Regulatory uncertainty hampers potential of CBD use in pet products

Although the US and Europe are the biggest markets for cannabidiol (CBD) for pets, in neither region have CBD products been authorized for medical use in animals and there are strict and, in some cases, confusing rules governing the uses of this ingredient.

The picture across the US

While the US market allows a wide range of CBD products, none are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for veterinary use.

Despite these restrictions, CBD products for pets are widely available through major retailers including Whole Foods Market, Petco, Fresh Thyme Market, PetSmart and Walmart, as well as online platforms such as Chewy, which started selling CBD products for pets a few months ago.

One of the products on sale at Chewy is +PlusCBD, a brand marketed by consumer wellness company CV Sciences. Its CEO, Joseph Dowling, tells PETS International that the growing interest in CBD highlights a rising focus on addressing pet health issues.

To meet this demand, the company is emphasizing quality and working with major retailers like Chewy to expand availability. Its offerings now include calming chews as well as hip and joint supplements enriched with natural ingredients.

Beyond that, CV Sciences is investing in research and development to explore new areas such as dental and digestive health.

Legalities in Europe and Asia

In Europe, CBD regulations are tighter and products are regulated as ‘novel foods’, requiring approval before they can be marketed – for whatever use. Companies can’t sell CBD pet food or supplements, only products for topical use, such as creams or oils.

European companies such as Formula Swiss and HEROSAN say that the unclear regulations make it hard for the CBD pet product market to grow, limiting consumers’ access to new products.

The Asian market for CBD pet products is still in its early stages, with limited availability. In 2023, Hong Kong took a tough stance, banning CBD products – including those for pets – which led to businesses in the CBD pet space shutting down.

In China, CBD was banned in cosmetics in 2021, though production for export is still allowed.

While awareness is growing in countries such as Thailand, where CBD is legal for medicinal use under certain regulations, strict cannabis laws and cultural attitudes are slowing broader acceptance across Asia.

Navigating innovation

US veterinarian Dr. Gary Richter says that as more professionals accept and understand the science behind CBD, its use is likely to increase, and he explains that “the 2 biggest factors driving owners to look for CBD products for their pets are pain – specifically arthritis-related pain – and anxiety”.

Product innovation has also expanded to meet consumer needs, with the market now offering chews, biscuits and dental gels alongside traditional tinctures and oils.

New consumer needs include products for the digestive and dental health of pets.

CV Sciences, for example, offers calming chews with CBD, chamomile and L-theanine for anxiety, while HEROSAN uses combination products where CBD complements other active ingredients to provide holistic solutions that promote overall pet health.

Restricted to topical use in the EU

While US businesses are offering CBD pet treats, chews and similar products, regulatory hurdles in Europe prevent the introduction of these product formats.

Formula Swiss explains that CBD-infused biscuits and snacks for pets are not allowed in most EU countries, as CBD for pets is classified as a novel food requiring safety evaluation.

The company’s CBD oils, for topical use only, comply with EU regulations that restrict oral CBD consumption for pets.

This creates a gap between market demand and supply, as customers seek edibles but companies are unable to legally sell them.

“Ideally, customers would love to have biscuits or sticks with CBD inside, so they could feed their dog a snack instead of dosing on the oil. However, the official use of CBD in Europe is topical only,” Robin Roy Krigslund- Hansen, CEO of Formula Swiss, tells PETS International.

No FDA approval for pet CBD

In the US, the 2018 Farm Act legalized hemp-derived CBD, but the FDA has not approved cannabis for any use in animals. Therefore, brands avoid making explicit health claims to circumvent being classified as pharmaceuticals, which would complicate their marketing.

Furthermore, misleading labels – particularly those overstating CBD content or containing unsafe levels of THC – may pose risks to pets and damage consumer trust.

Inconsistency in European countries

HEROSAN describes the regulatory landscape in Europe as a “ jungle”, with rules varying between countries.

This inconsistency has created confusion for manufacturers, retailers and consumers alike.

However, Markus Griesangerl, Head of Marketing at HEROSAN, says the company is collaborating closely with governments, associations, veterinarians, scientists and educational institutions across the continent in order to “create clarity and a legally secure framework for everyone – producers, retailers and, above all, users”.

Challenging the stigma

Formula Swiss explains that the stigma surrounding cannabis further exacerbates this issue, with authorities and agencies often seizing products despite their legal classification.

The company is, for example, challenging the UK’s Veterinary Medicines Directorate, which seized its products even though these products were registered for pets’ topical use and not for veterinary medicine.

“It frustrates me that there is this stigma that cannabis is dangerous,” says Krigslund-Hansen. “Hemp has been around forever and is a natural crop with a lot of benefits, but many people still associate it with drugs.”

Need for substantial trials

The stigma and legality surrounding cannabis also affect investment and research, according to Alex Khourdaji, Senior Analyst at Prohibition Partners, a cannabis-focused B2B analytics platform, who says that the absence of rigorous clinical trials and transparent product testing undermines credibility.

As products evolve toward pharmaceutical-grade formats, true innovation remains limited. Market expansion is closely tied to clinical research and the easing of restrictions.

“The main issue is the lack of research into CBD for pets. Without larger-scale clinical trials, the industry cannot validate its claims or reassure consumers about safety and efficacy,” he explains.

While small studies suggest CBD could benefit pets, the lack of large, peer-reviewed trials limits evidence- based claims. In this context, clearer regulations and eased cannabis restrictions could encourage more investment in research.

Combating low-quality products

Consumer trust is key in the pet care market, but the growth of low-quality products has undermined confidence in CBD for pets. Both Formula Swiss and HEROSAN criticize ‘trash products’ – low-quality CBD items that don’t meet proper standards.

From their point of view, many new CBD companies lack expertise and often source unreliable products, sometimes from places such as China.

However, as the market matures, Griesangerl believes that “trash providers will increasingly be flushed out of the market because trust is the most important currency”.

Industry leaders stress the importance of transparency and compliance.

“The bigger challenge is to make sure products are accredited by organizations like the National Animal Supplement Council in the US,” says Dowling. “This ensures adherence to quality and safety standards and allows the label to be placed on the product. Building consumer trust is important.”

Expansion expected across the US

Despite challenges, the CBD-for-pets market looks promising. In the US, growth is expected to continue as veterinarians recommend more CBD products and regulations improve.

Richter tells PETS International that both pet owners and veterinarians are becoming increasingly interested in CBD for pets and believes vets will start recommending these products more often.

“Veterinarians are also going to begin selling these products directly, which will contribute to market growth,” he says. Additionally, if cannabis is reclassified from Schedule I to Schedule III of the US Controlled Substances Act, pharma companies may enter the market, leading to a rise in CBD-based pharmaceutical products.

Furthermore, according to Dowling, legislative reforms for cannabis and hemp in the US could drive greater investment in research.

This is because companies will need robust evidence to support claims about the effectiveness of CBD, THC or their combinations – potentially with other ingredients – in addressing specific health needs for both animals and humans.

While the CBD pet market faces many challenges in the areas of regulation, quality and misinformation, it also possesses strong growth potential.

Development is driven by the demand for natural pet health solutions and continuous innovation. To thrive, the industry should emphasize transparency, research, education and collaboration.

In the US, investment in the CBD market could grow if cannabis is reclassified alongside broader reforms in the hemp industry.

While these reforms mainly focus on human consumption, they could also open the door for companies to gain FDA approval for CBD products for pets.

Potential progress in Europe

The European market may see consolidation and growth, but not at the pace of previous years, with little innovation expected soon.

Growth will depend on regulatory alignment – HEROSAN believes that standardizing laws across the EU would reduce confusion and drive innovation and advances in research, which could lead to new opportunities.

Formula Swiss emphasizes the need for companies to collaborate in advocating for policy changes and pressing for regulatory reform.

The European Industrial Hemp Association, a body which lobbies EU institutions on behalf of industrial hemp producers, announced in 2020 its plan to invest up to €3.5 million ($3.7M) to fund critical and unprecedented toxicological studies on CBD and THC.

Richter highlights the importance of educating both veterinarians and pet owners about CBD, as misinformation and stigma continue to be major hurdles.