(And How the Endocannabinoid System Fits In)

For many of us, dogs and cats are family. So when they’re anxious, stiff, or dealing with dry cracked paws or itchy skin, it’s natural to look for gentle, plant-based ways to support their comfort and overall wellness.

That’s where hemp and CBD come in. Today, veterinarians and researchers are paying close attention to how these compounds interact with a pet’s own biology—especially a built-in network called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). 🧠🌿

Below, we’ll walk through:

• What the ECS is in dogs and cats
• How hemp and CBD may support calm, comfort, skin, and joints
• Where research stands today
• How products like Hemp Well® and Bumble B. Well® fit into a thoughtful wellness routine

Important reminder: This article is educational only and not veterinary or medical advice. Always talk with your veterinarian before starting any new supplement for your pet.

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1. Your Pet’s Endocannabinoid System: The “Control Hub” for Balance

Dogs and cats—just like humans—have an endocannabinoid system (ECS), a regulatory network that helps keep the body in balance (homeostasis). It includes:

• Endocannabinoids – Compounds the body makes on its own
• Cannabinoid receptors (CB1 & CB2) – Protein “locks” on cells
• Enzymes – That build and break down these molecules

Research shows:

• CB1 receptors are found mostly in the brain and central nervous system, where they help regulate things like movement, pain perception, mood, and appetite.[1–3]
• CB2 receptors are more common in the immune system, gut, and peripheral tissues, where they’re involved in inflammation and immune responses.[1–3,25]
• Dogs appear to have a high density of cannabinoid receptors in certain brain regions, which may explain why they’re very sensitive to THC and respond strongly to cannabinoids. [14,19,24]
• Cats also have CB1 and CB2 receptors throughout the brain and digestive tract, suggesting a similar ECS-based regulation of pain, inflammation, and gut function.[4,5,15,20]

The big picture: the ECS helps regulate comfort, mood, appetite, sleep, and inflammatory responses in both dogs and cats.[1–3,9,25]

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2. How Hemp & CBD Interact With the ECS

Hemp and CBD products introduce phytocannabinoids (plant-based compounds) and beneficial fatty acids that can “talk” to the ECS in more than one way:

• CBD (cannabidiol) can interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors indirectly and also influences other targets like serotonin (5-HT1A) and TRPV1 receptors involved in pain and temperature.[1,3,19,24]
• Hemp seed oil (from hemp seeds, not flowers) is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which support skin, coat, and joint health and may also support balanced inflammatory pathways.[2,6,11,16,21,26]

Rather than “flipping a switch,” CBD and hemp compounds are thought to help the ECS do its job more efficiently—supporting a calmer, more comfortable baseline for many pets.[3,9,14,24]

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3. Nutritional Benefits of Hemp for Pets 🌱

Hemp seed oil and hemp-based supplements bring nutritional benefits, even without CBD:

• Balanced omega-6 : omega-3 ratio – Hemp seed oil provides a naturally balanced ratio of essential fatty acids, which are important for skin integrity, immune health, and overall wellness.[2,6,11,16,21,26]
• Skin & coat support – Studies and veterinary articles highlight that essential fatty acids can improve coat shine, reduce dryness, and support a healthy skin barrier.[2,6,11,16,21,26]
• Joint comfort & inflammation support – Omega-3s, in particular, are known for anti-inflammatory properties which may help support joint comfort alongside a complete diet.[2,11,16,21,26]

Because of this, many pet parents use hemp-based chews and oils as a gentle way to support everyday wellness in dogs and cats.[3,5,21,26]

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4. What Research Says About CBD for Dogs & Cats (So Far) 📊

Clinical research in pets is still early—but growing:

• In randomized, placebo-controlled trials in dogs with osteoarthritis, daily hemp-derived CBD has been associated with reduced pain and improved mobility, while bloodwork showed no significant safety concerns over the short term.[4,7,8,18,28]
• A systematic review of CBD for canine osteoarthritis concluded that CBD appears safe at studied doses, with promising but still uncertain evidence for pain relief—more high-quality trials are needed.[13]
• For cats, emerging literature and case reports suggest CBD may have potential benefits for chronic pain and inflammatory conditions, but robust clinical data is more limited than in dogs.[4,5,15,20]

Key takeaway: CBD looks promising for comfort, mobility, and quality of life in many dogs, and is being actively explored for cats—but it is not a cure-all, and evidence is still developing.[4,7–9,13,18,28]

That’s why it’s essential to:

• Work with a veterinarian
• Use products that are lab-tested and clearly labeled
• Start with low serving sizes and monitor your pet closely

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5. Calm, Comfort & Skin: How Specific Products Fit In

At The Good People Farms, we focus on trusted, third-party tested products with transparent ingredient lists and Certificates of Analysis (COAs). Here’s how some of the pet products you carry can fit into what we’ve just covered.

A. For Calm & Everyday Stress

Hemp Well Calm Dog Soft Chews 🐶💤

Hemp Well Calm Dog Soft Chews are hemp-based soft chews formulated with a blend of organic hemp, chamomile, valerian root, lemon balm, and melatonin to support relaxation during stressful times like thunderstorms, fireworks, travel, or separation.[3,10,12,27]

• Hemp provides omega fatty acids and plant compounds that may support the ECS and stress response.[3,5,21,26]
• Botanicals like chamomile and valerian root are traditionally used to promote calm.
• Melatonin is often used under veterinary guidance to support rest and regular sleep cycles in dogs.

These chews are a good example of how hemp can be combined with other gentle ingredients to support a calmer baseline for anxious or easily startled dogs.[3,10,12,27]

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B. For Hip, Joint & Mobility Support

Hemp Well Hip & Joint Soft Chews 🦴

Hemp Well Hip & Joint Dog Soft Chews are designed for daily mobility support, combining organic hemp with other nutrients to help maintain joint flexibility and comfort.[7,11,17,3]

• The chews provide omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from hemp, which may support healthy inflammatory pathways and joint comfort.[2,6,11,16,21,26]
• They’re intended for daily use to support active, aging, or large-breed dogs who benefit from extra joint care.

When pet parents use these alongside a vet-recommended plan (such as weight management or joint-friendly exercise), they can become part of a comprehensive mobility routine.[7–9,11,13,18,21]

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C. For Paws, Noses & Skin

Hemp Well Nourishing Balm (Hemp Balm) 🐾✨

Hemp Well Hemp Balm is a topical balm formulated with organic hemp seed oil, beeswax, jojoba oil, shea butter, and vitamin E to soothe dry noses, cracked paws, and irritated skin in both dogs and cats.[3,5,12,21,23]

• The skin of dogs has CB1 and CB2 receptors distributed throughout the epidermis, suggesting that the ECS plays a role in skin health and itch perception.[1,25]
• Hemp seed oil in the balm offers essential fatty acids that help support skin barrier function and hydration.[2,6,11,16,21,26]

Applied topically, this kind of balm can support local comfort and moisture without going through the digestive system.[1,3,5,21,25]

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D. CBD Topicals & Tinctures for Pets

Bumble B. Well Paw CBD Balm 🐾💚

Bumble B. Well’s Paw CBD Balm is a veterinarian-approved, THC-free balm containing 600 mg of CBD isolatefrom certified organic, non-GMO hemp, combined with shea butter, coconut oil, olive oil, and calendula extract.[2,13,20]

• Third-party lab results show CBD content with non-detectable THC, which is important because dogs are very sensitive to THC.[2,8,18,20]
• The balm is designed to hydrate and protect dry, cracked paws and noses, and can be used daily as part of a long-term paw-care routine.[2,8,20]

Because the ECS is present in the skin, a CBD-infused topical may help support localized comfort while also creating a protective, moisturizing barrier.[1,3,5,21,25]

Bumble B. Well Paw CBD Tincture 🐕🩵

Bumble B. Well Paw CBD Tincture is a THC-free, plain-flavored CBD oil designed to be added to a pet’s food or given directly by mouth.[2,3,14,20]

• The tincture uses isolated hemp extract (CBD) and organic MCT oil, with clear serving suggestions by body weight and guidance to increase slowly over time if needed.[2,3,14]
• Because it’s THC-free, it’s designed specifically with dogs’ sensitivity to THC in mind.[14,19,24]

Many pet parents, under veterinary supervision, use CBD tinctures to support:

• Overall calm during stressful events
• Comfort and mobility in aging or active dogs
• A general sense of well-being, especially in pets with ongoing discomfort[4,7–9,13,18,24]

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6. Safe Use Tips: Start Low, Go Slow, Ask Your Vet 🩺

Because each pet’s ECS is unique, the same product can affect two animals very differently. To use hemp and CBD responsibly:

1. Talk to your veterinarian first
   • Especially important if your pet is on other medications (CBD can interact with some drugs metabolized by the liver).[1,4,13]
2. Choose high-quality, tested products
   • Look for Certificates of Analysis (COAs) showing cannabinoid content and confirming minimal or non-detectable THC in pet products.[2,8,12,20]
   • Prefer brands that are transparent about sourcing, ingredients, and lab testing (like Hemp Well and Bumble B. Well).[2,3,5,12,20]
3. Follow label directions & start low
   • Use the product’s serving guide as a starting point and adjust only under veterinary guidance.
   • Observe your pet closely for changes in behavior, appetite, energy level, or stool.
4. Avoid human THC products for pets
   • Dogs and cats can experience serious side effects from THC, including disorientation, tremors, and in severe cases, hospitalization.[14,19,24]
   • Stick with pet-specific, THC-free or very low-THC formulations designed for animals.

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7. The Bottom Line: Hemp & CBD as Part of a Thoughtful Wellness Routine

Hemp and CBD aren’t magic bullets—but they do offer:

• Nutritional support from omega-rich hemp seed oil
• Potential benefits for comfort, calm, joints, and skin, especially when used as part of a broader wellness plan
• A way to engage your pet’s own endocannabinoid system in supporting balance and resilience

When you combine high-quality products like Hemp Well Calm Dog Soft Chews, Hip & Joint Soft Chews, and Hemp Balm with Bumble B. Well’s Paw CBD Balm and Paw CBD Tincture, plus your veterinarian’s guidance, you’re giving your pet a carefully considered, plant-powered toolkit for feeling their best. 🌿🐕🐈

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References

1. Silver RJ. The Endocannabinoid System of Animals. Animals (Basel). 2019. PMC
2. Hemp Well & Bumble B. Well product descriptions and brand education pages on hemp and CBD for pets. Hempress Wellness+4Hemp Well®+4Hemp Well®+4
3. Fear Free Pets. Endocannabinoid System in Dogs & Cats: A Complete Overview. 2024. Fear Free
4. Cital SN et al. Cats and cannabinoids: past, present and future. 2025. PMC
5. Oma’s Pride. The Endocannabinoid System in Dogs and Cats. 2024. Oma’s Pride
6. Canine Kinetics. Hemp Seed Oil for Dogs: Unlocking the Nutritional Benefits. 2024. Canine Kinetics
7. Verrico CD et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of daily cannabidiol for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis pain. 2020. PubMed+2PMC+2
8. Vaughn DM et al. Randomized, placebo-controlled, 28-day safety and pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol in dogs.Am J Vet Res. 2021. AVMA Journals
9. Patikorn C et al. Efficacy and safety of cannabidiol for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis: a systematic review.Front Vet Sci. 2023. Frontiers
10. Hemp Well. Calm Dog Soft Chews product pages and retailer descriptions. Hemp Well®+2Petco+2
11. Hemp Well. Hip & Joint Dog Soft Chews product page. Hemp Well®+1
12. Hemp Well. Hemp Balm – Organic, USA Grown Hemp. Hemp Well®
13. Bumble B. Well Paw CBD Balm product description and COA. Hempress Wellness+1
14. Bumble B. Well Paw CBD Tincture product pages and “CBD for Pets” educational content. Hempress Wellness+1
15. Dutch Natural Healing. CBD Applications in Cats: Benefits, Dosages, and Research. 2025. dutchnaturalhealing.com
16. Chewy Education. Pet Parent’s Guide to Hemp Oil for Dogs and Cats. 2025. Chewy
17. Bonza. Hemp Seed Oil for Dogs – Guide to Health Benefits. 2025. Bonza
18. PawLabs & related veterinary summaries on hemp seed oil and omega-3/6 for dogs. PawLabs™ Official Site
19. Endocannabinoid Medicine site. Cannabis in Dogs: ECS Explained. 2023. endocannabinoidmedicine.com
20. Holistapet & other feline ECS educational content on CB1/CB2 receptors in cats. HolistaPet
21. Chill Paws. A Comprehensive Guide to Hemp Oil for Pets. 2025. Chill Paws
22. Pet Releaf. Health Benefits of Hemp Seeds for Dogs. 2025. Pet Releaf

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FDA / Veterinary Disclaimer

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Hemp and CBD products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This blog is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian about your pet’s individual health needs and before starting any new supplement.