Cannabidiol (CBD) has gained popularity among humans in the U.S. in recent years, and a new study indicates that it might be able to help pets. In particular, the study found a link between canine CBD use and decreased aggression.
“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 Dr. Maxwell Leung, an assistant professor and the director of Cannabis Analytics, Safety and Health Initiative at Arizona State University, and senior author of the study.
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), aggression is the most common and most serious behavior problem among dogs. It’s also the top reason why pet owners seek professional help for their dogs and behavior is a common reason why people surrender their pets, PETA said.
With the passage of the Agriculture Improvement Act in 2018, hemp was removed from the federal Controlled Substances Act and CBD was effectively legalized, per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While it is derived from cannabis, CBD does not cause a “high” in users like some cannabis products do.
Still, U.S. Customs and Border Protection notes that U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not regulate over-the-counter CBD products and some contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which cases the “high” from marijuana products. Legality of CBD products varies by state and the CDC recommends keeping CBD products away from children.
“Scientists are still learning how CBD affects the body,” the centers said. “Using CBD products is not risk free. There are possible side effects and risks associated with CBD use.”
Some research cited by the recent study has hypothesized that CBD has a range of therapeutic effects. These include use in treatment of seizures, anti-inflammatory properties, and chronic pain relief.
“Another popular use for CBD is as a therapy for mental health conditions like anxiety and poor sleep by acting on neurotransmitter systems, such as serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid,” the study authors said.
As interest in CBD has increased, there has also been increased interest in its use as a supplement for dogs, they explained. To explore the effects of CBD on canine behavior, the team used survey data from the Dog Aging Project (DAP). Out of 47,355 dogs, 3,470 (7.3%) were given CBD at any point and 2,759 reported frequent use.
An analysis of the survey found that dogs with dementia, osteoarthritis, cancer, epilepsy, hip dysplasia, clinical sign-based gastrointestinal disorders, and chronic diarrhea were more likely to use CBD. Dogs that were consistently given CBD “showed a decline in the intensity of aggressive behaviors over time compared to a more steady trend among non-use dogs,” it also found.
“The decline in the intensity of aggressive behaviors suggests the potential use of CBD in dog training,” the study authors added. “Further studies are needed to advance our understanding of this novel supplement at the mechanistic, clinical, and population levels. This will benefit the health of humans and dogs alike.”
Factors like the long-term safety and efficacy of CBD use in dogs needs more study, for example.
Two earlier placebo-controlled studies of CBD use in shelter dogs and stressed dogs during separation and car travel echo the findings linking decreased aggression to CBD. However, the study authors noted that “reduced intensity of aggressive behaviors in the current study can also be caused by other confounding factors,” such as training and other medications.
“Further randomized clinical trials should examine CBD’s impact on the underlying issues of aggression (e.g., inflammation, chronic pain, or other health conditions), as well as its potential role in long-term behavior management,” they said. Regarding the study itself, they also acknowledged that it is limited in part due to its reliance on owner-reported data.
Going forward, the researchers said further targeted placebo-controlled trials are needed to evaluate whether CBD might be an effective tool for dog training and for managing behavioral and psychiatric issues in canines.
“Quantifiable data such as serum cortisol levels and physical activity measurements would be crucial for future studies to characterize long term effects and better establish proper dosage for behavioral effects,” they said.