CBD supplements could make dogs less aggressive

In humans, CBD (Cannabis derived products, including cannabidiols) is thought to have therapeutic effects for some conditions including chronic pain, nausea, or inflammation. Now, dogs may be reaping some of the benefits, too, according to the new study, and might become less aggressive. Researchers in the US have used data from the Dog Aging Project to characterize demographics, health status, and behavior of dogs that used CBD or hemp supplements. They published their results in the magazine ‘Frontiers in Veterinary Science’.

‘Behaviorally, dogs given CBD products for multiple years are initially more aggressive compared to dogs not receiving those products, but their aggression becomes less intense over time,’ said senior author Dr Maxwell Leung, an assistant professor and the director of Cannabis Analytics, Safety and Health Initiative at Arizona State University.

‘This long-term behavioral change highlights the potential of CBD as a therapy for canine behavioral issues,’ added co-author Dr Julia Albright, an associate professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Tennessee.

The study is the largest to examine CBD use of companion animals in the US to date. The data comes from the Dog Aging Project, a community science project where dog owners report on their pets’ diets, lifestyles, health, and environment over multiple years. Data from 47,355 dogs was used. The team found several links between dog demographics and CBD use. ‘In our sample, 7.3% of the companion dogs in the US have been given CBD and hemp products,’ said Leung.

2,759 of those dogs (5.8%) were frequently given supplements. These dogs were on average three years older than those who didn’t receive them. Some health conditions were especially associated with CBD use. The highest prevalence was found among dogs with dementia (18.2%), followed by dogs with osteoarthritis joint problems (12.5%), and those with cancer (10%).

Dogs receiving the supplement were also more likely to live in states where medical cannabis is legalized for humans. This could indicate the influence of the bond between humans and their pets on owners’ decision making about CBD use. Dogs’ physical activity level did not differ between those who received CBD and those who didn’t.

The team also found that CBD use resulted in behavioral change. After prolonged use, dogs that received supplements were reported to have below-average aggression levels, compared to dogs with no CBD use, which could point to a direct effect. For other behaviors, including agitation or anxiety, no similar effect was observed.

In the current study, the team did not look into the mechanism of behavioral changes, and further studies are needed to confirm the calming effects of CBD products, they said. The data used may also have been subjected to owners’ bias, and no information on dosage, formulations, administration routes, and product sources was collected.

For owners who might consider giving their dogs CBD supplements, choosing a reputable brand is critical, the team said. They should also be mindful of the dosage, as CBD products can have adverse effects, including gastrointestinal issues and diarrhea.

The team said the study serves as a starting point to better understand how CBD products can help alleviate behavioral and health issues that affect aging populations, companion animals and humans alike. “There are many similarities in how CBD can benefit dogs and humans medically,” Leung concluded.