CBD can address loneliness and motion sickness in dogs, study reveals

A single oral dosage (4 mg per kg of body weight) of THC*-free cannabidiol (CBD) is said to alleviate anxiety in dogs triggered by car travel or being left alone.

Waltham conducted a blind, randomized, placebo-controlled test that observed how CBD affected the lives of 20 dogs in everyday situations that are likely to produce stress, such as car travel and being home alone.

Academics studied a variety of physiological (cortisol levels, ear temperature, heart rate) and behavioral processes (whining, quivering, panting) at various times during the research period.

The researchers noticed significant shifts in several stress-related measures, with car travel prompting a distinct stress reaction.

Improved stress levels

Dogs were then given either a placebo or CBD capsule and, 2 hours later, were subjected to either separation or car travel. According to the study, stress levels across several levels improved post the administration of CBD.

Canines administered with CBD were seen as substantially less stressed, had considerably reduced cortisol levels, displayed less whining, and were more comfortable emotionally than dogs that took a placebo.

Another study from Waltham published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science in September 2022 revealed that a single daily dose of CBD over six months is safe for healthy adult dogs.

A comprehensive suite of biological health measures was conducted on 20 dogs and showed that CBD had no adverse effects on health and wellbeing.

The research aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of CBD for dogs.

*Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive component of cannabis