Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Long-term cannabidiol use is safe for healthy adult dogs
By Corsato Alvarenga, Isabella et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2024·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Tolerability of long-term cannabidiol supplementation to healthy adult dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Eighteen healthy adult beagle dogs were given either a low dose (5 mg/kg) or a higher dose (10 mg/kg) of cannabidiol (CBD) daily for 36 weeks to see how well they tolerated it. While both groups showed an increase in a liver enzyme (alkaline phosphatase), the dogs on the higher dose had more soft stools. Overall, the lower dose was better tolerated, and no serious side effects were noted. If your dog is on CBD for a long time, it's a good idea to have their liver function checked regularly.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cannabidiol (CBD) has therapeutic potential in companion animals. Shorter-term studies have determined that CBD is well tolerated in dogs with mild adverse effects and an increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. There is need to assess CBD's long-term tolerability. HYPOTHESIS: Determine the long-term tolerability of CBD administered PO to healthy dogs for 36 weeks at dosages of 5 and 10 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day. Our hypothesis was that CBD would be well tolerated by dogs. METHODS: Eighteen healthy adult beagle dogs were randomly assigned to 3 groups of 6 each that received 0, 5, or 10 mg/kg BW/day CBD PO. Dogs were adapted to their housing for 3 weeks and received treatment for 36 weeks once daily with food. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded daily. Blood biochemistry profiles were monitored every 4 weeks. Data were analyzed as repeated measures over time using a mixed model, with significance at α = 0.05. RESULTS: The 0 and 5 mg/kg treatment groups had similar fecal scores, and the 10 mg/kg treatment group had higher frequency of soft feces. No other significant AEs were noted. An increase (P < .0001) in ALP activity occurred in groups that received CBD. Remaining blood variables were within reference range. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Chronic administration of CBD in healthy dogs at 5 mg/kg was better tolerated than 10 mg/kg, and both dosages caused an increase in ALP activity. Although our data does not indicate hepatic damage, it is recommended to monitor liver function in dogs receiving CBD chronically.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38009749/