Confident product checks start with clear labels and batch-matched documents. The focus here is equine-facing CBD product literacy for Australia. No dosing, medical or legal advice is provided. Formats covered include oils, pellets, pastes, powders, treats/chews and topicals.
What CBD is for Horses
CBD is a cannabinoid from cannabis or hemp. Pet products may be formulated for horses, cats, dogs or “all species”. The way a product is made and labelled determines what documents should be available.
- CBD oil (for pets): an extract dissolved in a carrier oil. Strength is typically stated in mg/mL.
- Broad-spectrum: CBD dominant with minor cannabinoids present. The COA (Certificate of Analysis) should list more than one cannabinoid.
- Isolate: refined CBD. Other cannabinoids appear as ND or below LOQ/LOD on the COA.
- Hemp seed oil: culinary oil pressed from seeds. Trace cannabinoids only. Not the same as CBD oil.
- Pellets/powders: feed-style blends using an infused oil or extract. Strength may be stated as mg per serve/scoop or mg per 100 g.
- Pastes: concentrated blends in a syringe or tube. Labels often show mg/mL or mg per notch.
- Treats/chews: soft or baked pieces. Strength often appears as mg per piece.
- Topicals/balms: applied to skin or hooves. A COA remains relevant for identity and contaminants.
Hemp seed oil vs CBD oil
Both products can sit in the same aisle yet are not interchangeable. CBD oil is an extract-based product and requires batch documentation. Hemp seed oil is a food oil. Clear units and a batch-matched COA distinguish them.
| Source material | Typical cannabinoids | Legal category (AU, high level) | Typical lab docs | Common label cues |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seeds only | Trace levels only | Treated as a food oil when compliant | Food safety certificates; usually no cannabinoids COA | “Hemp seed oil”, “from seeds”, nutrition-style panel |
| Flowers/leaves (hemp/cannabis extract in oil) | CBD dominant; minors may appear; THC ND/very low | Drug extract context; pet products sit under APVMA pathways | COA from an independent lab with batch/lot number | “CBD oil”, “broad-spectrum”, “isolate”, strength in mg/mL |
Australia’s rules for pet CBD
Veterinary cannabinoid products fall under the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). Human access frameworks are separate. Many overseas listings shipped into the country are not aligned with domestic pathways. That is why equine and companion-animal products should present traceability and a proper COA. The sections below explain how to read labels and documents without dosing or clinical claims.
How to choose equine CBD products
The aim is to recognise credible labels and documents across formats. The steps apply to horse products first, with notes where cat-labelled oils follow the same logic.
- Confirm the product type. “CBD oil”, “broad-spectrum” or “isolate” indicates an extract. “Hemp oil” with no cannabinoids content often means seed oil. Ingredients should list a cannabis/hemp extract if it is a CBD product.
- Find the strength unit. Oils and many pastes use mg/mL. Pellets/powders use mg per serve or mg per 100 g. Treats use mg per piece. Units on the label should match the COA or convert clearly.
- Locate the batch/lot number. Bottles print it on the label or carton; pellets often stamp it on the bag seam; pastes may ink-jet it on the plunger or tube crimp. The COA must show the same identifier.
- Obtain the COA (Certificate of Analysis). Reputable ranges provide a batch-matched COA from an independent lab via QR or a document download.
- Check label ↔ COA alignment. Product name and extract type match. CBD values and units align for that batch. If “THC-free” appears, the COA shows THC as ND or below a stated LOQ.
- Confirm lab independence and competence. Look for lab identity and contact details. ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation is a strong competence marker.
- Scan the contaminants panel. For oils and finished feeds, a suitable panel includes heavy metals, pesticides, microbiology and residual solvents. Some labs also include mycotoxins or foreign matter.
- Read the units carefully. COAs may report mg/mL, mg/g or % w/w. Compare like with like, or ask the brand for the conversion used.
- Packaging and carriers. Horse oils may use MCT, hemp seed or fish oils as carriers. The carrier does not make it a CBD oil unless there is an added extract and a matching cannabinoids profile on the COA.
- Storage cues. Opaque bottles and sealed feed bags help limit light, heat and moisture exposure.
Label & document checks
| Item | What it means | Where to find | What to verify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product type | CBD oil vs hemp seed oil; pellets/powders/pastes/treats | Front label; ingredients | Extract identified; not seed oil alone |
| Strength unit | mg/mL, mg per serve, mg per piece, mg per 100 g | Strength line; back panel | Units match the COA; values align for the same batch |
| batch/lot number | Unique batch identifier | Bottle/box; bag seam; tube crimp | Same identifier appears on the COA |
| COA access | Third-party test report | QR code; product page; PDF | Independent lab; cannabinoids table and contaminants panel |
| Extract type | Broad-spectrum or isolate | Label; COA method section | COA profile reflects the claim |
| Contaminants panel | Safety screening | COA tables | Heavy metals; pesticides; microbiology; residual solvents; optional mycotoxins |
| Lab accreditation | Competence marker | COA header/footer | ISO/IEC 17025 or local marker visible |
| Carrier/base | Oil or feed matrix | Ingredients list | Carrier matches claims; species-appropriate labelling |
| Format specifics | Oil, pellets, paste, powder, treats, topical | Pack front and back | Unit suitable for format; clear serving descriptors |
COA reading checklist
The goal is to verify identity, content and basic safety signals without interpreting health effects.
- Identity: Product name on the COA matches the actual product or concentrate used. batch/lot number matches the label.
- Cannabinoids: CBD reported in mg/mL (oils/pastes) or convertible units for pellets/treats. THC result aligns with label statements such as “THC-free”. Broad-spectrum claims show minor cannabinoids; isolate claims show non-CBD minors as ND or below LOQ.
- Contaminants panel: Heavy metals (Pb, As, Cd, Hg), pesticides, microbiology and residual solvents. Optional mycotoxins or foreign matter for feed-style formats.
- Lab independence and accreditation: Independent lab named with contact details. ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation or similar competence signals.
- Units and conversions: mg/mL, mg/g or % w/w may appear. ND = not detected; LOQ = limit of quantification; LOD = limit of detection.
COA essentials
| COA area | Why it matters | Expected fields | Quick check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identity & batch | Ties the bottle/bag to the document | Product name; batch/lot; sample ID | Label batch/lot equals COA batch/lot |
| Cannabinoids profile | Confirms CBD strength and minors | CBD, THC, others; units | Label strength aligns with COA for that batch |
| Heavy metals | Metals safety screen | Pb, As, Cd, Hg with limits | Results below limits or “Pass” |
| Pesticides | Residue safety screen | Multi-residue method | “Pass” across the panel |
| Microbiology | Product hygiene signal | Counts; absence of specified pathogens | Within limits for oils/feeds |
| Residual solvents | Extraction residue check | Solvent list with limits | All below LOQ or within limits |
| Mycotoxins (optional) | Feed-style quality check | Aflatoxins; ochratoxin | “Pass” if included |
| Lab accreditation | Method competence | ISO/IEC 17025 reference | Accreditation marker present |
| Measurement units | Avoids false comparisons | mg/mL; mg per serve; % w/w | Units stated and consistent |
Oils vs pellets/pastes/treats
Each format uses different label units and may publish different COAs. Understanding the differences keeps comparisons fair.
- Oils: mg/mL is standard. COAs are batch-specific to bottled oil.
- Pellets/powders: labels often show mg per serve or mg per 100 g. Seek a finished-batch COA or a clear conversion from the infused oil.
- Pastes: mg/mL or mg per notch. The notch volume should be defined.
- Treats/chews: mg per piece. A finished-batch COA helps confirm piece uniformity.
| Aspect | Oils | Pellets/Powders | Pastes | Treats/Chews | What to verify |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit on label | mg/mL | mg per serve or per 100 g | mg/mL or mg per notch | mg per piece | COA units correspond or are convertible |
| Consistency | Homogeneous after proper mixing | Depends on blend uniformity | Consistent within tube | Piece-to-piece variability possible | Finished-batch COA preferred |
| COA availability | Routine per batch | Oil COA plus finished COA ideal | Batch COA for paste | Finished COA, not oil-only | Batch/lot appears on each COA |
| Stability & storage | Sensitive to light/heat/air | Sensitive to humidity/heat | Sensitive to light/heat | Sensitive to heat during baking; storage matters | Packaging suits format; storage text present |
| Portioning | Measured by volume | Scoop-based | Mark-based | Count-based | Serving descriptors are clear |
| Species labelling | Equine/feline variants common | Often equine-specific | Often equine-specific | Often species-agnostic | Species and directions align with label claims |
Storage & handling
Quality signals on a COA reflect a product at release. To preserve them, keep oils and pastes away from heat and light, and seal caps tightly. Store pellets and treats in dry, intact packaging with closures that limit air and moisture. Do not mix products inside the original container. If colour, smell or texture shift, review storage conditions and check a fresh batch COA before purchasing again.
Practical evaluation workflow
- Identify the product format and confirm it is a CBD product, not just hemp seed oil.
- Find the strength unit: mg/mL (oils/pastes), mg per serve or per 100 g (pellets/powders), mg per piece (treats).
- Note the batch/lot number on the pack.
- Retrieve a COA from an independent lab via QR or support page.
- Check the contaminants panel: heavy metals, pesticides, microbiology, residual solvents; optional mycotoxins.
- Match label and COA values and units for that batch.
- Apply format-specific checks from the comparison table.
| Step | What to verify | Where to find | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Format and product identity | Label; ingredients | CBD extract present; not seed oil alone |
| 2 | Strength units and pack info | Strength line; pack front/back | mg/mL, mg per serve, mg per piece, or mg per 100 g |
| 3 | batch/lot number | Bottle/carton; bag seam; tube crimp | Needed to match the COA |
| 4 | Independent lab COA | QR; product page; support | Cannabinoids + contaminants panel |
| 5 | Label ↔ COA match | Label and COA side-by-side | Same batch; units and CBD value align |
| 6 | Format specifics | Tables above | Finished-batch COA for feeds/treats preferred |
Warnings / What to avoid
- No batch/lot number on the package.
- COA does not list the same batch/lot number as the product.
- COA with cannabinoids only and no contaminants panel for an oil or finished feed.
- Vague strength words such as “high strength” or “premium hemp” with no mg/mL or mg per serve/piece.
- Mixing “hemp seed oil” and “CBD oil” as if identical.
- Disease-language claims on pet packaging or ads.
- Lab report without lab identity or signs of independence.
Myths & reality
Myth: “CBD hemp oil for horses” and “hemp seed oil” are interchangeable.
Reality: Hemp seed oil is pressed from seeds and is not a cannabinoids extract. Without an added extract and a batch-matched COA, it is not CBD oil.
Myth: If a label says “THC-free”, documentation is unnecessary.
Reality: A COA confirms identity and shows THC as ND or below a limit.
Myth: Pellets and treats guarantee uniform CBD per serve.
Reality: Manufacturing and storage can introduce variability. A finished-batch COA helps.
Myth: Any lab test is fine.
Reality: An independent lab with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation signals validated methods and competence.
Brand examples
Equine-specific lines. Some brands offer equine oils, pellets or pastes with batch/lot numbers and QR-linked COAs per batch. Look for a cannabinoids profile and a contaminants panel from an independent lab.
Feline-specific oils. Cat-labelled oils usually print mg/mL clearly and link to a batch-matched COA. The same document literacy applies across species.
Broad-spectrum and isolate. Labels should reflect extract type. Broad-spectrum products show minor cannabinoids on the COA. Isolate products show non-CBD cannabinoids as ND.
Compounding-only. In some contexts, CBD products are compounded to order for veterinary use. Public advertising can be limited. For documentation, the same literacy applies: mg/mL or mg per serve, batch/lot traceability and a full COA from an independent lab.
FAQs
What does mg/mL mean on an equine CBD label?
It states how many milligrams of CBD are in each millilitre of oil or paste. It is a concentration unit that enables fair comparisons.
How to check if a COA matches a batch/lot number?
Read the batch/lot on the pack and locate the same identifier on the COA. If they differ, the document does not verify that product.
What is a contaminants panel and why does it matter?
It is a set of tests for heavy metals, pesticides, microbiology and residual solvents. Some labs include mycotoxins. It supports basic safety signals for oils and feed-style products.
Is hemp seed oil the same as CBD oil for horses or cats?
No. Hemp seed oil is a culinary oil from seeds. CBD oil contains an added extract and is identified by a cannabinoids profile on a batch-matched COA.
How do oils differ from pellets, pastes and treats in labelling?
Oils use mg/mL. Pellets and powders use mg per serve or mg per 100 g. Pastes can use mg/mL or mg per notch. Treats use mg per piece. The COA should report units that match or convert clearly.
Can “cbd oil for horses” be the same product as for cats?
Some brands cross-label species. Concentrations, carriers and flavours may differ. The mg/mL or mg per serve number, the batch/lot number and the COA remain the core checkpoints.
What to look for in an independent lab COA?
Lab name and contact, ISO/IEC 17025 or similar accreditation note, a cannabinoids table with units, and a contaminants panel. All matched to the product’s batch/lot.
Where is mg/mL shown and how do pellets report strength?
mg/mL appears near the strength line for oils and some pastes. Pellets often show mg per serve or mg per 100 g. Match those units to the COA before comparing products.
