With cannabis compounds growing in popularity for human wellness, many pet owners are now exploring hemp and CBD oils to support their dogs’ health. However, there remains confusion surrounding hemp seed oil versus CBD oil and their distinct applications for dogs. Learning the key differences in their properties, sourcing and safety empowers pet owners to make informed choices about these products.
Sourcing Considerations
Both hemp seed and CBD oils originate from different varieties of Cannabis sativa plants. However, most commercial CBD oils are specifically sourced from industrial hemp strains maximized for cannabinoid content. Their extracts contain CBD along with various other cannabinoids and terpenes from aerial plant parts. In contrast, culinary hemp seed oil comes solely from hemp seeds, without cannabinoid content.
When selecting either topical, pet owners should vet the brand’s supply chain and processing standards. Domestically grown, organically farmed hemp under strict regulations helps ensure purity and safety. Certain extraction methods better preserve the complexity of the plant’s compounds (full spectrum oils).
Key Nutrients Provided
While lacking cannabinoids, cold-pressed hemp seed oil delivers a powerhouse of nutrients. Its top components include essential fatty acids like Omega-3 and Omega-6, minerals such as potassium and phosphorus and various proteins and vitamins. This makes hemp seed oil an excellent dietary supplement. Full spectrum CBD oils feature CBD as the primary cannabinoid, along with smaller amounts of CBC, CBG, CBN and others, as well as terpenes like pinene and limonene. This aims to leverage the “entourage effect” for amplified benefits.
Potential Wellness Benefits
Early studies reveal promising effects of CBD for canines, including relief for chronic pain and arthritis, seizure reduction and mitigation of nausea. Full spectrum hemp CBD oils may also alleviate anxiety behaviors and improve mobility issues that impact quality of life. While hemp seed oil is generally not medically active, its nutritional content alone can support general health, skin and coat vitality.
Safety Considerations and Serving Guidelines
Hemp seed oil has GRAS status from the FDA with no known side effects. It can be used liberally in dogs’ diets for nutrition. For CBD oil, most veterinarians recommend an initial low dose adjusted incrementally based on condition severity, size and individual reaction, while monitoring for drowsiness or interactions with other medications. Proper serving guidelines vary widely depending on the full spectrum oil concentration and manufacturer standards.
While still an emerging treatment, early research and veterinary guidance indicates full spectrum CBD oils may provide targeted wellness benefits when properly dosed. Daily use of hemp seed oil instead offers more general nutritional support with no risk of overdose. Consult your veterinarian for optimal incorporation based on your dog’s current health.
Conclusion:
while both derived from the cannabis plant, hemp seed oil and CBD oil have distinct compositional differences and therefore applications for dog wellness. Unadulterated cold-pressed hemp seed oil provides a highly digestible source of essential fatty acids, protein, vitamins and minerals to support general health, skin and coat when included in a balanced diet. In contrast, full spectrum CBD hemp oils extract a range of cannabinoids in addition to CBD, leveraging the entourage effect for targeted therapeutic potential. Early veterinary research indicates CBD’s promise to relieve chronic pain, arthritis, seizures, nausea and stress when properly dosed for the individual dog. Hemp-derived CBD oils also require more careful sourcing to uphold purity and potency standards. While hemp seed oil is primarily a nutritional supplement, full spectrum CBD hemp extracts are emerging as specialized functional supplements to specifically complement lifestyle factors and health conditions in canines. Consult with your holistic vet to determine which oil is right for your dog’s needs.
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