Any good pet owner wants to ensure their animal companion lives their best life, and supplements, like CBD, have become an increasingly popular method to improve the quality of life for their pets, namely dogs. 

As with any supplement they put into their own body, dog lovers won’t treat their pets with a product that poses a significant risk. The National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) has been on a 20-year mission to ensure pet owners are doing just that. 

Recently, the NASC and Nutrasource conducted a study on the tolerability of CBD for dogs. What they discovered bodes very well for the use of therapeutic CBD in healthy dogs. 

This article looks at how CBD is used to treat pets, the role of the NASC in ensuring quality CBD products for all companion animals, and what their findings mean for the use of CBD for dogs.

A Brief Background on NASC

The National Animal Supplement Council aims to “promote the health and well-being of companion animals and horses that are given animal health supplements by their owners and to protect and enhance the animal health supplement industry.” 

Working alongside member companies, the NASC works hard to elevate the industry and ensure that the products, practices, and procedures delivered to our pets are of the best quality. Supplement companies that partner with the NASC and display their Quality Seal must complete the following things:

• Pass a third-party quality review once every two years
• Remain steadfast in adhering to strict NASC quality standards
• Complete annual continuing education opportunities provided by NASC
• Pass randomized independent testing of their products, ensuring their label claims are truthful

With their demonstrated commitment to ensuring only the highest quality animal supplements go to consumers, the NASC is one of the most trusted authorities in the industry. As one of the only CBD Manufacturers in the world certified as a NASC Preferred Supplier, KND Labs is proud to work closely alongside NASC to ensure total quality confidence throughout the entire supply chain process. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with an organization that has the same unwavering commitment to providing top-quality supplements for animals, and that their most recent study on the tolerability of CBD for dogs shows very positive results.” Nich Wilson, President of KND Labs.

How is CBD Used to Treat Dogs?

Consumer trends are steadily growing toward the use of cannabidiol (CBD) to treat common ailments in human patients, and the trend has been similar in how dog owners treat their pets. In recent years, increasing reluctance to rely solely on traditional pharmaceutical treatments and a desire to explore alternative methods has increased demand for CBD products. As such, there is more urgency now than ever to produce studies and create standards that protect consumers and provide them with a wealth of information on the safety and quality of the products they use.

Many of the ways humans use CBD to address common health issues have also been used to treat dogs. CBD oil and treats have been used to treat these health concerns in dogs. 

• Seizures
• Anxiety
• Pain (neuropathic)
• Skin issues 
• Other physical and neurological issues 

Test Results: Do Dogs Tolerate CBD?

In their recent study, the NASC assessed the tolerability of broad-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD with cannabigerol (CBG), and broad-spectrum CBD with cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) in healthy canines. The 16 male and 16 female subjects were given a daily dose for 90 consecutive days in the randomized, non-blinded, negative controlled, parallel design repeat dose study. 

Each dog was randomly placed in one of four groups. The control group was given a medium-chain triglyceride oil. The second group was given a broad-spectrum cannabidiol (CBD). The third received broad-spectrum CBD with cannabigerol (CBG). And the fourth group was given a broad-spectrum CBD with cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) at 5 mg total cannabinoids/kg body weight/day respectively. 

Daily observations of each animal and weekly clinical exams were conducted to gather data throughout the study, as well as weigh-ins, nutrition intake, and clinical pathology evaluations. 

A quote obtained by the Neutraceutical Business Review from Bill Bookout, the president of NASC, explained, “Part of what makes this study unique is the data from support from the NASC’s Adverse Event Reporting System (NAERS), which is the most advanced system of post-market surveillance in the world.” 

NASC member companies enter all their information into the NAERS database, including products, ingredients, administration recommendations, and the number of units in each container that goes out to customers. The system’s algorithm processes the collective data, accounting for all adverse events, and compares it per million administrations.

For the 90-day study, the results showed that cannabinoids were tolerated well by healthy male and female dogs. At the conclusion of the study, no animals were reported to have serious adverse events.

Based on data gathered from the NAERS database for CBD supplement products sold for use in dogs from 2010 to 2023, the rate per 1 million administrations is 2.19 for adverse events and 0.01 for serious adverse events. The data produced in the study led the authors to conclude that the Cannabidiol substances observed pose no significant risk to dogs with long-term use.

Companies that Produce CBD for Pets Must Partner with Reputable Suppliers

A product is only as good as those who stand behind it. That is why partnering with a  trustworthy CBD supply chain partner is the most essential thing a company can do. 

Studies, like the one conducted by the NASC, illuminate the importance of CBD in the animal supplement industry and the importance of supplying consumers with the best products possible. 

As the recent recipient of the 2023 NASC MVP Supplier Award, KND Labs demonstrates an unwavering commitment to being the industry's most compliant and highly certified supplier of CBD. Working closely with leaders like the NASC and partnering with some of the biggest pet brands on the market has provided KND Labs with the experience and knowledge to provide our partners with the highest quality product. 

Are you seeking a supply partner to help elevate your animal CBD supplement products?

Contact KND Labs today and learn more about our trusted services.