ABSC Organics vs Charlotte’s Web: Which Pet CBD Oil Is Right for Your Dog?
Charlotte’s Web is one of the most recognizable names in the CBD industry. With widespread retail distribution, a publicly traded parent company, and strong brand recognition, they’ve become many pet owners’ first introduction to CBD. ABSC Organics, on the other hand, is a veterinary-science-focused company with three clinical trials and USDA Organic certification — less famous, but arguably more clinically substantiated.
This comparison examines both brands across the factors that actually matter for your pet’s health: clinical evidence, ingredient quality, certifications, pricing, and overall value. The goal isn’t to declare a winner, but to give you the information you need to make the right choice for your dog.
Brand Overviews
About ABSC Organics
ABSC Organics (Applied Basic Science Corporation) is a pet CBD company built on a foundation of university-level clinical research. They have sponsored three clinical trials at Colorado State University (CSU) investigating the safety, pharmacokinetics, and therapeutic efficacy of their CBD oil in dogs. The trials were led by Dr. Stephanie McGrath, DVM, an Associate Professor at CSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
ABSC’s product line is intentionally focused: pure CBD oil in four concentrations, all USDA Organic certified. Their approach is pharmaceutical-grade precision over broad product variety — they do one thing and they do it with clinical backing.
Products include:
- 300mg CBD Oil (10mg/mL) — $49.99
- 600mg CBD Oil (20mg/mL) — $59.99
- 1200mg CBD Oil (40mg/mL) — $119.99
- 2400mg CBD Oil (80mg/mL) — $199.99
Each bottle is a 30-day supply. Subscriptions save 15%. Full lab results are published on the Certificate of Analysis page.
About Charlotte’s Web
Charlotte’s Web Holdings, Inc. is a publicly traded company (TSX: CWEB) and one of the largest CBD brands in the world. The company is named after Charlotte Figi, a young girl whose seizure disorder was treated with a specific hemp strain, and their origin story helped catalyze the modern CBD movement.
Charlotte’s Web offers a broad range of CBD products for both humans and pets. Their pet line includes CBD oils, calming chews, hip and joint chews, and skin health chews. They’re available online, at major retailers like Chewy, and at thousands of independent pet and health stores.
Their pet CBD oil comes in two strengths:
- 17mg CBD Oil for Dogs (17mg/mL) — $59.99 (30mL) / $149.99 (100mL)
- 7mg CBD Oil for Dogs (7mg/mL) — also available for smaller dogs
Charlotte’s Web offers 35% off first subscription orders and 30% off recurring orders. They hold the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) quality seal.
Clinical Research: Science vs. Brand Recognition
This is where the comparison becomes most significant. Clinical research is the gold standard for evaluating whether a CBD product actually works — and the two brands take very different approaches.
ABSC Organics: Three University Clinical Trials
ABSC has invested in a rigorous, multi-phase clinical research program at Colorado State University:
- Phase 1 — Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Toxicity: Established that CBD oil is safe, well-tolerated, and most efficiently delivered orally. Published in the Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (Fall 2018).
- Phase 2 — Epilepsy: Demonstrated an 89% reduction in seizure frequency in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy. This is one of the most significant findings in pet CBD research to date.
- Phase 3 — Osteoarthritis and Pain Management: Investigated CBD’s efficacy for joint pain and mobility, adding musculoskeletal conditions to ABSC’s clinical evidence base.
Critically, the exact same CBD oil sold to consumers is what was used in these trials. This “product-study consistency” is rare in the CBD industry. Learn more at ABSC’s Clinical Research page.
Charlotte’s Web: Brand Heritage, Not Pet-Specific Trials
Charlotte’s Web has a powerful origin story rooted in human epilepsy treatment, and the Charlotte’s Web hemp strain has been the subject of discussion in both scientific and policy circles. However, when it comes to pet-specific clinical trials, Charlotte’s Web has not published controlled studies on their pet products’ efficacy in dogs or cats.
Charlotte’s Web does invest in quality control and testing, and their products are NASC-certified, which requires compliance with good manufacturing practices and labeling accuracy. They also reference general hemp and CBD research on their website. But there is a meaningful difference between referencing the broader body of CBD literature and sponsoring controlled trials on your own specific product formulation.
This is not a criticism of Charlotte’s Web’s product quality — it’s simply a factual distinction. If peer-reviewed, product-specific clinical evidence matters to you, ABSC currently has a significant advantage.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Category | ABSC Organics | Charlotte’s Web |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Research | 3 clinical trials at Colorado State University (safety, epilepsy, osteoarthritis) | No published pet-specific clinical trials |
| USDA Organic Certified | Yes | No (uses U.S.-grown hemp) |
| NASC Quality Seal | No | Yes |
| CBD Type | Full-spectrum CBD oil | Full-spectrum hemp extract |
| Product Range | CBD oil (4 concentrations) | CBD oil (2 strengths), calming chews, hip & joint chews, skin health chews |
| Concentration Options | 10mg/mL, 20mg/mL, 40mg/mL, 80mg/mL | 7mg/mL, 17mg/mL |
| Pricing (Comparable) | $59.99 (600mg / 30mL, 20mg/mL) | $59.99 (510mg / 30mL, 17mg/mL) |
| Price Per mg CBD | ~$0.08–$0.17/mg | ~$0.12/mg (30mL) to ~$0.29/mg (100mL at 17mg) |
| Subscription Discount | 15% off all orders | 35% off first order, 30% off recurring |
| Third-Party Testing | Yes — COA published | Yes — COA available per batch |
| Veterinary Formulated | Yes | Formulated for pets (not vet-led research) |
| Retail Availability | Direct-to-consumer (abscorganics.com) | Chewy, major retailers, 1000s of stores, online |
| Manufacturing | USDA Organic certified facility | cGMP facility, Boulder, CO |
| Company Type | Private, research-focused | Publicly traded (TSX: CWEB) |
| Species | Dogs and cats | Dogs (primary), cats |
Pricing and Value Comparison
At first glance, ABSC and Charlotte’s Web have strikingly similar pricing at comparable strengths. But the details reveal meaningful differences in value.
Direct Price Comparison
The most comparable products from each brand:
- ABSC 600mg (20mg/mL, 30mL): $59.99 — $0.10/mg
- Charlotte’s Web 17mg/mL (510mg total, 30mL): $59.99 — $0.12/mg
At the same bottle price, ABSC delivers 90mg more total CBD (600mg vs. 510mg) and a higher per-mL concentration (20mg vs. 17mg). That’s roughly 18% more CBD per dollar.
For Higher-Dose Needs
ABSC’s product line extends to significantly higher concentrations:
- ABSC 1200mg (40mg/mL): $119.99 — $0.10/mg
- ABSC 2400mg (80mg/mL): $199.99 — $0.08/mg
Charlotte’s Web tops out at 17mg/mL. For owners of larger dogs who need higher daily doses, ABSC’s 40mg/mL and 80mg/mL options eliminate the need to use multiple droppers per serving — a meaningful convenience and cost advantage.
Subscription Economics
Charlotte’s Web offers a more aggressive first-order discount (35% off vs. ABSC’s flat 15%), which makes their first month cheaper. However, ABSC’s consistent 15% discount applies equally to every order, while Charlotte’s Web drops to 30% off after the first month. Over a year of monthly orders, the total cost difference narrows considerably, with ABSC maintaining a per-milligram advantage at comparable concentrations.
Certifications and Quality Assurance
USDA Organic vs. NASC Certification
These are two very different certifications, and understanding the difference matters:
USDA Organic (held by ABSC) is a federal agricultural certification that governs the entire supply chain — from how the hemp is grown (no synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers) to how the oil is extracted and bottled. It requires annual inspections and strict documentation. USDA Organic is one of the most demanding product certifications in the United States.
NASC Quality Seal (held by Charlotte’s Web) is an industry self-regulatory program for animal supplement companies. It requires members to follow good manufacturing practices, maintain labeling accuracy, and carry proper insurance. It’s a meaningful quality indicator, but it doesn’t address agricultural practices, organic sourcing, or pesticide-free cultivation.
Both certifications add credibility. But if your concern is about what goes into your dog’s body at the ingredient level — whether the hemp was grown cleanly, whether the extraction process is free of chemical solvents — USDA Organic provides a more comprehensive guarantee.
Third-Party Testing
Both ABSC and Charlotte’s Web conduct third-party laboratory testing on their products. ABSC publishes their Certificates of Analysis directly on their website. Charlotte’s Web provides batch-specific COAs that can be looked up using the lot number on your product.
Product Range and Format Options
This is one area where Charlotte’s Web has a clear edge. Their pet product line includes:
- CBD Oils: Two strengths (7mg/mL and 17mg/mL), available in chicken and unflavored
- Calming Chews: CBD combined with valerian root, passionflower, and chamomile
- Hip & Joint Chews: CBD combined with glucosamine HCl, chondroitin sulfate, and turmeric root
- Skin Health & Allergy Chews: Targeted formula for seasonal allergies and itchy skin
ABSC offers CBD oil in four concentrations. That’s it. There are no treats, no chews, no topical products.
Charlotte’s Web’s product variety gives pet owners more options, especially for dogs who are difficult to dose with oil. The functional chews (calming, joint support, allergy) combine CBD with complementary ingredients, which can simplify a dog’s supplement routine.
However, there’s a counterargument for ABSC’s focused approach. Oil is the most bioavailable CBD delivery method, allowing for precise dosing and rapid absorption. When you choose a CBD treat or chew, you’re also introducing other ingredients (binding agents, flavors, fillers) that may dilute the CBD’s effect or introduce allergens. ABSC’s pure oil avoids these complications entirely.
Dosing and Concentration: A Practical Concern
One of the most overlooked aspects of choosing a pet CBD oil is concentration and how it affects daily dosing. This is where ABSC’s four-tier system provides a meaningful practical advantage over Charlotte’s Web’s two-tier approach.
Charlotte’s Web offers 7mg/mL and 17mg/mL. For a 75-pound dog on a moderate dose, you might need a full milliliter or more per serving at 17mg/mL. That’s workable, but for very large dogs (100+ pounds) or dogs requiring higher therapeutic doses, you may need multiple droppers per day — which means bottles don’t last as long and monthly costs increase.
ABSC’s 40mg/mL and 80mg/mL options solve this problem. A single dropper of the 80mg/mL concentration delivers nearly 5x the CBD of Charlotte’s Web’s strongest option. For large and giant breed dogs — Great Danes, Mastiffs, Saint Bernards — this concentration difference is not a minor convenience; it’s a significant cost and dosing advantage.
For small dogs, both brands work well. Charlotte’s Web’s 7mg/mL option and ABSC’s 10mg/mL option both allow for precise low-dose administration.
Brand Trust and Transparency
Charlotte’s Web has earned enormous brand trust through their origin story, their longevity in the market, and their sheer visibility. Being publicly traded also subjects them to financial reporting requirements and public scrutiny that private companies don’t face.
ABSC Organics builds trust differently: through clinical evidence and organic certification. Their claim to credibility isn’t marketing — it’s published, peer-reviewed research from one of the top veterinary schools in the country. For evidence-minded pet owners and veterinarians, this kind of trust can carry more weight than brand familiarity.
It’s also worth considering what “veterinary formulated” means for each brand. ABSC’s research was led by Dr. Stephanie McGrath, DVM, a faculty researcher at Colorado State University who designed and oversaw controlled clinical trials. Charlotte’s Web describes their products as formulated for pets, and they hold NASC certification, but their product development doesn’t appear to include the same level of university-based veterinary research involvement.
Who Should Choose ABSC Organics?
ABSC Organics is the stronger choice if you prioritize:
- Clinical evidence: Three Colorado State University trials provide product-specific efficacy data that Charlotte’s Web does not have for their pet products.
- Epilepsy or seizure management: ABSC’s Phase 2 trial demonstrated 89% seizure reduction. Charlotte’s Web’s brand story originated in human epilepsy, but they haven’t published pet-specific seizure trials.
- USDA Organic certification: ABSC is certified; Charlotte’s Web is not.
- Higher concentrations: ABSC goes up to 80mg/mL — nearly 5x Charlotte’s Web’s maximum of 17mg/mL. For large-breed dogs, this is a significant practical advantage.
- More CBD per dollar: At the same $59.99 price point, ABSC delivers 18% more CBD.
- Pure oil with no additives: ABSC’s minimalist formulation avoids fillers and additional ingredients.
View all ABSC Organics products at the ABSC shop.
Who Should Choose Charlotte’s Web?
Charlotte’s Web may be a better fit if you prioritize:
- Retail convenience: Available on Chewy, at pet stores, and at health food retailers nationwide. You can buy it today without waiting for shipping.
- Product variety: If your dog needs calming support, joint support, or allergy relief in chew form, Charlotte’s Web’s functional treat line offers options ABSC doesn’t.
- Brand familiarity: Charlotte’s Web is one of the most recognized names in CBD. Some pet owners find comfort in choosing a well-known brand.
- First-order savings: Their 35% first-order subscription discount makes the initial purchase significantly cheaper.
- NASC certification: If you specifically value the NASC quality seal as a quality indicator, Charlotte’s Web carries it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ABSC Organics a good Charlotte’s Web alternative?
Yes. For pet owners who want clinical research and organic certification behind their CBD purchase, ABSC Organics is one of the strongest Charlotte’s Web alternatives available. ABSC matches or beats Charlotte’s Web on pricing at comparable concentrations, and exceeds it on clinical evidence and organic certification.
Does Charlotte’s Web have clinical trials for pets?
Charlotte’s Web has not published peer-reviewed clinical trials specific to their pet CBD products. While the Charlotte’s Web hemp strain has been discussed in scientific literature (particularly around human epilepsy), the company’s pet products have not been through the kind of controlled university trials that ABSC Organics has completed at Colorado State University.
Which brand offers higher CBD concentrations?
ABSC Organics, by a wide margin. ABSC’s 2400mg bottle delivers 80mg/mL, compared to Charlotte’s Web’s maximum of 17mg/mL. For larger dogs that need higher daily doses, ABSC is significantly more practical and cost-effective.
Is Charlotte’s Web CBD oil organic?
Charlotte’s Web uses U.S.-grown hemp and follows good manufacturing practices, but their pet CBD oil does not carry USDA Organic certification. ABSC Organics does.
Which brand is better for large dogs?
ABSC Organics offers significant advantages for large dogs. Their 1200mg (40mg/mL) and 2400mg (80mg/mL) concentrations allow owners of large and giant breed dogs to deliver effective doses without using excessive amounts of oil. Charlotte’s Web’s maximum concentration of 17mg/mL may require multiple droppers per serving for dogs over 75 pounds.
The Bottom Line
Charlotte’s Web is a well-established, widely available CBD brand with strong name recognition and a diverse product line. For pet owners who value convenience and variety, it’s a reasonable choice.
ABSC Organics brings something different to the table: hard science. Three clinical trials at Colorado State University, USDA Organic certification, higher available concentrations, and more CBD per dollar at comparable price points. If you want your purchasing decision to be guided by clinical evidence rather than brand familiarity, ABSC is the more substantiated option.
Both brands offer third-party testing and are transparent about their ingredients. The question is whether you prioritize brand recognition and retail convenience (Charlotte’s Web) or clinical research and organic certification (ABSC Organics).
Looking for a clinically proven Charlotte’s Web alternative?
ABSC Organics’ CBD oil is backed by three Colorado State University clinical trials and USDA Organic certified. Starting at just $49.99 with 15% off every subscription order. Shop ABSC Organics now | View Clinical Research | See Our Lab Results