Why NOT CBD

Everywhere you go, be it a local market, a pet store, or sometimes even a grocery store, it's easy to find pet products with CBD as a main ingredient. And it's not surprising when you consider the benefits of its calming properties and pain relief. However, this also raises the common question of why The Bearded Monkey doesn't offer CBD products. 

The simple answer is that CBD has not been cleared by AAFCO or the FDA to be safe for animals.

What Is AAFCO?

Many people are completely unaware of this group, but they play a vital role worldwide in setting safe standards for food.

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is a non-profit organization that has been assisting feed regulators, nationally and internationally, in safeguarding animal and even human health through ingredient definitions and regulations for over 100 years.

Essentially, they determine what ingredients are appropriate for animal health and the amount of said ingredients that are necessary or dangerous. AAFCO is instrumental in guiding pet food providers in how to formulate their products.

Does That Mean CBD Is Bad For My Dog?

That's not to say that CBD is bad for your dog just because it has yet to be approved by AAFCO. Studies are still being done on the long-term effects it has on animals. This means that, at this current moment, we can neither confirm nor deny whether it's safe for animal consumption. However, it is important that you consult a vet before introducing CBD to your pet. 

All this to say, until the day comes that this particular ingredient has been approved by feed officials to be safe, we will not use it in our products. We take the safety of your pet seriously and do not wish to needlessly risk their health on an unknown ingredient.

What Can I Use Instead?

Now, you may be asking yourself, "If CBD isn't safe, what can I use instead?" 

There are many answers to this question, and it all depends on why you're considering using it. Is it for pain? Anxiety? Inflammation? There are several (approved) natural ingredients to solve those issues. You just need to know what you're targeting.

For joint pain, there are many natural ingredients and supplements that are healthy and safe for pets. Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Nutritional yeast, and anything rich in Omegas like chia seeds, flax seeds, and salmon oil.

For anxiety, L-Theanine is a common amino acid used in calming products for animals. It's found in tea leaves and relaxes your pet without causing drowsiness. Chamomile is another good natural calming ingredient. And for dogs specifically, a surprising option you may not know about is catnip.

These calming ingredients can all be found in our Tea Biscuit, alongside ginger to prevent an upset stomach from anxiety. We also add honey as an extra boost of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. It has been carefully formulated to make sure that your pet does not receive too much of a good thing.

If you're looking for joint health, many of our other treats are formulated for just that. Our Bacon Cheddar, the Cheddar Cheese, the Peanut Butter Banana, and even our classic Peanut Butter.

Conclusion

Yes, it is confusing to see a surplus of CBD items for pets, and no, you're not a bad pet owner for using it. But it is important to understand anything new that you introduce to your pet's diet. If you're ever unsure, you can always ask a trusted vet or an animal nutritionist.

As for calming supplements, just like with humans, it's important that you not give more than recommended for your pet's weight. If you make food and/or treats for your pets at home, be sure that you know what you're feeding them and that they are getting the appropriate nutrients in their diet.

We hope that this post has been beneficial and enlightening. If you have questions or comments, you can comment them below. Or, if you would like to be notified when a new blog post is added, you can join our newsletter at the bottom of any of our website pages or at our Contact page.

 

Posted 2/16/2026