Using Hemp Products For Dogs: What Owners Should Know

One of the newer trends in holistic pet care is hemp products. Everywhere you look lately, you’ll see a vast amount of hemp products on shelves for human and animal consumption alike. Hemp has been around for eons, but suddenly it’s all the rage for human wellness and pet wellness. Here we’ll cover a basic primer on hemp, the benefits of treating dogs with hemp, and the most important piece of information we can provide: how to choose the best hemp product for your pets. It’s fundamental to know your hemp, like you know your pet.

A hemp primer

With hemp products gaining popularity, there’s been some confusion over the differences between hemp, CBD, and even cannabis. While hemp and marijuana are both cannabis varieties, they couldn’t be more different. Hemp contains negligible amounts of THC and cannot produce a high. Hemp also contains more CBD, a non-intoxicating compound with medical applications used for optimal health benefits. So, what’s the difference between hemp oil and CBD oil?

The difference is where the oil comes from. Hemp oil is produced from the seeds of a hemp plant and only contains trace amounts THC and CBD. CBD oil is produced from flower, leaves, and stalks and contains high amounts of CBD. When buying products with hemp oil, look for PCR hemp oil (phytocannabinoid-rich) which will include the full spectrum of healing hemp compounds.

Benefits of hemp for dogs

Hemp products are ideal for pet owners, trainers, veterinarians, groomers, and anyone else working closely with dogs that want to treat animals holistically without the use of harsh pharmaceutics. Hemp oil has been recommended for a variety of conditions including, but not limited to: pain relief, general or situational anxiety, seizure control, arthritis and joint discomfort, behavior modification, training aid, grooming, and even pets that need to be restricted due to injury, some dog owners use hemp oil to ease anxiety related to vet appointments and car trips.

Additional hemp benefits to be aware of

Hemp oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are best known for their health benefits. Supplementing these omegas helps facilitate absorption of fat soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, and K. Omegas are also known to reduce inflammation, support immune function, help dogs with allergies and skin conditions, and increased joint health.

Many pet owners are wisely using hemp products as a preventive measure for joint health and other aging related conditions. Preventative joint care is especially important if you have a pet that’s breed makes them prone to conditions such as hip dysplasia and luxating patella, or canine arthritis.

What to look for when buying hemp products for pet use

It’s critical that pet owners ask the right questions when it comes to product quality. With so many hemp products on the market, there’s a huge variety available at pet stores and even dispensaries. Even many veterinarians aren’t always aware of the differences in quality, so it’s important to ask the right questions.

Does it contain organic hemp? Is the product specifically marked how many milligrams any particular volume contains? How is the hemp oil distilled? Are the products made in the USA? Where is the hemp grown? Are products large batch or small batch? What are the carrier oils used? Are those carrier oils clean and safe for dogs? Are all the ingredients listed on the label?

Once you’ve done your research on the product, take a look at the company as a whole. You want a company that’s not new to the marketplace. While you won’t likely find hemp companies that have been around years and years, you should be able to find one that’s been in business since the farm act of 2014.

Look for a company who has consumer testimonials sharing their pet’s results, and is 100% transparent with labeling, specifically how much hemp oil each product contains. Even better if you can find a company that shares their certificates of analysis. A company with great customer service is another benefit. You want a company that will answer the phone or email when you reach out for advice and help. After all, you want the best for your beloved dog.

How to Dose Your Dog

Recommended starting dose for dogs is 1 mg of organic full-spectrum terpene rich PCR hemp oil per 10 pounds of animal weight. Use every 4-8 hours as needed or recommended by your veterinarian. If treating for situational anxiety, dose 30 minutes prior.

Reported Benefits of Hemp in Animals

• For one, hemp oil may help with occasional stiffness.
• Hemp oil may help with movement ease.
• Hemp oil may help with situational anxiety and to calm nerves.

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Sarah Nielson is the CMO of Healthy Hemp Pet Company and an avid animal lover. When she’s not taking care of her rescue dogs, she’s obsessively researching holistic healthcare. She grew up on a farm and still dreams of someday owning a small farm for the purpose of a pug rescue ranch.