This article presents the findings of a study that investigated the safety and tolerance of long-term oral exposure to cannabidiol (CBD) in dogs. CBD is a compound derived from cannabis plants and has gained popularity for its potential therapeutic effects in humans. The study aimed to fill the knowledge gap regarding the suitability and tolerance of CBD in clinically healthy dogs over an extended period.
The study involved forty dogs, with twenty dogs receiving daily CBD capsules at a dose of 4 mg/kg of body weight for 6 months, while the other twenty dogs received placebo capsules. Throughout the study, various physiological health measures were performed, including biochemistry, hematology, urinalysis, veterinary examinations, and well-being observations. CBD concentrations were also measured in plasma, feces, and urine.
The results showed that CBD at a dose of 4 mg/kg of body weight was well-tolerated by the dogs over the 6-month duration of the study. There were no clinically significant alterations in biochemistry and hematology, except for a transient elevation in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in some of the dogs receiving CBD. However, this elevation did not have any adverse effects on the dogs’ health and well-being. The study also found a positive correlation between the elevation of total ALP and bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), suggesting that the elevation was partly due to the bone-derived isoform.
Overall, the study provides evidence that a once-daily oral dose of 4 mg CBD/kg of body weight is well-tolerated in clinically healthy dogs for a duration of 6 months. However, it’s important to note that this study focused on healthy dogs, and further research is needed to determine the safety and efficacy of CBD in dogs with specific health conditions.