Hemp oil and CBD oil are taking the health world by storm, thanks to the therapeutic effects of their cannabinoid compounds. These benefits can also be experienced by animals, but which oil is best for your pet – hemp or CBD?

Is it safe to give hemp or CBD oil to animals?

Both hemp and CBD oil contain cannabinoid compounds, namely CBD. CBD is a well-known health extract that has been used by humans for decades to improve various areas of health, but is it safe for animals?

The good news for your pet is that CBD is generally considered to have a high safety profile and many studies into CBD’s effects have been safely completed on various animal models. We also know that just like humans, mammals have an endocannabinoid system, meaning that it’s likely that they interact with cannabinoids in a similar way to us (1). 

Will it get my pet high?

You don’t have to worry about CBD oil or hemp oil getting your pet high. Both oils don’t contain THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis that is responsible for its characteristic high. 

Obviously, you don’t want your cat or dog in a state that could leave them scared and confused, so products without THC are the best option for animals. 

What’s the difference between broad-spectrum hemp oil and Isolate CBD oil?

At first look, it can be difficult to understand the difference between broad-spectrum hemp oil and isolate CBD oil. There are a lot of similarities between these two oils, but the main difference is that broad-spectrum oil contains the full range of compounds from the hemp plant, while Isolate CBD oil is an extract that only contains CBD. 

In both cases you can expect high amounts of CBD, but broad-spectrum oil also contains terpenes, flavonoids, and other compounds that naturally occur in hemp. 

So which is better? Some might prefer the target effects of CBD only, while others prefer the broader-spectrum effects of hemp oil that occur more naturally with plant consumption. 

The other thing that both broad-spectrum hemp oil and CBD oil have in common is that they do not contain THC, so both options can’t get your pet high. 

Is hemp or CBD oil the better option for your pet?

The choice between CBD oil and broad-spectrum hemp oil for your pet will depend on your preferences and your pet’s needs. If you’d rather your pet experience the targeted effects of just CBD, then CBD oil is probably your best choice. 

However, if you prefer a natural, broad-spectrum approach that provides all the naturally occurring properties of a plant, then you might find that broad-spectrum hemp oil is a better choice. 

The entourage effect

Some people prefer a full/broad spectrum approach to cannabis products due to the entourage effect. The entourage effect is a theory that compounds like CBD are more effective when consumed alongside the other compounds that occur within the plant it was extracted from. 

Benefits of CBD for animals

CBD is the main compound present in both hemp and CBD oil, so what health benefits can you expect from this cannabinoid for your pet? Research into CBD for animals has found that it may be able to:

• Reduce anxiety levels in rats (2)
• Improve the symptoms of osteoarthritis in dogs. One study found that CBD reduced pain levels and increased mobility in dogs with the condition (3). 
• Help treat seizures in dogs. A 2019 study found that CBD treatment over 12 weeks significantly reduced seizure frequency in dogs, with the animals experiencing a 33% reduction in seizures on average (4). 

While more research is needed into the potential effects of CBD on various different types of animals, other studies tell us that CBD also has the potential to help:

• Reduce inflammation (5)
• Improve sleep (6)
• Improve skin condition (7)
• Reduce stress (8)

How to give your pet hemp/CBD oil

These days there are plenty of CBD and hemp oil pet products on the market, making it even easier for you to incorporate these compounds into your pet’s routine. CBD and hemp pet food, snacks, and even grooming products are available to purchase. 

When it comes to dosing, it’s important to keep your pet’s size and needs in mind. A bigger dog with strong symptoms will likely require a higher dose, and vice versa. If you’ve bought pet-specific products they should come with dosing instructions. However if not it’s a good idea to start low and work up to higher doses if needed. 

As an example of appropriate dosing, CBD doses of 0.5mg/lb have been safely used in studies involving dogs (9). You can find our CBD oil for pets here.

The bottom line

Both hemp oil and CBD oil hold a lot of therapeutic potentials that could prove useful for your pet. Both products can’t get your pet high and can offer some impressive health benefits. The choice between the two will depend on whether you are looking for targeted CBD-only effects for your animal, or a more broad-spectrum approach.