While CBD has commonly been touted as a balm to anxiety in dogs, a new study published last month in the Journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science has found stronger links between consistent CBD use and managing aggression in dogs over time. “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 in a recent press release.
The study, which is the largest U.S study on CBD and its impacts on dogs, compiled data from the Dog Aging Project (DAP), a community-led initiative where dog owners conduct annual surveys about their dogs’ health, lifestyle, environment and diet. The project has been fruitful, providing data from 47,355 dogs between 2019 to 2023. Participants also reported CBD and hemp product use, which was 7.3% of the sample. The study also found that dogs were more likely to receive CBD supplements if they were located in states where medical cannabis is legal. Many of the dogs who received CBD had health conditions, like dementia, joint issues and cancer.
“This long-term behavioral change highlights the potential of CBD as a therapy for canine behavioral issues,” said co-author Dr Julia Albright, an associate professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Tennessee.