Last Updated: 26/08/2026
Hemp and Cannabis CBD Oil for Pets: Benefits, Safety and Anxiety Support
Get a Better Understanding on Hemp and Cannabis Oil products for pets with this article.
Author: Dr Brittany Ward BVSc
Reading Time: 9 minutes - short read
Hemp oil is a supplement made from the Cannabis sativa plant, containing very low levels of THC, that Australian pet owners use to help manage conditions like arthritis, anxiety, skin issues and, in some cases, cancer and epilepsy. With growing evidence of their benefits in human health and increased legalisation, hemp and cannabis oil products are gaining popularity as potential treatments for pets in Australia. Pet owners are exploring these options for managing conditions like arthritis, anxiety, cancer, and epilepsy in their furry companions.
NOTE: The information contained in this article is only general in nature and should not be taken as a recommendation or advice on how to treat your pet. Human cannabis oil products should not be given to pets as they can cause severe illness or death..
What's the difference between hemp, cannabis and marijuana?
Hemp, cannabis and marijuana are often used interchangeably, and it can get quite confusing. Cannabis refers to material from any plant in the genus Cannabaceae, which contains 170 species of plant. When we refer to Hemp or Marijuana, these are plants from the distinct species Cannabis sativa.
There are two main active components of the plant Cannabis sativa that we are concerned with when it comes to Hemp Medicinal Products. This is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), with THC being psychoactive to cause the commonly associated "high". The CBD component can be separated from THC and can have strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Hemp and Marijuana are distinguished by their THC content, with Hemp containing less than 0.3% and Marijuana containing more than 0.3% THC.
What forms do cannabis products for pets come in?
There are three common forms that Cannabis Products come in, in the pet industry: Hemp Oil, Hemp Seed Oil and Cannabis Oil/CBD Oil.
- Hemp Seed Oil is extracted from the seeds of the plant itself and contains very low levels of THC.
- Hemp Oil may refer to Hemp Seed Oil or an oil extracted from multiple components of the plant. It is also usually low in THC.
- Cannabis Oil is derived directly from the Cannabis sativa plant and contains high levels of both THC and CBD, while CBD oil has been extracted to contain only the non-toxic CBD active.
When using CBD Oil in pets, it is important to use pharmaceutical grade products that have been consistency tested and labelled with an active ingredient concentration. These products are considered scheduled medications in Australia. As of 2021 Cannabidiol (CBD) Oil became a Schedule 4 medication, meaning that Veterinarians may prescribe it for therapeutic uses in animals, as long as the Cannabinoid content is less than 2%.
For more on choosing supplements generally, see our pet supplements guide.
What are the benefits of hemp products for pets?
Many veterinarians will prefer to recommend alternative medications over Hemp or CBD Oil products. This is because there is limited research into the safety, long term effects and medication reactions of these products. Your vet may prefer to reach for well researched products that have been in use for a long time with known results and interactions. This is especially true of cats, where there are only two to three studies into the safety of Cannabinoid products.
In the pet industry, we tend to extrapolate the potential benefits from research in humans, while more research in pets becomes available. The most commonly reported benefits of Hemp and CBD oil in pets are for arthritis, anxiety, seizures, skin care and cancer.
Can hemp oil help with dog anxiety?
Hemp oil is one of the more common reasons pet parents reach for cannabinoid products, and there's a plausible biological reason it may help, though evidence in dogs and cats is still limited.
Cannabinoid receptors (CB1) sit throughout the nervous and hormonal systems in both dogs and cats, and may influence serotonin and dopamine, the hormones involved in mood regulation. In humans, CBD oil has been shown to reduce anxiety through this pathway, so it's thought to potentially work similarly in animals, including dogs with separation anxiety or cats reacting to routine changes, though pet-specific research is still limited.
Hemp oil is not a substitute for veterinary behavioural treatment. If your pet's anxiety is significant or ongoing, talk to your vet about a proper behavioural plan; hemp products can support this, but shouldn't replace it.
It also tends to work gradually rather than immediately, unlike prescription calming medications, and owners often expect a faster result than it can deliver. Give it several weeks of consistent use before judging whether it's helping, and check in with your vet if you're not seeing any change.
Read our guide on how to calm an anxious pet for more options.
Can hemp products help with arthritis?
When it comes to dogs, there have been a number of studies into the benefits of Hemp and CBD oil for arthritis pain. Osteoarthritis affects 1 in 5 adult dogs and is a progressive disease, so it is something vets and pet parents alike are seeking relief options for. CBD shares its metabolic pathway with many of the Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) available on the market, which is how it is able to provide benefits for pain relief. Multiple studies have shown increased activity and a decrease in pain following treatment with CBD oil.
There is currently no evidence into whether Hemp and Cannabis Oil provides pain relief in cats. However, there is anecdotal evidence from in clinic use, and we can assume based on research in humans and dogs that it most likely is beneficial for joint pain in cats.
There are a wide variety of supplements available and ways to support pets with arthritis, check out our articles Managing Arthritis in Dogs or Managing Arthritis in Cat for more information.
Can hemp products help with skin issues?
As mentioned above, Hemp Oil and CBD oil have anti-inflammatory properties. This may benefit joints, and with Cannabinoid receptors in the skin, it can also provide anti-inflammatory effects to pets with sensitive and itchy skin.
Hemp oil has also been proven to be high in omega fatty acids, which are heavily involved in the skin barrier, coat health and provide further anti-inflammatory properties to help relieve the itch and irritations associated with allergies in pets.
Can help oil help with seizures or cancer in pets?
Seizures and Cognitive Disorders
Seizures are terrifying to witness, so it's understandable pet parents look for extra ways to manage them. This area has shown promise in human research, but there are very few studies into CBD's benefits for animals with seizures, and results in dogs so far are mixed.
The endocannabinoid system plays a key role in seizure activity in the brain, and CBD may reduce seizures through its antioxidant properties and by binding with cannabinoid receptors. MCT oil, a common CBD carrier, has also been shown to help pets with seizures, which could be influencing some results owners see. Many vets will still prefer well-established anti-epileptic medications first. Read more in our article on epilepsy in dogs and cats.
Cancer
Several studies have looked at hemp and CBD oil for managing specific cancers, with promising results for slowing growth and spread, though this can't yet be applied broadly across all cancer types. Hemp and CBD oil cannot cure cancer. They have some anti-cancer (anti-neoplastic) properties and should only be used alongside your vet's recommended treatment plan.
These products are also high in omega fatty acids, which have their own anti-inflammatory and anti-neoplastic effects. Other omega supplements like fish oil, flaxseed oil and sunflower oil might be a safer way to access the same benefits. There are no cat-specific cancer studies yet, but dog studies suggest some likely benefit.
Read our guide on what to do if you've found a lump on your pet.
Hemp products for pets
Looking for an OTC option to try? These hemp seed oil and hemp calming products are available without a prescription. Remember, pharmaceutical CBD oil above 2% cannabinoid content needs a vet script in Australia. These OTC picks are all script-free.
Are hemp and cannabis products safe for pets?
Compared to humans, dogs and cats have far more cannabinoid receptors, making them more susceptible to cannabis's toxic effects. These receptors have been found in the salivary glands, hair follicles, skin and the brain's hippocampus. THC is also highly lipid-soluble, so it's readily stored in fatty tissue in the liver, brain and kidneys before elimination.
Research isn't extensive enough to be certain, but many studies suggest hemp and CBD oil are relatively safe in dogs, with mostly mild side effects: diarrhoea, sedation, reddening of the skin (especially around the ears), or eye discharge.
Multiple dog safety trials have also reported elevated liver enzyme ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase), without associated symptoms. Cats have reported head shaking and increased licking.
Avoid hemp and cannabis products in pregnant or lactating animals: they've caused infertility and pregnancy loss in mice and sheep, and cats have a high number of cannabinoid receptors in their reproductive tract. Further study is needed, but avoidance is the safer choice.
What should I do if my pet accidentally ingests cannabis?
Pets can come into contact with marijuana at home directly, or, more commonly, in edibles like baked goods, chocolates or lollies. This form contains high THC levels and can be highly toxic, though rarely fatal. Our main concern is secondary complications from THC toxicity. If your pet has consumed marijuana or shows any of these symptoms, take them to the vet immediately.
Symptoms of cannabis toxicity in pets:
- Wobbly gait or uncoordinated movement
- Hyperactivity or sleepiness
- Disorientation or vocalising
- Dilated pupils
- Drooling and/or vomiting
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Coma
- Low respiratory rate
- Bradycardia (slow heart rate) or tachycardia (fast heart rate)
- Low blood pressure
- Increased or decreased body temperature
When should I use cannabis oil for pets?
Because of the general lack of evidence for CBD oil's safety and efficacy in pets, most vets will prescribe it as a last resort. They'll usually prefer well-known medications backed by science and approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), though every vet will have their own protocol.
Your vet may want your pet on a supplement or registered medication first, along with initial and follow-up blood tests to check for side effects before starting CBD oil.
Hemp & CBD Oil FAQs
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Wed 26 Aug 2026
Edited by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Brittany Ward BVSc
Veterinarian
Dr. Brittany graduated from James Cook University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and started working in her home town in the Wide Bay-Burnett Region. She has always been excited about working in the veterinary industry, but over the last few years has grown especially fond of dog behaviour and training, surgery and orthopaedic disease.
