The Waltham Petcare Science Institute by Mars Petcare has conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled and blinded study on the use of THC-free cannabidiol (CBD) in dogs. According to the results published by the company on February 22, CBD can be very helpful to relieve stress of the dog provoked by travel or staying at home alone.
The dogs in the study published in Frontier in Veterinary Science received a single oral dose of 4 mg per kg of body weight of CBD. Scientists aimed to find out the correlation between separation anxiety or car travel and the stress level of the dog and how CBD can reduce this stress level.
“We know pet owners try various approaches — from training to medications and supplements — to help their dogs cope with stressful situations often with mixed results,” said Jennifer Welser, DVM, DACVO, chief medical officer of Mars Veterinary Health. “We’re focused on scientific inquiry that generates knowledge that can inform pet professionals’ and pet owners’ decisions. So, this study is important because it gives us new evidence that CBD, at the dose studied, can be beneficial for dogs in specific circumstances.”
The study investigated the dog’s stress level comparing cortisol levels, ear temperature, heat rate and examinng other typical signs of stress. The dogs then received either a placebo or CBD. After two hours, the dogs were brought in the stress causing situation. Dogs which received the CBD seemed more relaxed and had a lower cortisol level.
Earlier, Waltham has undertaken a study that revealed that the daily administration of an oral dose of CBD to an adult dog for six months is safe for health.
In several areas of the world, pet owners can purchase CBD as an unregulated supplement. In the UK, any CBD containing product for pets need to obtain a permitted Novel Food application to enter the market.
In the US, individual states have passed different regulations regarding CBD and other hemp-based products. Idaho, e.g., has wholly interdicted the use for animal nutrition. Thereupon, the FDA has unvealed its plans to find a way to permit the use in animal as well as human foods.
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