Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cannabidiol (CBD) for treating dog atopic dermatitis itching
By Bizarro, Ana F. et al.·Published in Veterinary Sciences·2025·CIISA—Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal·View original on Crossref →
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Original publication title: The Potential of Cannabidiol for Treating Canine Atopic Dermatitis
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A dog with atopic dermatitis (a common skin condition causing itching and inflammation) may benefit from treatment with cannabidiol (CBD), a compound known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Research suggests that CBD can help manage symptoms in dogs, and it is generally well tolerated. However, there are challenges such as varying dosages and the need for more controlled studies to confirm its effectiveness. Despite these hurdles, CBD shows promise as a treatment option for dogs suffering from this condition, and further research is encouraged to establish standardized products and guidelines.
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Abstract
Atopic dermatitis is prevalent in humans (hAD) and dogs (cAD) and profoundly impacts the patients’ quality of life. The increasing number of new drugs in development for atopic dermatitis indicates both the need and potential for precision medicine to generate an optimised benefit–risk therapeutic plan. Cannabidiol (CBD), known for its potential anti-inflammatory and antipruritic properties, shows promise in hAD and cAD management, prompting the exploration of cannabinoids (CBs) and CBD as therapeutic tools. In fact, encouraging results on the benefits of using CBD in cAD have been published, along with safety evaluations that reveal that CBD is generally well tolerated in dogs. However, limited placebo-controlled trials and dosage variations in dogs pose barriers that hinder definitive conclusions. Challenges in product stability, inconsistent formulations, and legal ambiguities highlight the need for standardised CBD-based products for both research and commercial uses. The complex legal landscape further complicates accessibility and regulation. Despite these challenges, CBD is emerging as a potential avenue for cAD management, urging further high-quality research, standardised formulations, and legal clarity. This brief review provides valuable insights into the therapeutic potential of CBs and CBD in cAD, compared to hAD, emphasising the importance of rigorous research and unambiguous regulation for successful integration into veterinary dermatology.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Crossref: https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12020159