By Luke Sumpter

The non-psychotropic cannabinoid CBD has surged from a relatively unknown molecule to a superstar supplement. Now, people are also starting to administer this phytochemical to their feline and canine companions in hopes of easing tension and soothing pain. To meet this demand, hundreds of businesses now sell CBD pet treats for cats and dogs. However, the research supporting CBD for pets remains scant, and some owners are hesitant to give their pets CBD due to safety concerns.

So, should you give your pet CBD, and what research exists to support this decision? Find out everything you need to know below.


🐶🐱 Q&A

What do pets feel on CBD?
Nobody truly knows the answer to this question—we can’t get inside the minds of our companion animals. However, owners often report that CBD relaxes their pets and eases restlessness.
Will CBD treats calm my pet?
Ongoing studies are looking to see if CBD can help to ease nervousness and anxiety in cats and dogs. Many anecdotal reports from owners suggest that the cannabinoid might help to reduce mental and physical tension.
How quickly does CBD work in pets?
Unlike us humans, cats and dogs can only take CBD through oral administration. Because the molecule needs to pass through the digestive system, it takes 30–45 minutes to produce an effect.
Will CBD put my pet to sleep?
CBD affects different animals in unique ways. However, in higher doses, CBD is largely recognised to make pets feel tired.
Can CBD cause anxiety in pets?
CBD can contribute to anxiety in some cats and dogs. However, it can have the opposite effect on others. You should also start low and slow when giving your pet CBD to see how it influences their unique physiology.

How Does CBD For Cats Work?

As is the case with humans, cats have an endocannabinoid system (ECS) that regulates important physiological functions such as immunity, mood, sleep, and pain. Cannabinoid receptors are found all throughout the body, including the brain, nervous system, and immune system. What makes cannabis so special is that its active compounds can bind or influence these receptors. Just as the human ECS can be affected by phytocannabinoids, so can that of cats.

How Does CBD For Cats Work?

How Can CBD Help Your Cat?

Despite a mounting body of evidence on the potential applications of CBD, the field of cannabis-related medical research is still new. As such, there are few in vivo studies of CBD on cats; however, a growing legion of cat owners have indeed started giving the cannabinoid to their pets in the form of treats and oils.

CBD is currently being observed for its impact on the following conditions in cats:

  • Aggression
  • Loss of appetite
  • Anxiety
  • Stress
  • Lack of energy
  • Inflammation
  • Infections

CM

Though CBD is being studied for its effect on a wealth of conditions, researchers are perhaps most interested in its potential effects on inflammation and pain.

How To Dose CBD For Cats

Cats are obviously much smaller than humans, which means they will normally require much lower doses of CBD than we do.

According to some veterinarians, 0.1–0.5mg of CBD per kg of your cat is recommended. Individual doses may vary depending on the specific condition your cat is suffering from, among other factors. Remember, less can be more. It is always better to start with low doses first to see how your cat responds.

Cats and CBD

Is CBD Oil Safe for Cats?

Yes, CBD oil is safe for cats. Although generally considered safe and effective, there still remains a lack of scientific evidence documenting the impact of the cannabinoid on our feline friends. If you’re considering giving your cat CBD oil, have a chat with your vet first about the decision and how to go about it safely.

  • Will CBD Oil Get Your Cat High?

No, CBD does not produce a high in cats. THC produces psychotropic effects by binding to CB1 receptors in the brain. CBD doesn’t possess the same ability. Instead, it alters the levels of internal cannabinoids and acts on other receptor sites.

  • Side Effects of CBD Oil for Cats

CBD may cause a few side effects in cats. When administered in the appropriate dose, you shouldn’t notice any major changes in your cat's behaviour.

You might notice that your pet becomes slightly more lethargic and less energetic after first introducing them to CBD.

To reduce any symptoms of lethargy, simply reduce the dosage. If need be, you can slowly work the dosage back up over time.

Rare side effects may include anxiety, nausea, vomiting, and changes in appetite. However, these effects are usually short-lived and mild.

CBD Treats for Cats

CBD Treats for Cats

Giving CBD to cats has come a long way from dabbing some CBD oil onto a biscuit. Now, cats have the pleasure of chowing down on specially created products designed to enhance health and wellness.

Businesses within the United States—a country with a well-developed cannabis market—are setting the stage for the future of CBD products for cats. Here, hundreds of snacks, treats, and bites are available. Such products include salmon-flavoured treats containing 2mg of CBD per serving, tuna fish-infused offerings with 40mg of CBD, and a large range of relaxing chews.

CBD for Dogs: What We Know So Far

Very little laboratory research is conducted on companion animals like cats and dogs.

However, the fact that dogs have an endocannabinoid system means we can look to clinical trials for a better understanding of how CBD might impact our furry friends.

Research has shown that the endocannabinoid system plays a key role in mediating a wide variety of biological processes, including appetite, mood, sleep, stress response, metabolism, and more.

CBD for Dogs: What We Know So Far

Studies are exploring the role of CBD in different areas of canine health, including:

  • Appetite and metabolism
  • Mood
  • Immune response
  • Skin health

What Do Veterinarians Say About CBD for Dogs?

More veterinarians are showing support for cannabis supplements. Unfortunately, many vets cannot prescribe or promote cannabis-derived pet products for legal reasons.

Regardless, myriad pet owners use CBD to help their dogs deal with daily challenges associated with ageing, certain conditions, or environmental stressors.

Dogs and Fireworks: Can CBD Help Chill Your Canine Out?

Dogs, like humans, can get nervous and stressed, especially during thunderstorms, while travelling in the car, on walks or trips to the park, when receiving guests, on visits to the vet, and, of course, when fireworks are blasting off in the distance. Might CBD be of benefit in this regard?

We can first look to this 2011 study[1] that tested the effects of CBD in patients with social phobia. Final results noted that patients who received CBD prior to the test exhibited reduced levels of anxiety, cognitive impairment, and discomfort in their speech performance compared to the placebo group.

Then there’s this 2016 case report[2] that examined the effects of CBD on the symptoms of a 10-year-old girl with pediatric anxiety and insomnia due to post-traumatic stress disorder. While pharmaceutical drugs had provided her with some short-lived relief, they also caused a wide range of negative side effects. Given CBD’s non-toxic nature and minimal side effects, researchers consider it worthy of study for PTSD treatment.

Dogs and Fireworks: Can CBD Help Chill Your Canine Out?

How Else Might CBD Benefit Your Dog?

Nonetheless, many pet owners swear by CBD as a supplement to benefit their beloved furry friend.

Below, you’ll find additional ways in which CBD may affect your dog.

  • Manages Upset Stomach

Many different conditions and situations can cause dogs to feel sick or vomit. Some common causes of nausea and vomiting in dogs include:

- Ingesting irritating substances like chocolate, food scraps, etc.
- Dietary changes
- Parasites
- Gastrointestinal issues, like gastritis or bloating
- Bacterial infections
- Old age

While nausea and vomiting may seem like pretty straightforward and common symptoms, they are both actually very complex physiological processes that involve the digestive tract and nervous system, and often come accompanied by other symptoms (such as appetite loss, anxiety, impaired concentration, and pain).

In fact, there's a solid body of research which demonstrates that the endocannabinoid system is very present in managing many aspects of nausea and vomiting. This was covered at length in a detailed review published in 2014, entitled “Regulation of nausea and vomiting by cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system”[3]. Furthermore, a wide variety of animal studies have probed CBD and CBDA (cannabidiol’s acidic precursor found in living cannabis) for their antiemetic potential.

  • Soothes Physical Discomfort

A multitude of ailments can cause pain and inflammation in pets, including arthritis, gastrointestinal problems, traumatic injuries, surgery, allergies, stress, and much more. In fact, some researchers and medical professionals have even gone so far as to label inflammation as the underlying cause of most common diseases[4].

A 2017 article from the European Journal of Rheumatology, for example, boasts a detailed review of how the endocannabinoid system is involved[5] in mediating our body's response to inflammatory disease.

Furthermore, research has started to explore how stimulating the endocannabinoid system with CBD and other cannabinoids might provide benefits specific to the treatment of a wide variety of inflammatory diseases, including pancreatitis[6], neuropathic or nerve pain[7] (often caused by trauma, neurological conditions, and viral infections), diabetes[8], and even skin conditions like acne and psoriasis.

The above represents just a few of the ways in which CBD may benefit the welfare of your dog. However, there is still a lot we don’t know about CBD’s effects on the body, so there’s no guaranteeing CBD will ease specific symptoms your dog is facing.

CBD Dosage for Dogs

CBD Oil for Dogs vs CBD Treats vs CBD Topicals

CBD pet products typically come in three main forms: CBD oils, infused-treats and edibles, and topical creams, balms, or sprays.

  • CBD Oil for Dogs

CBD oil for dogs comes in various formulas and concentrations. It works great as a reliable way to dose, and it’s one of the easiest types of CBD pet products to find. Although some dogs may allow you to administer the oil directly in their mouth via the included dropper bottle, most will handle it better if added to food.

  • CBD Dog Treats

Each treat features a set amount of CBD, and usually helps to mask the taste of hemp (which can be bitter and unpleasant for dogs). CBD dog treats offer a slower release of CBD into the bloodstream with longer-lasting effects—ideal for those owners with busy lifestyles.

  • CBD Topicals for Dogs

CBD topicals (such as balms, lotions, or sprays) are the perfect solution for soothing localised areas of sensitive, red, or chapped skin. They work by delivering CBD and other compounds to endocannabinoid receptors in the skin, offering comforting effects without the cannabinoid actually entering the bloodstream.

When buying CBD oil, treats, or topicals for dogs, look for products with:

- Natural and organic ingredients
- THC-free
- Clear dosage and/or potency information
- Veterinary-endorsed formula
- Natural flavours/terpene-free formulas (for better palatability)

CBD Dosage for Dogs

Properly dosing CBD for dogs depends on the animal's size and symptoms. Keep in mind that, just like humans, every dog is different, and what works for someone else’s pet might not work as well for yours.

When giving your dog CBD, always follow the dosing instructions provided by the company you’re buying from. Most brands recommend starting with roughly 0.25mg of CBD per pound of body weight, but you can start lower than that if you wish.

We recommend starting your dog off on a small dose of CBD taken 1–2 times daily for at least one week. From there, you can gradually increase your pet’s dose according to their needs until you find that sweet spot.

The concentration of CBD in your oil will determine how much CBD there is per drop.

  • If the oil has a CBD concentration of 2.5%, then one drop will contain 1.25mg of CBD.
  • If it is 5%, one drop will contain 2.5mg of CBD.
  • If it is 10%, one drop will contain 5mg of CBD.
CBD for dogs - Dosing Chart per day
WEIGHT (pounds) Low dose (0,1 mg / lb) Medium dose (0,25 mg / lb) Strong dose (0,5 mg / lb)
10 - 20 lb 1 - 2 mg 2,5 - 5 mg 5 - 10 mg
30 - 40 lb 3 - 4 mg 7,5 - 10 mg 15 - 20 mg
50 - 60 lb 5 - 6 mg 12,5 - 15 mg 25 - 30 mg
70 - 80 lb 7 - 8 mg 17,5 - 20 mg 35 - 40 mg
90 - 100 lb 9 - 10 mg 22,5 - 25 mg 45 - 50 mg
110 - 120 lb 11 - 12 mg 27,5 - 30 mg 55 - 60 mg
130 - 140 lb 13 - 14 mg 32,5 - 35 mg 65 - 70 mg
150 - 160 lb 15 - 16 mg 37,5 - 40 mg 75 - 80 mg
170 - 180 lb 17 - 18 mg 42,5 - 45 mg 85 - 90 mg
190 - 200 lb 19 - 20 mg 47,5 - 50 mg 95 - 100 mg

Is CBD Safe for Dogs?

CBD is generally regarded as a very safe substance, and has never caused a lethal overdose (in humans or animals). Nonetheless, it is very important to pay close attention when giving your pet CBD, as dose plays a major role in the effects your dog may experience.

  • Can CBD Cause Side Effects in Dogs?

CBD isn’t known to cause significant side effects in pets. However, drowsiness can occur, particularly when taking very large daily doses of the cannabinoid. Keep in mind, however, that many CBD pet supplements contain secondary ingredients (such as flavouring agents, emulsifiers, and more), so make sure to read the ingredients in whatever product you buy to ensure your pet isn’t allergic to any of them.

How To Legally Obtain CBD Oil for Your Pet

Cat owners can legally purchase CBD pet products from specialised online and brick-and-mortar shops. However, CBD products for cats remain relatively rare outside of the United States. If you can’t access these items, you can administer other products, such as CBD oils. Just make sure you stay within the dosage guidelines recommended above.

There’s a Burgeoning CBD Market for Cats and Dogs

Much like us humans, cats and dogs possess an endocannabinoid system. This means that cannabis-derived molecules can influence different aspects of their physiology, from the nervous system to the digestive system. The science remains early, but pet owners and vets are likely to have access to a much greater diversity of CBD-infused products shortly. You can expect to see more chews and treats, as well as grooming products and possibly even prescribed medications. In the meantime, if you’re looking to give CBD to your cat or dog, always consult a veterinarian first. We know you want the very best for your pet, so it pays to be cautious and informed.

External Resources:
  1. Cannabidiol reduces the anxiety induced by simulated public speaking in treatment-naïve social phobia patients - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. Effectiveness of Cannabidiol Oil for Pediatric Anxiety and Insomnia as Part of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Report - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. Regulation of nausea and vomiting by cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. Inflammation: The Root of Common Disease | Elevate Health https://elevatehealthaz.com
  5. The endocannabinoid system in pain and inflammation: Its relevance to rheumatic disease - PMC https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. Anti-inflammatory role of cannabidiol and O-1602 in cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in mice - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  7. Cannabinoids suppress inflammatory and neuropathic pain by targeting α3 glycine receptors - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  8. Cannabidiol attenuates high glucose-induced endothelial cell inflammatory response and barrier disruption - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: