Understanding CBD Laws in the UK: What’s Legal and What’s Not in 2025
The idea of giving your anxious dog a gentle, plant-based calming oil or adding a joint-soothing chew to a senior cat’s routine sounds caring and modern. But when it comes to CBD UK laws, the landscape for people — and especially for pets — can feel confusing. This guide walks you through the rules in plain English, ties them to real pet-owner concerns, and gives clear, practical steps so you can keep your furry family safe and on the right side of the law.
Quick summary: the legal headlines every pet owner should know
- CBD products for human consumption are treated as novel foods and have to meet Food Standards Agency (FSA) rules; the FSA is actively assessing/authorising products.
- THC remains a controlled substance in the UK; legal CBD products must meet strict THC limits and safety thresholds set by UK regulators.
- For animals, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) treats CBD products that are marketed for pets as veterinary medicines — and currently there are no authorised veterinary CBD medicines on the UK market. Selling or marketing CBD as a medicine for animals without a marketing authorisation is not allowed.
Why the rules exist (and why they matter for pets)
Think of the rules as safety rails. The FSA’s “novel food” pathway exists because CBD is relatively new as an everyday ingredient in foods and supplements — regulators want evidence on safety, dosing, and manufacturing quality before giving full green lights. That matters for pets because their physiology differs from ours: doses that are safe for humans might not be safe for a dog or cat, and evidence for efficacy in animals is still building.
Real story: Chloe, her nervous spaniel and a tricky decision
Chloe from Bristol saw her spaniel, Poppy, trembling during a thunderstorm. A friend suggested a CBD oil. Chloe tried a human CBD oil bought online and noticed short-term calm — but Poppy then got an upset stomach and lost weight. After a vet visit, Chloe learned the product hadn’t been tested for pets, and the vet warned that unregulated pet CBD can vary hugely in purity and THC contamination. Now Chloe uses vet-approved behavioural training and only considers products after discussing them with her vet.
That kind of story is common — it shows why the VMD’s stance (CBD for pets = veterinary medicine) is aimed at protecting animals from under-tested, incorrectly dosed products.
The current technical rules (practical version)
- Human CBD products: Many CBD oils and foods sold to people must follow the FSA’s novel food rules. The FSA has also issued guidance about acceptable daily intake (ADI) and THC safety thresholds as it assesses authorisation applications. Look for brands that reference lab testing and any FSA approvals as they appear.
- THC limits: THC is still a controlled drug; CBD products must demonstrate very low or non-detectable THC levels and meet FSA risk management guidance. Don’t buy anything that claims to be “THC-free” without third-party lab proof.
- Pet CBD: If a product is sold or marketed for animals with claims about treating pain, anxiety, or disease, the VMD considers it a veterinary medicinal product — it needs a marketing authorisation, which current CBD pet products generally do not have. That makes many pet-market CBD items legally risky in the UK.
Actionable tips for pet owners (what to do today)
✅ Talk to your vet first
Bring up CBD if you’re curious. A vet can advise based on your pet’s health, medications, and bodyweight. Never rely solely on internet anecdotes.
✅ Avoid human CBD products for pets
Human formulations may contain flavourings, preservatives or solvent residues that aren’t safe for animals — and dosing labels aren’t pet-specific.
✅ Look for evidence and lab reports
If considering a supplement (where legally available), only choose products with third-party COAs (Certificates of Analysis) showing CBD and THC content and checks for heavy metals, pesticides, and solvents. Confirm the product is not marketed as a treatment for disease unless authorised.
✅ Start low and monitor
If a vet supports trialling a CBD product, start at a very low dose, record observations (appetite, energy, stool, behaviour) and stay in touch with your vet about any changes.
✅ Keep records and batch info
Save product packaging, batch numbers and COAs. If a product causes a problem, this information helps your vet and regulators investigate.
Looking ahead: regulation is moving — watch this space
Since 2023–2025 the FSA has been actively evaluating applications and setting provisional safety/ADI guidance for CBD food products, and regulators have been tightening expectations around testing and labelling. Meanwhile, veterinary evidence and regulatory pathways for animal CBD remain under development — which means the safest course is cautious, vet-led decision making.
Final thoughts: love your pet, follow the rules
Your desire to help a pet with a natural solution is understandable and humane. The legal framework in the CBD UK space exists to protect animals from poorly made or inappropriately marketed products. When in doubt: consult a vet, insist on lab-tested products (and preferably authorised ones), and prioritise slow, careful observation over quick fixes.