A new study explored the effects of CBD oil and CBD gel on stress levels in shelter dogs, finding both to be safe and potentially effective.
Researchers from the University of California published a study in Veterinary Sciences evaluating how daily oral supplementation of CBD oil and CBD gel impacted dogs experiencing solitary confinement-induced stress. Over a 14-day period, shelter dogs were given either CBD oil, CBD-infused gel, or a placebo at a dosage of 4 mg/kg.
The study found that both CBD formulations were well tolerated, with no adverse effects reported in hematological and biochemical evaluations. Importantly, dogs treated with CBD had significantly lower post-stress cortisol levels compared to those in the control group, suggesting reduced stress. The CBD gel group demonstrated a trend toward even greater cortisol reduction than the oil group.
Multivariate analysis showed distinct changes in the blood profiles of CBD-treated dogs. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that CBD supplementation was associated with changes in lymphocyte percentages and immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels, suggesting potential immune system benefits.
The findings suggest that gel-based CBD may be a particularly effective option for managing stress in dogs, although the researchers note that further studies are needed to better understand its pharmacokinetics and long-term impacts on the immune system.
