As more and more people discover the benefits of CBD oil for their dogs, there’s more confusion about terms used to refer to particular hemp products. As part of our educational mission, we want to help our customers know the difference between hemp seed oil, CBD oil, and hemp oil for their pets.
Let's take a look at these distinctions and what they mean for our furry friends.
What Is The Hemp Plant?
Let’s get some terminology out of the way before we dive into the primary questions. First of all, what is hemp?
Hemp is a specific set of strains of the cannabis family of plants defined by law to have less than .3% of the psychoactive compound THC. THC is the compound that contributes to the well-known psychoactive effects of cannabis. Hemp, and products made from it, were made legal at the federal level by the 2018 Farm Bill.
Contrary to popular belief, there is more than one strain of hemp. In fact, leaders in the CBD health industry (such as Lolahemp) who have seed-to-bottle control of their products are developing strains of hemp that provide a robust profile of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.
So-called “industrial hemp” was originally developed for use in textile and feed applications and is not the same as is currently being used in high-quality CBD and hemp products. Still, the legal restriction on the amount of THC is maintained, ensuring a safe product for our pets.
Hemp Seed Oil: It May Not Contain What You Think
Hemp seed oil is made by refining the seeds of the hemp plant. It is an oil-based product that has various potential health benefits for both people and pets.
Most popularly, hemp seed oil is used for its nutritional benefits. According to Healthline, the nutritional benefits of hemp seed oil may include:
- High in linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3), two essential fatty acids that may contribute to heart health and lower cholesterol levels
- High in the specific amino acid known as arginine which produces nitric acid in the blood which may lower blood pressure, reducing a major risk for heart disease
- Offers an excellent source of plant-based protein and fat
While it may be true that hemp seed oil has some important nutritional benefits, it is critical to understand that it also has little or no CBD, the compound found in hemp that has been the subject of many research studies in the last few decades.
CBD Oil and Hemp Oil for Dogs: Same Thing?
In almost all cases, CBD oil and hemp oil both refer to products made from the hemp plant (rather than the seeds). The oil is made by extracting the compounds in the hemp plant through chemical and mechanical means.
There is no legally defined difference between the label “CBD oil” and “hemp oil” and manufacturers of these products often use the terms interchangeably.
It is important to read the label of any CBD or hemp oil that you buy. Look for a guaranteed concentration analysis of CBD, the active compound found in hemp. For example, here at Lolahemp, we offer third-party testing for every batch of our full spectrum hemp oil (also known as CBD oil).
IMPORTANT NOTE: Some CBD products made for people in states where cannabis is legal could be made from strains of cannabis other than hemp and may contain higher amounts of THC than is safe for pets.
Never feed your dogs CBD products made for people! Pet parents and their pets have different physiological systems, and some human CBD products could be dangerous to dogs.
CBD Isolate vs Full Spectrum: The Difference that Matters
All plants in the cannabis family, including hemp, have a variety of compounds in them that have been the subject of numerous scientific studies in the medical field.
By far, most of this research has focused on the two primary compounds found in cannabis CBD (Cannabidiol) and THC. Other cannabinoids found in hemp include (but are not limited to) CBG, CBC, and CBN.
Some manufacturers first chemically isolate the compound CBD into a pure powder before making their products. You might see labels such as “THC Free” or “pure CBD isolate” to make this clear on the labeling.
Other manufacturers, such as Lolahemp, carefully and gently extract the oil from hemp so that it contains a full spectrum of the cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes found in the source plant. You can only verify the quality of a full-spectrum oil by looking at the cannabinoid profiles such as those we provide to our customers here at Lolahemp.
Why does this matter? Pioneers in the study of medical cannabis have identified what they call “The Entourage Effect” which suggests that the various compounds naturally found in cannabis help to support each other’s function through a synergistic effect on the endocannabinoid system.
In fact, the most recent veterinary studies exploring both osteoarthritis (joint pain) and seizures in dogs chose to use a full spectrum hemp oil extract for their clinical trials.
Lolahemp: Full Spectrum CBD Oils Specifically Made for Pets
Here at Lolahemp, we use both the terms “Hemp Oil” and “CBD oil” to refer to our high-quality organic tinctures and dog treats made with domestically sourced hemp. We pride ourselves on a robust full-spectrum oil made just with pets in mind. And, our customers have had great success with our product, many of whom did not see similar results after using CBD isolated oils.
If you are considering trying CBD oil for your dog, we hope you will give our family-owned brand a try. We are very proud of our quality, accessible prices, and commitment to animal welfare through our partnership with various animal rescue organizations. And, we offer a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try our product with confidence.
Related Question: Some readers of this article may appreciate this other informative article:
What Is the Difference Between CBD Oil for Dogs and People?
References:
https://www.fda.gov/news-events/congressional-testimony/hemp-production-and-2018-farm-bill-07252019
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/6-health-benefits-of-hemp-seeds
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/fat/art-20045550
https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/no-need-to-avoid-healthy-omega-6-fats
https://lolahemp.com/pages/lab-tests
https://lolahemp.com/blogs/news/cbg-oil-for-dogs
https://lolahemp.com/collections/tinctures
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2018.01969/full
https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/html/10.1055/s-0039-1692272
https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/254/11/javma.254.11.1301.xml
https://lolahemp.com/blogs/success-stories
https://lolahemp.com/blogs/news/what-is-the-difference-between-cbd-oil-for-dogs-and-people
