I first tried CBD oil to help my dogs cope with anxiety around the Fourth of July. For years, I believed it didn’t work for them. What I didn’t realize at the time was that I was using the wrong type of CBD oil and giving it at the wrong dose.

Everything changed when I switched from broad-spectrum to full-spectrum CBD and began giving it consistently. I either applied it to my dogs’ gums or mixed it into their meals with a little fat. Over time, I noticed real improvements. My senior dogs moved more comfortably, and all of my dogs slept through fireworks and thunderstorms.

Full-spectrum CBD oil has been part of my dogs’ wellness routine for years, so you can imagine my disappointment when I opened Instagram and saw a Reel from The Healthy Pet Nutrition suggesting it could be outlawed in November 2026.

So, let’s talk about what’s really going on.

This is what was explained to me…

During the last government budget shutdown, a “clean” funding bill was passed to keep the government operating. As is common with these bills, additional legislative provisions were added to secure enough votes. One of those provisions addressed hemp regulation and was introduced by Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky - ironically, the same lawmaker who helped legalize hemp and launch the modern hemp industry.

The change was a response to ongoing issues in the hemp market, including the use of legal loopholes to sell synthetic cannabinoids and unregulated hemp-derived THC products. Rather than closing those loopholes and establishing clear oversight, lawmakers took a broader approach that restricts hemp products containing any measurable amount of THC.

If this language remains in place, it could significantly disrupt the hemp industry. In states where recreational cannabis is legal, such as Washington and Oregon, full-spectrum hemp products would likely be regulated the same as cannabis and sold only through licensed dispensaries. Isolate-based products with no detectable THC would remain widely available.

Brands offering full-spectrum products would need to reformulate to remove all measurable THC or shift those products into dispensaries. Several industry groups are pushing for changes or repeal, but for now, brands and independent pet stores are watching closely and waiting to see what happens.

Since the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp has generally been treated as legal if it contains no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC (by dry weight).

A lot of full-spectrum CBD oils for pets have the following while still remaining under that delta-9 limit:

I’ve been alternating between several full-spectrum products by Earth Buddy Pet for several years. My dogs love the taste, and I’ve found them to be very effective.

New federal language (passed as part of a spending bill, per multiple legal summaries) tightens the definition of hemp in two big ways:

Total THC includes delta-9 THC and THCA (a natural compound in hemp that can turn into THC with heat). So the “THC math” becomes bigger, even if the product doesn’t feel intoxicating.

The new language is widely summarized as putting a cap of 0.4 mg total THC per container for final hemp-derived products, which is low enough that many products with any measurable THC/THCA could fail.

These provisions are scheduled to take effect in November 2026 (unless changed before then).

This is why people say “it’s a ban.” It’s not a sentence that says “full-spectrum is banned.” It’s the rules that can make many current full-spectrum products no longer count as legal hemp.

Some people suggest that pet CBD products will be largely unaffected by the new rules, while human CBD products will be forced to change. That isn’t entirely accurate. While many pet CBD products are formulated as broad-spectrum or isolate-based and may fall below THC limits, there are holistic veterinarians and pet professionals who recommend full-spectrum CBD oil because it often delivers the greatest benefits.

Although human CBD tinctures and gummies are typically higher potency, more concentrated, and sold in larger containers - making it easier to exceed a “mg per container” THC cap - some full-spectrum pet oils could still be impacted, depending on how the finished product tests.

While I believe full-spectrum CBD is superior, it’s important to acknowledge that broad-spectrum and isolate products may be effective for dogs. Each dog is unique, and these products work uniquely in each dog.

That being said, let’s discuss why full-spectrum may be superior for some pets.

Some veterinarians, researchers, and experienced pet professionals believe full-spectrum CBD oil may work better than broad-spectrum CBD or isolates because it keeps more of the hemp plant intact.

Full-spectrum CBD contains CBD, other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, and trace THC and/or THCA.

The entourage effect is the idea that these compounds may work better together than CBD alone. Instead of one ingredient doing all the work, the plant compounds support each other, which may lead to stronger or more balanced results.

Because full-spectrum products include multiple hemp compounds, some pets:

This is why full-spectrum CBD is often preferred for:

CBD isolate contains only CBD. While helpful for sensitive pets or those on multiple medications, it can feel less effective for pain or anxiety support because it lacks supporting plant compounds.

Broad-spectrum CBD includes CBD plus other helpful compounds, but removes THC and THCA. It’s a middle ground and works well for many pets, though some experts believe removing THC/THCA may reduce part of the entourage effect.

The easiest and most expensive step is to begin stocking up on your favorite products. Pay attention to sales around holidays and set up recurring orders to take advantage of additional discounts.

I primarily give my dogs CBD oil from Earth Buddy Pet, alternating between three of their products. The company was kind enough to offer a special discount code for Raw Feeder Life subscribers if you’re interested in trying their product.

Another excellent brand is CBD Dog Health.

There are many high-quality CBD brands on the market, making it easy to find a backup. However, in anticipation of the new rule, it’s a good idea to start looking for a quality broad-spectrum product that may offer similar benefits as your preferred full-spectrum product.

Speak with your holistic veterinarian and local, independent pet stores for recommendations. And speak with your preferred brand. They may already have something in the pipeline.

If a product does not qualify as hemp under the new federal definition because of total THC/THCA, it may still exist in the state-legal cannabis system (marijuana market) - not as “hemp CBD.”

That means:

Do your research before buying; don’t simply trust the person behind the counter about what is best for your dog.

If you want safer rules that don’t accidentally wipe out non-intoxicating pet products, you can contact lawmakers and ask for:

Ways to find and contact your elected officials:

What to say (keep it short):

I’ve emailed my local politicians and usually only get an automated response, so I don’t have much faith in this system. But maybe if politicians are getting hundreds of emails and letters, they’ll pay attention.

Don’t panic. This email is simply to keep you educated and aware of what’s happening. Of course, this is a U.S. issue. I’m not sure how CBD oil is handled in other countries, only that there are rules around international sales.

For now…

Don’t panic.