Just as humans look beyond traditional medicine, sometimes turning to ancient plant-based remedies like cannabis, the little fluffies who share our homes may also benefit from these treatments. A new study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science found that dogs who receive CBD supplements over long periods show a notable reduction in aggressive behaviors compared to those who don’t.
More and more pet guardians are turning to medical cannabis to improve their pups’ quality of life. The data comes from the Dog Aging Project (DAP), a massive US-based scientific initiative that collects information on tens of thousands of dogs. Through surveys conducted between 2019 and 2023, researchers analyzed CBD use, underlying health conditions, and how certain behaviors evolve over time.
So… CBD makes dogs less aggressive? Here’s what science says
One of the most striking findings is that dogs who consistently received CBD—for at least two years—showed below-average levels of aggression. Meanwhile, the study did not find comparable improvements in behaviors related to anxiety or agitation.
Study co-author and veterinarian Dr. Julia Albright summarized the findings: “This long-term behavioral change highlights the potential of CBD as a therapy for canine behavioral issues.” She also offered key context on how CBD might be acting: “Most canine aggression is related to underlying stress or anxiety, a fight or flight response that kicks in. It is unclear why only aggression, and not other types of anxious or agitated behaviors, seemed to be improved with CBD treatment.”
The authors emphasized that, though the results are promising, the study does have some limitations: it doesn’t take into account the specific CBD products the dogs received, their doses, or the guidelines under which they were administered, since this information wasn’t collected.
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Author: Camila Berriex / High Times
