Can Dogs Have CBD Oil in the UK? Complete Guide for Owners

The inevitable question that will eventually face every health conscious dog owner is “can dogs have CBD oil?” The answer to this, here in the UK, is complicated. But luckily for you were are on hand to explore everything you need to know about CBD oil for dogs.

Can dogs have CBD oil?

Dogs can absolutely benefit from CBD oil however in the UK it isn’t as straightforward as purchasing over the counter like you would for yourself. In countries like the USA, CBD products designed specifically for pets are available. Owners give it to their pets for a range of reasons including pain, inflammation, anxiousness and even for seizures. However the UK has stricter regulations.

UK Regulations: CBD for Pets

Back in 2018, at the time of their last statement on CBD, the VMD stated “veterinary products containing CBD are veterinary medicines and should be regulated as such.”

However to achieve this a company would require approval by the Veterinary medincines Directive (VMD). This is a very expensive process and subsequently, to date no pet-specific products have undergone this approval.

Due to this, in the UK it is illegal to market or sell CBD products for pets unless they have been approved as a veterinary medicine. As a result, you won’t find any legal CBD products designed for dogs available in the UK market.

How does CBD help Dogs?

CBD interacts with your dog’s endocannabinoid system, just like it does in humans. This is the system in their body responsible for pain response, mood, inflammation and more. There are numerous potential benefits of letting dogs have CBD oil such as:

• Pain relief: CBD may reduce pain associated with your furry friend’s inflammatory conditions
• Reduced Anxiousness: Dogs with separation anxiety or stress from loud noises such as fire works may find relief in CBD.
• Skin Conditions: CBD has also been studied for its potential to alleviate itching and inflammation in dogs with skin allergies.
• Seizure Management: Finally preliminary studies suggest CBD may help reduce seizures in dogs with epilepsy.

Is CBD Safe for Dogs?

Similar to humans, CBD is very well tolerated by dogs, with minimal side effects. However there are some important safety considerations:

• Drug Interactions: CBD may interact with other medications your dog may be taking. For this reason, it is important to consult a vet before using CBD oil.
• Dosage: Getting the right dosage is crucial. This is why it is essential to consult with your vet before use. They will be able to guide you on appropriate dosing based on your dog’s size and condition.
• THC Content: Additionally, you should consider using a THC free CBD product. As even small amounts of THC may be toxic to dogs. With that said, thanks to the FSA regulations, nearly all CBD products sold in the UK are THC free.

Can I give my Dog Human CBD Oil?

Although there are no approved CBD pet products in the UK, you may be wondering if you can use human CBD oil for your best friend. Technically, it is illegal to give CBD oil to pets without a prescription from a vet. However, if you have a vet’s approval and a prescription, you can absolutely, legally administer human CBD oil to your dog.

What to Look for in CBD Oil for Dogs?

If your vet prescribes human CBD oil for your dog you want to look out for the usual hallmarks of quality CBD.

• CBD Extract: Again you may wish to consider a CBD oil without THC. This means sourcing a CBD isolate oil or Broad Spectrum CBD Oil.
• Third-Party Lab Tested: Ensure your oil has been tested for purity, contaminants and cannabinoid profile. All products sold at Hemptations are lab tested to
• Organic Ingredients: If you really want to go the extra mile, consider a CBD oil with organic certification like CBD Brothers Oils. This will minimise your best friend’s exposure to harmful chemicals while likely boosting cannabinoid and terpene content.

The Future of CBD for Dogs in the UK

While UK regulations currently restrict CBD products for pets, change may be on the horizon. Some manufacturers have been authorised to create veterinary specials, bespoke medicationons for specific needs. Theoretically this could potentially open the door to legal CBD products for pets in the future. For now, the only legal option is to use human CBD Oil under veterinary supervision.

Final Thoughts: Can Dogs have CBD Oil?

To summarise, while dogs can aabsolutely benefit from CBD oil, UK regulations make it unlawful to give it to your pet without a vet’s blessing. If your dog could benefit from CBD for discomforts like pain or anxiousness, speak with your vet about legal options. With growing interest in CBD’s benefits, it’s possible that pet-specific products may become available in the UK in the future. Watch this space.

Want to know more about CBD?

If you’ve enjoyed this article on ‘can you overdose on CBD’ you may like to read more about CBD usage. Here are some of our most popular posts on Using CBD.

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Alternatively check out our other blog categories to learn all about – Buying CBD | Learning CBD

Any questions?

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