[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Health-conscious dog parents are always eager to find the best products and ingredients to support their furry faves. After all, our besties deserve nothing less than the very best, right? So, it's no wonder why one ingredient in particular has piqued the interest of so many pet parents lately.
Chances are, you've heard that hemp is becoming one of the biggest health trends for dogs. And hey, if you're feeling a little skeptical about why, you’re not alone! There are a lot of myths about what hemp is all about, so we know it can be a little tough to separate fact from fiction.
Learn what hemp is, if it's safe and how it can benefit your pup.
What is Hemp?
When it comes to hemp, the best place to start is with the basics.
Hemp is derived from the
Cannabis sativa plant family and typically comes in the form of hemp extract or in most supplements. This is normally achieved by a process called cold-pressing, which is a low-temperature process that preserves the omegas that hemp has to offer. More on that in a bit!
Did the "cannabis" part of the plant name make you pause for a second? That’s understood! At first glance,
Cannabis sativa might give off major marijuana vibes, but rest assured that hemp-based products are not designed to get your pup high.
The most important question you’ll have is about safety.
Is Hemp Safe to Use?
Although hemp and marijuana both come from the
Cannabis sativa family, there is one huge difference that makes hemp and marijuana miles apart.
That difference is a substance called THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). In so many words, THC is the intoxicating substance found in marijuana. But, here's where you can let out a sigh of relief. Hemp seed-derived supplements do not contain any THC whatsoever.
In fact, hemp-based products are FDA-regulated to avoid high levels of THC. That means supplement brands can't just sneak in a bunch of "trippy" stuff and get away with it.
Hemp Oil vs CBD Oil for Dogs
At some point in your hemp research, you may have come across CBD and wondered whether hemp and CBD (Cannabidiol) are one in the same. Not the case! They might come from the same
Cannabis sativa plant we've been talking about, but there's one thing that sets them apart.
Hemp seed products contain no THC, whereas CBD-based products are formulated and regulated to contain less than 0.3% THC. But, why does CBD have THC at all?
THC, in extremely low amounts, provides unique support for dogs that differ from hemp-based products. So, believe it or not, THC isn't a bad thing! As long as it meets the 0.3% limit, CBD provides its own array of benefits without getting dogs high either.
In short,
hemp and CBD might not be the same, but they're both great in their own way and one isn’t better or worse than the other.
Before moving on, below is a summary:
- Hemp Products: No THC, safe for supplements and does not cause a high
- CBD Products: Less than 0.3% THC, safe for supplements and does not cause a high
- Marijuana: More than 0.3% THC, not allowed in supplements and will cause a high
Hemp Benefits & What to Try
What does hemp actually do to support your canine companions?
Hemp seed-derived supplements provides pups with a pawsome source of SDA (Stearidonic Acid). The SDA found in hemp is able to convert to omega-3 fatty acids such as
EPA and DHA. If you know your omegas, that should be exciting news!
As a precursor to those beneficial (and popular) long-chain fatty acids,
hemp seeds help to support the canine immune system (which is a pretty big deal). A strong immune system has never been more important, and your pup is no exception.
So, if you're looking to find a great hemp-based supplement for your pup to try, consider
Zesty Paws® Hemp Elements™ 8-in-1 Bites™. These soft chews combine the benefits of hemp with other premium and paw-erful ingredients to provide eight great benefits that support your pup's Zesty life. So, whether it's for a healthy immune system, tummy health or keeping the spring in their step, these chewables have your canine covered!
Two Tips to 'Hemp' Out
As with any new supplement you're giving your dog, it’s important to chat with your veterinarian before introducing a new hemp-derived supplement into your doggy's diet. Your vet can refer to your pup's health history to share some insight on how hemp might help, so it's definitely worth the appointment.
Start off slow with their new hemp product. Begin with half the suggested dosage for a few weeks to give your dog some time to get accustomed to every ingredient. From there, you can follow the normal directions on the container. Easy peasy!
Otherwise, we hope this article was helped you learn more about all the hemp hype. Until next time, thanks for reading! Oh, and give your pup a pat on the head for us. Tell 'em it's from their friends at Zesty Paws®.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title="Featured Products" border_width="2"][vc_row_inner equal_height="yes" content_placement="middle" gap="35"][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="160263" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1654100122979{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/zesty-paws-hemp-elements-8-in-1-multifunctional-soft-chews"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="160264" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1654100187296{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/zesty-paws-hemp-elements-calming-orasticks"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="160262" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1654100216620{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/zesty-paws-calming-soft-chews-for-everyday-stress-for-dogs"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]
