Dogs Given CBD Showed Lower Aggression Over Time, Unlike Dogs That Never Received It
Dogs receiving CBD over long periods of time not only age, they may also become calmer. A new study reports that dogs who received CBD or hemp supplements for years were ultimately less aggressive than dogs who never took them. The analysis, published in Frontiers of Veterinary Sciencedraws on health and behavior reports from more than 47,000 dogs in the United States.
“Behaviorally, dogs given CBD products for several years are initially more aggressive than dogs who do not receive these products, but their aggression becomes less intense over time,” lead author Dr. Maxwell Leung said in a press release.
“This long-term behavior change highlights the potential of CBD as a therapy for canine behavioral problems,” added co-author Dr. Julia Albright.
How Common Is CBD Used in Dogs?
The analysis builds on the largest U.S. study of CBD use in pet dogs to date, using data from the Dog Aging Project – a national community science effort in which owners report on their pets’ health, lifestyle, environment and supplement use over many years. Between 2019 and 2023, owners of 47,355 dogs in the United States responded to annual surveys.
Overall, 7.3% of dogs in the study had received CBD or hemp products at some point. Of these, 2,759 dogs (5.8%) received supplements daily. These frequent-use dogs were on average three years older than dogs who never received CBD.
Certain conditions stood out. Rates of CBD consumption were highest in dogs with dementia (18.2%), followed by osteoarthritis (12.5%) and cancer (10%). Male dogs were also more likely to receive supplements – about 9% more often than females. Physical activity levels did not differ between CBD and non-CBD dogs.
Where the dogs lived also mattered. CBD use was more common in states where medical cannabis is legal for humans, which may reflect not only a shift in attitudes toward cannabis, but also the extent to which owners’ health choices extend to their pets.
Learn more: Here’s how CBD can help you sleep
Long-term use of CBD in dogs linked to less aggression
Of all the behaviors tracked in the study, only one evolved consistently and over the long term. Over time, dogs given CBD reportedly became less aggressive than dogs never given supplements – although many of these dogs were described as more reactive at first.
Other behaviors told a different story. Measures of general anxiety and agitation showed no clear long-term changes, suggesting that CBD-related behavioral effects may be limited rather than broad.
“Most canine aggression is related to underlying stress or anxiety – a fight-or-flight response that is triggered. It is unclear why only aggression, but not other types of anxious or agitated behaviors, appears to be improved with CBD treatment,” Albright said.
CBD, risks and unknowns
The results don’t show how — or even exactly why — CBD might shape canine behavior. The study did not track dosage, formulation, or method of administration, and relied entirely on owner reports, leaving room for bias.
This uncertainty is important for pet owners, especially because CBD can trigger side effects such as digestive upset and diarrhea if the products or dosage are chosen incorrectly. Nonetheless, the results offer a first large-scale look at how CBD interacts with aging, disease, and everyday dog behavior.
“There are many similarities in how CBD can medically benefit dogs and humans,” Leung concluded.
Learn more: Cannabis linked to poor memory performance in largest study ever
Article sources
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