In their study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, Elizabeth M. Morris and colleagues examined how CBD-containing treats influence dogs’ daily voluntary activity and scratching behavior. With the rising popularity of CBD as a wellness supplement for companion animals, scientific evidence is essential to determine its safety and behavioral implications.
The research team employed a randomized complete block design involving 24 mixed-breed dogs aged between 9 months and 4 years, each weighing approximately 18.0 ± 3.4 kg. Dogs were divided into three treatment groups: a control group (0 mg CBD), a low-dose group (2.5 mg/kg body weight per day), and a high-dose group (5.0 mg/kg body weight per day). CBD was administered via two treats daily, given after scheduled exercise sessions in the morning and evening.
To monitor natural behavior, activity collars were used for continuous data collection. Each day included two two-hour observation periods—Quiet Time and Music Time—to evaluate the dogs’ reactions in different environmental contexts. After a two-week baseline and a one-week acclimation period, activity was tracked for an additional 14 days, with analyses conducted using the MIXED procedure in SAS.
The findings showed that CBD supplementation up to 4.5 mg/kg body weight per day did not affect total daily activity points (P = 0.985) or activity duration (P = 0.882). However, CBD-treated dogs tended to scratch less compared to controls (P = 0.071), suggesting a possible antipruritic effect. Dogs were also naturally more active during the evening (PM) sessions than in the morning (AM), regardless of treatment (P < 0.001). Although dogs in the high-dose CBD group showed a slight trend toward reduced activity in the evening (P = 0.091), this effect was not statistically significant.
Notably, CBD reduced scratching behavior during both morning and evening sessions (P = 0.030), pointing to a potential benefit in managing skin irritation or discomfort. Importantly, the supplement did not influence activity duration during exercise sessions (P = 0.143), indicating that CBD did not impair mobility, motivation, or playfulness.
Overall, this controlled study concludes that CBD treats are safe for dogs at doses up to 4.5 mg/kg/day and do not negatively impact physical activity. The results suggest an additional benefit of reduced scratching behavior, aligning with CBD’s potential role in promoting comfort and skin health without altering normal behavior patterns.
Source: Morris, E. M., Kitts-Morgan, S., Spangler, D. M., Gebert, J., Vanzant, E., McLeod, K., & Harmon, D. (2021). Feeding Cannabidiol (CBD)-Containing Treats Did Not Affect Canine Daily Voluntary Activity. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 8. Published April 29, 2021.
