Study Finds CBD Effective For Reducing Stress In Dogs

Published on Feb 24, 2023 12:00 AM
Study Finds CBD Effective For Reducing Stress In Dogs

The Waltham Petcare Science Institute conducted a study that found that a single oral dose (4 mgs per kg of body weight) of THC-free cannabidiol (CBD) significantly relieved multiple measures of stress in dogs caused by car travel or being left alone.

The goal of the randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded study, according to a company release, was to:

    Understand how a separation event and car travel affect canine stress.
•    Determine whether a single dose of THC-free, broad-spectrum CBD can influence canine stress levels during these two events.

Another recent Waltham study found a once-daily oral dose of broad-spectrum THC-free CBD (4 mg/kg body weight) safe for healthy adult dogs over 6 months. These studies add to the growing body of evidence surrounding the safety and efficacy of CBD for dogs.

"We know pet owners try various approaches – from training to medications and supplements – to help their dogs cope with stressful situations often with mixed results," said Dr. Jennifer Welser, chief medical officer of Mars Veterinary Health.

"We're focused on scientific inquiry that generates knowledge that can inform pet professionals' and pet owners' decisions. So, this study is important because it gives us new evidence that CBD at the dose studied can be beneficial for dogs in specific circumstances," continued Dr. Jennifer Welser, DVM, DACVO.

The study looked at how CBD affected the experiences of 20 dogs in two everyday stressful situations: car rides and being left alone. Throughout the study, researchers collected physiological (e.g., cortisol levels in the blood, ear temperature, heart rate) and behavioral measures (e.g., whining, trembling, panting). It discovered that there were significant in several stress-related steps, with the car trip causing a more effective stress response.

The dogs were then given either a placebo or a CBD capsule (4mg/kg body weight) and were exposed to either the separation event or car travel 2 hours later. According to the researchers, multiple measures of the dogs' stress improved after CBD administration. For example, dogs given CBD were reported to be significantly less "sad," had significantly lower cortisol levels, whined less, and were in a more relaxed emotional state overall than dogs given a placebo.