Hemp Chews for Dogs: What Pet Parents Need to Know

The use of hemp and hemp-based products isn't new—in fact, hemp has been grown and farmed for thousands of years. The hemp plant has helped provide food, fiber, textiles, fuel, and health & wellness support for people around the world.

Hemp products for dogs, however, are a little more recent.

Read on to learn more about this unique and beneficial plant, how hemp and hemp extracts are used, and how hemp chews could make a difference in your dog's routine.

What is hemp?

Did you know that the difference between hemp and marijuana is just the concentration of THC in the plant? And that both are technically cannabis?

Both hemp and marijuana come from the cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa from the family Cannabacea) and the difference lies almost entirely in how much Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is found in the plant. There are over 400 naturally occurring compounds in the Cannabis plant, but THC compounds are some of the more well-known.

• Hemp is a plant containing less than 0.3% THC by dry weight.

• Marijuana is a plant containing more than 0.3% THC by dry weight.

A product with >0.3% THC is significantly more likely to cause psychoactive effects and cause the "high" that people most commonly associate with cannabis. Be sure to never let pets access or ingest marijuana products, as inappropriate levels of THC can cause nausea, confusion, disorientation, hyperactivity, or excessive vocalization.

Hemp products from cannabis, including oils and gummies, that contain little to no THC have been used to support healthy sleep, mobility and joint comfort, everyday stress management, and daily wellness in humans for decades. Some studies are starting to show—and pet owner experiences support—that dogs may be able to benefit from hemp, as well.

Is hemp for dogs supported by science?

At VetriScience®, we follow two main rules when developing our formulas:

• We will never use any ingredient that we wouldn't give to our own dogs

• We will never use any ingredient that isn't supported by research

When developing our hemp chews, we took our time to make sure we could do it right. We partnered with Canurta Naturals, a responsible, science-first producer of broad-spectrum hemp extracts, to make sure we were using the best possible ingredients.

A 2024, NASC-backed safety study of hemp-derived cannabidiol products in dogs found that the products used were well tolerated. The same study noted survey data that showed that hemp-derived supplement products sold for use in dogs received only 2.1 adverse event reports per 1,000,000 administrations.

If you have any questions about what ingredients or products to give your dog, we always encourage you to speak with your veterinarian.

How to choose a high-quality hemp chew for dogs

The popularity of hemp products for dogs has skyrocketed in recent years, and it means that your favorite local pet store or online retailer is well-stocked with a huge variety of options—and you may feel stuck, wondering what to choose.

Unfortunately, not all of them are created equal.

Here's some easy guidance to help you choose the right hemp products for your dog:

NASC Quality Certified seal

Look for the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) Quality seal on a hemp product—is it there? If not, you can't be certain that the bag or jar contains guaranteed levels of the ingredients it claims to use, is formulated with responsible sourcing, and is manufactured in facilities committed to safety and quality. Both VetriScience® Broad Spectrum Hemp products proudly carry the NASC Quality Certified seal.

Vet formulated

Find a product that has been developed by veterinarians in combination with other pet health experts and professional formulators. This is a major marker for quality, consistency, and species-appropriate formulations.

Third-party testing

Avoid products that can't back up their formulas with third-party-tested verification. Any hemp product should be thoroughly and responsibly tested to ensure:

• Guaranteed potency of compounds

• Verification of potential contaminants including pesticides and heavy metals

• Verification of less than 0.3% THC concentration

At VetriScience®, testing is not a one-and-done item on a checklist. We verify every batch of hemp ingredients for purity and stability before they're added to any formula, so you can trust

Science-backed hemp chews for dogs

After years of development, we're excited to share our Broad Spectrum Hemp soft chews for dogs.

Formulated by veterinarians with trusted ingredients like green-lipped mussel, lemon balm, and turmeric extract, these new hemp-based formulas are a great option for pet owners looking to add botanical support to their dog's routine.

Broad Spectrum Hemp Calm & Confident

This latest addition to our Calm & Confident line combines hemp extract, hemp seed powder, Suntheanine® l-theanine, and lemon balm to help support calm moods, emotional health, balanced behavior, and everyday stress management.

Every soft chew is formulated with 10 mg of broad-spectrum hemp extract, yielding 2mg of naturally occurring cannabinoids and less than 0.3% THC.

When to use Broad Spectrum Hemp Calm & Confident:

• Daily or as needed

• Routine changes

• Travel

• Thunderstorms or fireworks

Shop Broad Spectrum Hemp Calm & Confident exclusively at Chewy.

Broad Spectrum Hemp Healthy Hip & Joint

The newest option in the Healthy Hip & Joint line combines hemp extract, GlycOmega™ green-lipped mussel, turmeric root, Omega-3 fatty acids, and Boswellia serrata to help maintain joint health, promote comfortable movement, and support a healthy inflammatory response.

This formula is also an excellent complement to glucosamine supplements like Extra Strength Healthy Hip & Joint for a more complete joint support routine.

Every soft chew is formulated with 10 mg of broad-spectrum hemp extract, yielding 2mg of naturally occurring cannabinoids and less than 0.3% THC.

When to use Broad Spectrum Hemp Healthy Hip & Joint:

• Daily or as needed

• Occasional stiffness or soreness

• To support comfort after normal exercise

• Senior support

Shop Broad Spectrum Hemp Healthy Hip & Joint exclusively at Chewy.

FAQ

How much hemp is in VetriScience chews?

Our Broad Spectrum Hemp chews for dogs contain 400 mg of Organic Hemp Seed Powder and 10 mg of Broad Spectrum Hemp Extract per chew.

Do hemp chews contain THC?

"Hemp" is defined as a cannabis plant containing less than 0.3% of THC. Therefore, hemp chews may include minute, trace amounts of THC, but there is no evidence showing that such low amounts cause psychoactive effects. All our chews are tested to prove appropriate levels (<0.3%) as recommended by pet health professionals.

Are your hemp dog chews third-party tested?

Yes, our Broad Spectrum Hemp chews are third-party tested for quality, potency, appropriate cannabinoid levels, and verified THC limits. We also test our hemp ingredients before they are added to the formula to make sure we're using the safest and highest quality hemp oil possible.

What are the benefits of hemp oil for dogs?

Research suggests that broad spectrum hemp oil or extract has a number of potential uses. While more research is needed to understand the true extent of hemp benefits for dogs, hemp has been used for thousands of years to help calm stress, support everyday joint health, maintain healthy digestion, and promote a healthy inflammatory response in the body.

*Broad Spectrum Hemp products are available exclusively through Chewy. Due to state regulations, these products cannot be shipped to the follow states: AK, AL, DC, GA, HI, IA, ID, KY, LA, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, RI, SD, TN, UT,WA, WV, and WY.