Only 10 of 27 pet products tested were close to label claims of CBD, several contained heavy metals.
The study – “Cannabinoid, Terpene, and Heavy Metal Analysis of 29 Over-the-Counter Commercial Veterinary Hemp Supplements” – was a joint effort between Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine and ElleVet Sciences, a manufacturer of pet CBD products.
Putting the potential bias of one CBD pet product manufacturer testing the products of its competition aside, the results of this study are concerning for pet owners.
The study tested 29 CBD pet products, 27 of 29 of these products made label guarantees to the cannabinoid concentration the supplement contained. Unfortunately, less than half of the products tested (10) “were within 10% of the total cannabinoid concentrations of their label claim“. Several products tested well below their label claims of cannabinoid concentration; one product claimed to contain 117 mg/mL when testing showed it only contained 5 mg/mL, two products tested to contain no (zero) cannabinoid.
The supplements were also tested for heavy metals. Four of the 29 products were found to contain some level of heavy metals, two of those four concerning levels. One product tested “above the limit for oral consumption” for arsenic, another was found to contain “2296 µg/mL of lead which would not pass for oral consumption according to laboratory analysis guidelines and current USP guidelines.”
The study did not provide the brand names of the products tested.
To read the full study, Click Here.
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
TruthaboutPetFood.com
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Janie Lerner
May 22, 2020 at 9:45 am
It is worth mentioning that there are manufacturers that provide COAs for their products and that people need to look for that when finding a brand to use.
Mary Anne
May 22, 2020 at 9:50 am
While any information is valuable, without brand names, I don’t know how you can choose!
Annie
May 22, 2020 at 9:55 am
this not naming of brands really ticks me off. A lot. Any way to find them out?
Sherry Goodyear
May 25, 2020 at 1:27 pm
Same here. Of what use is this without brand names?
Stephanie Wright
May 26, 2020 at 5:07 pm
Why publish a study of 30 brands for efficacy and toxicity and not publish the brand names? Now the name Ellevet is the ONLY name associated with this study. A sneaky way of branding, but that just my opinion… They won’t list brand names so people can make an informed decision, but the reps will go to vet clinics and claim that their studies prove that no other brand is as effective or proven safe.
Marianne Richmond
May 22, 2020 at 10:06 am
I use Ellevet CBD but still question the results and usefulness of a study they funded/participated in and one that doesn’t name the other products evaluated.
chris
May 22, 2020 at 10:49 am
https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/warning-letters-and-test-results-cannabidiol-related-products is also another website to see what companies are being given warning letters by the FDA that their products are not as advertised (they may say it has so much in it and it is being tested as little or nothing).
Health Ranger products out of Texas do all of their own testing on products before they sell them (they test anything they sell both their products and others). They test for heavy metals, etc.
T Allen
May 22, 2020 at 10:50 am
Where do you think all the products that fail human safety testing go? Only buy from companies that third party test and provide a copy online of the lot# you have purchased. A certificate from another lot does not count! Elixinol and Bluebird are two reputable brands.
Jodi Ziskin
May 22, 2020 at 10:54 am
Hi Susan:
Thank you for posting this study. One of the most important things a pet parent can do to ensure the CBD product they are providing to their fur baby is accurate is to view the Certificate of Analysis, performed by a 3rd party lab. The best CBD for pets companies are happy to share this. These lab tests results should be easily found on the company’s website. Pay attention to not only the proof of potency (that the amount of hemp oil/CBD per dose) is consistent with what is claimed on the label and on the website), that there are no bio contaminants and no pesticides. Additionally, the company should be happy to answer any questions you may have via telephone or email. Also, look for companies that are members of the NASC (National Animal Supplement Council). These companies adhere to the strictest rules set forth by the NASC, which works closely with the FDA/CVM.
Thank you,
Jodi Ziskin
Treatibles
Maisie
May 24, 2020 at 6:46 pm
Thanks for responding Jodi. My dogs use your products 🙂
Barbara McWha
May 22, 2020 at 10:57 am
Unfortunately this was very frustrating! Since it didn’t name the manufacturers, it was basically useless. How do we know what brand to use? I give my 13 yr old Briard 1 dropper twice a day of 500 mg CBD oil from Dukes Naturals.
Debra
May 22, 2020 at 12:25 pm
I support all you do Susan but I question why you published this report without the brand names. This is a disservice and is only upsetting. I love my pup and feel if I can use CBD over an Rx for anxiety on long road trips, which produce bloody diarrhea and high anxiety then it is worth it. If this report was meant to get us to question the manufacturer of the CBD treats then you have succeeded. I think the organization(s) that bothered to do the testing are to be questioned also.
Susan Thixton
May 22, 2020 at 12:41 pm
Don’t shoot the messenger. The names of the brands tested are out of my control. I feel it is better for pet owners to be aware of a potential problem – even if they don’t know the specific brands that could be involved. Education in any form is good – it causes pet owners to ask more questions of manufacturers.
Janice
May 22, 2020 at 1:02 pm
Thank you so much for this. I’ve always wondered whether the products are any good. I’ve been leery and distrusting of most if not all of them. It would be great if the pet food stores that sell them took note but will not hold my breath. Thank you, Susan.
Hope for the Fainthearted
May 22, 2020 at 1:08 pm
Actually, I have second thoughts. The fact that they didn’t list the brand does concern me. How is one to know to avoid that brand particularly if it’s above the limits, or has less than what is claimed. Originally, I thought it would prompt questions for those that sell CBD but if they don’t know, (and don’t take action to find out or have the oil tested), it doesn’t change things. Too bad.
Debi cohen
May 22, 2020 at 2:06 pm
Use “Human Grade” products only
Christina K Swanson
May 22, 2020 at 4:14 pm
As someone who tested human supplemental medicines, in official studies names ARE not mentioned when the report is given out, this is standard practice. But they are recorded (unless doing blind studies for organisations like FDA) and given to the controlling Gov oversight (apvma in Aus, FDA in us etc).
As for companies running studies on others, this is normal as they are the facilities with all the set up already (lab, chemicals, testing experience etc) in place. This is normal and if a gov or uni sponsored study, then bias is specifically ruled out of the testors (there are VERY strict rules to abide by)
Susan Mael
May 28, 2020 at 9:32 pm
Thank you for your comment that is based on factual knowledge of the rules and policies surrounding testing protocols, rather than emotion and assumptions.
Ellen Olander
May 22, 2020 at 4:16 pm
I use PetPainFree.com. ABSC is the company that provides CBD oil for the studies done at Colorado State University.
Cheryl
May 22, 2020 at 8:40 pm
This is true in the human CBD market too. It is why we teach consumers not to buy products unless they have a product certificate of analysis. Hemp cbd products are for the most part unregulated. Greed fuels companies to use imported poor quality distillate to make products. Distillate from China are the worst for being contaminated. Time to demand COA’s for pet products. I hope you all know you can just use human products on your dogs right?
Lily
May 28, 2020 at 3:34 am
Thank you for the information and thank you for always looking out for our fur babies.
Randy Douglas
May 30, 2020 at 7:32 pm
It is much better to use human grade products for your pet’s (and labelled for human use) than veterinary product’s, commercial pet over-the-counter nutriceuticals and questionable pet food’s (most ingredients still come from China)! The human product track record is a little better, there are monitoring agencies and there is more product quality investigations although you still need to do your homework and research them! I have been buying vet sold CBD oil while looking for a top grade human CBD seller and this report is very hard to hear as CBD is extremely expensive and I thought I was truly helping my dog! Instead, as with almost everything pet related, we are getting ripped off while our pet’s are left to suffer! Question and investigate everything!