A large study of 47,000 dogs found that around 3000 were on CBD and suggests this may ease aggression in ageing, ailing pets, though other big questions remain.
Meet Max, a spirited 12-year-old Golden Retriever with a heart full of love but a temper that sometimes got the best of him. As he entered his senior years, Max started facing the challenges many older dogs know all too well: creaky joints from osteoarthritis, moments of confusion that hinted at canine dementia, and a growing grumpiness that made him snap more easily at noises or strangers. His owner, Sarah, noticed how his once-playful energy had turned into frustration, especially on tough days when pain flared up.
Desperate to help her faithful companion feel better, Sarah turned to CBD supplement, a natural option derived from hemp that many pet owners were trying for chronic issues. She started giving Max a daily dose, carefully mixed into his food, hoping it might ease his discomfort and bring back some peace to their home.
At first, things didn’t change much. Max was still quick to growl or bark aggressively, perhaps even a bit more on edge as his body adjusted. But Sarah stuck with it, year after year, monitoring his health through regular vet visits and noting small improvements in her journal.
Over time, something remarkable happened. Max’s sharp reactions softened. The aggressive outbursts that once worried Sarah became rarer and less intense. He still had his anxious moments, pacing during storms or whining when left alone, but the outright aggression faded away, like a storm cloud slowly clearing. Max began enjoying gentle walks again, wagging his tail at familiar faces, and cuddling up peacefully in the evenings.
Sarah wasn’t alone in this experience. A massive study from the Dog Ageing Project, tracking over 47,000 dogs across the US, revealed patterns just like Max’s. Researchers found that about 7% of dogs receive CBD or hemp products, mostly older ones battling conditions like dementia, arthritis, or even cancer. And in dogs like Max, who used it long-term (daily for years), aggression noticeably decreased over time, even though it often started higher in these pups.
As one researcher put it, “This long-term behavioural change highlights the potential of CBD as a therapy for canine behavioural issues.” Yet, it’s not a cure-all; other anxious behaviours didn’t improve as much, and scientists are still puzzling over why aggression responds so uniquely.
Today, Max is living his best senior life, calmer, happier, and still Sarah’s best friend. Stories like his show how CBD might offer a helping paw to ageing dogs struggling with grumpiness rooted in pain or stress. Of course, every dog is different, so always chat with your vet before trying it.
Kendra D. Conrow, Richard S. Haney, Michael H. Malek-Ahmadi, Julia D. Albright, Barbara L. F. Kaplan, Noah Snyder-Mackler, Kathleen F. Kerr, Yi Su, Daniel E. L. Promislow, Emily E. Bray, Maxwell C. K. Leung.
Demographic features, health status, and behavioural changes associated with cannabidiol use in the Dog Ageing Project. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2025; 12 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1666663
