As a dog owner, it’s important to research treatment options for our furry friends as much as possible before making a decision. To make that research easier, Dog Ownership Guide wants to provide it to you below. This page will be updated regularly as new studies are published about research on Dog CBD.
CBD is an effective and safe option for helping many dog ailments such as:
- Aggression
- Anxiety
- Pain
- Seizures
- Cancer
The below information is organized by ailment, so you can go straight to the information you need for your pup. All studies are linked to the source for further research.
Have you found research not included below? Contact us!
Dog CBD for Aggression
A study aimed to see if CBD could reduce stress-related behavior in shelter dogs. The study split 24 dogs into two groups, with 12 dogs receiving CBD and the other 12 receiving a placebo. The dogs were observed before treatment, 15 days after treatment, 45 days after treatment, and 15 days after the end of treatment. The dogs that received CBD showed reduced aggressive behavior towards humans after treatment. However, the difference in the decrease of aggressive behavior between the two groups was not significant. Other behaviors related to stress did not decrease. More research is needed to investigate the effect of CBD on dog behavior, but the potential for improving the welfare of dogs in shelters is promising.
(Source)
Dog CBD Research on Skin Allergies
CannPal, an Australian animal therapeutics company, conducted a study to test the effectiveness of a CBD product in treating dogs with atopy, a dermatologic allergy that causes itching and chewing. During the four-week trial, dogs were randomly given either the CBD product or a placebo. The results were positive, with 65% of the dogs who received CBD experiencing at least a 50% decrease in itching and chewing. Among those dogs, half of them fully recovered from all signs of itchiness while receiving treatment.
(Source)
Studies on Dog CBD for Stress
83% Showed Decrease in Anxiety
A study conducted by Cornell University found that when dogs were given CBD chews before a stressful event, 83% of them showed a decrease in stress or anxiety-related behaviors. However, further research is required with different CBD products and dosages to determine how to effectively treat dogs with anxiety.
(Source)
Car Anxiety
Many dogs experience stress when separated from their owners or when traveling in a vehicle. Pet owners use different methods to manage these issues, but with mixed results. Cannabidiol (CBD) is known to alleviate stress and anxiety in humans, but its effects on canine stress are not well-documented.
This study aimed to understand the impact of being left alone and traveling in a car on measures of canine stress and whether a single dose of THC-free CBD distillate could positively influence any measures of stress. The study observed a population of dogs that were either left alone in a familiar room or underwent a short car journey. Various physiological and behavioral measures were collected before, during, and after the test. The car journey test paradigm elicited a more pronounced stress response overall.
The mitigating effect of CBD treatment varied by measure and test, with some indicating a significant reduction in canine stress compared to the placebo group. However, additional research is needed to fully understand the complex effect of CBD on canine wellbeing.
(Source)
Separation Anxiety vs. Car Anxiety
Dogs can experience stress when separated from their owners or when traveling in a car. Pet owners use different methods to manage this stress, such as training or giving medications and supplements, but these methods are not always effective. Cannabidiol (CBD) can reduce stress and anxiety in humans, but its effect on dogs is not well-known.
This study aimed to understand the impact of being left alone or traveling in a car on canine stress and whether a single dose of THC-free CBD could reduce stress. The study found that the car journey test caused more stress than being left alone in a familiar room. The CBD treatment varied in its effect on stress, with some measures showing a significant reduction in stress compared to the placebo group. More research is needed to fully understand the effect of CBD on dogs.
(Source)
CBD Research on Canine Inflammation
This study investigated the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on inflammation in dogs. CBD is known for its anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating properties, but its effects on animals are not fully understood. The study used a model of whole dog blood stimulated with LPS, which is known to cause inflammation. The blood was treated with CBD at different concentrations.
The results showed that CBD reduced the production of two inflammatory molecules, IL-6 and TNF-α, and decreased the expression of two inflammatory genes, Nf-κB and COX-2. The study suggests that CBD has anti-inflammatory effects in dogs and could have therapeutic potential in veterinary medicine. Further research is needed to fully understand the benefits of CBD for animals.
(Source)
Research on Dog CBD Safety
Long-Term Use Safety
CBD-containing dog food and treats are becoming increasingly popular, but there is not enough evidence on the long-term safety and effectiveness of CBD in dogs. This study aimed to fill this gap by investigating the tolerance and suitability of a THC-free CBD distillate in healthy dogs over a period of six months. The study involved 20 dogs receiving daily CBD capsules, while the other 20 dogs received placebo capsules.
The dogs underwent various health measures, including biochemistry, hematology, and urinalysis, as well as regular veterinary examinations and quality-of-life surveys. The study found that there were no significant changes in health measures, except for a temporary increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in some dogs receiving CBD. However, this did not have any adverse effects on the dogs’ health and wellbeing. The study suggests that a once-daily oral dose of 4 mg CBD/kg body weight is well-tolerated in healthy dogs for up to six months.
(Source)
Broad-Spectrum CBD Safety
A new study conducted by the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) and Nutrasource has found that broad-spectrum CBD is safe for dogs. The randomized, non-blinded, negative-controlled, parallel-design, repeat-dose study was conducted in 32 healthy male and female dogs who were given a daily dose for 90 consecutive days.
The study showed tolerability of broad-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD with cannabigerol (CBG), and broad-spectrum CBD with cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) in healthy male and female dogs. The study also included data from NASC’s Adverse Event Reporting System (NAERS), which showed that hemp-derived supplement products sold for use in dogs do not pose significant risk to dogs in long-term use. The findings grant a renewed sense of confidence in exploring CBD product development for use in companion animals.
(Source)
Dog CBD for Seizures
50% Reduction in Epileptic Activity
CBD is a common therapeutic approach for specific seizure disorders in humans and there is an interest in using CBD, CBDA, or cannabinoid-rich hemp products to treat idiopathic epilepsy in dogs. This study examined a small group of dogs with refractory epileptic seizures using a CBD and CBDA-rich hemp product. The study involved 14 dogs who were given either a placebo or CBD/CBDA-rich hemp extract treatment for 12 weeks, followed by a crossover to the other treatment for another 12 weeks.
The study found that there were no significant changes in bloodwork, except for a mild increase in alkaline phosphatase. The frequency of epileptic seizures decreased from a mean of 8.0 to 5.0 with CBD/CBDA-rich hemp extract treatment, and the number of dogs with a 50% reduction in epileptic activity while on treatment was 6/14.
Adverse events were minimal, but some dogs experienced somnolence and transient increases in ataxia during CBD/CBDA-rich hemp extract treatment. The study suggests that providing CBD/CBDA-rich hemp extract during refractory epilepsy, in conjunction with other treatments, is safe and can have benefits in reducing the incidence of epileptic seizures.
(Source)
89% of Dogs Decreased Seizure Frequency
The article reports on a CBD clinical trial conducted to assess the efficacy of CBD on seizure frequency in dogs. The study found that CBD significantly reduced seizure frequency in dogs with epilepsy. The trial involved 16 dogs with drug-resistant epilepsy, and the results showed that 89% of the dogs experienced a reduction in seizure frequency.
The study also found that CBD was well-tolerated by the dogs, with no significant adverse effects reported. The findings suggest that CBD could be an effective treatment option for dogs with epilepsy and may provide a safer alternative to traditional medications.
(Source)
Dog CBD Research for Chronic Pain
Hip and Elbow Osteoarthritis
A 14-year-old dog with hip and elbow osteoarthritis, severe cervical pain, and testicular neoplasia was given a new treatment for pain called cannabidiol (CBD). The dog was given a supplement for osteoarthritis, robencoxib, and gabapentin, along with an injection of liposomal CBD at a dose of 5 mg/kg. The dog’s pain levels improved, and its activity level increased after the injection. CBD was found in the dog’s blood for 28 days.
Due to disease progression, the owners requested a second injection of liposomal CBD, which was given at a lower dose of 3 mg/kg. Unfortunately, the dog was found dead two days later due to heat stroke and severe cervical disc protrusion with spinal hematoma. However, these were not related to the CBD treatment. The study suggests that subcutaneous liposomal CBD can be an effective additional treatment for pain management in dogs when used as part of a multimodal approach.
(Source)
Osteroarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that causes pain in dogs. This pain is chronic and difficult to treat. This study aimed to find out if oral transmucosal cannabidiol, in combination with other drugs, could help manage pain in dogs with osteoarthritis.
The study found that dogs receiving oral transmucosal cannabidiol along with anti-inflammatory drugs, gabapentin, and amitriptyline showed a significant improvement in pain scores compared to dogs that did not receive cannabidiol. The study suggests that adding oral transmucosal cannabidiol to a multimodal treatment for canine osteoarthritis can improve the quality of life of dogs without causing severe side effects.
(Source)
Neuropathic Pain
The use of cannabinoids in veterinary and human medicine is controversial due to legal and ethical reasons. However, there has been a lot of attention on the medical use of naturally occurring or synthetic phytocannabinoids, like cannabidiol and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabidiol. This review aims to examine the role of cannabinoids in pain management by analyzing scientific findings on the endocannabinoid system and discussing the effects of synthetic cannabinoids compared to cannabinoid extracts and their receptors. Studies on animals have shown that these substances have analgesic properties and can help modulate acute, chronic, and neuropathic pain.
The endocannabinoid system consists of endogenous ligands, receptors, and enzymes that degrade and recycle the ligands. Evidence suggests that their interaction with CB1 receptors inhibits signaling in pain pathways and causes psychoactive effects, while CB2 receptors are associated with anti-inflammatory and analgesic reactions and effects on the immune system. Cannabis extracts and their synthetic derivatives are effective in pain management and contribute to compassionate care. Furthermore, these compounds have been shown to have antineoplastic, appetite-stimulating, and antiemetic properties.
The study of the endocannabinoid system has contributed to the development of research that shows that hemp-derived and synthetic derivatives are an effective therapeutic alternative in the multimodal management of pain in dogs and cats due to their ability to prevent peripheral and central sensitization.
(Source)
Mobility
Dogs that consumed cbdMD’s broad-spectrum hemp extract showed improvements in behavior and decreases in pain compared to their baseline measurements. There was also a trend for improvement in objective gait analysis and accelerometry, both objective measures that would not be affected by caregivers’ perception. This data supports the idea that dogs with movement issues can benefit from taking cbdMD’s broad-spectrum hemp extract.
(Source)
CBD Research on Canine Cancer
Hemp products, which contain low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), have become popular for use in veterinary patients. The most common cannabinoid found in hemp is cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), which becomes cannabidiol (CBD) during heat extraction. CBD has been studied for its ability to fight cancer alone and in combination with traditional cancer treatments.
This study aimed to explore the effect of CBD on canine cancer cells in vitro, both alone and in combination with common chemotherapy drugs. CBD was found to be more effective at reducing cancer cell proliferation than CBDA across five canine cancer cell lines. When used with vincristine, CBD reduced cell proliferation in a synergistic or additive way.
The study also found that CBD induced autophagy and apoptosis, which may be related to the induction of ERK and JNK phosphorylation. These findings suggest that CBD can effectively slow down cancer cell growth and induce autophagy and apoptosis in canine cancer cell lines. Further clinical trials are needed to better understand the efficacy of CBD and its potential interactions with traditional chemotherapy.
(Source)
Cancer Cell Growth
The recent approval of hemp agriculture has opened up new possibilities for clinical research using non-tetrahydrocannabinol cannabinoids to treat various disorders. One potential use is cannabidiol (CBD) as an anti-cancer agent in dogs. Limited research in human cell cultures suggests that CBD can slow down cancer cell growth at certain concentrations. A recent study examined the effects of CBD on canine cell culture and found that it had strong anti-cancer properties at low doses.
The effects of CBD on cell signaling events and mitochondrial permeability should be explored further, as CBD may alter chemotherapeutic targets. It’s important to understand how CBD may interact with chemotherapy drugs and how to use it safely in cancer patients. CBD may also have antioxidant properties that could interfere with chemotherapy, so it’s important to investigate how to use it safely and effectively.
(Source)
Tumor Growth
Cannabinoids have been studied for their potential use in medicine for the past 20 years, including for cancer treatment. Some cannabinoids are FDA-approved for treating side effects of chemotherapy, but studies show they may also help slow down tumor growth. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer that is difficult to treat, and some patients develop resistance to chemotherapy.
This study aimed to explore the use of cannabinoids to treat B cell lymphoma, which is similar in dogs and humans. Two canine B cell lymphoma cell lines were used to study the effects of different cannabinoid receptor agonists and antagonists on cell viability. The study found that all B cell lymphoma cell lines had positive expression of CB1 and CB2 receptors. The use of cannabinoid receptor agonists, except for 2AG, led to a decrease in cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Biochemical analysis showed a decrease in nitrite and caspase activity in treated cells compared to untreated cells.
These findings suggest that cannabinoids may have an anti-cancer effect on canine lymphoma cells and could potentially be developed as a treatment for both canine and human B cell lymphoma.
(Source)
