CBD for Dogs with Separation Anxiety: How Cannabidiol May Help Calm Stress in Pets

If you’ve ever left the house only to hear your dog barking, whining, or scratching at the door, you’re not alone. Separation anxiety is one of the most common behavioural issues in dogs, and it can be stressful for both pets and their owners. For many, the search for natural calming support has led to interest in cannabidiol - better known as CBD.

But does CBD for dogs with separation anxiety really live up to the promise? Let's look at a recent scientific study that provides some intriguing insights.

Why Dogs Struggle with Separation Anxiety

Dogs are social animals. They thrive on companionship and often form strong bonds with their humans. When left alone, some dogs can cope just fine, but many show signs of stress. These may look like:

• Excessive barking or howling

• Whining or pacing

• Destructive behaviour like chewing or scratching

• Accidents in the house, even when house-trained

While short-term barking or restlessness can be normal, ongoing stress every time a human leaves may point to separation-related problems. For owners, this can be heartbreaking - and for the dogs, it can affect their wellbeing and health over time.

This is why natural, safe, and effective solutions are gaining so much attention - and also why CBD has entered the conversation.

CBD for Dogs: How It Works and Why Pets May Benefit

CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a natural compound found in hemp plants. Unlike THC, the psychoactive element in cannabis, CBD does not produce a “high” or any delirious effects. Instead, it interacts with something called the endocannabinoid system - a network of receptors in the body that helps regulate functions such as mood, stress response, and sleep. That's why more and more people started using this cannabinoid over the last years - in the form of CBD oils, CBD vapes, and even CBD creams to help with stress and anxiety.

And here’s the fascinating part: dogs and cats, just like humans, have this system too. That means CBD may influence their stress and behaviour in similar ways, although more research is needed to fully understand how.

Because of this connection, interest in CBD oil for dogs has grown, particularly for issues linked to stress, restlessness, or unwanted behaviours.

Can CBD Help Dogs with Separation Anxiety? New Research Explains

In early 2024, researchers in Japan carried out a study to test whether CBD could affect dogs’ behaviour when separated from their humans. Ten healthy dogs with anxiety were observed in a carefully designed experiment.

Each dog went through two testing phases:

• CBD Phase: Dogs received a daily dose of CBD (2 mg per kg of body weight) for two weeks.

• Placebo Phase: The same dogs received olive oil instead of CBD, also for two weeks.

After each phase, the dogs were placed in a room with their owner and then briefly left alone. Researchers measured how much the dogs vocalised - barking, whining, or howling - before and after their caregiver left.

The results were very revealing. As expected, all dogs vocalised more when left alone than when with their humans. But when the dogs had been given CBD, the increase in vocal activity was significantly smaller compared to the placebo phase. In other words, they still reacted to being left alone, but by far not as much.

CBD Could Calm Dogs with Separation Anxiety - What the Study Suggests

While this was a small, preliminary study, the findings suggest that CBD might help reduce the intensity of stress-related behaviours in dogs. Less vocalisation probably means the dogs felt a little calmer or less distressed during the time of separation.

This is consistent with other early research. For example:

• Dogs given CBD showed fewer signs of stress during car travel.

• Shelter dogs displayed improvements in behaviour after CBD use.

Although these studies were all a bit different, they all point towards a similar trend: CBD could play a role in supporting calmer behaviour in dogs under stressful conditions.

It’s important to remember that this does not prove CBD “treats” separation anxiety in dogs. Behaviour is complex, and vocalisation can be influenced by many factors, including boredom, external noise, or even learned habits, which is why a holistic approach is best to provide relief for both pets and owners. What the research does show, however, is a promising direction worth exploring further.

Is CBD Oil Safe for Dogs? What Pet Owners Should Know

Safety is often the first question on a pet owner’s mind. Fortunately, several studies have already examined CBD use in healthy dogs. Short-term trials have tested doses as high as 20 mg per kg per day without major issues. Longer-term studies, up to six months, also found that dogs tolerated CBD well at moderate doses.

The most important factors for safety are:

• Quality of the product: Look for CBD specifically formulated for pets or without any additives like flavourings or sweeteners, ideally with lab reports showing no THC.

• Correct dosing: Starting low and adjusting gradually, always with veterinary guidance.

• Professional advice: Always consult your vet before adding supplements to your dog’s routine.

When used responsibly, CBD appears to be well tolerated in dogs, making it an option many owners feel comfortable considering.

Beyond CBD Products for Dogs: How to Help Pets Cope with Separation Anxiety

CBD may be one tool, but it works best as part of a bigger picture of care. If your dog struggles when left alone, here are some practical steps to try, even before considering supplementation:

• Gradual training: Practice leaving for short periods and slowly build up to longer absences.

• Enrichment: Provide toys, puzzles, or safe chew items to keep your dog occupied.

• Exercise: A well-exercised dog is more likely to rest calmly when left alone.

• Comfort cues: Leaving behind a worn T-shirt with your scent can sometimes help.

By combining behavioural training with supportive tools, many dogs can learn to cope a lot better with separation.

The Benefits of CBD for Dogs: A Promising Path Forward

The new research from Japan marks an exciting step in further confirming and understanding how CBD may influence dog behaviour. While the study was small, it provides the first placebo-controlled evidence that CBD could help reduce stress-related behaviour like barking in dogs during separation.

For owners, this is a reason to be cautiously optimistic. CBD is certainly not a cure for separation anxiety, but it could offer gentle, plant-based support for dogs who struggle with being alone.

As more studies are carried out, we’ll learn more about how best to use CBD for dogs with separation anxiety, and how it can fit alongside training, enrichment, and lifestyle adjustments to improve our pets’ wellbeing.

Using CBD for Dogs with Separation Anxiety: Final Thoughts

Separation anxiety can be tough - for dogs and their humans alike. But science is beginning to show that CBD for dogs may hold potential as part of a supportive, holistic approach.

If you’re considering CBD for your dog, make sure to choose high-quality, pet-safe products and seek guidance from your vet. With careful use, CBD could be another way to bring a little more calm into your dog’s day when you’re not around.

Curious to learn more? Reach out with any questions - our team is here to help!

Sources

[1] Masataka N. Possible effects of cannabidiol (CBD) administration on the vocal activity of healthy domestic dogs upon their temporary separation from caregivers. Heliyon. 2024 Jan 30;10(3):e25548.