Is Hemp or CBD Better for Calming Dogs?
Just like humans, dogs are prone to anxiety and stress, which can cause long-term behavioral issues if not addressed on time. Anxiety creeps in when dogs are left alone at home or when there’s a sudden change in their environment. During long travels, and amidst loud noises, our furballs feel very isolated and scared.
So it’s natural that dog owners are always searching for natural ways to help their canine friends stay calm and composed during stressful times. Owing to this increased interest in clean and organic dog wellness products, hemp-derived products like CBD tinctures, and hemp oil have become quite popular. But which one is better?
Aren’t both hemp and CBD oil the same? Well, that’s exactly what we will explore in this article. Meanwhile, you can also check out our best CBD oil for dogs recommendations.
Is hemp oil the same as CBD Oil?
No, both hemp and CBD oil are different products. People confuse them because both come from the same plants. However, there’s quite some difference between the effects of hemp and CBD oil on mammals.
Cannabidiol, or CBD is the main constituent of CBD oils, and it’s extracted from flowers, leaves, and stalks of hemp plants. It contains a wide range of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, all of which work in synergy to create an entourage effect.
As per CBD laws, CBD oils can not have more than 0.3% of the intoxicating cannabinoid THC in them. Most pet-focused CBD oils are broad spectrum i.e. they have zero THC in them.
Whereas, Hemp oil is extracted from the seeds of hemp plants using a cold-pressing technique. Unlike flowers and leaves, there are no cannabinoids in the seeds of hemp plants.
That’s why Hemp oils don’t have any cannabinoids in them, instead, they have several other beneficial nutrients like omega-3, gamma-linolenic acid, fatty acids, and certain proteins. It’s more of a nutritional definitely fulfilling product.
Is hemp beneficial for dogs?
Yes, Hemp oil is beneficial for your dogs’ overall well-being. You can simply put a few drops in your dog’s food bowl, or put it in their mouth directly if they cooperate. Unlike CBD Oil, hemp oil doesn’t have a strong smell or taste, so your dog won’t mind it.
You can also invest in hemp-infused balms and lotions to improve your dog’s fur and skin health. But what about calming effects? Well, hemp oil is good for that as well. There are plenty of anecdotal reports from pet parents that show that regular dosing of hemp oil helps their dog to remain calm during car travels, loud noises, separation, and changes in surroundings or routine.
You can say that hemp oil is a natural anxiety and stress reliever. Other than your dog’s emotional well-being, hemp oil can also help improve their gut health, protect their brain cells, improve their digestion, and help with mild pain and inflammation.
This happens because it’s rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and acids which are capable of boosting your pups’s overall health.
Is CBD good for calming dogs?
Yes, just like hemp oil, CBD oil is also effective in making your dog calm during anxious and stressful situations. It produces much stronger calming effects than hemp oil. The cannabinoids present in CBD oil directly impact and improve the working of the Endocannabinoid system.
This Endocannabinoid system is a complex cell signaling network that is responsible for maintaining a state of balance in the body. It does so by controlling anxiety levels, stress response, pain perception, sleep cycles, appetite levels, and more.
All of this is done through the interaction of CB1 and CB2 receptors with the body’s self-produced neurotransmitters. CBD does not bind to these receptors directly, instead, it improves their absorption power and also increases the release of said neurotransmitters.
That’s why CBD oil can help your dog sleep, eat, walk, and rest better. It’s also good for curbing pain and inflammation, especially after surgeries or too much activity in a day.
Also, CBD oil for dogs usually comes in unique flavors like salmon or peanut butter, because dogs are quite picky about smells and flavors. You can also opt for unflavored options like Pet CBD oil from Colorado Botanicals.
Hemp vs CBD: Which is better for calming your dog?
See, both hemp and CBD can be good for calming your dogs, but you’ll have to decide based on how much anxiety and stress your dog has. For mild anxiety, like occasional restlessness or general stress, hemp oil can be sufficient.
But for moderate to severe anxiety, CBD is a better choice. Due to its direct impact on both cannabinoid and non-cannabinoid receptors, CBD produces a much stronger calming effect. Especially when dogs are highly stressed and anxious during traveling and environmental change.
As for safety, both have quite good safety profiles. However, in higher doses CBD may cause slight dehydration, fatigue, and digestive issues. That’s why it’s always recommended to start with a low dose and then gradually increase it over time.
Finally, from a financial point of view, CBD does cost a bit more than hemp oil. Plus, you can easily find hemp products in your local grocery stores or supermarkets. Whereas, for CBD oil you’ll have to go to a dedicated CBD shop or buy it online from a reputable vendor.
The End Note
To sum it up, both CBD and hemp oils have their unique set of healing and therapeutic properties. Both can help your dog to calm down during stressful and anxious situations. However, CBD produces much stronger effects, so for severe conditions, it will be a better choice than hemp oil.
It’s best to buy them both and use them accordingly as per your dog’s day-to-day wellness requirements. CBD is a bit expensive, so at times when your dog has only mild anxiety, you can give it hemp oil instead and save the cost over time. Whichever you buy, just make sure to get it from reputable and well-tested brands like Colorado Botanicals.