Over the past few years, interest in and availability of cannabidiol (CBD) and hemp-derived products has grown, including their use as supplements for companion dogs. Leveraging survey responses from the Dog Aging Project (DAP), we examined how factors such as owner and dog demographics, the legal status of medical cannabis in a given state, and the dog’s health profile influence decisions to administer CBD or hemp products. Additionally, using a subset of longitudinal data, we explored whether regular CBD consumption over time was linked to behavioral changes in dogs. Patterns of CBD administration were classified based on owner reports into three categories: frequent use, infrequent use, and no use. Associations between these patterns and variables such as geographic location and demographic factors were then analyzed. Cross-sectional analyses further assessed the relationship between CBD use and specific medical conditions, as well as behavioral changes in dogs who received consistent CBD treatment for at least two years compared to dogs that never received CBD. CBD use was more prevalent in states where medical cannabis is legal. Dogs diagnosed with conditions such as dementia, osteoarthritis, cancer, epilepsy, hip dysplasia, gastrointestinal disorders based on clinical signs, and chronic diarrhea were more likely to receive CBD than dogs without these conditions. In dogs with sustained CBD use, aggressive behaviors decreased in intensity over time, whereas dogs without CBD use showed relatively stable behavioral patterns. Canine CBD use appears closely tied to owner beliefs about its therapeutic potential. The observed reduction in aggressive behaviors suggests that CBD may have applications in dog behavioral management. Continued research is essential to clarify its mechanisms, clinical effectiveness, and population-level impacts, ultimately benefiting both canine and human health.
