At Genie’s Therapeutics, our entire mission is to blend science, love, and USDA Certified Organic ingredients to help dogs feel better for longer. So when a study this big drops, we pay attention—not to hype it, but to understand what it really means for you and your dog.

In this post, we’ll walk through what the new research found, what it doesn’t prove yet, and how CBD might fit into a thoughtful, vet-supported wellness plan for your senior dog.

Inside the New CBD Study: 47,355 Dogs, Real-World Data

Researchers working with the Dog Aging Project analyzed survey data from 47,355 companion dogs across the United States between 2019 and 2023. Guardians reported on their dogs’ lifestyle, health conditions, and whether they received CBD or hemp-based supplements.

A few key stats from the study:

• 7.3% of dogs in the sample had been given CBD or hemp products at some point.
• Of those, about 5.8% were daily users, receiving CBD every day.
• Dogs given CBD tended to be older—an average of 3 years older than non-CBD dogs.
• CBD use was especially common in dogs with dementia, osteoarthritis, and cancer.
• Dogs living in states where medical cannabis is legal were more likely to be given CBD.

This wasn’t a small, tightly controlled lab trial. It was a huge real-life snapshot of how pet parents are actually using CBD with their dogs—and what trends show up over time.

What the Researchers Found: CBD and a Surprising Shift in Aggression

Here’s the headline that caught everyone’s attention: dogs who received CBD for multiple years tended to show lower aggression over time compared with dogs that never received CBD.

Early on, dogs on CBD were actually described as more aggressive than non-CBD dogs. That makes sense—guardians may have turned to CBD because their dog was already struggling with behavior or health issues. But as time went on, those CBD-using dogs’ aggression levels gradually dropped below the average of dogs not on CBD.

Other behaviors, like general agitation, anxiety, or hyper-reactivity, did not show the same clear pattern of improvement. The effect seemed to be most noticeable for aggression specifically.

So if you have a senior dog who’s starting to react more intensely—snapping at other dogs, growling more, or guarding resources— this research suggests that CBD may have the potential to gently smooth some of that over time. Not overnight. Not magically. But as a piece of a bigger wellness puzzle.

Why CBD Is Most Popular in Older, Ailing Dogs

The study also found that CBD is most often used in dogs with chronic health challenges. That tracks exactly with what we see at Genie’s Therapeutics:

• Dogs with dementia or cognitive decline, who may seem disoriented or irritable.
• Dogs with osteoarthritis or joint disease, who are stiff, sore, and sometimes snappy from pain.
• Dogs with cancer or long-term conditions, where families are looking for every safe, supportive option available.

When we combine that with the study’s finding that long-term CBD use was linked with reduced aggression, a picture starts to emerge: CBD may help some older dogs feel just comfortable enough in their own bodies and brains to respond less explosively to the world around them.

If you’re interested in supporting your dog’s long-term vitality in more than one way, you might also enjoy our guide: The Canine Longevity Checklist: 10 Organic Steps to Help Your Dog Thrive Into Old Age .

What This Study Doesn’t Prove (Yet) — And Why That Matters

As exciting as this research is, it’s important to stay grounded. The authors are very clear that this is an observational study, which comes with some big limitations:

• No cause-and-effect proof. The data show an association between long-term CBD use and reduced aggression, but we can’t say for sure that CBD caused that change. Other factors (training, environment, medications) may also play a role.
• No standardized dosage. The study didn’t track exact CBD doses, product types, or cannabinoids ratios. That means results could vary wildly from dog to dog.
• Owner-reported behavior. Humans are beautifully biased. Guardians who believe CBD will help may describe their dog’s behavior differently over time.
• Not a cure-all. Other anxious or stressed behaviors did not show a parallel improvement in the data.

Translation: this study gives us hope and some compelling clues, but not final answers. More controlled research is still needed—especially on dosage, long-term safety, and which specific dogs benefit the most.

Is CBD Safe for Senior Dogs?

In general, CBD appears to be well tolerated by most dogs, including seniors, when used appropriately. The study authors do note that CBD can cause side effects like mild gastrointestinal upset or diarrhea in some animals.

As with any supplement, there are a few golden rules:

• Talk to your veterinarian before starting CBD—especially if your dog is on other medications.
• Start low and go slow. Begin with a lower dose and gradually increase if needed, while observing your dog.
• Choose high-quality products with transparent labeling and accessible Certificates of Analysis (COAs).
• Track your dog’s behavior over time so you can discuss real changes (or lack of changes) with your vet.

CBD works best not as a solo hero, but as part of a thoughtful, holistic wellness plan that may also include joint support, mental enrichment, diet, pain management, and gentle training.

How to Thoughtfully Introduce CBD to Your Older Dog

1. Have an honest chat with your vet. Share your dog’s medical history, current medications, and your goals (e.g., reducing reactivity, easing discomfort).
2. Choose a trusted product. Look for clear dosing guidelines, hemp source information, and third-party lab results. If you’re not sure where to start, our Hemp Signature Oil is designed specifically for dogs and comes with dosing support.
3. Start low, observe, adjust. Begin at a conservative dose based on your dog’s weight and condition. Watch for changes in comfort, behavior, appetite, and stool quality.
4. Track behavior over weeks—not hours. This study showed changes in aggression over time, not instant flips. Think in terms of weeks and months, not minutes.
5. Pair CBD with lifestyle support. Senior dogs often benefit from joint supplements, gentle exercise, predictable routines, and mental enrichment. CBD is one powerful tool—not the entire toolkit.