Dog parents have been turning to CBD oil for everything from arthritis to anxiety, but can it really help calm aggression? The largest study of its kind, led by Dr. Maxwell Leung at Arizona State University, suggests that CBD might help mellow out feisty pups, though there’s still more to learn.

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A Nationwide Look at CBD and Dog Behavior

Researchers with the Dog Aging Project analyzed data from more than 47,000 dogs across the U.S. to track behavioral changes over several years. The findings were fascinating:

• Dogs that consistently received CBD for at least two years showed a steady decline in aggressive behaviors.
• Dogs that never used CBD stayed about the same over time.
• CBD-using dogs started off more aggressive than average, suggesting owners turned to CBD to help manage existing behavioral issues.

By the end of the study period, the CBD dogs were actually less aggressive than their non-CBD peers.

“The decline in the intensity of aggressive behaviors suggests the potential use of CBD in dog training,” the researchers wrote in their paper published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science.

Why Owners Are Reaching for CBD

CBD (short for cannabidiol) is a non-psychoactive compound found in hemp and cannabis. Pet owners commonly use it for:

• Cognitive issues like dementia (18.2% of CBD-using dogs)
• Arthritis and joint pain (12.5%)
• Epilepsy and seizures (10.6%)

Some owners also give CBD to help with anxiety, restlessness, or sleep problems, though scientific evidence for many of these uses in dogs is still developing.

Is It the CBD or the Training?

It’s important to note that this was an observational study, not a controlled clinical trial. That means researchers can’t say for certain that CBD alone caused the behavior changes.

Owners using CBD may have also been:

• Working with professional trainers or behaviorists
• Adjusting their dog’s routine, exercise, or environment
• Using other medications or calming tools alongside CBD

Still, the patterns are hard to ignore. Previous smaller studies have shown that CBD may reduce stress-related behaviors in dogs, including separation-related distress and some forms of aggression in shelter dogs, which fits with these new findings.

Health Conditions Most Linked to CBD Use

Beyond behavior, the study found that CBD was most commonly used in dogs with specific health issues. Seven conditions were significantly associated with CBD use:

• Dementia (canine cognitive dysfunction)
• Osteoarthritis
• Epilepsy
• Hip dysplasia
• Cancer
• Chronic diarrhea
• Other ongoing digestive problems (vomiting, constipation, GI upset)

Interestingly, some dogs with digestive issues were given CBD even though gastrointestinal upset can also be a potential side effect of CBD in some pets.

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Who’s Using CBD? Age, Location & Breed Patterns

CBD use wasn’t evenly distributed across all dogs:

• Dogs getting CBD frequently (daily or as non-prescription medication) averaged 10.2 years old.
• Dogs with infrequent CBD use averaged 8.1 years.
• Dogs not given CBD averaged 7.6 years.

Male dogs had slightly higher usage rates than females, though the study didn’t pinpoint the reason.

Geography also played a role:

• In states with legal medical cannabis programs, about 5.8% of dogs received CBD.
• In states without medical cannabis programs, that number was about 4.7%.
• Usage ranged from 1.6% of dogs in Iowa to 9.7% in Hawaii.

Among purebred dogs with at least 50 individuals in the dataset, Leonbergers had the highest CBD use rate at 10.3%.

What This Means for Dog Owners

So, should you give CBD to an aggressive or anxious dog? The honest answer: maybe, but with caution and veterinary guidance.

Here are some key takeaways for pet parents:

• Talk to your vet first. CBD can interact with other medications and may not be appropriate for every dog, especially those with liver or GI issues.
• Quality matters. Pet CBD products vary widely. Look for third-party lab testing and products specifically formulated for animals.
• Start low and go slow. If your vet gives the green light, begin with a low dose and monitor your dog closely for changes in behavior, appetite, and digestion.
• Use CBD as part of a bigger plan. For aggression, fear, or anxiety, CBD should support, not replace, proper training, behavior modification, and environmental management.

The Bottom Line

The largest study to date on CBD use in pet dogs suggests that dogs given CBD over time may become less aggressive and more behaviorally stable, especially compared to dogs that never receive it. While we can’t yet say that CBD is the direct cause, the trend is promising.

CBD is not a magic cure for aggression, but it may be a helpful tool in the toolbox, particularly for older dogs or those with complex health issues. Paired with good training, veterinary support, and a stable home environment, CBD could potentially help some dogs feel calmer and behave more gently.

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Important Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary medical advice. Always consult a licensed veterinarian before starting, stopping, or changing any supplements or medications for your pet. The study discussed here is observational and cannot prove cause-and-effect between CBD use and behavior changes in dogs.

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