A large-scale analysis of over 47,000 dogs reveals that CBD supplements are commonly given to older pets with chronic conditions like dementia and osteoarthritis. Long-term use appears to lessen aggression over time, though other anxious behaviors show no improvement. The findings come from the Dog Aging Project and highlight patterns in CBD adoption among U.S. pet owners.
Researchers analyzed data from the Dog Aging Project, a community science initiative tracking pet health, to examine CBD and hemp supplement use in companion dogs. The study included 47,355 dogs, with information gathered via annual surveys from 2019 to 2023. Owners reported on their dogs' consumption of these products, categorizing them as frequent users (daily), infrequent (less than daily), or never.
About 7.3% of the dogs had received CBD or hemp products, with 5.8%—or 2,759 dogs—being frequent users. These dogs were typically older, averaging three years more than non-users. CBD use was most prevalent among dogs with dementia (18.2%), osteoarthritis (12.5%), and cancer (10%). Male dogs were 9% more likely to receive it than females, and pets in states with legal human medical cannabis showed higher usage rates, possibly reflecting owners' attitudes toward cannabis.
Behaviorally, dogs on long-term CBD started with higher aggression levels but saw reductions over multiple years compared to non-users. "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 at Arizona State University. Co-author Dr. Julia Albright, from the University of Tennessee's College of Veterinary Medicine, added, "This long-term behavioral change highlights the potential of CBD as a therapy for canine behavioral issues."
However, traits like agitation and anxiety did not improve. Albright noted, "Most canine aggression is related to underlying stress or anxiety... It is unclear why only aggression but not other types of anxious or agitated behaviors seemed to be improved with CBD treatment."
The study, published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, acknowledges limitations including owner bias and missing details on dosages and product sources. It calls for controlled research to verify effects and explore mechanisms, while advising owners to use reliable products to avoid side effects like gastrointestinal upset.