Cannabis for pets: small doses, big difference
28 May 2026 · 4 min read
The single most important fact about giving cannabis to animals is this: dogs have roughly twice as many endocannabinoid receptors as people do. They are far more sensitive than their owners, and far more sensitive than owners expect.
What people use it for
Three things come up again and again. Arthritis and stiffness in older dogs, where owners report the animal getting up more easily and walking further. Anxiety — thunderstorms, fireworks, separation, car trips. And skin: itching, hot spots and chronic scratching that no shampoo has settled.
Dose by weight, and start below what you think
Our animal products are dosed by body weight, and the starting dose is deliberately conservative. Begin at the low end, keep it there for several days, and watch. A dog that becomes very drowsy or unsteady has had too much — reduce, do not persist. Cats are smaller and more sensitive again.
Never give an animal a product made for humans without checking with us first. Doses, strengths and some ingredients — chocolate above all — do not carry across.
The easy formats
Doggy biscuits are the simplest place to start: a measured dose baked into a treat, one per day, made with sweet potato and peanut butter. For cats, fussy dogs and precise dosing, drops into food work better. There is also a pet shampoo for skin cases, used alongside the drops rather than instead of them.
When to call the vet
Herbal support sits alongside veterinary care, not in place of it. Sudden pain, limping that appears overnight, weight loss, or an animal that stops eating needs a vet. Tell your vet what you are giving, especially if your animal is on chronic medication.
Please note: this article is general information, not medical advice. CannaHelp products are complementary medicines and have not been evaluated by SAHPRA. Speak to your healthcare practitioner before starting any remedy, especially during pregnancy, while nursing, or alongside chronic medication.
