Research on CBD for dogs has been steadily advancing, supported in part by its generally low incidence of side effects and favorable safety profile.

Below are five health conditions in which CBD is considered potentially beneficial for dogs.
First, here is a simple overview of the current strength of the evidence for each area.

⸻

1. Epilepsy

Strength of Evidence: ★★★★★
Multiple high-quality clinical trials have shown reductions in seizure frequency and the number of seizure days.

2. Pain & Inflammation

Strength of Evidence: ★★★★☆
Several studies report improvements in mobility, comfort, and activity levels.

3. Skin & Allergy-Related Symptoms

Strength of Evidence: ★★★☆☆
There is scientific rationale for CBD’s effects, but data from dog-specific clinical trials remain limited.

4. Anxiety & Stress

Strength of Evidence: ★★★☆☆
Small-scale studies show promising results, though larger and more rigorous studies are still needed.

5. Tumor-Related Conditions

Strength of Evidence: ★☆☆☆☆
Cell and rodent studies suggest potential anticancer effects, but reliable clinical trials in dogs are still limited.

⸻

As you can see, some areas are supported by increasingly strong evidence, while others remain in the early stages of research.

Next, we’ll take a closer look at each of these conditions in more detail.
(Please note that the following information does not guarantee medical effects of CBD in dogs.)

🗒️
CBD has been shown to reduce seizure frequency in people with treatment-resistant epilepsy, and it is approved as a prescription medication in the US, the EU, Australia, and several other regions.
In Japan, clinical trials toward pharmaceutical approval are currently underway, and some patients already use commercially available CBD products.

🐕
High-quality clinical research in dogs has also reported reductions in seizure frequency among CBD-treated dogs.

(In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, the median seizure frequency decreased in the CBD group.*)


* McGrath, S., Bartner, L. R., Rao, S., Packer, R. A., & Gustafson, D. L. (2019). Randomized blinded controlled clinical trial to assess the effect of oral cannabidiol administration in addition to conventional antiepileptic treatment on seizure frequency in dogs with intractable idiopathic epilepsy. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 254(11), 1301‑1308.

🗒️
CBD may help reduce pain by interacting with several key pathways, including the endocannabinoid system (ECS), TRPV1 ion channels (involved in pain signaling), and 5-HT1A serotonin receptors.
Its anti-inflammatory effects, well documented in human studies, are also expected to function similarly in dogs.

🐕
In a clinical study involving dogs, CBD supplementation demonstrated clear signs of pain relief.

(When administered at 2mg per kg of body weight daily for 12 weeks, dogs showed improved pain scores and increased activity levels.*)


* Gamble, L. J., et al. (2018). Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Clinical Efficacy of Cannabidiol Treatment in Osteoarthritic Dogs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 5, 165.

🗒️
CBD may help ease allergy-related skin symptoms, such as itching, inflammation, and swelling, through its immune-modulating and anti-inflammatory effects, which have been well documented in human studies.

🐕
Evidence from canine research also supports this potential.
(In an ex vivo study using whole blood from dogs, CBD was shown to suppress the production of inflammatory cytokines.*)

However, high-quality clinical trials in dogs are still limited, so these effects cannot yet be considered conclusive.


* Gugliandolo, E., Licata, P., Peritore, A. F., Siracusa, R., D’Amico, R., Cordaro, M., Fusco, R., Impellizzeri, D., Di Paola, R., & Cuzzocrea, S. (2021). Effect of Cannabidiol (CBD) on Canine Inflammatory Response: An Ex Vivo Study on LPS Stimulated Whole Blood. Veterinary Sciences, 8(9), 185.

🗒️
CBD also shows anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects, thought to occur through its modulation of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and 5-HT1A serotonin receptors. In humans, these mechanisms have been linked to reduced symptoms in conditions such as social anxiety disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.

🐕
Similar benefits have been observed in dogs as well.
(In one study, a single oral dose of CBD at 4mg per kg of body weight reduced behavioral and physiological markers of stress during separation and car travel.*¹)

Long-term use has shown promising results, too.
(With daily administration over six months, dogs demonstrated significant reductions in several stress indicators, including cortisol levels, vocalization, and lip licking.*²)

This is an area where further research (especially studies designed to minimize stress for canine participants) is greatly anticipated.


*¹ Hunt, A. B. G., Logan, D. W., Earle, K. E., Lopez, A. M., Kropf, B., Harjes, C. B., Morrow, S. A., Richardson, C. A., & King, T. (2023). A single dose of cannabidiol (CBD) positively influences measures of stress in dogs during separation and car travel. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 10, 1112604.

*² Flint, H. E., Hunt, A. B. G., & Logan, D. W., & King, T. (2024). Daily dosing of cannabidiol (CBD) demonstrates a positive effect on measures of stress in dogs during repeated exposure to car travel. Journal of Animal Science, 102, skad414.

🗒️
CBD has been shown in preclinical studies to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells and to promote apoptosis (natural cell death).
It may also help slow tumor progression by reducing inflammation and suppressing angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels that supply tumors.*

🐕
However, reliable, well-controlled studies in dogs are still limited, and this area of research remains in its early stages.


* Sánchez, C., et al. (2003). “Cannabinoids as antitumoral agents.” Journal of Clinical Investigation.

In addition to the five key symptom categories discussed above, there are several other areas in which CBD is showing emerging potential.
We will continue to update this section as new data becomes available.
(Last updated: December 10, 2025)

🗒️
CBD may help reduce nausea and improve appetite through its action on 5-HT1A serotonin receptors.
Preclinical studies in rats and other animals report that CBD can suppress nausea and vomiting and promote feeding behavior.*

🐕
While direct evidence in dogs remains limited, these findings provide promising support for its potential application in veterinary settings.


*Parker, L. A., Rock, E. M., Limebeer, C. L., & Mechoulam, R. (2012). Cannabidiol, a non‑psychotropic component of cannabis, attenuates vomiting and nausea-like behaviour via indirect agonism of 5-HT₁A somatodendritic autoreceptors in the dorsal raphe nucleus. British Journal of Pharmacology, 165(8), 2620–2634.

🐕
In one of the largest-ever studies on CBD use in dogs, involving 47,444 dogs, researchers observed a trend toward reduced aggression in senior dogs.*

(Dogs that had been receiving CBD for over two years showed declining aggression scores over time, including reductions in barking and biting behaviors.)

However, this represents correlation only; the findings do not prove that CBD directly caused the decrease in aggression.


* Conrow, K. D., Haney, R. S., Malek-Ahmadi, M. H., Albright, J. D., Kaplan, B. L. F., Snyder-Mackler, N., Kerr, K. F., Su, Y., Promislow, D. E. L., Bray, E. E., & Leung, M. C. K.; Dog Aging Project Consortium. (2025). Demographic features, health status, and behavioral changes associated with cannabidiol use in the Dog Aging Project. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 12, 1612524. doi:10.3389/fvets.2025.1666663

While CBD shows promise across multiple areas of canine health, there are several important points to keep in mind when using it:

・Individual differences: Responses can vary depending on breed, body weight, and each dog’s unique physiology.
・Liver enzyme elevation: Increases in ALP/ALT have been reported; long-term use may require periodic bloodwork and monitoring.
・Drug interactions: Co-administration with antiepileptic medications or NSAIDs may pose interaction risks, so use under veterinary guidance is recommended.
・Product variability: CBD products can differ widely in concentration, purity, and residual THC levels, which may affect outcomes.

Choosing the right product, determining the appropriate dose and timing, monitoring your dog’s response, and exercising caution when combining CBD with other medications are all essential for safe and effective use.

For a detailed guide on how to use CBD products for dogs, please refer to the article linked here.
If you’re interested in incorporating CBD into your dog’s wellness routine, please take a look.

Wishing you and your dog many healthy, happy moments together.