A study analyzing data from about 47,000 dogs found that long-term treatment with CBD supplements was associated with lower levels of aggression, as reported in late November 2025.

The research, led by teams at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine and Arizona State University, drew on multi-year data supplied by the Dog Aging Project to track behavioral changes in companion animals. The finding is notable for its scale and for suggesting a sustained change in aggression rather than a short-term effect. Common canine behavior problems that owners often seek to address include aggression, separation and attachment issues, as well as fear- and anxiety-related behaviors.

Researchers reported that dogs given CBD products for multiple years were initially more aggressive compared with dogs not receiving those products, but that aggression became less intense over time. “Behaviorally, dogs given CBD products for multiple years are initially more aggressive compared to dogs not receiving those products, but their aggression becomes less intense over time,” said Dr. Maxwell Leung, director of the Cannabis Analytics, Safety and Health Initiative at Arizona State University. Several large-scale studies suggest that roughly 10–20% of pet dogs display some form of aggressive behavior, highlighting the importance of effective treatments.

Dr. Julia Albright, an associate professor at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, framed the result as evidence of a lasting behavioral shift. “This long-term behavioral change highlights the potential of CBD as a therapy for canine behavioral issues,” she said. Previous research has reported that a substantial minority of pet dogs show some form of aggressive behavior toward people, though exact prevalence estimates vary across studies.

Study authors noted that, across the population they examined, dogs that consistently took CBD supplements developed below-average aggression levels compared to canines that got no CBD. The paper was published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science in 2025, and the research was highlighted again in early December 2025 by outlets such as HealthDay.

The research team underlined that CBD is a component of marijuana that does not cause intoxication and described the changes as behavioral rather than sedative. “Most canine aggression is related to underlying stress or anxiety,” said Dr. Julia Albright, emphasizing that CBD could address the root of these issues.

The authors drew on data provided by the Dog Aging Project, which supplied the large cohort that made the analysis possible. The American Kennel Club, which maintains resources for owners about CBD and other supplements, is cited in the study’s context as a source of information for owners considering such products. Despite the promising findings, the study authors and commentators note that more controlled research is needed to understand CBD’s effects on dogs, including mechanisms, dosing, and safety. What is the current status of research on CBD and its effects on pets?

The university teams and co-authors described the work as an observational analysis of owner-reported supplement use and behavior across a broad sample. Dr. Maxwell Leung added a comparison to human medicine: “There are many similarities in how CBD can benefit dogs and humans medically.” This parallels the ongoing exploration into the therapeutic applications of cannabinoids across species.

The study received attention when it was posted in late November; the team provided an announcement on FRIDAY, Dec. 5, 2025, and an update was noted on December 9, 2025 @ 7:06 am. Readers looking for the journal summary can consult summaries from outlets such as ScienceDaily and institutional news releases.

Where things stand now: The peer-reviewed article is currently the main published record of the analysis, and the authors have described the results as showing a decline in the intensity of aggressive behaviors over time in dogs with consistent CBD use, suggesting a potential sustained behavioral effect.

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Original reporting: view the original article.