Scientific Results: Demographic features, health status, and behavioral changes associated with cannabidiol use in the Dog Aging Project

Author

Maxwell C. K. Leung

Where was it published?

Frontiers in Veterinary Science

 What is this paper about?

Cannabidiol is a substance extracted from Cannabis sativa plants (i.e., cannabis and hemp) that may have valuable medical properties. Importantly, cannabidiol is not a ‘psychoactive’ component of these plants, meaning that it generally does not cause intoxicating effects in people. Laws around the use of cannabis products change frequently, which tends to keep people’s attention on these products and their use. In this post, we will use the abbreviation “CBD” to describe any type of product administered to dogs that contains cannabidiol.

This study used surveys from the Dog Aging Project between 2019 and 2023. These surveys asked about their dogs’ health, behavior, and whether they received CBD. Altogether, the research included data from about 47,000 dogs.

To understand how CBD use might affect dogs, the researchers compared two groups: dogs whose owners reported giving any kind of CBD (either often or sometimes) and dogs that never received CBD. They looked for differences between these groups in several areas, including:

• Demographics (age, breed, location)
• Health conditions (arthritis, cancer, epilepsy, etc.)
• Behavior (aggression, reactivity)

The results showed that giving dogs CBD is fairly common. About 5 to 7% of dogs in the study received it. Older dogs and those with health conditions were more likely to be given CBD, especially those with:

• Arthritis or hip pain
• Cancer
• Epilepsy (seizures)
• Dementia (memory problems)
• Long-term stomach issues

*Also, dogs in states where cannabis is legal were slightly more likely to get CBD.

The researchers also looked at changes in behavior over time:

• At the start of owner-reported CBD use, dogs who received CBD seemed to show more aggression than those who did not.
• In dogs with aggression given CBD for at least two years, owners reported decreased aggression over time,  while aggression in dogs that did not receive CBD stayed about the same.

These findings suggest that CBD might help calm some dogs, but it is too soon to know for sure. If there is some kind of calming effect, we can’t tell whether that is a direct effect of CBD itself, or is a secondary effect from, for instance, control of pain. We also don’t know whether some dogs were being given training or medications to modify their  behavior. More research is needed to understand how CBD affects dog behavior.

*It’s important to note that this study relied on owner reports, not veterinary exams, and did not track exact doses or product types. These results show patterns, not proof. Scientists will need more controlled studies to know if CBD really works and is safe for dogs. Also, if you have concerns about your dog’s health, we encourage you to discuss these concerns with your primary care veterinarian. Suggestions for a treatment plan are best recommended by the veterinarian who has a relationship with your dog and understands their medical history.

What do these results mean for me and my dog?

Your participation in the Dog Aging Project has made a big difference. By sharing information about your dog, you’ve helped researchers learn how CBD is being used and what it could mean for dogs’ health and behavior.

Because of you:

• Because of your participation, researchers now have a clearer picture of which dogs are most likely to get CBD and why.
• The information you provided is giving researchers early clues that CBD could help reduce aggression in dogs over time.
• Your input is guiding future research, helping scientists look for safe and effective treatments that could benefit dogs everywhere.

This research wouldn’t be possible without you and your dog. Your contribution is helping to improve the lives of dogs everywhere.

*If you want to learn more about cannabis in veterinary medicine, you can visit the AVMA’s resource on cannabis use and pets.

Where can I learn more?

Conrow, K.D., Harney, R.S.,  et al. Demographic features, health status, and behavioral changes associated with cannabidiol use in the Dog Aging Project. Frontiers Vet. Sci., 27 November 2025

Sec. One Health. Volume 12 – 2025. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2025.1666663

Abstract

Introduction: In recent years, there has been an increase in access to and interest in cannabidiol (CBD) and hemp products, including use in companion dog supplements.

Methods: Using survey data from the Dog Aging Project (DAP), we characterized how human decisions around administering CBD and hemp products are informed by owner and dog demographics, the legal status of medical cannabis in their state, and the dog’s health status. Furthermore, in a subset of longitudinal data, we investigated if frequent CBD use over time was associated with behavioral changes in the dogs. The patterns of canine CBD use were first categorized by sorting owner responses into frequent use, infrequent use, and no use. They were then analyzed for associations with location and general demographic features. Further cross-sectional analyses identified the association of CBD use with different medical conditions, as well as age-associated behavioral changes in dogs with consistent CBD use for at least 2 years as compared to dogs with no use.

Results: Cannabidiol use tended to be higher in states with legalized medical cannabis. Dogs with dementia, osteoarthritis, cancer, epilepsy, hip dysplasia, clinical sign–based gastrointestinal disorders, and chronic diarrhea were more likely to use CBD as compared to dogs without those conditions. Dogs with consistent CBD use showed a decline in the intensity of aggressive behaviors over time compared to a more steady trend among non-use dogs.

Discussion: The use of CBD in dogs is linked to owner perceptions of what CBD could treat or alleviate. The decline in the intensity of aggressive behaviors suggests the potential use of CBD in dog training. 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.