Amazon doesn’t officially sell products containing cannabidiol (CBD). But that doesn’t stop thousands of search results showing up for “CBD” on the Amazon marketplace. So what are all these products?

Amazon’s stance on CBD

Amazon clearly prohibits the sale of CBD in its marketplace. The retail giant’s Seller Central website puts it in writing:

“Listings for products containing cannabidiol (CBD) are prohibited, including but not limited to:

  • Full-spectrum hemp oil
  • Rich hemp oil
  • Products that have been identified as containing CBD by LegitScript”

These compliance requirements explicitly mention CBD among a long list of other substances, which begs the question: are the CBD pet products for sale on Amazon all fakes? Well, yes and no.

So, what exactly is the ‘CBD oil’ I bought from Amazon?

Much to the annoyance of genuine CBD producers, who can’t currently sell their products on Amazon, the products you’ll find on the site are likely to come from one of three sub-par categories:

Mysterious oils

These products are marketed within the general area of ‘CBD oil’ or ‘CBD for dogs,’ but close inspection reveals that their packaging and ingredients lists stop short of actually containing cannabidiol.

Unfortunately, many are taken in by these borderline fraudulent products, as shown by the negative reviews and comments left under many listings. But others have zero, or suspiciously plentiful and positive reviews—so watch out.

It sounds too obvious to point out, but if the product doesn’t say CBD on the label or the ingredients list, it may not be CBD! We can’t really say for certain what these oils contain—which is kind of the point: is it worth the uncertainty and risk of mislabeled oils, especially when giving them to your pooch?

Off-brand CBD products

With mislabelling abound, there’s a good chance that some of the products listed on Amazon do actually contain some amount of CBD. Because Amazon bans the word ‘CBD’ from product names and descriptions, and can easily trawl listings for those terms, any company advertising their CBD credentials will immediately be removed from the marketplace.

Therefore, those looking to flog CBD on Amazon will often use winking descriptions including terms like ‘hemp extract’ or ‘hemp oil for pain and inflammation.’ When the Washington Post looked into the CBD levels contained in products with these sorts of descriptions, they found that 11 of 13 tested products did actually contain CBD oil. Though, levels were often well below those found in legitimate products.

So, if you’re deadset on shopping for personal or pet CBD oil on Amazon, it may be possible. But you’ll need to sift through euphemistic product descriptions and take a gamble on whether your chosen product actually contains useful levels of CBD—as well as safe, non-toxic ingredients and production methods.

Hemp seed oil

The third category of products that show up under searches for ‘CBD oil for dogs’ on the Amazon marketplace is hemp oil.

Unlike the above, hemp oil or hemp seed oil is a legitimate product, but it’s not CBD. Hemp seed oil is pressed from the seeds on cannabis plants and is most commonly used in cooking, cosmetics, and various household and personal uses.

Your dog may appreciate hemp seed oil if they need a boost in Omega fatty acids. The oil is super-high in good fats and antioxidants, which can help improve joint and skin health. A study on human participants from the Journal of Dermatological treatments found that a diet regularly including hemp seed oil can reduce the dryness and itchiness associated with dermatitis.

Here’s our full article on the pros and cons of Hemp Oil Vs CBD Oil for Dogs.

Will Amazon ever sell real CBD oil for dogs

(and what about Whole Foods?)

Amazon’s unique place in the US economy no doubt throws up many questions concerning its rights and ability to sell cannabis products and medical supplements. But theoretically speaking, there shouldn’t be any direct barrier to them selling CBD oil.

Since the signing of the 2018 Farm Bill into law, US companies have been free to grow, produce, transport, and sell products containing industrial hemp, which is cannabis with extremely low concentrations (no more than 0.3 percent) of THC—the compound in cannabis that makes you high.

Most, if not all CBD oil for dogs is made from industrial hemp (and ideally from organic farms), so they fall well within the 2018 FDA legislation.

The real reason why Amazon hasn’t yet come on board with CBD is likely to do with its ability to monitor and maintain its marketplace according to FDA standards. In other words, Amazon may be playing it cautious with all cannabis products, due to the risk of bad actors using the site to sell marijuana.

That said, Amazon tends to make announcements concerning their site without much of a build-up, and sometimes without any announcements at all, so things may change literally overnight. We’ll let you know if they do.

Whole foods

With Amazon now owning everyone’s favorite grocery store chain Whole Foods, you might wonder whether the prohibition on CBD products extends to physical Whole Foods locations.

Not so. As of fall last year, Whole Foods expanded its sale of topical CBD products to more than 350 locations across 30 states. From their press release, this includes:

Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

However, we’re not currently aware of any locations selling CBD products for pets.

So where should I buy my dog’s CBD oil from?

Legitimate CBD oil products will always clearly state their contents, including concentrations and ingredients sources. Many major CBD companies will also go the extra mile and include third-party quality certifications to provide peace of mind over possible additives or impurities.

If you know exactly what type and brand of pet CBD oil you’re looking for, it’s best to shop at a physical pet store or to buy straight from the company website. If you’re still browsing, and aren’t set on a particular product, here is our ranking of the top CBD oils for dogs on the market right now, complete with links to safe sites for purchasing.

Summary

  • Amazon prohibits the sale of CBD products that actually contain CBD oil.

  • This doesn’t stop many manufacturers from cashing in on CBD’s popularity. Amazon’s marketplace is flooded with mislabelled, off-brand, and hemp seed oils, which may or may not contain CBD.

  • It’s possible you’ll get lucky with one of these products, but we’d strongly advise against taking such risks with your pet’s CBD supplements.

  • Manufacturers looking for Amazon loopholes may also cut other corners. Products advertised as ‘organic’ or ‘made in the USA’ may be fraudulent.

  • Always buy CBD from a trusted source, like a physical pet store, manufacturer’s website, or through our own review page.