CBD for Sporting Dogs: What Cornell’s Dr. Joe Wakshlag Wants Hunters to Know

Whether you think it’s weed or wonder drug, CBD has a place in managing sporting dog health

In hunting dog circles, you’ve probably heard the same question many times over: “Have you tried CBD for X?” It’s everywhere–feed stores, online, even on the gas station shelf–and the claims of its efficacy range from mildly helpful to near-miraculous. But for serious sporting dog handlers who want to make evidence-based decisions, the hype isn’t enough.

That’s why I sat down with Dr. Joe Wakshlag of Cornell University, a veterinarian and researcher whose work has helped lead the science behind cannabis-based products in canine athletes. Dr. Wakshlag is a DVM/PhD, double-boarded in internal medicine (with a nutrition emphasis) and sports medicine/rehabilitation. In plain terms: he gets both the research side and the field side of what our dogs do and how they respond.

Here’s what I learned, and what you need to know if you’re thinking about trying CBD with your hunting dog:

CBD: the basic biology, without the mysticism

First, some clarity. When people say “CBD,” they mean cannabidiol, a compound derived from the hemp plant. Dr. Wakshlag walked me through the plant chemistry: the plant makes precursor acids like CBGA (cannabigerolic acid) and CBDA (cannabidiolic acid), which convert through heat into the molecules we know — CBD and THC. Hemp strains are bred to produce very little THC (the psychoactive compound), and more CBD.

But CBD isn’t a single, simple drug. Products differ — full spectrum and broad spectrum extracts contain other cannabinoids (CBC, CBDA, etc.) that may contribute to an “entourage effect.” That mix is part of why outcomes can vary so much from product to product.

What the endocannabinoid system means for dogs

A common misconception is that CBD only works through the CB1 and CB2 receptors (the classic cannabinoid receptors affected by THC). Dr. Wakshlag emphasized that CBD has a broader impact: it hits ion channels (like TRPV channels involved in pain), serotonin receptors (implicated in anxiety regulation), and other neural pathways. In practical terms, that means CBD can influence pain perception, anxiety, itch, and even some seizure activity, but not in the one-size-fits-all way that marketing sometimes implies.

The evidence we have so far:

There’s growing veterinary research supporting CBD’s role in several areas:

• Pain and joint disease: Multiple publications show positive effects for osteoarthritis and chronic pain. CBD appears to reduce client-reported pain scores and improve mobility in some dogs, particularly older animals with degenerative joint disease.

• Anxiety and travel stress: Laboratory and field models (including car-ride behavior studies) suggest CBD can reduce nervous energy and help dogs be more manageable during travel or storms. It’s not a sedative like dexmedetomidine gels, but it may help a dog stay “with it” and calmer.

• Muscle recovery: Some preclinical work shows faster recovery markers after exercise when cannabinoids are part of the regimen, lower muscle enzymes and improved repeat-performance.

• Seizure control: In refractory seizure cases (dogs already on multiple meds) CBD has shown about a 30–45%reduction in seizure frequency in some studies. We don’t yet have the data to replace phenobarbital as first-line therapy, but the signals are intriguing.

That said, the literature is still maturing. Sample sizes are small relative to other veterinary drug studies, and many questions remain about dose, formulation, and long-term use.

Safety, dosing, and the liver question

One of the biggest concerns handlers ask about is safety, especially liver effects and interactions with other drugs. Dr. Wakshlag’s message was pragmatic:

• Start low, go slow. Typical dosing windows in the literature tend to center around 1–3 mg/kg twice daily for many applications. For anxiety, handlers sometimes use 4–6 mg/kg (short-term, timed for events), but higher doses should be approached cautiously.

• High doses can alter liver enzymes. Studies show that at very high doses (10 mg/kg and above, and in pharma studies up to 25–100 mg/kg), you can see rises in alkaline phosphatase (ALK Phos) and sometimes ALT. Routine doses used in most clinical settings are generally well tolerated, but monitoring is wise—especially if your dog is on other medications.

• CBD is metabolized by the liver. That means it can interact with drugs processed by the same pathways. Owners should inform their vets about CBD use so abnormal bloodwork isn’t mistaken for disease, and so potential drug-drug interactions are considered.

• Adverse events are uncommon and generally mild. The most frequently reported effects are somnolence and slight GI upset. NASC (National Animal Supplement Council) adverse event data suggest CBD’s risk profile is similar to common supplements like fish oil — but quality matters.

Quality matters — the Wild West problem

Dr. Wakshlag used the phrase “wild west” to describe the supplement marketplace, and for good reason. In his own work, his group analyzed store products and found huge variability in CBD concentrations. And in a few cases, contaminants like lead or arsenic. His practical advice for handlers:

• Look for third-party Certificates of Analysis (COAs). Reputable manufacturers publish lab results showing cannabinoid concentrations and tests for heavy metals, pesticides, and solvents.

• Look for NASC certification if available. It’s not perfect, but it provides an extra layer of audit and safety assurance.

• Pay attention to concentration and cost per mg. A larger bottle isn’t better if the CBD concentration is low.

How to think about CBD for your hunting dog

• Use CBD as a tool, not a cure. It can be part of multimodal pain management (with NSAIDs and rehab), a travel/anxiety plan, or palliative care for older dogs. But it’s not a substitute for diagnostics or surgery when needed.

• Tailor the timing. Use short-term, higher dosing for situational anxiety (travel, storms) and lower steady dosing for chronic pain management.

• Monitor and partner with your vet. Bring the product’s COA to your appointment and have baseline bloodwork if you plan on long-term use.

• Be patient and observant. Effects can be subtle: improved willingness to go on a walk, better second-day performance after a trial, calmer travel behavior. Keep a log so you can assess benefit.

Final thought: more seasons with your dog

If there was one line from Dr. Wakshlag that stuck with me, it was this: sometimes CBD brings owners their dog back. Not in a miracle way, but by improving appetite, reducing discomfort, and restoring a little spark in older dogs. For handlers who live for another season with their dog, those small changes matter.

CBD isn’t a silver bullet. It’s a promising piece of the puzzle: one more tool that, used carefully and with good product selection, can help our canine partners stay comfortable, focused, and in the field where they belong.