Yes, veterinarians in Australia can prescribe CBD oil for pets, but it must be a specific Schedule 4 product containing at least 98% CBD and no more than 2% other cannabinoids (like THC). These pharmaceutical-grade products require a vet prescription and cannot be sourced illegally online as they are considered scheduled medicines, with products outside these strict limits being prohibited drugs (Schedule 9).
Vets and physicians will not officially support the usage of cbd because it is NOT a recognized standard of care due to lack of (official) research.
Prescription Required:
It's important to note that our CBD Oil Suspension is a prescription product. To ensure the well-being of your pet and compliance with Australian regulations, a prescription from a licensed Australian veterinarian is required.
Since there are no federally recognized or approved pet CBD medications, veterinarians aren't able to formally prescribe or recommend these products to their patients. Some states allow veterinarians to discuss CBD as an option with their patients, however, while others don't.
Who can legally prescribe CBD oil? Any accredited doctor in Australia can prescribe CBD products with the appropriate approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and your relevant state or territory's Health Department.
Yes, you can buy CBD-related products at Chemist Warehouse, but generally only hemp seed oil as a supplement or topical CBD (creams/serums) over-the-counter; true oral medicinal CBD oil in Australia usually requires a doctor's prescription and isn't found freely on shelves like regular supplements. Chemist Warehouse does sell various hemp seed oil capsules and oils (like Wagner, Microgenics) as health supplements, and stocks some topical CBD products, but for prescription-strength oral CBD, you need to go through the medical pathway.
No, CBD oil is generally not covered by Medicare in Australia because most medicinal cannabis products aren't listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and patients pay the full private cost, though private health insurance extras might help, and the epilepsy drug Epidyolex is a rare exception.
Anecdotally, many dog owners have found that CBD also helps with anxiety. In a Cornell study, dogs were given CBD chews prior to a stressful event, and 83% showed a decrease in stress or anxiety-related behaviors.
CBD may cause your dog to have diarrhea, drooling, vomiting, or decreased body weight. Other possible side effects, based on how CBD affects some people, may include: Dry mouth or eye.
Pet CBD differs from regular CBD oil in several ways. The primary difference between pet CBD oil and human CBD oil is the concentration of CBD. Since pets are generally much smaller than humans, they require lower amounts of CBD. However, concentration is just one of the risks of giving dogs human CBD.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, representing 3 days (overwhelmed/hiding), 3 weeks (settling in/testing boundaries), and 3 months (feeling at home/bonding) to help owners manage expectations and provide patience, routine, and a calm environment, understanding that anxiety is normal as they decompress from a stressful past. It's a framework for recognizing stress and fostering trust, not a rigid timeline, but it helps owners understand why a new dog might seem timid or act out initially.
Though it's often well-tolerated, CBD can cause side effects, such as dry mouth, diarrhea, reduced appetite, drowsiness and fatigue.
Dosage of Dog CBD Oil
The general rule of thumb is to start with a dosage of 0.25mg to 0.5mg per pound of body weight, given twice daily.
As a natural, plant-based supplement, CBD is generally well-tolerated and considered safe for humans and dogs alike. That said, you can certainly give your dog CBD every day, and it may even be beneficial to do so.
How the top CBD products for dogs compare
Generally, CBD chews start working in about 30 minutes to 1 hour. Results can vary based on factors like body weight and metabolism.
Some synthetic versions of THC for humans are approved as drugs and are federally legal, but none are currently approved for pets. However, CBD is approved in humans as a drug, so your veterinarian may be able to prescribe it if considered necessary for treating your pet.
The biggest risk of CBD for dogs is cannabis toxicity. This can occur if your dog consumes too much CBD or if you give them a product that contains THC. Dogs who experience cannabis toxicity may show the following symptoms: Drowsiness and seeming to fall over before catching themselves.
While research into CBD benefits in animals is somewhat limited, initial findings show that CBD products can provide arthritis relief by reducing inflammation and pain in dogs with joint issues, resulting in increased mobility.
Some of the most common medications for anxiety in dogs include:
Calm and comfort are the primary sensations that your dog will experience when given the right amount of CBD for their size. CBD impacts your dog's endocannabinoid system, which in turn impacts their nervous system, digestive system, and other important bodily functions.
Drowsiness is another common side effect of CBD when it's given in amounts that are inappropriate for your animal. One of the benefits of CBD is that your pet can maintain their calm and reduce stress responses, but if that relaxation goes too far your pet might lose some of their spunk and energy.
Yes, you can buy CBD-related products at Chemist Warehouse, but generally only hemp seed oil as a supplement or topical CBD (creams/serums) over-the-counter; true oral medicinal CBD oil in Australia usually requires a doctor's prescription and isn't found freely on shelves like regular supplements. Chemist Warehouse does sell various hemp seed oil capsules and oils (like Wagner, Microgenics) as health supplements, and stocks some topical CBD products, but for prescription-strength oral CBD, you need to go through the medical pathway.
Medical cannabis products are not listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Yes, you can buy CBD oil at some pharmacies, but it often depends on the country and product type; in places like Australia, low-dose CBD is available over-the-counter (OTC) at pharmacies, while higher doses or some other forms still need a prescription, though availability of truly OTC products is still growing as trials finish. In other regions, like parts of Europe, only non-oral CBD (creams, topical) might be at pharmacies, or a doctor's prescription is always needed for oral drops.