Tolerability of long-term cannabidiol supplementation to healthy adult dogs

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