Hemp seeds are safe for cats to eat, and they are packed with omega fatty acids and amino acids. Our feline friends could benefit from the addition of hemp seeds to their diets as a minor supplement.
It's important to note that hemp seeds do not contain CBD or THC. Hemp seeds don't have the same set of benefits as hemp oil for cats (also known as CBD oil).
This article will briefly cover the benefits of hemp seeds for cats, as well as a few things to watch out for when purchasing.
Hemp Seeds are Safe for Cats to Eat
While there haven't been peer-reviewed studies on the safety of hemp seeds for cats, they are generally regarded as safe to consume. That said, you shouldn't make hemp seeds a regular staple of your cat's diet.
If your cat eats hemp seeds on accident, there's no need to visit the veterinarian unless your cat starts showing unusual symptoms.
Some cat owners have reported their cats throwing up after eating too many hemp seeds (i.e. breaking into a bag or eating excessively). If your cat is showing unusual signs, give your vet a call, make note of the symptoms, and have them looked at.
Healthy cats should have no issue eating a few hemp seeds here and there, and there might even be some health benefits of doing so.
What are The Benefits of Hemp Seeds for Cats?
Hemp seeds are packed with omega-3s and omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-6s (gamma linolenic acid) is more difficult to find on the shelves, so the occasional addition of hemp seeds to your cat's food could be a positive thing so long as you're not feeding hemp seeds excessively.
Omega fatty acids are extremely important to cat health, contributing to immune health, coat health, cardiovascular health, a healthy inflammatory response, joint support, and more.
Healthy fats are the key benefit that hemp seeds have to offer cats.
What are The Risks of Giving Cats Hemp Seeds?
The main risk to watch out for is that hemp seeds could upset your cat's stomach and cause them to vomit. It's likely that your cat will throw up if they eat too many hemp seeds in one sitting.
Additionally, long-term studies haven't been done on feeding cats hemp seeds regularly. For this reason, it's not recommended to give your cats hemp seeds every day as a dietary staple.
If you do give your cats hemp seeds, make sure to purchase a pure hemp seed product that's free from additional ingredients.
Hemp Seed Oil vs Hemp Seeds for Cats
Raw hemp seed oil is also safe for cats and may be comparable to fish oil in its nutritional profile. Hemp seed oil is likely an easier alternative to actual hemp seeds because you can drop it onto your cat's food with similar benefits.
It's important to note that hemp oil for cats and hemp seed oil are different. Hemp seed oil is an oil extracted from hemp seeds, and hemp oil is extracted from the whole hemp plant.
The key difference is that hemp oil contains CBD, which is known for a variety of benefits for cats, whereas hemp seed oil lacks CBD and boasts a broader profile of omega fatty acids.
Conclusion
Hemp seeds are generally okay to give cats, but they shouldn't be a staple of their diets because there haven't been studies on the long-term effects of hemp seeds for cats.
Still, hemp seeds have a rich nutritional profile containing omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. Hemp oil, on the other hand, is generally considered safe for long-term feeding in healthy cats and offers benefits like mobility support, inflammatory support, and natural calming.
If your cat eats too many hemp seeds and starts vomiting, monitor their behavior and give your vet a call if you notice additional unusual symptoms.
