A new study conducted by the Waltham Petcare Science Institute, part of Mars Petcare, has found that a single oral dose of cannabidiol (CBD) can significantly alleviate multiple measures of dogs’ stress caused by car travel or being left alone.
The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science, aimed to understand the impact of canine stress and establish whether a single dose of THC-free, broad-spectrum CBD distillate could positively influence stress levels. Researchers observed dogs in two common stress-inducing scenarios: car journeys and separation from their caregivers.
Key Findings
The research demonstrated that a single dose of 4 mg per kg of body weight resulted in notable improvements in several stress-related measures:
- Dogs treated with CBD were scored as significantly less “sad.”
- CBD-treated dogs had significantly lower serum cortisol concentrations compared to the placebo group.
- The dogs exhibited less whining and were in a more relaxed emotional state overall.
- During separation, dogs receiving CBD were rated as more “explorative” and less “tense” or “uncomfortable.”
“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, DVM, DACVO, chief medical officer of Mars Veterinary Health. “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.”
This research adds to a growing body of evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of CBD for pets. A previous study from the same institute also showed that once-daily oral dosing of CBD over a six-month period is safe for healthy adult dogs.
