Hemp Oil vs CBD Oil for Dogs: Which One Is Better for Your Pet?
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Time to read 8 min
With the increasing concern surrounding traditional synthetic remedies, pet owners are now turning to natural products to help support their pets' health. In the United States, over 48% of pet owners used CBD products for their pets in 2021, which rose to 65% in 2023. This newfound preference also extends to using hemp oils, as its market has experienced a compound annual growth rate of 5.3% in the last five years.
Although the CBD oil market is significantly larger than that for hemp oil, both oils are in high demand. Pet owners are turning to these remedies for anxiety and pain, to support heart health, skin health, and overall wellness for their pets. As a dog owner, you’re likely comparing hemp oil vs CBD oil for dogs and wondering what the difference is and which option is better suited for your pet.
Well, this depends on your dog’s needs. In this article, we'll compare hemp oil vs cbd oil for dogs. This will help you decide if hemp oil and cbd oil for dogs is better for your canine friend. Let’s get started.
Table of Content
What Is Hemp Oil? Source and composition of hemp oil Benefits for dogs What Is CBD Oil? Source and composition Benefits for dogs Key Differences Between Hemp Oil and CBD Oil Cannabinoid content Intended uses Legal considerations How to Choose the Right Option for Your Dog Identify your dog’s needs Consult your veterinarian Look for quality products FAQs Is human CBD oil the same for dogs? Do dogs get used to CBD oils? Is hemp or CBD oil better for calming dogs? Conclusion Products Featured In This Blog Related Readings
What Is Hemp Oil?
Hemp oil is the oil extracted from hemp seeds by cold-pressing them. Hemp is a variety of the Cannabis sativaplant. It is known for its richness in proteins, carbohydrates, and essential fatty acids (gamma-linolenic acid and linoleic acid) which are beneficial for heart and gut health, and brain function.
Source and composition of hemp oil
What differentiates hemp seeds from other parts of the hemp plant is that they contain little to no cannabinoids, which include cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (about 0.3% THC)--both substances found in cannabis leaves.
CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning it doesn’t cause a sensation of getting high. Meanwhile, THC has psychoactive effects.
As a result of the low THC levels in hemp seed oils, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration considers it “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) for human foods. Hemp oils also contain smaller compositions of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids.
Benefits for dogs
Hemp seed oil (hemp oil) supports heart health. It also has other potential health benefits for your dogs, including:
Hemp seeds have anti-inflammatory properties that can alleviate joint stiffness in dogs, particularly those with arthritis, providing natural relief through hemp seed oil.
Hemp seed oil promotes healthy skin and coat by penetrating the skin’s inner layers and preventing oxidative stress that affects cell growth.
Rich in antioxidants, hemp seeds boost the immune system; a 2022 study found that hemp oil increases vital immune components in teddy dogs.
Hemp seed oil serves as a supplement for overall wellness.
It supports respiratory health .
It also helps manage seasonal allergies.
Hemp oil aids in digestion.
What Is CBD Oil?
Unlike hemp oil which is extracted from the seeds, CBD oil is extracted from the rest of the hemp plant, specifically the leaves, flowers, and stalks. These parts of the plants are rich in cannabinoids, including cannabidiol (CBD), which has anti-inflammatory properties. Since CBD has non-psychoactive effects, it does not cause the “high” associated with THC. Full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD oils have immense therapeutic and nutritional benefits too.
Source and composition
CBD oil is derived from Cannabis sativa plant varieties with low THC content (below the legal limit). It is rich in cannabidiol, the active ingredient, and contains carrier oils, including hemp seed oil, coconut oils, or olive oil. Other cannabinoids like CBG (cannabigerol), CBC (cannabichromene), and CBN (cannabinol) are also present in full-spectrum CBD oil.
CBD oil contains healthy fats and natural essential fatty acids found in trace amounts in the hemp plant. Terpenes and flavonoids in CBD oil extracts help with neuroinflammation and are thought to prevent cancer.
Benefits for dogs
CBD primarily stimulates the endocannabinoid system, responsible for regulating mood, pain, and immune response, which benefits a pet's health. Other health benefits include.
CBD oil for dogs helps with managing anxiety and stress levels. Recent research in 2023 showed that a single dose of CBD oil can help reduce anxiety and stress in dogs during separation and car travel.
Full-Spectrum (1,000mg) Happy-Furever™ CBD oil contains antioxidant properties that help manage chronic pain and inflammation.
The cannabidiol content in CBD oils may help reduce pain in dogs with arthritis and seizures in dogs with epilepsy.
CBD oils may help reduce aggressive behaviors in dogs towards humans, thus improving behavioral issues.
Key Differences Between Hemp Oil and CBD Oil
Although both oils stimulate the endocannabinoid system, they differ in how they work. Here are the key differences between hemp oil vs. CBD oil for dogs.
Cannabinoid content
Hemp oil contains no CBD but is rich in nutrients like fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, proteins, and antioxidants. CBD oil is rich in cannabidiol. Cannabidiol makes up about 60% or more of the total cannabinoid content found in medicinal cannabis plant extracts.
Intended uses
While people mainly use CBD oil for therapeutic purposes like managing pain and anxiety, seizures, and pruritus (itchy skin), they also use hemp oil as a dietary supplement. Research shows that due to its nutrient-dense profile, dogs' hemp oil can help improve digestion, blood metabolism, and immunity.
Legal considerations
Although both oils are legal, regulations around pet CBD oil use depend on location. Under certain state laws, CBD derived from hemp plants containing 0.3% THC or less is legal.
For example, the 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp products from the legal definition of marijuana, making hemp-derived CBD products federally legal. However, pet CBD use is still heavily regulated in certain states of the U.S. and some European countries like Belgium.
Hempseed oil, on the other hand, is often accepted in some states in the US as a dietary supplement but not as a food or dog's food ingredient. The FDA has not officially approved hemp or hemp-derived products (like CBD or hemp seed oil) for use in animal feed or pet foods.
How to Choose the Right Option for Your Dog
After considering the different qualities of hemp oil and CBD oil for dogs, choosing the best fit for your furry friend may feel overwhelming. Do you get CBD dog treats or pet CBD oils? Here are a few things to consider.
Identify your dog’s needs
Hempseed oil might be a good choice if your dog needs general wellness support (healthy coat, and skin, or reduced joint discomfort). If your dog has specific issues like anxiety or pain, pet CBD oil might be more beneficial.
Consult your veterinarian
Before introducing either product to your pet, it’s important to discuss with your veterinarian which is best and what quantities of pet hemp oil and CBD oil for dogs are safe. Also, seeing a vet is paramount if your pet is on medication or has health issues.
Look for quality products
Ensure that whichever product you use has been lab-tested to ensure purity and safety. Full-Spectrum (1,000mg) Happy-Furever™ CBD oil has a 3rd party certificate of analysis that provides an unbiased assessment of its product’s safety, purity, and potency.
Also, look for ingredients and the expiration number on the hemp oil and CBD oil for dogs labels to ensure you’re using a high-quality product.
FAQs
Is human CBD oil the same for dogs?
Yes. Human CBD oils target the endocannabinoid system in humans, just as they do in dogs. The concentration may be higher in human CBD. Ensure you’re using a high-quality CBD oil for your dog’s safety.
Do dogs get used to CBD oils?
Yes. If pet owners do not use CBD oils correctly, dogs can build a tolerance towards them, which is why they should consult a vet before use.
Is hemp or CBD oil better for calming dogs?
CBD oils would benefit your dog if it has anxiety issues. Hemp oil is a better fit for improving overall wellness and immunity.
Conclusion
Choosing between hemp oil vs. CBD oil for dogs requires you to consider your pet’s needs first. Although both oils are extracted from the hemp plant, each has a different cannabinoid content, making them beneficial to dogs in specific ways. Weigh your options and benefits to choose the right hemp oil and CBD oil for dogs for your dog. Remember to consult your vet and make informed choices with hemp oil and CBD oil for dogs to ensure your pet’s well-being.
Dr. Kathryn Rosalie Dench
With nearly two decades of experience, Cambridge veterinarian Dr. Kathryn Dench is dedicated to enhancing animal health through holistic practices. A member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, she focuses on preventive care over traditional methods, particularly for long-term wellness solutions in pets suffering from anxiety and chronic conditions. As Chief Scientific Advisor at Paw Origins, she champions holistic strategies and education to revolutionize pet care practices.
Products Featured In This Blog
Related Readings
Do Paw Origins products undergo laboratory testing?
Yes! Our manufacturing process involves undergoing 3 rounds of quality testing at 3rd-party laboratory at both the batch and product level. We have strict rules when it comes to quality and standards.
When testing, if a certain element is off on that batch, we throw away all of it and start over. After the product has been through the whole procedure, the testing is over and the product officially has a Certificate of Analysis (COA), which ensures the safety of your furry friends.
You will be surprised at the amount of garbage and harmful ingredients there are in cheap, low-quality products being sold in the market. They are extremely damaging to your pet’s health, and more dog owners should be aware of the ingredients used. Our products have ingredients you can read and pronounce, and contain only the highest quality organic ingredients.
Could you share about the manufacturing process?
Unlike many faulty products and some of these best-sellers you see on Amazon that have heavy metal toxicity, and mislabeling, our manufacturing facility is GMP certified .
A GMP Certification means there's an emphasis on quality, documentation, inspection, and safety. Further, our manufacturing process is environmentally friendly, using a clean C02 extraction. We don't overproduce in this artisan process. Quality is of great importance to us. We also have 3rd Party Lab Results to verify and assure the highest quality of our products.
