Hemp vs. CBD
Hemp vs. CBD for Pets
What is the difference and is it safe for my pet?
Hemp vs. CBD
What is the difference and
is it safe for my pet?
"Calming chews" continue to gain momentum in the pet wellness world, but for those of you considering hemp and CBD products for the first time, it can be overwhelming. In this blog we'll break down the basics of hemp and CBD so that you can make an informed and educated decision about whether or not it is right for your pet.
First, lets start with the basics where does hemp and CBD come from?
- Hemp and CBD both come from the same plant: the cannabis sativa plant
- The cannabis sativa plant has a hemp species and a marijuana species
- Commercially grown cannabis plants used in the production of hemp products are rich in cannabidiol "CBD" and low in tetrahydrocannabinol "THC" (no more than 0.3%)
- These commercially grown cannabis plants are different from the marijuana cannabis plant which contains higher levels of THC (5% to 20%) and is responsible for the "high" a user experiences
- In other words, you are not getting your dog or cat stoned when you give them hemp
What is the difference between hemp and CBD?
- Now that we've established both hemp and CBD come from the same plant - what is the difference between the two?
- Hemp seed, hemp powder, and hemp oil are all extracted from the seeds of the cannabis plant which include zero THC and little to no CBD
- CBD oil is extracted from other parts of the plant like its stem, leaves and flowers, which do contain varying amounts of cannabinoids
What is so good about hemp?
- Hemp seeds are considered one of the best sources of plant protein and are very high in nutritional value
- Hemp seeds are full of Omega-3, Omega-6 and Omega-9 essential fatty acids, GLA (gamma linolenic acid) and a 9 essential amino acids
- Hemp seeds contain zinc, iron, calcium, magnesium, and antioxidants which all support the immune system and heart health
- Hemp is a multi-functional ingredient that may reduce inflammation, calm swelling and irritation, offers pain management, helps treat arthritis, seizures and anxiety
How do I know my pet could benefit from a hemp product?
- There are both physical and behavioral signs that your dog or cat could benefit from a calming chew, many of these are signs that your pet suffers from stress or anxiety
- Physical signs include:
- Panting or drooling
- Pacing or restlessness
- Shaking or shivering
- Excessive barking and licking
- Hyperactivity and jumping
- Down ears or tail-tucking
- Tail-chasing or circling
- Urinating or defecating indoors
- Behavioral signs include:
- Depression or moodiness
- Aggression
- Destructive behavior (chewing or scratching furniture)
- Hiding or escaping behavior
- Reduced activity
- Repetitive or compulsive behavior
- Refusal of food or treats
- Changes in body posture
Maintain your dog's grooming, especially in the winter months
What is the hype about hemp?
- Hemp seeds are considered one of the best sources of plant protein and are very high in nutritional value
- Hemp seeds are full of Omega-3, Omega-6 and Omega-9 essential fatty acids, GLA (gamma linolenic acid) and a 9 essential amino acids
- Hemp seeds contain zinc, iron, calcium, magnesium, and antioxidants which all support the immune system and heart health
- Hemp is a multi-functional ingredient that may reduce inflammation, calm swelling and irritation, offers pain management, helps treat arthritis, seizures and anxiety
How do I know my pet could benefit from a hemp product?
- There are both physical and behavioral signs that your dog or cat could benefit from a calming chew, many of these are signs that your pet suffers from stress or anxiety
- Physical signs:
- Panting or drooling
- Pacing or restlessness
- Shaking or shivering
- Excessive barking and licking
- Hyperactivity and jumping
- Down ears or tail-tucking
- Tail-chasing or circling
- Urinating or defecating indoors
- Behavioral signs:
- Depression or moodiness
- Aggression
- Destructive behavior (chewing or scratching furniture)
- Hiding or escaping behavior
- Reduced activity
- Repetitive or compulsive behavior
- Refusal of food or treats
- Changes in body posture
What are reasons why my pet is suffering from stress or anxiety?
- One of the most common examples of why your pet is having anxiety is previous trauma, especially if they are a rescue or adopted dog or cat
- Other potential common causes of stress and anxiety for pets include:
- Heavy rain or thunderstorms
- Separation anxiety (especially after COVID, pet owners returning to work after being home all day have left many pets with separation anxiety)
- Sudden routine changes (you going back to the office, a new pet, new house, new furniture, presence of a new significant other/roommate)
- Doggy daycare or kennel stays (while fun for some, these can be traumatizing and triggering experiences for others)
- Vet and groomer visits
- Regular grooming or bathing at home can also be stressful for many pets
- Fireworks and other loud noises
- Car rides and traveling
- Vulnerability to due injury (injured pets may hoard resources like water and food)
- Stressful situations (large number of guests over for a party or the holidays may be stressful or overstimulating for your pet)
What are reasons why my pet is suffering from stress or anxiety?
- One of the most common examples of why your pet is having anxiety is previous trauma, especially if they are a rescue or adopted dog or cat
- Other potential common causes of stress and anxiety for pets include:
- Heavy rain or thunderstorms
- Separation anxiety (especially after COVID, pet owners returning to work after being home all day have left many pets with separation anxiety)
- Sudden routine changes (you going back to the office, a new pet, new house, new furniture, presence of a new significant other/roommate)
- Doggy daycare or kennel stays (while fun for some, these can be traumatizing and triggering experiences for others)
- Vet and groomer visits
- Regular grooming or bathing at home can also be stressful for many pets
- Fireworks and other loud noises
- Car rides and traveling
- Vulnerability to due injury (injured pets may hoard resources like water and food)
- Stressful situations (large number of guests over for a party or the holidays may be stressful or overstimulating for your pet)
How can I give hemp or CBD to my dog or cat?
- There are various formats and ways to give your pet hemp or CBD products; here are a few:
- Tinctures
- PRO: CBD oil will offer the most potency with quicker results
- CON: its difficult to get the dosage correct and there is no hiding it from your pet
- Soft Chews
- PRO: Easiest to give, often better tasting than oil, can be crumbled into a meal or given on the go
- CON: may need to give your pet several based on their weight
- Topicals
- PRO: non-invasive way to provide your pet with relief, may also provide other skin benefits
- CON: messiest of all options, and generally not as effective as orally administered products since it has to be absorbed through the skin, difficult dosage accuracy
- Remember, not all pets will like the taste or smell of hemp / CBD products so selecting a format that is easiest for you to give your pet will improve the likelihood of success and offer your dog the most therapeutic benefits
How quickly do hemp / CBD products take to start working?
- CBD oil usually takes 1-4 hours to start working and usually tends to work faster than soft chews
- Calming chews or hemp chews may also work within a few hours for your pet, but because they also contain other ingredients that need to be digested, broken down and absorbed it may take longer
- As a rule for all soft chew supplements, we recommend having it in your pet's system for 2-4 weeks of consistent daily use prior to making judgement on whether or not it works for them
What factors will impact how hemp / CBD work for my pet?
- Every pet is different and will react differently to hemp / CBD products
- Your pet's body weight, diet, activity level, frequency of product use (daily, weekly, once in a blue moon), will all impact how well and how long hemp / CBD will work on your pet
- Never give your pet a hemp or CBD product for the first time and then leave them unattended
- We also always recommend starting off with a small dosage and seeing how your pet reacts before going to the full dosage amount
What should I look for when selecting a hemp or CBD product for my pet?
- Look for a brand that completes third party tests from an independent laboratory
- For CBD products look for a COA (certificate of analysis) that should contain a batch number, CBD level, THC level and other compounds
- Transparency of concentration / potency of ingredients being used in an amount-per-serving not total bottle
- Be aware of where you purchase CBD products from, many online retailers do not allow CBD products to be sold on their platform (Amazon, Walmart) as they do contain trace amounts of THC
- Avoid claims like "fix" or "cure" anxiety or "works immediately"
- Be aware of any product that promises "extremely high level of CBD" in their oil
- When purchasing CBD oil, make sure it comes in an amber (brown) or dark colored glass bottle; UV light breaks down the compounds of oil and only high-quality brands will store their product in the proper package
What should I look for when selecting a hemp or CBD product for my pet?
- Look for a brand that completes third party tests from an independent laboratory
- For CBD products look for a COA (certificate of analysis) that should contain a batch number, CBD level, THC level and other compounds
- Transparency of concentration / potency of ingredients being used in an amount-per-serving not total bottle
- Be aware of where you purchase CBD products from, many online retailers do not allow CBD products to be sold on their platform (Amazon, Walmart) as they do contain trace amounts of THC
- Avoid claims like "fix" or "cure" anxiety or "works immediately"
- Be aware of any product that promises "extremely high level of CBD" in their oil
- When purchasing CBD oil, make sure it comes in an amber (brown) or dark colored glass bottle; UV light breaks down the compounds of oil and only high-quality brands will store their product in the proper package
Here at Wag Source, we only produce calming soft chews that contain organic hemp protein powder, which is made by grinding pressed hemp seeds. We offer two soft chew formulas, one formulated exclusively for dogs and the other is exclusively for cats. In addition to hemp, each soft chew contains many other powerful active natural ingredients that your pet can benefit from.
- Organic Hemp Protein (100mg)
- Chamomile Flower (100mg)
- L-Tryptophan (75mg)
- Passion Flower (75mg)
- Valerian Root (75mg)
- Lemon Balm Extract (50mg)
- Ashwagandha Powder (35mg)
- Ginger Root Powder (25mg)
- Vitamin B1 (25mg)
- Magnesium (15mg)
- L-Theanine (10mg)
- Melatonin (1mg)
- Organic Hemp Protein (100mg)
- Chamomile Flower (50mg)
- Passion Flower (50mg)
- Valerian Root (25mg)
- L-Theanine (25mg)
- Ginger Root Powder (25mg)
- L-Tryptophan (10mg)
- Melatonin (1mg)
- If you would like to learn more about each of these natural ingredients and their benefits for pets, please visit our website
Wag Source Calming Aids are designed in an easy-to-give, soft chew treat that you may give your pet directly or crumble into their meal on a daily basis. They are packed with powerful active natural ingredients to offer many benefits including:
- Hemp contains anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe and relieve itchy skin or irritated eyes which will overall help improve your pet's disposition
- Calm anxiety and relieves stress
- Relax muscles, reduces hyperactivity and destructive behavior
- Lower behavioral aggression and agitation
- Ease negative mood behaviors from nervousness, fear and separation anxiety
- Promote a balanced and relaxed state of mind
- Soothe upset stomach, nausea and gastrointestinal issues brought on by anxiety
- Some research shows hemp can help reduce depression and insomnia
- Hemp contains natural sedatives that can help prepare your pet's mind for stressful situations or environments
SAVE 25% OFF WAG SOURCE CALMING AIDS WITH CODE: KEEPCALMWS25
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Disclaimer: The blogs/articles on our website are written for suggestive or informational purposes only and are based on personal experiences. They are not written by a licensed veterinarian or intended to be medical advice for you or your pet. Outside of Wag Source, we are not paid or affiliated with any product, service or business in this post and own all rights to the images contained herein. Please consult with a veterinarian or other healthcare professional regarding any medical or health related questions or concerns you may for your pet. We assume no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of this site. The information contained in this site is provided on an "as is" basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness or timeliness.