CBD for Animals — What Pet Owners Should Know
September 10, 2026
CBD isn’t new to me.
I began working with CBD in 2015, both professionally and personally. Over the years, I’ve watched the research grow, formulations improve, and CBD become much more familiar to people looking for additional ways to support both their own health and the health of their pets.
My own dog, Ralph, was part of that journey.
Ralph lived to be 17½ years old, and as he aged, CBD became the number-one product in his supportive protocol. I also used S-Acetyl Glutathione as part of his regimen. Both were chosen for their potential to support a healthy inflammatory response, which became especially important to me as he got older.
I certainly can’t say that CBD was responsible for Ralph’s long life. But I can say that it was an important part of how I cared for him, and that experience is one reason I remain so interested in the thoughtful use of CBD for dogs today.
Why Do Pet Owners Use CBD?
Dogs have an endocannabinoid system, just as humans do. This system is involved in many functions throughout the body.
Some of the most common reasons people consider CBD for their dogs include stress from thunderstorms, fireworks, separation or travel; joint comfort and mobility; seizure support; appetite and digestive concerns; skin discomfort; and general support as dogs age.
Research in dogs is still developing, but canine studies have investigated CBD for osteoarthritis and joint discomfort, epilepsy, and stress-related behaviors.
Choosing a CBD Product You Can Trust
One of the biggest challenges with CBD is knowing what you can trust.
There are many products on the market, and labels do not always tell you everything you need to know about potency, THC content, formulation, or testing.
I look for clear labeling, independent testing, appropriate ingredients, consistency, and a formulation that makes sense for its intended use.
For dogs, I also want a product with no detectable THC and no ingredients that are inappropriate for pets.
That is one reason I selected Viddlez™ Balance CBD Soft Chews for the LabNaturalsCBD™ line.
As a pharmacist, I also remind pet owners to consider any medications their dog may be taking. CBD has the potential to interact with certain medications, so if your dog takes prescription medications or has an underlying medical condition, I recommend discussing CBD use with your me or your veterinarian. (Over 450 veterinarians have recommended LabNaturalsCBD to date!)
How Much CBD Should I Give My Dog?
CBD dosing is generally based on body weight.
A useful general range is:
1–5 mg CBD for every 10 pounds of body weight.
I prefer to start at the lower end of the range, observe the response, and increase gradually if needed.
For occasional comfort support, CBD may be given up to every 8 hours as needed. For other uses, it is commonly given once or twice daily. This reflects the dosing guidance provided with Viddlez™.
And Viddlez™ chews are not the only option.
For larger dogs, where several chews might otherwise be needed, Nano CBD Liquid or 25 mg Nano CBD Capsules may be a more practical way to provide the desired amount of CBD.
The Liquid also allows the amount to be measured more precisely, while Capsules can be convenient when a higher amount is needed.
Start With the Goal
Before giving CBD, ask one important question:
What effect am I hoping to achieve?
Then pay attention to:
How much did I give?
How long did it take to notice an effect?
Did it work for the intended purpose?
Those observations tell you much more than simply saying your dog “takes CBD.”
My Approach After More Than a Decade With CBD
After working with CBD since 2015, my approach remains simple:
Know what you’re giving. Know why you’re giving it. Choose a product you can trust. Start with an appropriate amount. And pay attention to the response.
That was my approach with Ralph, and it remains my approach today.
More Than Pet CBD
The same pharmacist-guided approach goes into the rest of the LabNaturalsCBD™ line.
Our Nano CBD Liquid, 25 mg Nano CBD Capsules, and *Nano Pain Cream have all been personally evaluated and approved by me as a pharmacist, with attention to formulation, testing, consistency, and appropriate use. *I personally formulate the Nano Pain Cream.
Whether you are choosing CBD for yourself or for your dog, the goal is the same:
Make an informed choice and know what is in the product you are using.
Viddlez™ Balance CBD Soft Chews and the full LabNaturalsCBD™ line are available at LabNaturalsCBD.com.
Questions about CBD or dosing?
Email Susan at susan@maapgh.com.
Susan Merenstein, RPh
Holistic Consultant Pharmacist
The Vital Health Pharmacist™
Educational information only. Individual animals may respond differently.
References
Gamble LJ, et al. Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Clinical Efficacy of Cannabidiol Treatment in Osteoarthritic Dogs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 2018;5:165.
McGrath S, et al. Randomized blinded controlled clinical trial to assess the effect of oral cannabidiol administration in addition to conventional antiepileptic treatment on seizure frequency in dogs with intractable idiopathic epilepsy. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 2019;254(11):1301–1308.
Hunt ABG, et al. A single dose of cannabidiol positively influences measures of stress in dogs during separation and car travel. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 2023;10:1112604.
Brioschi FA, et al. Efficacy and safety of cannabidiol for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 2023;10:1248417.