Pet Products

+PlusCBD Pet Chews Review: Plant-Based Calming

CV Sciences' +PlusCBD Pet meets plant-based calming demand; EU Novel Food approval looms. Our review covers ingredients, dosing, and legality.

By Scott Zhu August 10, 2026 7 min read
+PlusCBD Pet Chews Review: Plant-Based Calming

TL;DR: +PlusCBD Pet is CV Sciences’ hemp-derived CBD chew line for dogs and cats, built for the plant-based calming trend in a CBD pet-treat market worth ~$1.15B (LinkedIn, PMarketResearch, 2025). Its future in Europe hinges on pending EU Novel Food approval, which is expected to unlock the segment (LinkedIn, CV Sciences).

About the pluscbd pet chews

+PlusCBD Pet sits at the intersection of two forces: surging demand for plant-based calming aids and regulatory uncertainty around CBD in pet products. CV Sciences, a established hemp-CBD company, brought its +PlusCBD line to pets with soft chews formulated for situational anxiety, mobility, and general wellness. This review covers what CBD does in pets, the evidence, dosing and safety, the looming EU Novel Food decision, and how owners view it.

What is +PlusCBD Pet?

+PlusCBD Pet is a line of CBD-infused soft chews from CV Sciences, a publicly traded hemp-CBD specialist. The chews use broad-spectrum or full-spectrum hemp extract standardized to CBD content, often paired with calming botanicals like chamomile or L-theanine.

Why is CBD for pets a big deal?

The CBD pet-treat segment reached ~$1.15B, and EU Novel Food approval is expected to legitimize and unlock it across Europe (LinkedIn, PMarketResearch; LinkedIn, CV Sciences). Pet humanization drives demand: 43.6% of owners prioritize pet health over their own and want the same plant-based options they use (LinkedIn, Pride and Groom). Functional treats and soft chews are ~42% of the supplement format mix (LinkedIn, NIQ).

What does CBD actually do for dogs and cats?

CBD (cannabidiol) interacts with the endocannabinoid system, which influences mood, pain perception, and inflammation. Anecdotally, owners use it for separation anxiety, storm/firework phobia, arthritis discomfort, and seizure support (under veterinary supervision).

Is there scientific proof CBD works in pets?

The evidence is still maturing. Some veterinary studies suggest CBD may reduce seizure frequency in refractory epilepsy and may help osteoarthritis pain and anxiety, but sample sizes are small and products vary in potency. Most vets take a cautious “may help, won’t hurt at correct dose” stance and stress that CBD is not a substitute for diagnosis or prescribed medication such as fluoxetine for true anxiety disorders (owner forums).

Ingredients and formulation

+PlusCBD Pet chews list a CBD concentration (mg per chew) and often include calming co-ingredients. Because the CBD-pet market lacks tight standardization, reputable brands publish third-party lab (COA) results for potency and contaminants — owners should verify these.

Does +PlusCBD Pet contain THC?

CV Sciences positions +PlusCBD as hemp-derived and typically low/non-detectable THC, which matters because THC is toxic to pets, especially cats. Owners must confirm the COA shows negligible THC and avoid unregulated full-spectrum products with uncertain potency.

Dosing and safety

CBD dosing is weight-based and should start low and go slow. The main safety concerns are drowsiness, dry mouth, lowered blood pressure at high doses, and drug interactions (CBD affects liver enzymes).

Is CBD safe for cats?

Cats are more sensitive to compounds than dogs, and THC is especially dangerous to them. +PlusCBD Pet offers feline-appropriate options, but owners should use only pet-specific, lab-tested products and consult a vet — especially for cats on medication. Never use human CBD oils that may contain xylitol or high THC.

Can CBD interact with other medications?

Yes — CBD inhibits cytochrome P450 enzymes, potentially altering levels of drugs processed by the liver. Always tell your veterinarian, particularly for pets on anti-seizure, anxiety, or pain medications.

The EU Novel Food question

The biggest near-term variable for +PlusCBD Pet in Europe is EU Novel Food authorization. Under EU rules, “novel” food ingredients (including CBD as a food/feed ingredient) require safety authorization before broad legal sale. A positive decision is expected to unlock the ~$1.15B segment across the bloc (LinkedIn, CV Sciences; LinkedIn, PMarketResearch).

What does this mean for US vs EU buyers?

In the US, CBD pet products exist in a gray zone — the FDA has not approved CBD as a food/feed additive, so brands sell under state hemp laws and disclaim health claims. In the EU, Novel Food status will determine legality. Owners should check local law before buying; the 2025 FDA–AAFCO labeling rift adds further uncertainty to novel-ingredient claims (LinkedIn, BSM Partners, 2025).

Community and owner verdicts

What do Reddit and Quora owners say?

On owner forums and owner forums, CBD testimonials are polarized: many senior-dog owners report calmer behavior and better mobility, while skeptics note placebo effects and inconsistent potency across brands. Quora’s “does CBD work for dogs” answers split between enthusiastic owners and vets urging caution and lab-verified products. +PlusCBD’s established CV Sciences pedigree is a trust differentiator versus no-name oils.

Pricing and availability

+PlusCBD Pet is priced in the premium supplement tier, reflecting hemp-extract cost and testing. It sells via specialty retailers and online. EU availability currently depends on the Novel Food outcome (LinkedIn, CV Sciences).

Who should consider +PlusCBD Pet?

  • Best for: owners seeking plant-based calming for situational anxiety or senior mobility, who can verify third-party lab tests and follow vet guidance.
  • Less ideal for: pregnant/nursing pets, pets on interacting meds without vet approval, or buyers in regions where CBD pet products are illegal.

Pros and cons at a glance

Pros
– Plant-based calming from an established hemp-CBD company (CV Sciences), with third-party testing pedigree.
– Soft-chew format fits the ~42% functional soft-chew supplement mix (LinkedIn, NIQ).
– May help situational anxiety and senior mobility per early veterinary studies and owner reports.
– Rides the broader humanization trend toward plant-based pet options (LinkedIn, Pride and Groom).

Cons
– Evidence is still maturing; product potency varies across the CBD category.
– Legal gray zone in the US (no FDA food/feed approval) and pending EU Novel Food status.
– THC toxicity risk for pets, especially cats — only verified low-THC products are safe.
– Drug-interaction risk via liver enzymes; vet consultation essential for medicated pets.

How to choose and dose +PlusCBD Pet

Use only pet-specific, lab-tested (COA) products and confirm negligible THC. Start with the lowest labelled dose for your pet’s weight and increase slowly while watching for drowsiness or GI upset. Keep a symptom log — calmness, mobility, sleep — so you and your vet can judge effect. Never use human CBD oils, which may contain xylitol or high THC.

Red flags to avoid

Avoid any CBD product without a published certificate of analysis, with detectable THC, or making disease-cure claims. Cats are especially sensitive — THC is highly toxic to them (owner forums warnings). And because CBD affects liver metabolism, always disclose it to your veterinarian if your pet takes anti-seizure, anxiety, or pain medication. The 2025 FDA–AAFCO labeling rift adds further uncertainty to novel-ingredient claims, so buy from established, tested brands (LinkedIn, BSM Partners, 2025).

The CBD regulatory outlook

The near-term trajectory for +PlusCBD Pet hinges on regulation. In the US, the FDA has not approved CBD as a food or feed additive, so brands sell under state hemp laws with health-disclaimer language; the 2025 FDA–AAFCO labeling rift adds further uncertainty to novel-ingredient claims (LinkedIn, BSM Partners, 2025). In the EU, Novel Food authorization for CBD as a food/feed ingredient is the gate — a positive decision is expected to unlock the ~$1.15B segment across the bloc (LinkedIn, CV Sciences; LinkedIn, PMarketResearch). For owners, that means legality and labeling will keep shifting through 2025–26; buy only tested, compliant products and watch local law. The upside is that formal authorization tends to raise quality and testing standards, which benefits serious brands like CV Sciences and filters out unverified oils.

Related reading

FAQ

Does +PlusCBD Pet actually calm dogs?
Anecdotally many owners report calmer behavior and better mobility, and early veterinary studies are encouraging, but evidence is still maturing and product potency varies (owner forums; LinkedIn, CV Sciences).

Is CBD safe for cats?
Only pet-specific, lab-tested, low-THC products are appropriate; THC is toxic to cats. Consult a vet, especially for medicated cats.

Will +PlusCBD be legal in the EU?
It depends on pending EU Novel Food authorization, expected to unlock the ~$1.15B segment; the outcome governs broad EU legality (LinkedIn, CV Sciences; PMarketResearch).

Can CBD interact with my dog’s medications?
Yes — CBD affects liver enzymes and can alter drug levels; always tell your vet, especially for seizure, anxiety, or pain meds.

How is +PlusCBD different from NaturVet calming chews?
NaturVet uses non-CBD botanicals (melatonin, L-theanine); +PlusCBD uses hemp-derived CBD and faces Novel Food regulation (LinkedIn, Swedencare; CV Sciences).

Sources

  • CV Sciences — +PlusCBD Pet plant-based calming; EU Novel Food approval looms.
  • PMarketResearch (LinkedIn, 2025) — CBD pet treats ~$1.15B; EU Novel Food to unlock segment.
  • Pride and Groom — 43.6% of owners prioritize pet health over their own.
  • NIQ — functional soft-chew format ~42% of supplements.
  • BSM Partners (LinkedIn, 2025) — FDA–AAFCO labeling rift affects novel-ingredient claims.
  • owner forums, owner forums, Quora — owner verdicts on CBD efficacy and safety.

Scott Zhu
Scott Zhu

Senior researcher at GlobalPetIndex, tracking pet business strategy, M&A and brand intelligence.