Pet CBD 101

In this article, we answer some of the most common questions about CBD for pets.

What is CBD? How does CBD for dogs differ from CBD for humans? Is it safe? How could CBD soft chews or CBD oil help your dog? And how much should your dog take? In this article, we answer some of the most common questions about CBD for pets.

First identified in 1940, CBD—or cannabidiol—is one of more than 120 phytocannabinoids that scientists have identified. It appears in significant concentrations in the hemp plant. Unlike THC (the compound typically associated with the cannabis “high”), CBD isn’t intoxicating, and research is currently being conducted to determine its favorable effects in animals. 

In 2018, revisions to the Farm Bill legalized the growth of so-called industrial hemp, which contains less than 0.3%—what can be called trace amounts—of THC. The bill also legalized CBD derived from industrial hemp for human consumption, subject to regulation from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

However, no such legalization has been granted for animals, and CBD has not been approved by the FDA for use in animals. That’s why we have partnered with the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) to bring CBD products for pets to the consumer market. (Learn more about the NASC below.)

CBD can have a more pronounced effect on dogs than on people, because dogs have more brain receptors for cannabinoids than humans do. Taking this into account, the CBD in SurityPro™ and Martha Stewart CBD pet products has been tailored to suit a dog’s physiology, and to reduce THC to levels far below the 0.3% threshold.

A certificate of analysis (COA) is available for every one of our pet products, so you can see an independently verified analytical summary of the levels of all cannabinoids and other compounds present. 

You can view the COA for a product you’ve already purchased by searching its lot number, or review the COA before purchase by searching the product’s name; either way, the information is easily available on our COA page. 

To learn more about COAs and their importance, read our blog on the topic.

Martha Stewart CBD for Pets and SurityPro™ are committed to developing CBD-based formulations that are scientifically proven to be safe for their intended use.

All of the ingredients used in our products—including the hemp-extracted CBD—are naturally derived, responsibly sourced in the USA, and have been thoroughly tested. We partner with veterinarians, scientists, and leading academic institutions to create products that help pets live their best lives.

In addition, all Martha Stewart CBD for Pets and SurityPro™ products bear the quality seal of the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC), a certification body that works with the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine to provide regulatory guidance for CBD/hemp products for animals. We are proud to have voluntarily adopted the NASC’s strict criteria for quality, safety, and marketing practices. 

We strongly recommend you only give your pets CBD products that were manufactured specifically for animals, and always follow label directions and dosage instructions.

Martha Stewart CBD for Pets and SurityPro™ products are precisely formulated to help enhance your dog's physical and mental well-being. Depending on the formulation you choose, they can: 

• Help dogs cope with everyday stress

They can also support:

• Joint health, flexibility, and mobility
• Calm, balanced behavior
• Cognitive function, long-term eye health, and overall physical and mental well-being in mature dogs

In addition to their CBD content, these products also contain secondary active ingredients that are commonly used to support pets, such as naturally derived anti-inflammatories, omega-3 fatty acids, amino acids, and antioxidants. To see a detailed list of the secondary active ingredients in our pet CBD products, view our FAQs.

All of our pet products (CBD oil for dogs and CBD soft chews for dogs) are designed to be given daily, with precise recommended amounts based on your dog’s weight. 

All of our soft chew products have been developed so that the most you ever have to give your dog is 2.5 chews per day, at the largest weight range. Some other products may require many more chews per day, which can be difficult to keep up with and result in more frequent orders or trips to the pet store. While your pet may be happy to receive extra chews, we find the sweet spot is in having a manageable average of 1–2 per day to keep things simple.

Likewise, our oil drop products have been formulated so that the most you ever have to give your dog is 2 mL per day, at the largest weight range. The goal is to make it simple to give just the right amount, every day. 

You should use these products as directed on the product packaging; instructions are also available on each product’s listing page so you can read them before purchase. Be careful not to exceed the recommended daily amounts for any pet CBD product or to combine it with other products containing CBD (including other products sold by Shop Canopy).

To go beyond the basics and learn more about other topics related to pet CBD, read our other blogs and view our FAQs.