What is hemp seed oil?
Hemp seed oil is extracted from the seed of the Cannabis sativa plant also known as the hemp plant. The oil is extracted by cold pressing the whole raw seeds of the plant similar to the way olive oil is made thus making it vegan and vegetarian friendly. As a result, the color of the oil is clear green and has a nutty flavor.
Hemp Seed oil is made from pure hemp seed itself and does not contain much THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive component, that makes you feel “high”. So, do not fret, there is an extremely low risk of getting your pooch “high”. Just to give you a comparison, a cannabis plant can contain high THC levels of up to 28%, while the hemp plant’s THC concentration does not exceed more than 0.3% although this has been widely disputed according to a cannabis research paper.
There are many health benefits that come from its abundance of 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids found in the oil: linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, and gamma-linolenic acid. These acids help in promoting skin health, contain anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties and improve heart health.
Hemp seed oil vs CBD oil: What’s the difference?
As the name suggests, hemp seed oil is a cold pressed oil that is extracted from hemp seeds while CBD (Cannabidiol) oil on the other hand comes from the hemp plant and its oil is extracted from the flowers, stem and stalk. Because hemp seed oil does not have CBD, hemp seed oil does not contain CBD or THC while the other parts of the hemp plant contain CBD.
Hemp seed oil tends to have a light green color with a nutty flavor while CBD oil can range from slightly golden to dark brown or black in some mixtures. The look of the CBD oil is affected by the type of carrier oil used and as a rule, the darker the color, the more concentrated the CBD oil is.
| Hemp seed oil | CBD oil (Cannabidiol oil) |
| Made from seeds | Made using the whole plant- flower, stalk, stems |
| Poor source of CBD | High concentration of CBD |
| Does not require a carrier oil | Requires a carrier oil (usually MCT oil) |
| Light green | Clear to dark brown |
| Nutty, earthy taste | Herbal, grassy taste |
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5 Benefits of Hemp Seed oil
Improves skin health
Because hemp seed oil is rich in omega fatty acids 3,6 and 9, which helps lock in moisture to repair the skin barrier and rejuvenate dry and flaky skin. It also acts as a humectant so it draws moisture to the skin. This has seen improvement in coat quality and reduced skin irritations: eczema, dandruff, rashes and allergic dermatitis.
You may ask yourself: “Can I put hemp seed oil onto my dog’s skin?” Yes, it is safe to do so. Hemp seed oil can also be applied topically onto your pup’s skin to soothe any skin irritations such as rashes, eczema.
Rich in Antioxidants
These small seeds sure pack a punch. Hemp seed oil is a superfood that is rich in free-radical fighting antioxidants that will help improve your pup’s immune system and lower the risk of health complications. What antioxidants do is reduce the risk of diseases such as cancer, heart attack, gastrointestinal issues just to name a few.
Improves heart health
Not only does hemp seed oil have a high amount of omega fatty acid, it is considered to have the ideal 3:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids to promote improved cholesterol levels and heart health. Hemp seed contains a high amount of amino acid arginine that lowers blood pressure and reduces heart risk. According to animal studies conducted, it was shown that hemp seed oil reduced the risk of atherosclerosis, blood pressure, cholesterol level and assisted in recovery after a heart attack.
Enhances gut health
Abundant in omega 3 fatty acids and anti-inflammatory properties, research has shown that hemp seed oil reduces the risk of gastrointestinal issues such as inflammatory bowel diseases. The omega essential fatty acids also help to promote good bacteria in the gut that assists with digestion and helps improve nutrients absorption.
Contains High anti-inflammatory properties
What’s special about the omega fatty acids in hemp seed oil strikes the “perfect” balance of fatty acid that is optimal for absorbing nutrients into the body. Hemp seed oil is also rich in GLA (gamma linolenic acid) compound that is known for its ability to fight inflammation. When supplemented onto a healthy diet, it can help reduce inflammation in some conditions such as arthritis, skin irritations and common joint problems.
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Is hemp seed oil safe for dogs?
Yes, it is relatively safe for your dogs to consume hemp seed oil. So far, there are no anecdotal cases showcasing severe side effects. The amount of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) in hemp seed oil contains very little to no THC (the psychoactive component), so don’t worry about it getting your dog “high”. As with every food, there is a slight chance of an allergic reaction so know what foods your dog is able to handle.
Potential risks and side effects of hemp seed oil
Avoid adding hemp seed oil while cooking
As hemp seed oil is a polyunsaturated oil, it is an unstable oil with relatively lower flash points than other oils. If you cook your pup’s food, it is very important to NOT add hemp seed oil until you’ve finished cooking. If you do, the oil will turn rancid and cause health problems such as diarrhea, vomiting if your pup eats it.
Do not use hemp seed oil with chicken
Chicken and hemp seed are both rich in polyunsaturated fat and omega fatty acids. Combining both of them would cause an excess fat intake. This mostly affects dogs with diets that are mainly chicken-based. Before giving your pup hemp seed oil, consult your vet especially if your pup diet is primarily poultry based.
Final thoughts
Hemp seed oil yields many health benefits when taken orally or topically. With such a rich nutrient profile, it is a great supplement for our canine friends to take. As always, consult your vet should you decide to test it out with your pup in order to get the best of this superfood.
Frequently Asked Questions
[sc_fs_multi_faq headline-0=”h3″ question-0=”Is hemp seed good for dogs? ” answer-0=”Hemp seed is an incredibly nutritious superfood that contains rich polyunsaturated omega fatty acids and many essential vitamins and minerals. There are a ton of health benefits that anecdotal studies have reported such as reduced skin irritations, reduced arthritis pain and improved brain cognitive functions, better gut health and more. ” image-0=”” headline-1=”h3″ question-1=”Does hemp seed oil calm dogs with anxiety?” answer-1=”Yes, because of its high concentrations of fatty acids and vitamin E, these help reduce stress and anxiety and other mental problems such as insomnia. In a 2019 human study, researchers found that hemp oil has a calming effect on the central nervous system and that it reduced anxiety in 79.2% of the study participants and 66.7% of them reported improved sleep quality. ” image-1=”” headline-2=”h3″ question-2=”Can hemp seed oil cause diarrhea in dogs?” answer-2=”Yes, it could potentially cause it if the hemp seed oil is cooked or paired with a chicken based food. Hemp seed oil has a low flash point that causes the oil to go rancid when exposed to heat. As chicken and hemp seed are both rich in polyunsaturated omega fatty acids, the amount of fat fed to your dog would be awfully high which could cause diarrhea as a response to the high fat intake. ” image-2=”” headline-3=”h2″ question-3=”” answer-3=”” image-3=”” count=”4″ html=”true” css_class=””]