Not sure where to start? Use our product quiz to easily find the best CBD for your pet’s needs.